Of the big hotel programs out there, Hyatt ranks one the smallest. But while small, Hyatt is also mighty. In fact, World of Hyatt is one of the best hotel loyalty programs out there — and it's actually No. 2 in NerdWallet's annual ranking of the best hotel loyalty programs.

A big reason why is simply because Hyatt points are ultra valuable. NerdWallet values one Hyatt point at 2.3 cents, which is far higher than the value of points at all other major hotel loyalty programs including Marriott Bonvoy, IHG and Wyndham. You can earn points a myriad of ways, including spending on the World of Hyatt Credit Card or by transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards® points.

But you can also earn Hyatt points by staying at Hyatt hotels. And relative to the points earned by dollar spent, only one other hotel brand (Radisson) beats out World of Hyatt in terms of how many points you'll earn.

And so, while Hyatt points are easier to come by than others by some metrics (and typically more valuable), you still want to make sure you redeem Hyatt points for maximum value. Here's how:

Use your Hyatt Points for hotel stays, and pay attention to location

While you can exchange Hyatt points for airline miles and use them for redemptions such as Lindblad Expeditions, typically the best use of Hyatt points is using them toward Hyatt hotel stays.

Hyatt points can be cashed in at any of its properties, which have each been classified into one of eight categories, varying from 3,500 to 45,000 points per night for a standard room. You'll save by booking a room on an off-peak night, as points rates are slightly discounted. Here's the World of Hyatt award chart:

To really increase the net value of your points, look for sweet spot redemptions abroad. For instance, you can stay in the Park Hyatt Chennai, a luxury five-star hotel in India, for just 3,500 points per night as it is a Category 1 Hotel. You can read about even more amazing suites around the world you can book with Hyatt points here.

The difference in points cost can vary within a city, too. For instance, a stay at the Park Hyatt New York will cost you 35,000 points, while the Hyatt Place New York/Midtown-South will run you 17,000 points per night.

Level up: book the "Hyatt Sweet Spots"

For a property to be considered a sweet spot, the cost to book a room in points has to be significantly lower than the cost to book in cash. Among the Hyatt sweet spots: top-tier properties, all-inclusive resorts, and budget brands like Hyatt Place and Hyatt House. NerdWallet rounded up a guide to the top Hyatt sweet spots here.

If you have a taste for the finer (and more expensive) things in life, some Hyatt luxury resorts offer especially-good redemptions.

Photo courtesy of Hyatt Ziva and Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall

Cash in your points for room upgrades

You can upgrade a room at a participating hotel or resort to a different type or category of room starting at only 3,000 points.

Depending on the price you paid for your original booking, this point redemption can be worth up to hundreds of dollars — a great way to maximize your Hyatt point values.

Redeem for all-inclusive properties whenever possible

One of the highest-value ways to redeem your Hyatt points is to book an all-inclusive resort stay. Not only will you get to enjoy a comfortable night’s stay, you’ll also gain access to delicious dining options, entertainment, and local excursions.

Unlike the numbered categories for Hyatt's other hotels, Hyatt's all-inclusives are broken down into lettered categories (A-F), which range in points values between 12,000-58,000 points per night.

The Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa

Use points + cash wisely

One perk available to World of Hyatt members is the ability to book rooms with both cash and points, rather than points or cash alone.

You can combine points and cash for stays at standard rooms, standard suites and premium suites across Hyatt brands, ranging in cost from 2,500 points + 50% of the standard rate at category 2 hotels, up to 30,000 points + 50% of the standard rate for category 7 hotels.

Note that the points and cash options for the luxurious Miraval Resorts are unique from other Hyatt properties, ranging from 22,500-62,500 points + 50% of the standard rate.

You can view a comprehensive breakdown of the cost for all Hyatt properties on their site. If you find a great deal on a hotel for the evening, this can be a great way to redeem your Hyatt points for maximum value.

Play the peak/off-peak game (harder)

In March 2022, Hyatt implemented peak and off-peak pricing in their award chart. Rather than one, there are now three award charts: standard, peak and off-peak. With that change, Hyatt’s eight-category award system remained the same, but the points cost of a single standard night now varies by plus or minus 3,000-5,000 points, depending on the category.

To shave the total of redeemed points needed for any given stay, pay careful attention to extending your accommodation bookings across off-peak dates whenever possible. On the bright side, you don’t need to worry about dynamic pricing (for now) — Hyatt still keeps costs consistent once the rate is published (up to 13 months in advance).

The bottom line

With the right eye on peak dates and the commitment to optimizing for free night certificates, you’re well on your way to getting the most value from Hyatt Points. And if all those redemptions sound good, but you just need to actually have some points to your name, here are the best ways to earn Hyatt points.