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If you aren't familiar with the World of Hyatt, now's the time to right that wrong! Despite its (relatively) small footprint around the world, Hyatt is the favored program of most travel bloggers. Sarah and I feel the same and I hope to convince you, too.

The Basics of Hyatt

Unfortunately, Hyatt has less than 1,000 properties worldwide, although its hotels are in 54 countries. Over the past 3 years, Hyatt has aggressively expanded, adding The Unbound Collection, Destination Hotels, and joie de vivre. Despite their size, Hyatt treats its loyalists exceptionally well.

For award stays, Hyatt makes it simple. There are 8 levels of hotels, starting at only 5,000 points per room, and you can also use points to book club rooms, standard suites, or premium suites. Here is the award chart:

Hyatt does not participate in dynamic pricing, where award night prices fluctuate based on occupancy rate and cost. Hyatt also has a no-blackout dates policy, so if a standard room is available for cash, an award night should be available (although it may take a phone call, if not showing available online).

Best of all, Hyatt is a transfer partner of Chase. A 60,000 sign-up bonus on the CSP can get you 12 nights in a Category 1 hotel. While its easy to think these cheap Category 1 hotels are non-existent, that is not true. We stayed in Category 1 hotels in Memphis and Houston on back-to-back weekends in August, both at Hyatt Place, which included free breakfast. Twelve days of hotels and free breakfast for one credit card bonus is incredible.

On the flip-side, Hyatt has incredibly nice high-end properties, including its Park Hyatt and Andaz brands. We were fortunate enough to stay at the Park Hyatt Sydney in May 2018 and it was the nicest hotel stay we've had. Honestly, even at 30,000 points per night (we actually used a different deal that is no longer available so I won't bore you with those details), this hotel felt like a steal.

Hyatt Elite Status

Hyatt is very generous with its Elites. Members earn 5x on all money spent at Hyatt and 10x on all FIND experiences. Discoverists earn a 10% bonus (in addition to Member earnings), a free bottle of water, preferred rooms, a 2:00 pm checkout, and waived resort fees on award stays. Explorists earn a 20% bonus (in addition to Member earnings), free water, upgraded rooms (excluding club level and suites), 2:00 pm checkout, and waived resort fees on award stays. Globalists live the suite life, earning a 30% bonus (in addition to Member earnings), free water, upgraded rooms (including standard suites and club access with free breakfast), 4:00pm checkout, complimentary parking on award nights, lounge access or full breakfast for all registered guests (up to 2 adults and 2 children), and waived resort fees on paid or award nights.

In addition to these perks, Hyatt awards members with a Category 1-4 Free Night Certificate when you stay at 5, 10 and 15 different brands. Lastly, while climbing the Elite Ladder, there are numerous benefits you receive at various levels, including: suite certificates, lounge passes, etc.

Hyatt Credit Card

Hyatt has an exclusive credit card agreement with Chase. The Hyatt credit card currently offers a 50,000 point sign-up bonus, 25,000 points after a $3,000 spend in 3 months and an additional 25,000 points after a (total) spend of $6,000 in 6 months. This sign up is enough for 10 nights at a Category 1 property or 2 nights at a Category 6. The card has a $95 annual fee.

The Hyatt credit card earns 4x per dollar spent at Hyatt, 2x on transit (including ride-shares and taxis), restaurants, gyms and health clubs, and for airfare purchased directly with the airlines. You earn a Category 1-4 free night certificate each year at your anniversary and can earn a 2nd Category 1-4 certificate when you spend $15,000+ in a calendar year. The card earns elite night credits for every $5,000, so a big spender can earn Hyatt Globalist status by spending $140,000 on the card and not spending a single night at a Hyatt! Due to the high value of Hyatt points (since expensive hotels can be booked for only 5,000 points) and the ability to earn 2 Category 1-4 Certificates each year, this card is a long-term keeper.

Closing Thoughts

Although not a perfect program, especially since its footprint is not everywhere you wish to go, Hyatt is head-and-shoulders above every other hotel program on a day-to-day basis. Its high earn rates, low redemption costs, and industry-leading benefits to its loyalists, there is a reason most travel bloggers sing the praises of World of Hyatt. I'm no different. Please leave your feedback (and hopefully tell us how wonderful you think World of Hyatt is) in the comments below or in our Facebook group.

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