As it continues its push into experiential travel, Hyatt has announced a new partnership with Lindbald Expeditions, a cruise line with smaller ships that emphasizes the ability to get up close with nature.
For example, their cruises to Alaska on the 68-passenger National Geographic Sea Bird can also travel hundreds of miles upriver through locks to explore areas that you just can’t reach with a traditional cruise ship. Or you can sail around the Caribbean on the Sea Cloud, a 58-passenger, 4-masted sailing ship. Having previously chartered a much smaller 10-person sailboat, I can tell you this is one of the best ways to explore the smaller islands of the Caribbean. Other cruises head to exotic locales like Antarctica and the Galapagos.
Because of the partnership with World of Hyatt, you’ll be able to earn points and credit toward elite status when you book your vacation with Lindbald Expeditions. You’ll continue to earn 5 base points per dollar, plus bonuses for elite status, on cruise packages. (Points are not earned on incidental charges.) There will also be upcoming news on how to redeem points for a cruise. Each eligible night on the ship earns one elite tier qualifying night toward World of Hyatt status. All benefits begin immediately for trips booked on or after September 26, 2019.
World of Hyatt members can also look forward to several benefits:
- All members receive a $250 on-board ship credit.
- Purchase of a Lindbald Expedition cruise will be eligible for bonus points using a Hyatt credit card. The new World of Hyatt credit card earns 4 points per dollar, while the legacy Hyatt credit card earns 3 points per dollar.
- Members who have elite status with Hyatt and at least Gold status with American Airlines (through their new partnership) will be able to earn an additional 1 American AAdvantage mile per dollar spent.
Finally, Lindbald Expeditions will be part of Hyatt’s existing FIND experiences program, which offers the opportunity to redeem Hyatt points for a variety of experiences beyond lodging. Get more information on the partnership between Hyatt and Lindbald on Hyatt’s landing page.
I’m not normally a big fan of taking a cruise. The idea of being stuck on a ship with thousands of people — shuttling to and from the same excursions with the same crowd — is unappealing. I know some people like the convenience but I just see long lines. That said, I recognize that some of the most exotic destinations are best reached by boat. Lindbald Expeditions is the kind of smaller cruise experience I would probably enjoy, and I look forward to trying them at some point now that they’ve partnered with Hyatt.
