In 2023, the World of Hyatt program has undergone some significant changes that have made headlines in the travel industry. These changes include the termination of partnerships with MGM and Lindblad Expeditions, as well as updates to the meeting planner/travel agent and Guest of Honor programs. Despite these changes, the World of Hyatt program continues to offer some of the most valuable hotel points and top-tier elite status perks.
One of the reasons why the World of Hyatt program has such a loyal following is its reasonable rates and how easy it is to achieve even basic elite status. While Hyatt has fewer properties compared to Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors, it has a growing portfolio of over 1,100 properties in more than 70 countries. With over two dozen brands, including well-known names like Grand Hyatt and Hyatt Regency, Hyatt offers a diverse range of options for travelers.
One of the standout features of the World of Hyatt program is its valuable partnerships with companies like American Airlines and Small Luxury Hotels of the World. Members can earn and redeem points with these partners, which allows for greater flexibility and more opportunities to earn rewards. For example, World of Hyatt elite members earn 1 Hyatt point for every eligible dollar spent on qualifying American Airlines flights, while AAdvantage elite members earn 1 AAdvantage mile for every eligible dollar spent on qualifying Hyatt stays and experiences.
Speaking of elite status, the World of Hyatt program has three tiers of elite status: Discoverist, Explorist, and Globalist. To qualify for each tier, members need to meet certain requirements such as the number of nights stayed, meetings and events attended, or base points earned. The requirements can be lower for members with a cobranded Hyatt credit card, which also offers additional perks like qualifying nights and automatic Discoverist status.
Each tier of elite status comes with its own set of benefits, such as bonus points, room upgrades, late checkout, and access to club lounges. The top-tier Globalist status offers the most perks, including a 30% bonus on eligible purchases, space-available room upgrades to standard suites, and waived resort fees on eligible paid rates. Globalist members also have the ability to share their elite perks with others through the Guest of Honor program.
Earning Hyatt points is relatively straightforward, with members earning points on all Hyatt hotel stays booked directly through the company. The number of points earned per dollar spent varies depending on the member’s elite status, with Globalist members earning the highest bonus. Hyatt also frequently runs promotions for members to earn bonus points, and there are opportunities to earn points through credit cards like the World of Hyatt Credit Card and the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card.
Redeeming Hyatt points is also simple, as the program uses a published award chart to determine the number of points needed for a free night redemption. The higher the hotel category, the more points required for a redemption. This award chart is a notable differentiator from other programs that have shifted to dynamic pricing, allowing members to have a clearer understanding of how many points they need for a specific hotel.
Overall, the World of Hyatt program offers a valuable and rewarding experience for its members. With its diverse portfolio of brands, valuable partnerships, and reasonable redemption rates, Hyatt continues to be a favorite among travelers. The recent changes to the program have certainly made headlines, but the core benefits and perks of the World of Hyatt program remain intact, making it a top choice for those seeking a rewarding loyalty program in the hotel industry.