When it comes to hotel loyalty programs, Hyatt is hands down one of the best in my book. A significant portion of my Chase Ultimate Rewards points find its home at Hyatt and let me tell you why. In 2023 alone, my family and I explored Japan, staying at a Hyatt Regency in Tokyo and a Hyatt Place in Kyoto—all with points. Feel free to check out the link to read about the places we visited in Japan [here] and the quick review I did for Hyatt Regency Tokyo Bay [here]. This saved us money, turning what could have been an expensive trip into a collection of amazing experiences. The same story happened in the U.S. last year, from New Jersey to Minneapolis to sunny Phoenix. Hyatt hotels are always on our list, thanks to the great value of points.
Moreover, being rooted in Nepal, my family’s base adds a unique dimension to my Hyatt experiences. The Hyatt loyalty program remains an excellent resource for discovering hidden gems and fantastic hotel deals throughout Asia. I’ve discovered that spending fewer points lets me enjoy top-notch services, a big change from my usual North American experiences.
Notable Changes in 2024 World of Hyatt: A Comparative Overview
The World of Hyatt loyalty program has seen substantial changes in 2024 [link]. This includes the expansion of Milestone Rewards, along with the opportunity to earn Milestone Rewards for up to 150 elite night credits annually, an evolution in the Guest of Honor program, and enhancements to transferable awards and club access awards. These changes, effective from January 1, 2024, are designed to offer members more meaningful and relevant rewards.
This table highlights the significant changes implemented in 2024 World of Hyatt, demonstrating the program’s evolution toward providing more options, enhanced benefits, and increased flexibility to its members. It compares key aspects of the World of Hyatt loyalty program in 2024 to the previous setup:
| Aspect | 2024 | Before |
|---|---|---|
| Milestone Rewards | Expanded beyond 100 nights, up to 150 elite night credits | Capped at 100 nights, limited choices for rewards |
| Guest of Honor Program | Globalist members can apply Guest of Honor Awards on both point and paid stays, enhancing the program’s generosity. | Previously applicable only to point stays. |
| Transferable Awards | Members can transfer Milestone Rewards to friends and family. | Rewards were non-transferable before. |
| Club Access Awards | Can be gifted to other members at 80 and 90 qualifying nights. | Solely for personal use, not transferable. |
| Redemption Options | New options, such as earning 2,000 Bonus Points on the next stay | Limited flexibility in redemption choices. |
Program Limitations
While the 2024 changes improve the World of Hyatt loyalty program in many ways, it’s important to be aware of some limitations:
- The 2024 changes impose a limit on the number of Hyatt Guest of Honor bookings, limiting Globalist members’ previous ability to book award stays without restriction. Until this year, Hyatt Globalists could book an unlimited number of Guest of Honor stays. Things changed on January 1, 2024. The Guest of Honor benefit is now treated as a one-time-only gift. If you were a Globalist or Lifetime Globalist by December 31, 2023, you received five free Guest of Honor Awards in January 2024. In addition, as you accumulate elite nights and base points, you can earn up to five additional Guest of Honor bookings. While there is a limit to the number of times you can use this special perk, Milestone Rewards allow you to unlock more opportunities to share the Hyatt experience with your friends and family.
- Potential for System Gaming: Changes were made to the Guest of Honor program to address concerns about members “gaming” the system by selling access to their status. While addressing abuse, this change may have an impact on those who legitimately use the benefit.
- Changes to Milestone Rewards: The implementation of Milestone Rewards and associated changes may necessitate members adjusting to the updated program and its requirements, which may have an impact on those who were accustomed to the previous structure.
These constraints emphasize the importance of members carefully weighing the trade-offs and determining how the changes align with their travel preferences and loyalty program expectations.
Key Changes in 2024
World of Hyatt has launched new Milestones (110, 120, 130, 140 & 150 Qualifying Nights) and enhanced Milestone Rewards, giving members more options and flexibility. Members can now begin earning rewards after 20 qualifying nights by earning points for future stays, enjoying Club access and suite upgrades, or indulging in wellness experiences. Milestone Rewards are earned based on qualifying nights or Base Points and can be accumulated for up to 150 nights. Members earn a Guest of Honor Award after 70, 80, and 90 qualifying nights, allowing them to gift a Globalist experience for up to 7 nights. They can also choose between 10,000 Bonus Points, a Suite Upgrade Award, and a $300 FIND Experience Credit.
100 Qualifying Nights
When you reach 100 Qualifying Nights, you will receive a Category 1-7 Free Night Award valid in participating hotels or Category A-D all-inclusive resorts. You can also choose between 10,000 Bonus Points for future use or a Suite Upgrade Award, which guarantees an upgrade to a standard suite for a 7-night stay. The Miraval Extra Night Award includes a free second night at any Miraval resort. The program terms outline the specific terms and expiration dates for each of these Milestone Rewards [link].
New – 110, 120, 130, & 140 Qualifying Nights
You earn a Guest of Honor Award when you reach new milestones of 110, 120, 130, or 140 Qualifying Nights. It allows you to gift a Globalist experience for up to 7 nights on award or eligible paid stays. In addition, similar to the 100 Qualifying Nights milestone, you can choose between 10,000 Bonus Points or a Suite Upgrade Award, as well as the Miraval Extra Night Award for a complimentary second night at any Miraval resort. These awards, like previous ones, are subject to expiration and specific terms [link].
New – 150 Qualifying Nights
When you reach 150 Qualifying Nights, you will be awarded the Ultimate Free Night Award. It entitles you to a free night in any participating Category 1-8 hotel, Category A-F all-inclusive resort, or Miraval resort. For a 7-night suite stay, choose either 10,000 Bonus Points or a Suite Upgrade Award. The Miraval Extra Night Award is included, which entitles you to a free second night at any Miraval resort. These rewards, like other milestones, are subject to expiration and the program’s specific terms [link].
The most recent World of Hyatt Terms & Conditions can be found by following this link.
Hyatt Membership Tiers and Benefits
Discoverist (10 Tier-Qualifying Nights):
- Discoverist members begin at the lowest tier and receive standard benefits.
- There are no Milestone Rewards for this tier.
Explorist (30 Tier-Qualifying Nights):
- Explorist members enjoy benefits such as a 20% point bonus, room upgrades, and late checkout.
- Milestone Rewards are available after 20 qualifying nights or 35,000 Base Points.
- Your choice of (2K Next Stay Award , 2 Club Access Awards , $25 FIND Experience Credit )
Globalist (60 Tier-Qualifying Nights):
- Globalist members receive additional benefits such as a 30%-point bonus, Club access, suite upgrades, and more.
- Milestone Rewards are extended for every 10 qualifying nights, up to a total of 150 nights.
- Globalists receive a Guest of Honor Award after 70, 80, and 90 qualifying nights.. They can choose additional rewards such as Bonus Points, Suite Upgrade Awards, or FIND Experience Credits.
Meeting & Event Planners (Travel Advisors):
- Travel Advisors earn qualifying night credits for eligible event spend, with a maximum of 60 qualifying nights per year.
- Travel Advisors can earn up to 60 qualifying nights per year by spending on eligible room rates.
Lifetime Globalist (As of December 31, 2023):
- As of December 31, 2023, Lifetime Globalists receive five complimentary Guest of Honor Awards until February 28, 2025.
- The Legacy Globalist Guest of Honor benefits are valid until the complimentary awards expire.
In a Nutshell
Hyatt’s loyalty adds value and moments to my travels, shaping essential experiences in my journey. By directing a significant portion of my Chase Rewards points to Hyatt, I consistently make wise decisions, as evidenced by our trips to Japan, India, Nepal, and various parts of the United States last year.
The recent 2024 world of hyatt program updates, which include expanded Milestone Rewards, an evolved Guest of Honor program, and increased flexibility in transferable awards, demonstrate a commitment to providing members with more options and meaningful rewards. While these changes provide exciting benefits, it is critical to be aware of limitations such as the Guest of Honor booking cap and potential system gaming concerns.
