| Written by: Sarah Dye

Perks of Hyatt Globalist

Over the last several years, we’ve seen hotel loyalty programs make numerous changes to their elite benefits, award charts, and qualification requirements. Some of those changes have been positive, while others have made elite status less valuable than it once was. Despite all of that, I still believe the perks of World of Hyatt Globalist makes it the best ToP-tier hotel status available for me.

That isn’t to say Hyatt is perfect. The program has its shortcomings, including a smaller footprint than Hilton and Marriott, an increasingly expensive award chart, and benefits that aren’t always delivered consistently. However, when I look at the benefits I actually use and the money they save me, I continue to find Hyatt Globalist more valuable than competing ToP-tier statuses.

For me, it comes down to a handful of benefits that consistently make my Hyatt hotel stays better while saving hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of dollars each year. I outline some of the highlights below.

My Hotel Background

Let me start by saying I may value the perks of Hyatt Globalist more than other people do. I am not a ToP-tier member in any other hotel chain at the present time. I currently have the following hotel statuses:

Of these programs, I stay at Hyatt properties as many nights each year (40-50 nights) as I do all the others combined (another 40-50 nights). I guess you can argue that I appreciate the perks of Hyatt Globalist because I use them more. But this might be a “chicken or egg” argument. Perhaps I stay at Hyatts so much BECAUSE of the generous perks? I think that is it and I break down my favorite perks below.

Waived Resort and Destination Fees

Let’s start with my favorite Globalist benefits: waived resort and destination fees on both cash and award stays. I think this is the absolute best perk of Hyatt Globalist. While every member of the World of Hyatt gets waived resort/destination fees on award stays, World of Hyatt doubles down and rewards Globalists with their loyalty by waiving those fees on cash stays too. This adds up to a big discount, if you stay at hotels that charge such fees.

I have never been a fan of resort fees. Hotels advertise one price and then tack on another $30, $50, or even $75 per night for amenities that should already be included in the room rate. Unfortunately, these fees have become increasingly common, including at properties that have little business calling themselves resorts. It is really hard to stay an award stay is “free” when it comes with these ludicrous fees tacked on to each night’s bill. Do bottles of water and internet really justify a $50 “amenity” fee?!

As a Hyatt Globalist, these fees are waived on eligible paid stays and award stays. That distinction is important because Hilton also waives resort fees on qualifying award stays, but generally doesn’t waive them on paid stays simply because someone holds elite status. Accor, IHG and Marriott do nothing for elites on either cash or award stays.

Consider a five-night stay at a Hyatt property charging a $50 nightly resort fee. Globalist status saves almost $300 before accounting for any other benefits. If you’re staying at several properties throughout the year, those savings can add up quickly.

Perks of Hyatt Globalist

Free Parking on Award Stays

Another of the perks of Hyatt Globalist that doesn’t get nearly enough attention is complimentary parking on award stays. Anyone who has stayed at a luxury hotel in a major city knows how expensive parking can be. It’s not uncommon to see hotels charging $50, $75, or more per night, particularly at higher-end properties. The Park Hyatt Washington, D.C. was $83 per night earlier this year. Again, it is hard to call a stay “free” when you use points and then shell out almost 100 bucks for parking. Insanity!

Hyatt Globalists receive complimentary parking on eligible free night awards when the parking can be charged to the room and is provided under the program’s qualifying parking arrangements. The benefit generally applies to the hotel’s standard parking offering, which may be valet parking at some properties.

For a four-night award stay at a property charging $70 per night, that’s another $280 saved. Combine that with waived resort/destination fees, and it’s entirely possible to save $500 or more on a single award stay before even considering breakfast or room upgrades!

There are limitations, particularly with third-party parking operators, but this remains one of the most valuable and underrated benefits of Globalist status. Also, this perk is unique to World of Hyatt and the program should get more positive attention to this benefit.

Complimentary Breakfast That’s… Actually Complimentary

Perhaps the biggest difference between Hyatt Globalist and competing hotel elite programs is breakfast, especially for families.

At participating Hyatt properties without an available club lounge, Globalists generally receive complimentary breakfast for up to two adults and two children registered to the room. For Globalists at many full-service properties, that means ordering breakfast from the restaurant rather than receiving a small daily credit. Otherwise at most properties, complimentary breakfast is exactly that: complimentary buffet or an entree per person, plus water, coffee and juice. There are no “up to $25 per person” limitations most of the time. If breakfast costs $35 or $45 or more per person, the Globalist benefit can cover the eligible meal rather than leaving you to pay the difference above an arbitrary number. Hyatt Globalist breakfast also includes 18% gratuity, so just add “Globalist Gratuity” to your check and it’s all covered.

There are exceptions, of course. Some properties have specific breakfast arrangements, and the benefit isn’t unlimited. More and more properties are trying to restrict these lucrative benefits. However, the vast majority of properties still adhere to the above stated breakfast limits and the overall experience is usually much better than being handed a modest food and beverage credit and told to apply it toward breakfast.

Contrast this with Other Programs

Hilton’s decision to replace complimentary breakfast with a daily food and beverage credit at many U.S. hotels remains one of my biggest frustrations with Hilton Honors. The credit can be useful, particularly if you don’t eat breakfast, but it frequently doesn’t cover the cost of breakfast at the hotel. We were recently at a LXR property and had a $50 daily food & beverage credit. Suffice it to say, we blew through that limit with just one entree and two coffees. Tack on another entree and generous gratuity and we were $30+ out of pocket to eat breakfast each morning.

Marriott is even more complicated. Complimentary breakfast depends on the brand, property, and welcome gift options. Some brands offer breakfast, others offer points or credits, and several luxury brands don’t provide complimentary breakfast as a standard elite benefit. At a recent Marriott stay in Philadelphia, we received $18 per person per day as our “complimentary breakfast.” That barely covered their overpriced coffee, much less an entree that started at $25+.

While complimentary breakfast is not a requirement for us, since we oftentimes enjoy local breakfasts more, I detest feeling nickeled and dimed. If I have “breakfast,” give me breakfast. A simple entree, coffee, and gratuity fully covered should be the bare minimum. Only World of Hyatt does this as the rule and not the exception.

perks of hyatt globalist
Alila Napa Valley. Photos courtesy of Hyatt

Confirmable Suite Upgrades Are a Game Changer

Tried to use your Marriott Suite Upgrade Awards any time recently? Were you rejected? Us too. In fact, we’ve never had Marriott accept one in advance. And of our hundreds of stays at Marriott over the years, we’ve been upgraded to a suite less than 5 times.

Accor, much like Marriott, only allows Suite Upgrade Certificates to be used on cash stays. If you apply the certificates, you cannot use points at checkout to pay for the stay. If you didn’t know that and only realize at checkout when it’s too late, Accor buries this detail far in the program T&Cs and doesn’t openly broadcast it.

Once again, World of Hyatt is far ahead of the curve here with Suite Upgrades and it is not limited to Globalists, but they get the most access to the Awards.

World of Hyatt offers Suite Upgrade Awards through its Milestone Rewards program. These awards can be used to confirm eligible standard suites in advance for stays of up to seven nights, subject to availability and property restrictions. This is a tremendous benefit when traveling with family or planning a special trip. Instead of booking a standard room and hoping for the best, I can secure a suite before leaving home. That makes it easier to plan a trip, particularly when extra space is important.

Hyatt Globalists are also eligible for complimentary upgrades to standard suites at check-in, subject to availability. While those upgrades aren’t guaranteed, the combination of complimentary upgrades and confirmable Suite Upgrade Awards gives Hyatt members two different opportunities to enjoy a better room.

Overall, I am upgraded to a suite, either with an award or at check-in, nearly 75% of the time.

Late Checkout FTW

Late checkout is another benefit that can be easy to overlook until you actually need it. Hyatt Globalists receive 4 PM late checkout at participating properties, subject to the program’s exceptions and availability rules at certain hotels and resorts. This is particularly valuable when you have an evening flight, want to enjoy the pool for another afternoon, or simply don’t want to rush out of your room at 11 AM.

While Marriott also offers a strong late-checkout benefit for eligible Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador members, Hilton has historically lagged behind. Its new Diamond Reserve tier has improved that with guaranteed 4 PM late checkout on eligible stays.

Still, Hyatt Globalist offers this benefit without requiring the substantial spending threshold associated with Hilton Diamond Reserve or Marriott Ambassador.

For me, late checkout is one of those benefits that makes a stay feel more relaxing. Instead of spending several hours in a lobby or airport lounge, I can often enjoy the hotel until I’m actually ready to leave.

Unprecedented & Underrated Perks of Hyatt Globalist: Guest of Honor

One of the more interesting aspects of World of Hyatt is the ability to share Globalist benefits with friends and family through Guest of Honor Awards. No other hotel program comes close to these perks of Hyatt Globalist and I am not sure it is talked about enough.

These awards allow another traveler to enjoy eligible Globalist benefits during a qualifying stay, even if they don’t personally hold Globalist status. Yes, that means complimentary breakfast, waived resort fees, room upgrades when available, and other benefits that would otherwise be unavailable to the recipient. This goes a long way, especially for a friend or family member celebrating an anniversary or taking an expensive vacation that can enjoy a significantly better hotel experience without spending additional money.

Guest of Honor Awards are earned through Hyatt’s Milestone Rewards program, and there are restrictions on their use. However, I consider them a meaningful addition to the overall value of the program.

Hyatt’s Milestone Rewards Make the Program Even Better

Another reason I continue to favor Hyatt is its Milestone Rewards structure. Rather than simply awarding elite status and calling it a day, Hyatt offers additional rewards as members accumulate qualifying nights or eligible base points.

While most of the Milestone Rewards are valuable, Hyatt Globalists hitting the 60 night Milestone to qualify/re-qualify for Globalist is exceptionally rewarding. At this Milestone level, you earn:

  • 2 Guest of Hyatt awards
  • 2 Suite Upgrade awards
  • Access to My Hyatt Concierge, a dedicated concierge for all your World of Hyatt needs, and
  • A Category 1-7 Free Night Certificate, good for up to 55,000 points.
Perks of Hyatt Globalist

Globalist Status Can Make Award Stays Feel Truly Free

This is probably the biggest reason I continue to value the perks of Hyatt Globalist: when I redeem points for a hotel stay, I want the stay to feel free.

With Hyatt Globalist, I can often redeem points for a luxury hotel, avoid resort fees, receive complimentary parking, enjoy breakfast each morning, and potentially secure a suite upgrade.

That combination is difficult to replicate with other hotel loyalty programs.

Consider a hypothetical five-night award stay for two people at a luxury property:

BenefitPotential savings
Resort fees at $50/night$250
Parking at $65/night$325
Breakfast for two at $80/day$400
Total savings$975

That’s nearly $1,000 in potential savings on a single stay, without assigning any value to a suite upgrade or late checkout.

Of course, not every property charges resort fees or parking, and not every traveler would otherwise pay for hotel breakfast. The actual value depends on your travel habits. But these are meaningful benefits that can dramatically improve the value of a points redemption. And these are all things that I personally use and appreciate, regardless of exact monetary value.

Perks of Hyatt Globalist: ToP Thoughts

Hotel elite status has become increasingly complicated, and I understand why some travelers have decided that chasing status is no longer worth the effort. We encourage everyone to consider if chasing ANY status makes sense for them. For me, however, I still believe Hyatt Globalist offers the best combination of meaningful benefits among the major hotel loyalty programs. Because we stay in hotels so much, one program will always get a lot of our nights. For all the reasons above, Hyatt Globalist still wins for me and it is not even close.

Is Hyatt Globalist perfect? Absolutely not. Hyatt’s smaller footprint and increasingly expensive award chart are legitimate drawbacks, and there are situations where Hilton or Marriott may be a better choice. In those instances, I gladly book a room at whichever hotel makes the most sense. But it doesn’t mean I won’t take a backwards glance at my hotel bill and think how much cheaper it would be if we were at a Hyatt property.

What are your thoughts? Do you chase hotel status of any kind? If so, does Hyatt Globalist status still reign supreme? Come over to the ToP Facebook group and let us know.