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Hyatt is one of the most popular hotel chains in the world, and for a good reason. They’ve got something for everyone in almost every major city around the globe. Their loyalty program, World of Hyatt, is just as impressive as it is often touted as the best hotel loyalty program in the game. While it is difficult to climb the World of Hyatt status ladder, there are ways to make it easier to earn higher status, and it seems it can be worth it as the list of benefits is impressive. Hyatt program members do suffer from a lack of availability as Hyatt is a slightly smaller hotel chain compared to its competitors, but we think it’s still a heavy hitter in terms of quality when compared as well.
Status Levels
There are four levels of membership status in the Hyatt program. Again, the status ladder seems to be one of the more difficult to climb but is equally one of the more rewarding as well.
Member
This is the basic membership level obtained just by registering for an account with the World of Hyatt program. Like all other levels, this level can accumulate points that can later be redeemed. It also comes with a couple of perks like:
- Up to 10% off with Member rates at participating hotels
- Exclusive member-only rates
Discoverist
Discoverist is the first earned status in the World of Hyatt program. It can be achieved by staying a minimum of 10 nights, earning 25,000 base points, or by scheduling 3 meetings or events in a Hyatt hotel. Discoverist status is also earned automatically when approved for a World of Hyatt credit card. In addition to the Member level of benefits, Discoverists enjoy:
- 10% Bonus Points on qualifying purchases
- A bottle of water daily
- A 2 p.m. late checkout, upon availability
- Complimentary premium Internet where available
Explorist
After staying a minimum of 30 nights, earning 50,000 base points, or hosting 10 meetings or events, Hyatt program members can be considered Explorist status members. Again, in addition to the benefits of the lower levels, Explorist members can enjoy:
- 20% Bonus Points on qualifying purchases
- Upgraded rooms on qualifying nights, based on availability at check-in
Globalist
Finally, at the top of the pyramid sit the Globalists. These members have stayed at least 60 nights, earned 100,000 base points, or hosted 20 meetings or events with a Hyatt hotel. These members enjoy ultimate luxuries like:
- 30% Bonus Points on qualifying purchases
- Room upgrades, up to standard suites
- Club lounge access or complimentary breakfast
- A 4 p.m. late checkout, upon availability
*Lifetime Globalist
World of Hyatt members who have earned 1,000,000 lifetime base points can claim Lifetime Globalist status meaning these members will be considered Globalist members and can enjoy the benefits of Globalist members for life without needing to re-qualify. There are stipulations around what counts towards your lifetime base points, but Hyatt sends out a monthly email to members in which your total lifetime base points are listed at the top to help members keep track. Lifetime Globalist status can only be earned through the accumulation of qualifying lifetime base points and cannot be earned through nights, meetings, or events like any of the other status levels placing this status in a category of its own. In addition to all the Globalist perks, Lifetime Globalists can enjoy:
- 4 suite upgrade awards
- A category 1-7 free night certificate
- Access to a dedicated My Hyatt concierge agent
Brands
Hyatt owns over a dozen brands and has more than 900 properties scattered over 65 countries.
The best-known Hyatt brands are:
- Hyatt Regency – focused on business travelers and offers amenities like business centers and meeting spaces.
- Hyatt Centric – comparable to boutique hotels focused on making guests feel like they are living like a local.
- Hyatt House – an extended-stay brand with apartment-like amenities.
- Hyatt Place – positioned as the traditional hotel experience with expected features like workout facilities and cocktail bars.
- Grand Hyatt – a luxury boutique brand and one of the two Hyatt luxury brands.
- Park Hyatt – the highest tier of luxury brand in the Hyatt portfolio which usually are offered in smaller properties but with residential style accommodations and luxury services like on-site spas and upscale dining.
Other Hyatt brands included in the World of Hyatt program:
- Andaz
- Alila
- Hyatt Ziva and Hyatt Zilara
- Miraval
- The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
- Thompson Hotels
- Destination Hotels
- Joie de Vivre
- Hyatt Residence Club
- Urcove by Hyatt
- Exhale Spa & Fitness
Earn Points
Base Points & Bonus Points
There are two types of points World of Hyatt members can earn Base points and bonus Points. Base points are points earned when paying for Hyatt stays or when spending on Hyatt dining, spa, or other experiences. Base points can be redeemed for rewards but are the only points that count toward your tier status.
Bonus points are not considered a base point (i.e., elite status percentage bonuses, Planner Reward bonuses, promotional offers). Just like Base Points, Bonus Points can be used to redeem for rewards but do not count toward tier status.
Hotels
World of Hyatt members earns 5 Base Points for every eligible $1 spent on stays, dining, spa, and other services at participating hotel locations. Members can also earn 5 Base Points per $1 spent plus elite Bonus Points at participating Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
Meetings and Events
World of Hyatt also rewards meeting and event organizers who host with Hyatt. Members can earn 1 point per $1 spent, and up to 50,000 Bonus Points per event. Members can also earn elite status by holding meetings or events with Hyatt.
Promotions
Hyatt also occasionally runs promotions for members to earn more. These are often worth taking a look at as they can help you get ahead and earn more points, stays, or status.
Program Partners
American Airlines AAdvantage
World of Hyatt partners with American Airlines to give elite World of Hyatt members 1 Bonus Point for every $1 USD spent on qualifying American Airlines flights. As an American Airlines elite member, you can earn 1 AAdvantage Base Mile for every $1 USD spent on qualifying Hyatt stays and experiences, meaning dual elites can cash in double!
MGM Resorts International
Hyatt partners with MGM Resorts International to make your Las Vegas getaway even more spectacular. This partnership gives Hyatt members relationship benefits and a tier match so you can make the most of your status.
Relationship Benefits
| Earn 5 Base Points for every eligible US dollar spent at participating MGM Rewards destinations |
| Earn Qualifying Night and Base Point credit toward World of Hyatt elite status for eligible nights stayed at participating MGM Rewards destinations |
| Redeem points for stays at participating MGM Rewards destinations |
| Receive a matched MGM Rewards Tier Level |
| Earn MGM Rewards Tier Credits in lieu of Base Points for eligible stays at participating Hyatt hotels and resorts |
| Book participating MGM Rewards destinations through Hyatt channel |
MGM Rewards tier match
| Earned World of Hyatt Membership Level | Matched MGM Rewards Tier |
| Member | Sapphire |
| Discoverist | Pearl |
| Explorist | Gold |
| Globalist | Gold |
Lindblad Expeditions
Lindblad Expeditions offers cruises with a focus on adventure travel. Their fleet of 15 ships offers hundreds of cruises a year to destinations like Svalbard, Alaska, and the Galapagos—they even offer Antarctic cruises!
Hyatt has partnered with Lindblad Expeditions to offer World of Hyatt members the opportunity to earn points on expeditions booked with Lindblad.
- Earn five base points per dollar spent on eligible Lindblad Expeditions
- Receive standard elite tier bonus points on eligible spending
- Earn 4x World of Hyatt points per dollar spent when paying for Lindblad Experiences with either the World of Hyatt Credit Card or the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card.
Points earned with Lindblad Expeditions also count towards World of Hyatts global promotions. Your spending with Lindblad Expeditions also qualifies towards your Lifetime World of Hyatt Globalist status, which makes it a fun way to mix up your experiences while trying to achieve that.
World of Hyatt members can also expect to receive:
- $250 onboard credit to use on expeditions.
- One AAdvantage mile per dollar spent on Lindblad Expeditions for those elite members enrolled in the World of Hyatt/American Airlines AAdvantage partnership.
FIND Experiences
A newer addition to the World of Hyatt partnerships is FIND Experiences which offers more than 200 unique experiences centered around their 3 categories: Feel, Fuel, and Function.
World of Hyatt members can:
- Earn 10 total points per eligible $1 USD spent.
- Earn an additional 4 Bonus Points per eligible $1 when paying with the World of Hyatt Credit Card or the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card.
- Redeem points for any experience.
- Gift experiences to family or friends.
- Bid on limited-time auctions.
Avis
Hyatt has also partnered with Avis to offer members the ability to earn 500 Bonus Points and give you up to 25% off base rates for each qualifying rental with Avis.
Other Airline Partners
Hyatt has also given members a choice to earn miles instead of points for each stay with any of their more than 25 airline partners.
Purchase Points
Members can also purchase Bonus Points in increments of 1,000 for up to 55,000 points per calendar year. While this is almost never worth it as far as redemption value is concerned, it may be worth it to help make up points needed for status or to purchase a specific stay.
Credit Cards
Hyatt keeps it simple only offering their members two credit cards: World of Hyatt Credit Card and World of Hyatt Business Credit Card. These two cards have been touted as some of the best hotel loyalty cards on the market and boast some powerful benefits.
- Annual fee: $95 / $199
- Sign-Up Bonus: Up to 60,000 points
- Up to 9 total Points for every $1 on qualifying purchases
- A free night every year and an additional free night after spending $15,000 in a calendar year (only for World Of Hyatt Credit Card)
Read More: World of Hyatt Business Card vs. World of Hyatt Card
Redeem Points
Hyatt has some of the most affordable redemptions out there, and points can be redeemed for quite a lot.
Members can use their points to redeem for:
- Hyatt hotels
- Inclusive Collection all-inclusive resorts
- Miraval Resorts
- Room upgrades
- Lindbald Experiences
- FIND Experiences
- MGM Resorts International
Reward Nights
One of the other excellent benefits of the World of Hyatt program is the opportunity to earn free night certificates. There are a number of ways to earn free night certificates, including:
- Being a World of Hyatt Credit Card holder which earns a free night certificate for a Category 1-4 stay every year on the cardholder anniversary.
- Spending $15,000 on the World of Hyatt Credit Card in a year earns a second free night certificate for a Category 1-4 stay.
- Earning 30 elite nights in a calendar year which earns a free night certificate for a Category 1-4 stay.
- Earning 60 elite nights in a calendar year which earns a free night certificate for a Category 1-7 stay.
- Staying at five Hyatt brands cumulatively earns a free night certificate for a Category 1-4 stay.
- Being a World of Hyatt Lifetime Globalist member earns an annual free night certificate for a Category 1-7 stay.
To make the most of your free night category, you may like to stay at the higher end of your eligible category. For example, there are a few Park Hyatts (Hyatt’s highest luxury brand) that are category 4, but these are arguably the most bang for your buck with that free night certificate. A night at the Park Hyatt Saigon in Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City will set you back about $300 a night. So a free night (potentially several depending on how many free night certificates you qualify) is a steal, especially if all you did to get it was apply for a credit card.
Final Thoughts
With access to top-tier hotels and experiences all around the world, World of Hyatt certainly has some of the most enticing member benefits of any hotel loyalty program. A smaller portfolio than other major hotel chains is made up for when considering the breadth of points redeemability. We think the World of Hyatt program is one of the best programs for travelers looking to commit to a larger brand and would highly suggest you consider becoming a member.
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