World of Hyatt is one of the smaller loyalty programs, with around 700 properties. Many of the competing behemoths have 5,000 or more. But Hyatt’s smaller size sometimes translates into better perks for elite status, and it also has partnerships wither other loyalty programs including M life Rewards in Las Vegas and the Small Luxury Hotels of the World. If your goal is to earn points to redeem at premium resorts, then World of Hyatt is a good choice.
Earning Points
In general, you will earn 5 points per dollar spent at Hyatt hotels including room charges to your folio, as well as additional bonus points depending on your elite status, if any. Discoverist members receive a 10% bonus (5.5 points per dollar total), Explorist members receive a 20% bonus (6 points per dollar total), and Globalist members receive a 30% bonus (6.5 points per dollar total).
You may also choose to earn airline miles instead of World of Hyatt points. This is rarely a good value since you only get 500 miles per stay no matter how long you stay or how much you spend. However, it may be worthwhile if you stay infrequently and are at a budget brand like Hyatt Place. Be sure to change your profile settings to indicate you prefer miles instead of points.
World of Hyatt Credit Card
The former Hyatt Credit Card has been discontinued, though some customers may still have it. The only card you can apply for now is the World of Hyatt Credit Card. Sign-up offers for the card vary but typically include between 40,000 and 60,000 points. You would need 30,000 points for a free night award at a top-tier Category 7 property.
Besides the sign-up bonus, the World of Hyatt credit card includes a free night award at a Category 1-4 hotel each year at the cardmember anniversary; 4X points at Hyatt hotels; and 2X points at restaurants, gyms, car rental agencies, and airline tickets purchased directly from the airline.
Finally, the card includes automatic Discoverist status and credit of 5 qualifying nights toward achieving higher status in the program.
Transferring Points
You can also transfer points from other sources. World of Hyatt is a partner of Chase Ultimate Rewards (which includes the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Preferred, and Chase Freedom credit cards). You can transfer points at a 1-to-1 ratio from Ultimate Rewards to World of Hyatt and expect to have the points available almost immediately.
If you have a friend or relative with World of Hyatt points or in need of points, you can transfer them between accounts without a fee. You may receive or send points only once every 30 days. In theory transfers are only supposed to be used for the purposes of completing an award redemption, but I have never seen any limits put in place. You can use transfers to consolidate points in a single account, such as if one spouse has elite status. You can also transfer points to a friend with Globalist status and ask them to book a Guest of Honor reservation (more about that later).
Points Expiration
World of Hyatt points will expire in your account after 24 months of inactivity. If you earn or redeem any points, that will reset the clock and prevent expiration. You shouldn’t have this problem, but if you do then I recommend you try transferring them to someone else before it happens.
Redeeming Points
World of Hyatt has eight award categories. Unlike some other chains, there is no fifth free night when you book an award stay for five or more nights. You will need to redeem the full amount for every night of your stay. I consider World of Hyatt points worth between 1.4 and 1.7 cents each. For example, a “good” redemption of 20,000 points should cost at least $280.
Free Night Awards
Standard room awards are available whenever there is a base-level room available at the hotel. This may be limited since some hotels, for example, have many different room categories and only a small number are in the base level. Awards typically range from 5,000 to 30,000 points per night, with only a small number in Category 7. (Most hotels are in Categories 4-6.) A new Category 8 was recently introduced for Hyatt’s partnership with Small Luxury Hotels of the World (see below), though some SLH properties are in cheaper categories.
You can also redeem more points for a room with access to a Regency Club or Grand Club, which typically includes a breakfast buffet and evening drinks and canapés. I would recommend redeeming a few more points for a standard suite. Premium suites (above the base level suite) are a new addition and vary across properties.
Points and Cash Awards
Hyatt recently updated its Points + Cash awards, which allow you to partially pay with points and pay the remainder in cash. Be aware that discounted rates may be available (e.g., AAA rates) for less than the standard rate. It is sometimes better to pay with all points and sometimes better to pay with all cash.
Points + Cash awards are also available for suites and premium suites (but not club rooms). Please see the World of Hyatt website for these award rates.
Upgrade Awards
Upgrades are available if you have already booked a qualifying stay with cash and wish to upgrade to a better room. (You cannot upgrade an award stay.) It costs 3,000 points per night to upgrade to a club room, 6,000 points per night to upgrade to a standard suite, and 9,000 points per night to upgrade to a premium suite.
All-Inclusive Awards
Hyatt owns two all-inclusive brands: Zilara, for adults only, and Ziva, for families and guests of all ages. Because these hotels include meals the rates are slightly different. Standard rates in this chart apply for single or double occupancy. Additional points are required for a third or fourth guest.
Guest of Honor Awards
Globalist elite members may book a Guest of Honor award for any friend or family member. Simply call Hyatt reservations and ask to book a Guest of Honor award. The points will be deducted from the Globalist member’s account, but the reservation will be made in the guest’s name. During his or her stay, the guest will enjoy all the same Globalist benefits as the elite member.
Be aware that this only works for free night awards. Cash and Points awards or regular reservations paid in cash do not qualify.
Earning Elite Status
Members of World of Hyatt can earn elite status by achieving a certain number of qualifying nights, by earning enough base points (i.e., spending a certain amount), or by organizing a certain number of qualifying meetings or events. Most members earn their status through qualifying nights.
A qualifying night is typically any night that you book directly with the hotel, including award stays. Status is earned with 10, 30, or 60 qualifying nights. For 2019 only, existing Globalist members will be able to re-qualifying for Globalist status with only 55 nights. Anyone earning Globalist status for the first time will need 60 nights.
World of Hyatt Elite Status Benefits
Benefits of World of Hyatt status are the richest for Globalist members, but it can be difficult earning 60 qualifying nights given how few Hyatt properties there are around the world. Discoverist status is relatively easy to earn and is included with the World of Hyatt Credit Card. Most frequent travelers will probably find themselves with Explorist status, but you can also get some perks with no status at all.
Member
- Complimentary standard internet access
- Waived resort fees on award stays
Discoverist
- 10% bonus on points earned
- Complimentary premium internet access
- 2 PM late check-out
Explorist
- 20% bonus on points earned
- An upgrade to the best room available (excluding suites)
- Four club lounge passes
Globalist
- 30% bonus on points earned
- An upgrade to the best room available (including standard suites)
- Club lounge access on all stays (or complimentary breakfast)
- Four suite upgrades
- Complimentary parking on free night awards
- 4 PM late check-out
Milestone Rewards
Besides the normal benefits of elite status, you can also earn additional rewards at intervening milestones starting March 1, 2019. For example, Explorist status is earned at 30 qualifying nights while Globalist status is earned at 60 qualifying nights. In between you can earn bonus points at 40 qualifying nights and two suite upgrades at 50 qualifying nights.
Lifetime Globalist Status
Lifetime elite status with World of Hyatt is earned only one way: by earning 1,000,000 base points over the entire course of your membership with Hyatt. Remember that you earn only 5 base points per dollar regardless of your elite status. All other bonus points don’t count. This means you’ll need to spend $200,000 to earn lifetime Globalist status with World of Hyatt.
Partnership between World of Hyatt and MGM M life Rewards
World of Hyatt offers the most extensive elite benefits with the major Las Vegas resort hotels and casinos. Of course, some of the major chains are beginning to expand in Las Vegas (Hilton recently converted the Mandarin Oriental near Aria into a Waldorf-Astoria). Still, most of the action is at either the MGM or Caesars properties.
MGM’s M life Rewards program is partners with World of Hyatt and includes two key features. First, you can earn and redeem World of Hyatt points at MGM hotels. This is in addition to any points you might earn through the M life Rewards program, so be sure to link your World of Hyatt number to your M life account.
Second, you can match your status between M life Rewards and World of Hyatt. It’s not quite as generous as it once was, but it’s still free status and can earn some decent perks. Simply take your World of Hyatt card to the M life guest services desk on the casino floor.
Discoverist members will get M life Pearl status, and Globalist or Explorist members will get M life Gold status. Both offer complimentary self-parking and priority access to buffets. Gold status also provides priority hotel check-in and priority (“VIP”) access to night clubs.
Partnership between World of Hyatt and Small Luxury Hotels of the World
Hyatt is still rolling out its new partnership with Small Luxury Hotels of the World, and roughly 50 properties are participating at this time. Benefits will apply for all World of Hyatt members, regardless of your status. Besides earning and redeeming points, you will receive:
- Complimentary continental breakfast
- Complimentary internet access
- 12 PM early check-in (if available)
- 2 PM late check-out (if available)
- One category room upgrade (if available)
