Overview
Hyatt may not have the global footprint boasted by its competitors, Hilton and Marriott, but it’s been making waves in the hotel world with its exceptional World of Hyatt loyalty program. Lauded for its exceptional value and now sporting a growing portfolio of over 1,300 properties in more than 70 countries, it’s not a program to be taken lightly. In fact, it should pose a threat to your Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy loyalty cards.
While its competitors focus on the perks, Hyatt has stuck to its guns, offering immense value to customers while delivering an exceptional hotel experience. Whether you’re a complete newcomer to the program or know a thing or two about Hyatt hotels, it’s worth digging a little deeper. Here’s everything you need to know about World of Hyatt.
The Bottom Line:
World of Hyatt stands out by prioritizing value over everything else. While its perks are still excellent, the real benefits come in the form of its generous award chart, allowing customers to book spectacular hotels for a fraction of the points its competitors charge for a similar experience. Don’t be put off by its smaller footprint; Hyatt is growing and is already a big presence in some of the best markets in the world.
Hyatt High-Level Overview
Hyatt is a global hospitality company currently boasting more than 1,300 properties around the world. Originally founded as a motel near LAX, the company as we know it came about in 1957 when Jay Pritzker purchased the location. He and his brother Donald expanded the airport hotel concept, growing Hyatt into the corporation it is today. The company remains private and is still run by the family today.
Its loyalty program, World of Hyatt, comprises two sides: the points amassing and redemption side, and the elite status side. Staying in Hyatt properties and spending on Hyatt co-branded credit cards, among other things, can help customers move through the elite ranks to unlock benefits and score free nights with their earned points.
Hyatt Brands
Hyatt now has more than 30 brands in its portfolio, from high-end luxury properties and independently managed boutiques to budget locations and long-term apartment-style suites. The varying price points allow even those on a strict budget to make the most of World of Hyatt and the benefits it offers. Let’s take a look at the brands on offer.
Luxury
Park Hyatt: The flagship luxury brand with a focus on fine art and Michelin-starred dining.
Andaz: Stylish, destination-inspired hotels with a vibrant and artistic atmosphere.
Alila: A collection of resorts known for eco-conscious design and serene locations.
Thompson Hotels: Boutique luxury with a focus on bold design and curated experiences.
The Unbound Collection by Hyatt: A collection of unique, independent hotels with their own distinct stories.
Miraval: All-inclusive wellness resorts centered on mindfulness and well-being.
Impression by Secrets: An elevated, adults-only, all-inclusive resort experience.
Premium
Grand Hyatt: Large, elegant hotels in major cities and resort destinations.
Hyatt Regency: A full-service brand popular with business and leisure travelers.
Hyatt Centric: Lifestyle hotels in the heart of cities, offering a local experience.
Destination by Hyatt: A diverse collection of independent hotels and resorts.
JdV by Hyatt: A collection of unique, personality-driven hotels.
Dream Hotels: Trendy, design-focused hotels with a lively atmosphere.
Hyatt Vacation Club: A timeshare and vacation rental brand.
All-Inclusive
Hyatt Ziva: Family-friendly all-inclusive resorts.
Hyatt Zilara: Adults-only all-inclusive resorts.
Secrets Resorts & Spas: Adults-only resorts with a romantic, upscale vibe.
Dreams Resorts & Spas: All-inclusive hotels for couples and families.
Breathless Resorts & Spas: Adults-only all-inclusive resorts with a focus on nightlife and socializing.
Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts: Wellness-focused, all-inclusive luxury resorts.
Hyatt Vivid Hotels & Resorts: Adults-only, all-inclusive vacation accommodations.
Alua Hotels & Resorts: All-inclusive resorts in Europe.
Sunscape Resorts & Spas: All-inclusive resorts for families.
Essentials & Extended Stay
Hyatt Place: Upscale select-service hotels offering comfortable and convenient stays.
Hyatt House: Extended-stay hotels with apartment-style suites and full kitchens.
Caption by Hyatt: A select-service brand with a social and community-focused atmosphere.
Hyatt Studios: A new, upper-midscale, extended-stay concept.
UrCove: A brand tailored for business travelers in China.
Mr & Mrs Smith: A global collection of boutique and luxury hotels.
World of Hyatt Elite Status
World of Hyatt awards customer loyalty with its elite status program. Members rise through three tiers—named Discoverist, Explorist, and Globalist—unlocking new perks and benefits as they go. Elite status tiers are earned based on the number of qualifying nights and base points earned. It’s now also possible to achieve elite status using a co-branded credit card. Progress is tracked using Base Points.
Here’s a breakdown of each tier. Note that Base Point earnings remain at 5 Base Points per eligible $1 at most Hyatt hotels and resorts:
Member Level
Customers achieve this automatically by signing up for World of Hyatt
Perks:
Member-exclusive rates
Complimentary standard Wi-Fi
Waived resort fees on free night awards
Discoverist
The first elite tier, offering a solid introduction to the program’s benefits.
Perks:
All Member benefits
10% bonus points on eligible spending
Complimentary premium internet
Preferred room upgrades (based on availability, within the same category)
2 p.m. late checkout (subject to availability)
How to Earn (in a year):
10 qualifying nights
25,000 Base Points
Automatic status with the World of Hyatt credit card
Explorist
Offers a substantial step up, with perks and earning bonuses
Perks:
All Discoverist and Member benefits
20% bonus points on eligible spending
Upgraded rooms (based on availability, excluding suites)
Guaranteed room availability with 72-hour notice
How to Earn (in a year):
30 qualifying nights
50,000 Base Points
Globalist
The top tier of the program, offering some of the best perks in the industry
Perks:
All Explorist, Discoverist, and Member benefits
30% bonus points on eligible spending
Guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout (at most hotels)
Room upgrades, including standard suites (based on availability)
Club lounge access or complimentary full breakfast for all registered guests
Free parking on award stays
Guest of Honor awards, allowing you to gift your benefits to someone else
How to Earn (in a year):
60 qualifying nights
100,000 Base Points
It’s also possible to earn Lifetime Globalist after hitting 1 million lifetime base points.
How to Earn World of Hyatt Points
Separate from Base Points are traditional World of Hyatt bonus points. These are earned in a similar manner, whether through nights at Hyatt properties, spending while staying at Hyatt properties, or using co-branded Hyatt credit cards. It’s also possible to transfer points into your World of Hyatt account from other partnered credit cards.
Here’s a breakdown of each of those methods.
Stays
The most traditional way to earn points is by staying at Hyatt properties. Customers earn the previously mentioned 5 base points per dollar, which can also be redeemed for free stays. Each tier beyond that earns bonus points, which don’t count towards elite status, but can be redeemed.
Member: 5 points per dollar
Discoverist: 5.5 points per dollar (10% bonus)
Explorist: 6 points per dollar (20% bonus)
Globalist: 6.5 points per dollar (30% bonus)
Co-Branded credit cards
As great as earning with stays is, many of us don’t stay in hotels enough to make it worth it. Hyatt’s co-branded credit cards help with that, offering complementary elite status, bonus point earning on everyday purchases, base point boosts, and even free nights. Hyatt currently offers a personal card and a business card, each gifting the holder Discoverist Status as well as free nights and introductory points bonuses.
Transfer partners
Hyatt currently partners with Chase Ultimate Rewards and Bilt Rewards, allowing members with credit cards earning those two rewards currencies to transfer to World of Hyatt. Both have a 1:1 transfer ratio, allowing you to move the points when and if you need them. The flexibility of this allows anyone to take advantage of Hyatt without any real commitment to the elite side of things.
Other earning opportunities
FIND Experiences: Earn 10 points per dollar on unique, local experiences booked through Hyatt’s platform.
Avis Car Rentals: Earn points on car rentals when you provide your World of Hyatt number.
American Airlines Partnership: World of Hyatt elite members can earn Hyatt points on eligible American Airlines flights.
- Best for: Beginner Travelers
- Annual Fee: $95
- APR: 19.99% - 28.24% Variable
- Reward Rate: 1X - 5X
- Recommended Credit: 670-850
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
75,000 Bonus Points
Offer Details:
Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Why we like it
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is the ultimate all-around travel credit card—it fits perfectly into almost any points-earner’s wallet. Points novices can enjoy a significant intro bonus and easy to grasp spending categories with an approachable annual fee. The more experienced can utilize its high value earning potential as a secondary card and also gain access to Chase’s strong travel booking portal.
Reward details
5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.
3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries.
2x on all other travel purchases.
1x on all other purchases.
Pros & Cons
Pros
The $50 dollar hotel credit for stays purchased on the Chase Travel Portal already cuts the already approachable $95 annual fee significantly.
10% anniversary points boost – each account anniversary you’ll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
Along with all of the above, cardholders also have access to a string of travel protections like rental coverage, cancellation insurance, and purchase protection.
Cons
It’s subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule. So, if you’ve opened five cards in the last two years, you’re most likely not going to be accepted.
Competing cards like the Capital One Venture have a better earning rate for non-bonus spend.
Chase has a once-per-lifetime rule for sign-up bonuses on their Sapphire cards, including the Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, and Sapphire Reserve for Business. So, once you’ve earned a welcome bonus on any of these cards, you’ll never be eligible for the bonus again on the same card.
Terms Apply
How to Use World of Hyatt Points
Upgrades, late checkouts, and freebies are nice. But the real value in World of Hyatt is its incredible award charts. Their potential beats out almost any other hotel program thanks to its outstanding sweet spots and reliable rates. While using your points on free nights is by far the best way, we’ll take a look at all the options.
Redeeming points for stays
Redeeming points for free nights is the most common way to use World of Hyatt points. Thankfully, it’s also the most valuable. Hyatt operates an award chart, instead of the dynamic systems its competitors use. Standard nights are priced by the category of hotel and whether it’s a normal, peak, or off-peak date. You can then opt to book a higher-value room, like suites or premium suites, which are priced in the same way but with higher rates.
Rates start at just 3,500 points for a Category 1 Hotel, with even the most luxurious properties potentially bookable for as little as 35,000 points. Those rooms could go for over $1,000 a night when paying cash. That’s incredible value at any end of the scale. This award chart system makes the entire program a bit of a sweet spot if you’re flexible enough to choose off-peak dates. Generally, the more luxurious the hotel, the better points value you’re likely to get.
Other redemptions
Room Upgrades: Upgrading with points can be a cheap way to get a better room, but it doesn’t give your points quite as much value as redeeming for a night
Dining and Spa: Points can also be used as a credit for on-property experiences like spas and dining
Hyatt’s “Brand Explorer” Award: By staying at five different Hyatt brands, you can earn a free night award in hotels up to Category 4
From Experience
I’m a huge Hilton fan, mainly due to the perks offered by its highest elite tier. But there’s no arguing that World of Hyatt is far more valuable. Some of my favorite hotels in the world are Hyatt properties, like the Hotel du Louvre in Paris and the Grand Hyatt in Kuala Lumpur. Both are luxury hotels that would have cost upwards of $500 a night when I stayed, but my points allowed me to book them for free at a fraction of what Hilton would have charged for a similar property. As long as Hyatt sticks to its guns, this program will remain unbeatable for value.
The Point
World of Hyatt, while less exciting on a perks and elite status front, is incredibly valuable. No other program lets its points go as far as Hyatt does. Whether you’re in a pinch and need a cheap 3,500 point bed or want to go big with a spectacular all-inclusive, Hyatt can give you that for less. Even if you’re not a regular hotel user, having a stock of World of Hyatt points is amazing in a pinch. Don’t sleep on this program.
- Best for: Luxury Travel
- Annual Fee: $795
- APR: 20.24% - 28.74% Variable
- Reward Rate: 1X - 10X
- Recommended Credit: 740-850
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
125,000 bonus points
Offer Details:
Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Why we like it
This card just got a major re-vamp and you can now get more than $2,700 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve!
Reward details
8x points on Chase TravelSM
4x points on flights and hotels booked direct
3x points on dining
1x points on all other purchases
Pros & Cons
Pros
-
The points are worth up to 2 cents a piece when used directly on Chase’s Ultimate Rewards Portal, offering a simple but high-value use for your points.
-
Plenty of excellent transfer partners allow points to be maximized
-
Some excellent partnerships with Doordash and Lyft add to its value.
-
Priority Pass membership allows access to over 1,300+ airport lounges and restaurants.
Cons
-
It’s subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule. So if you’ve opened five cards in the last two years, you’re most likely not going to be accepted.
-
Chase has a once-per-lifetime rule for sign-up bonuses on their Sapphire cards, including the Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, and Sapphire Reserve for Business. So, once you’ve earned a welcome bonus on any of these cards, you’ll never be eligible for the bonus again on the same card.
by your friends at The Daily Navigator
