World of Hyatt loyalty program is set to improve in the coming year. Hyatt will maintain existing elite status qualifications and redemption amounts while offering more opportunities to earn Milestone Rewards, the brand's bonus rewards for guest loyalty.
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GLOHyatt’s loyalty program, with 1,400 hotels and resorts, may seem smaller compared to larger hotel loyalty programs such as Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and IHG One Rewards, which encompass over 6,000 properties each. However, the size of the World of Hyatt program doesn’t reflect its strength. Despite having fewer properties, the cash value of Hyatt points surpasses its competitors, making World of Hyatt the most rewarding hotel loyalty program for points and miles enthusiasts. Additionally, its elite status is considered the most generous among comparable programs.
When Hyatt hinted at significant changes to its loyalty program in 2024, there were expectations of points devaluation and more challenging elite status attainment. Contrary to these expectations, the World of Hyatt loyalty program is set to improve in the coming year. Hyatt will maintain existing elite status qualifications and redemption amounts while offering more opportunities to earn Milestone Rewards, the brand’s bonus rewards for guest loyalty. The Guest of Honor program is also undergoing a complete makeover. Here are the details of what to expect from the World of Hyatt loyalty program in 2024.
The program comprises four membership levels: Member, Discoverist, Explorist, and Globalist. Membership starts at the basic, free-to-sign-up Member level, followed by three ascending elite tiers. Advancement to elite tiers involves meeting specific criteria, such as staying a certain number of nights in Hyatt hotels or accumulating base points (usually five points per dollar spent) within a calendar year. Each tier offers various benefits, including discounted room rates, premium internet, room upgrades, late checkout, and Club lounge access. Fortunately, none of the requirements for achieving elite status will undergo changes in 2024. The qualification criteria will remain consistent as follows:
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Introducing a fresh approach to Milestone Rewards, World of Hyatt not only bestows elite status through qualifying nights or base points but also offers Milestone Rewards, such as club access, free night certificates, or suite upgrades, based on specific thresholds of nights or points in a calendar year. In the upcoming year, there will be an augmentation in the number of Milestone Rewards that can be earned annually, along with an expanded array of reward choices. Furthermore, a new option will allow members to either retain the Milestone Rewards for personal use or transfer them to another member.
The process operates as follows: Milestone Rewards will continue to be activated after members complete 20 qualifying nights or accumulate 35,000 base points per year. Subsequently, Milestone Rewards can be earned for every additional set of 10 qualifying nights, with a cap at 150 nights per year.
Various milestones present members with a selection of three rewards, while others provide a predetermined reward along with a choice among three additional rewards. Upon achieving a milestone, members have a 90-day window to choose their reward. An email notification will be sent, prompting members to make their selection online, through the World of Hyatt app, or by contacting the program’s Global Care Center.
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Revamping the highly sought-after Guest of Honor benefit, World of Hyatt distinguishes itself from other loyalty programs by historically allowing members at the Globalist membership tier to extend elite benefits to friends and family when booking award stays from the Globalist’s account, whether with points or award night certificates. As a Globalist member, I personally appreciated using this Guest of Honor benefit in the past year to arrange trips for my family, enjoying standard suite upgrades, complimentary breakfast, and 4 p.m. checkout at various Hyatt properties like Hyatt Paris Madeleine, Hyatt Centric Fort Lauderdale, and Grand Hyatt Baha Mar in the Bahamas.
Commencing on January 1, 2024, the Guest of Honor benefit will transform into a Milestone Award. The first Guest of Honor Award can be obtained at 40 nights or 65,000 base points, followed by the second and third at 60 nights or 100,000 base points, and subsequent awards at higher night or point thresholds, extending up to 10 Guest of Honor Awards per year through Milestone Rewards.
While initially disheartened by the limitation imposed on the previously unlimited Guest of Honor benefit, I was delighted to learn that this benefit would now extend to both paid and award stays, with a duration of up to seven nights. Previously, using this benefit required utilizing my own points for others, but now, once acquired, Guest of Honor awards can be gifted to friends and family for their own paid stays.
To facilitate the transition with the Guest of Honor policy, those holding Globalist status as of December 31, 2023, will receive five complimentary Guest of Honor Awards in their account in January 2024, valid until February 28, 2025.
In summary, while numerous travel loyalty programs are undergoing changes in 2024, World of Hyatt stands out by maintaining existing elite status qualifications and redemption amounts. Moreover, Hyatt is elevating its Milestone Rewards and Guest of Honor programs for an enhanced experience. Given the free nature of basic membership, it is advantageous to sign up and begin accruing points towards your next complimentary stay.
