The Comprehensive Guide to the World of Hyatt Loyalty Program

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Over the last three years, Hyatt’s loyalty program, World of Hyatt, has expanded rapidly, nearly doubling its offerings with 28 brands divided into four collections—Timeless, Boundless, Independent, and Inclusive—boasting more than 1,400 properties globally. While it may be smaller compared to major hotel loyalty programs like Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and IHG One Rewards, which each encompass over 6,000 properties, its compact size belies its strength. In reality, World of Hyatt points offer significantly greater value than those of its competitors, and the program features some of the best opportunities in the industry for redeeming points, along with a highly rewarding elite status program.

In this guide, we explore the essential aspects of a World of Hyatt membership, including how to earn and redeem points, the path to elite status, and what the 40 million members of World of Hyatt (and growing) can expect in 2024 and beyond.

Becoming a Member of World of Hyatt

Obtaining a World of Hyatt membership is simple and free, achieved through a quick online registration. As a member, you’ll unlock exclusive member rates and the ability to earn and redeem points across the program’s diverse portfolio, which consists of four collections. The largest is Hyatt’s Timeless Collection, featuring well-known brands like Park Hyatt, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt, and Hyatt Place. The Boundless Collection is home to popular lifestyle brands such as Miraval, Alila, Andaz, Thompson Hotels, and Dream Hotels. The Inclusive Collection encompasses 10 all-inclusive brands, ranging from Secrets Resorts & Spas to Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts, while the Independent Collection highlights distinctive boutique hotels worldwide, particularly in major cities.

How to Accumulate Points as a World of Hyatt Member

There are numerous ways to earn World of Hyatt points, from overnight stays at portfolio properties to welcome offers from credit cards and participation in partner programs.

When booking directly through Hyatt’s channels, guests earn 5 World of Hyatt points for every dollar spent on stays, dining, and spa services, and 10 points per dollar on FIND experiences, which include educational, cultural, and wellness-oriented activities organized by Hyatt. (It's worth noting that even if you’re not an overnight guest, most hotels will award points for dining and spa services if you provide your account number at the time of payment.) Additionally, thanks to a strategic partnership, travelers can book most Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) properties through Hyatt’s website, earning five World of Hyatt points per dollar spent, plus complimentary continental breakfast for two each day, free Wi-Fi, and additional benefits.

Additionally, Hyatt’s personal and business cobranded credit cards often enhance the sign-up incentives with attractive welcome offers. From now until March 6, the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card provides up to 75,000 bonus World of Hyatt points. This includes 60,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 within the first three months of account opening, plus an additional 15,000 points after spending $12,000 in the first six months.

World of Hyatt is also a transfer partner of Chase Ultimate Rewards, allowing points earned from cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve® to be transferred to World of Hyatt at a one-to-one ratio. Both the Preferred and Reserve cards currently offer new cardmembers 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months.

In partnership with American Airlines, World of Hyatt elite members earn one point for every dollar spent on flights. Conversely, American AAdvantage elite members accumulate one mile for every dollar spent on Hyatt stays. To benefit from this double-dipping opportunity, members must link their accounts between both programs.

Moreover, World of Hyatt members can transfer points to friends and family at no cost once every 30 days. They also have the option to purchase up to 55,000 points each calendar year.

World of Hyatt Elite Status and Milestone Rewards

World of Hyatt offers four membership tiers, beginning with the basic Member level and advancing through three elite levels: Discoverist, Explorist, and Globalist. To achieve elite status, members must either stay a specific number of nights at Hyatt properties or accumulate a set amount of base points (generally five points for every dollar spent) within a calendar year. Each tier provides a range of perks, such as discounted room rates, premium internet access, room upgrades, late checkout, Club lounge entry, and more. For instance, top-tier Globalist status includes a 30% bonus on qualifying purchases, upgrades to standard suites, Club lounge access or complimentary breakfast, and a 4 p.m. late checkout, subject to availability.

The criteria for qualification are as follows:

Cardholders of the World of Hyatt Credit Card and the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card automatically receive Discoverist status, along with five qualifying nights toward achieving elite status.

Once you achieve elite status within a calendar year, it remains valid for the remainder of that year, all of the following year, and the first two months of the next. For instance, if you attain Globalist status by October 2024, it will be valid until February 28, 2026.

Alongside granting elite status through qualifying nights or base points, World of Hyatt also offers Milestone Rewards—such as Club access, free night certificates, Guest of Honor status, and suite upgrades—upon reaching specific thresholds of nights or points within a calendar year. Think of these as bonus rewards as you ascend the elite tiers. Additionally, the Brand Explorer sub-program rewards members with a free night after staying at five different brands among the 28 available.

How to Redeem World of Hyatt Points for Complimentary Stays

To use points for a complimentary night at a Hyatt property, refer to this clear award chart. It categorizes hotels into eight tiers, with point redemptions starting at 3,500 points and reaching up to 45,000 points for a standard room. Each category also features off-peak, standard, and peak pricing based on the season. Sub-charts detail point redemptions for guaranteed suite or premium suite nights compared to standard rooms.

The Inclusive Collection has its own award chart, dividing resorts into six lettered categories, with redemption options ranging from 12,000 points for a night at a Category A property during off-peak times to 58,000 points for a stay at a Category F resort during peak seasons.

When used wisely, World of Hyatt points can hold significant value. Two of our recent standout redemptions include a two-night stay at the Category 8 Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme in France for 40,000 points per night (compared to €1,450 per night) and a weekend at the Category 6 Grand Hyatt Baha Mar in Nassau, Bahamas for 50,000 points for two nights (as opposed to a total of $1,273 for the two nights).

A few other noteworthy aspects of reward bookings include that resort fees, often quite high in beach destinations, are always waived when using points. Additionally, it’s possible to combine points and cash for stays at many hotels if your points are running low but you still want to utilize some. Lastly, to keep your points from expiring, ensure there’s account activity at least once every 24 months.

What Awaits You as a World of Hyatt Member

There’s a lot to be excited about with World of Hyatt in 2024 and beyond. First, the program has been enhanced to provide more opportunities to earn Milestone Rewards in 2024, and the Guest of Honor program has undergone a complete redesign.

Hyatt’s acquisition of Mr & Mrs Smith, a travel club platform that offers direct booking to over 1,500 luxury and boutique hotels, means that selected Mr & Mrs Smith properties will eventually begin providing World of Hyatt benefits, and these properties will be bookable on hyatt.com.

Launched in December 2023, Homes & Hideaways by World of Hyatt is a new short-term vacation rental platform that offers private home rentals, allowing members to earn and redeem points.

Additionally, Hyatt has several luxury and lifestyle properties set to open soon. Among the most anticipated are the Thompson Hotels in Houston, Palm Springs, and South Beach, Miami—all debuting in 2024—as well as Park Hyatt openings in Marrakech, London, Los Cabos, and Kuala Lumpur in 2024, followed by locations in Johannesburg, Cancun, and Taipei in 2025.

This article was initially published in 2019 and was updated on January 18, 2024. While the offers mentioned are accurate at publication, they are subject to change at any time and may have changed or may no longer be available.