Hyatt stacks even more all-inclusive resorts to their portfolio (now live) and it could be the perfect time to book before redemption rates rise in May.
World of Hyatt quietly became a more useful program this week for anyone who likes their vacation to include an open bar and a beach chair despite the increases to its award chart. On March 24, Bahia Principe Hotels and Resorts officially joined the World of Hyatt Inclusive Collection, adding 22 all-inclusive resorts to the award chart. More importantly for World of Hyatt points holders, these properties landed on fixed award chart pricing for the next month or so, not the dynamic pricing model that has crept into other recent Hyatt additions. That matters, and so does the timing, because Hyatt’s sweeping award chart overhaul arrives in May. If you have points and a trip in mind, you are now looking at a narrow window where the old pricing and a new set of properties overlap.
What Bahia Principe Brings to the Table
The 22 properties span four countries: the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Mexico, and Spain’s Canary Islands. Hyatt has reorganized the Bahia Principe brand into two clear tiers. Bahia Principe Escape properties are adults-only and skew toward relaxation, quieter pools, and upgraded dining. Bahia Principe Explore properties are family-oriented, with kids clubs, water parks, and entertainment programming. That split makes it easy to filter.
The portfolio falls into the middle tier of Hyatt’s all-inclusive offerings. The higher end of the spectrum for those unfamiliar are:
- Secrets Resorts & Spas
- Hyatt Ziva
- Zoëtry Wellness Spa Resorts
- Breathless Resorts & Spas
The Bahia Principe Luxury resorts are probably the closest comparison to Dreams Resorts & Spas and are a bit down market from Hyatt Zilara, but a step up (or two) from the entry-level Sunscape Resorts & Spas. But for the right redemption, that positioning creates the best value in the program.
The Specific Sweet Spots Worth Booking Now
The most compelling value in the new portfolio comes from the Category A properties. Bahia Principe Explore La Romana and Bahia Principe Explore San Felipe in the Dominican Republic both entered the program at Category A, which means off-peak award pricing starts at 12,000 points per night. Standard nights sit above that, but the off-peak floor is where the math starts to get interesting.
All-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic regularly run $150 to $250 per night per person in cash, with total room rates often landing in the $180 to $300 range depending on the season. At 12,000 points for an off-peak night and a cash rate of even $200, you are getting 1.67 cents per point. That is above the 1.5 cents per point threshold that most other analysts treat as the break-even for Hyatt redemptions but below my target of 2.0 cpp, and it is for a stay where all your food, drinks, and most activities are already included. The all-inclusive factor is what pushes the math here. Avoiding $12 cocktails on top of the room rate is a value add.
For Mexico, Bahia Principe Luxury Akumal in the Riviera Maya is priced at around 20,000 points per night with cash rates starting around $300. That is 1.5 cents per point, which is solid. The resort sits between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, has three pools, swim-up suite options, and a full spa. It is not the cheapest Hyatt in Mexico, but it is a legitimate all-inclusive resort at a price that beats booking cash.
In Jamaica, Bahia Principe Escape Runaway Bay comes in at 21,000 points per night against cash rates that start around $320. The adults-only Runaway Bay property has five restaurants, three bars, and ocean-view suite options, and it sits within a larger complex that includes a family property if you have guests staying separately. At $320 cash versus 21,000 points, that works out to about 1.52 cents per point, which clears the break-even mark.
One to approach more carefully: Bahia Principe Escape Samana in the Dominican Republic. It starts at 23,000 points per night against cash rates around $150. That math runs backward. At 0.65 cents per point, you would do better keeping those points for almost any other Hyatt redemption. The Samana property may suit cash travelers well, but points redemptions there are not where you want to deploy your balance.
Register Now, Travel Through June, Earn Double Points
Hyatt is running a double points promotion tied to the Bahia Principe launch. Members who register at hyatt.com/2x-points-bahia-principe before May 30 and complete a stay between April 1 and June 30 earn twice the normal base rate. That works out to 10 points per dollar spent on room rates instead of the standard 5 (or 18 points per dollar if you also carry the World of Hyatt Credit Card) before any elite bonuses from the actual stay. If you are planning a spring or early summer trip to any of these destinations, register now even if you have not booked yet. The registration is free and there is no minimum spend required to activate.
The double points promotion also applies to award stays, so you are not choosing between earning points and using points. Both qualify.
Conclusion
Hyatt’s May 2026 award chart overhaul, which I covered in detail back in February, affects pricing across much of the Inclusive Collection. Some categories are rising by as much as 67%. Bahia Principe properties that currently sit at Category A or Category B could move up after the overhaul, which would push the 12,000-point floor higher.
If you redeem now at current pricing and a property’s category increases in May, your existing booking is honored at today’s rate. If a property’s category somehow decreases, Hyatt will proactively refund the difference in points. That asymmetry makes booking early essentially risk-free on the points side. The only caveat is cancellation policy, which varies by property, so check before committing.
If you have World of Hyatt points that you have been holding for the right redemption, this week’s addition of 22 all-inclusive properties with fixed award chart pricing, a launch promotion, and a pre-May booking window is about as aligned as the calendar gets. The Category A properties in the Dominican Republic are the clearest value play. It could be an ideal slot to take advantage of the new properties.
What do you think?
Hyatt loyalists will be thrilled!
If you’re interested, act now!
Meh, all-inclusive doesn’t float my boat much. Often means, low quality.
You’ll imagine I am a little shallow. But please give me something besides an open bar and a beach chair to have a vacation.