Here’s how to quickly stock up on Hyatt points for your next vacation
As one of TPG's all-time favorite hotel loyalty programs, we value World of Hyatt points at an industry-leading 1.7 cents apiece. Even with the recent category changes, you can stay at some amazing Hyatt properties with reasonable redemption rates. So it's worth saving up now if you have your eye on an aspirational stay, such as a trip to the all-inclusive Alila Ventana Big Sur.
Not sure where to start with World of Hyatt? We'll show you all the different ways you can earn World of Hyatt points. We'll start with hotel stays and then move into alternative earning methods like credit cards and travel partners.
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Earn Hyatt points on travel
World of Hyatt rewards its members for each hotel stay across its global portfolio. You can earn points on all Hyatt hotel stays booked directly through Hyatt's website, which includes Small Luxury Hotels of the World properties, the Thompson and Joie de Vivre brands added as part of the Two Roads Hospitality integration and more than 50 all-inclusive resorts.
Hyatt awards 5 points per dollar spent on Hyatt hotel stays and qualifying room charges (room service, bar tabs, spa services, etc.). This number is consistent across the board, so you'll earn the same number of points at a Hyatt Regency that you would at a Hyatt Centric for the same price. Hyatt also partners with select MGM Rewards hotels and Lindblad Expeditions, where you'll also earn 5 points per dollar spent.
Aside from hotels, you'll earn 10 World of Hyatt points for every eligible dollar spent on FIND experiences. (Just note that Hyatt has still suspended all FIND experiences in light of COVID-19.) And unfortunately, you'll no longer earn World of Hyatt points at Exhale spas and gyms.
Travelers with World of Hyatt elite status will earn bonus points on all hotel stays. Here's how many extra points each tier earns:
- Discoverist: 10% bonus (0.5 extra points per dollar spent).
- Explorist: 20% bonus (1 extra point per dollar spent).
- Globalist: 30% bonus (1.5 extra points per dollar spent).
So if you're a World of Hyatt Globalist member staying at a Grand Hyatt hotel for three nights at $150 per night, you'd earn 2,925 points on your hotel stay. This haul is valued at nearly $50, based on TPG's valuations.
- $150 x 3 nights 5 points = 2,250 points.
- 2,250 points x 30% bonus = 675 points.
- 2,925 points earned total.
While this may seem small compared to Hilton Honors or IHG One Rewards, Hyatt has lower redemption rates than other chains. Awards start at just 3,500 World of Hyatt points per night on off-peak dates at Category 1 hotels.
Related: 6 ways to redeem Hyatt points as travel rebounds
Earn bonus points through promotions
Throughout the pandemic, Hyatt has offered several generous promotions. Check out the current World of Hyatt promotions to boost your earning potential even higher.
We advise registering for the promotions even if you're not sure you'll be staying at a Hyatt hotel. That way, you'll be all set to earn bonus points if a last-minute trip arises.
Related: Here's all the current World of Hyatt promotions
Earn Hyatt points with meetings
Holding meetings and events at Hyatt hotels can help you earn points and status. You'll earn 1 point per dollar spent (up to 50,000 points) on eligible expenses like meeting rooms and event spaces. You can also earn World of Hyatt elite status by hosting meetings:
- Discoverist: Three meetings.
- Explorist: 10 meetings.
- Globalist: 20 meetings.
Earn Hyatt points through credit cards
Two cobranded Hyatt credit cards from Chase are currently open to new applicants: the World of Hyatt Credit Card and the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card. Here is a quick overview of these cards:
World of Hyatt Credit Card
Annual fee: $95.
Sign-up bonus: Earn up to 60,000 bonus points: 30,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening, plus earn up to 30,000 more bonus points by earning two bonus points total per dollar spent on purchases that normally earn one bonus point, on up to $15,000 in the first six months of account opening.
Category bonuses: The World of Hyatt Credit Card offers some great bonus categories. You'll earn 4 points per dollar spent when you use your card at Hyatt hotels; 2 points per dollar spent at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airline, on local transit and commuting and on fitness club and gym memberships; and 1 point per dollar spent everywhere else.
Perks: With the World of Hyatt Credit Card, you'll receive one free night every year after your cardmember anniversary, valid at any Category 1 through 4 property. And you can earn a second free night by spending $15,000 on the card in your cardmembership year. The card also provides automatic Discoverist status for as long as your account is open. And you'll enjoy 5 elite night credits every year plus an additional 2 credits for every $5,000 you spend on the card.
Related: 'One of the most valuable hotel cards': A review of the World of Hyatt Credit Card
World of Hyatt Business Credit Card
Annual fee: $199.
Sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus point after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Category bonuses: You'll earn 4 points per dollar spent at Hyatt hotels; 2 points per dollar spent in your top three spending categories each quarter through Dec. 31, 2024 (then in your top two categories each quarter; eligible categories are dining, shipping, airline tickets when purchased directly with the airline, local transit and commuting, social media and search engine advertising, car rental agencies, gas stations and internet, cable and phone services); 2 points per dollar spent on fitness club and gym memberships; and 1 point per dollar spent everywhere else.
Perks: With the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card, you'll get $100 in Hyatt credits each anniversary year (given as a $50 statement credit up to two times each anniversary year when you spend $50 or more at any Hyatt property with your card). You'll also get automatic World of Hyatt Discoverist status for as long as you hold your card, as well as the ability to gift Discoverist status to up to five employees. And for every $10,000 you spend in a calendar year on your card, you'll earn five tier qualifying night credits toward earning higher tiers of Hyatt elite status.
Related: Big perks for big spenders: World of Hyatt Business Credit Card review
Earn Hyatt points with partners
If you don't have any upcoming Hyatt stays and aren't in the market for a new credit card, don't worry. Hyatt has a couple of partners with which you can earn World of Hyatt points, including rental cars or transferring from Chase. Here's a look at your options:
Transfer points to World of Hyatt
You can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points from cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Preferred Card to World of Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio. Best of all, the transfer should process instantly.
TPG currently values Chase Ultimate Rewards points at 2 cents each and World of Hyatt points at 1.7 cents each. However, in many cases, you can get more than 2 cents per point from your Hyatt awards, so we recommend the transfer if you have a specific redemption in mind.
Additionally, if you have Bilt Rewards, you can also instantly transfer Bilt Rewards points to World of Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio.
Related: When and how to transfer Ultimate Rewards points to World of Hyatt
Earn on American flights
If you have elite status with the World of Hyatt program, you can earn Hyatt points when you fly on American Airlines. Thanks to the partnership, Hyatt elite members earn 1 Hyatt point per dollar spent on qualifying American Airlines flights.
This earning is in addition to the AAdvantage miles you'll earn. All you need to do is link your Hyatt and AAdvantage accounts through this link.
Rent cars from Avis
Like most hotel chains, you can earn World of Hyatt points when renting a car. Rent with Avis and use the code K817700 to get 500 World of Hyatt points per rental. With the code, you'll also receive 25% off base rates for each qualifying rental at participating Avis locations. You can learn more about this here.
Transfer points between family and friends
World of Hyatt members can transfer points between accounts free of charge. However, you can only send or receive points once every 30 days. And unfortunately, you can't complete this transfer online. You must fill out this form (PDF link) and submit it via email. Both the member transferring the points and the recipient must sign the form before you submit it. Hyatt will complete the transfer once the form is received and reviewed.
The form notes that transfers are only permitted between accounts "to have a sufficient number of points to redeem a particular award" for the recipient. I'd avoid using this option as a way to merge two account balances.
Related: The most award-friendly hotel program: Everything you need to know about World of Hyatt
Buy Hyatt points
The final method of earning Hyatt points is to purchase them directly. Generally speaking, you should rarely (if ever) purchase points or miles of any kind without a bonus or discount. Luckily, Hyatt runs somewhat frequent promotions for purchasing points. If you have a high-end redemption in mind and need to top off your account, buying Hyatt points is one option.
You can bookmark our permanent page for Hyatt buy-points promotions.
Related: Current promotions for buying points and miles
Bottom line
The World of Hyatt program is a favorite among award travelers. Despite a comparatively small (but growing) global footprint, the World of Hyatt program can offer a luxurious experience and a rewarding value proposition.
There aren't a ton of different ways to earn Hyatt points, but if you combine credit card spending with a handful of paid stays, you'll be well on your way to a free room for your next trip.
Additional reporting by Kyle Olsen.