Reach Globalist Status With Credit Cards
Hyatt Globalist status is one of the most talked about and sought elite status tiers in all of award travel, and for good reason. Hyatt treats its elite members (especially Globalists) better than any other major hotel company. We see a lot of questions and confusion about how to reach Globalist status, so in this post, we share how to reach status, and some shortcuts you can take along the way with the World of Hyatt co-branded credit cards.
Globalist Status Requirements
World of Hyatt members can reach Globalist status by either earning 60 elite night credits or 100,000 base points in a calendar year. We will focus on the 60-night threshold because 100,000 base points is very difficult to achieve for most. (Base points do not include bonus points such as from credit card spend.)
How Credit Cards can Help You Reach Globalist Status
Both of the World of Hyatt credit cards can help you reach Globalist status. These cards also offer some neat benefits that, when maximized, bring you even closer to reaching Globalist. Let's tackle each card separately.
World of Hyatt Personal Card
The World of Hyatt personal card has the following perks that can help you reach Globalist status:
- Cardholders earn 5 elite night credits per year just for having the card
- Complimentary category 1-4 free night certificate every year after cardmember anniversary
- Earn 2 elite night credits for every $5,000 spent on the card
- Another category 1-4 certificate if you spend $15,000 on the card in a calendar year
Cardholders should earn at least 13 elite night credits per year with this card alone. First, you earn the 5 elite night credits from holding the card at the start of every calendar year. Then, if you spend $15,000 to earn a category 1-4 free night certificate, you will end up with another 6 elite nights, since you will earn 2 elite night credits per $5,000 spent on the card. On top of this you earn two elite night credits once you redeem the two free night certificates earned through the card.
Even if you have no use for the two free night certificates (hard to believe), you can at least earn two elite night credits by just burning them at the closest Hyatt you can find.
These 13 elite night credits lower your target number for reaching Globalist to 47 nights.
World of Hyatt Business Card
The World of Hyatt Business credit card earns 5 elite night credits for every $10,000 spent on the card. However, this card does not offer any free elite night credits for cardholders or the ability to earn a free night certificate. This makes the Business card a one-trick pony: spend money, earn elite nights.
Earning 5 elite nights for every $10,000 in spend with the Business card is more efficient than 2 nights per $5,000 spent with the personal card.
A Roadmap to Globalist
Now that we understand how the World of Hyatt co-branded credit cards can help earn elite night credits, what is the game plan? First, you should consider whether pursuing elite status is worth it for you in the first place. Do you expect to stay at many Hyatt properties in the next year or so? How important are the benefits of Globalist status to you and those traveling with you?
Most award travelers use some combination or organic stays and spending on the two World of Hyatt credit cards to reach Globalist status. How much spend varies depending on each person's travel patterns and how many elite night credits they earn through organic stays.
If you find yourself having to earn most of your elite nights through credit card spend, then pursuing Globalist status may not be for you since you're not spending many nights at Hyatt properties anyway.
I like to assess my progress towards 60 nights every couple of months to see how close I will be to 60 nights towards the end of the year. This helps me assess how much spend I will have to put on my World of Hyatt Business card to supplement my organic stays and the nights earned from the personal card.
How to Reach Globalist: ToP Thoughts
Reaching World of Hyatt Globalist status takes planning and effort, but can be worth it. While there is no way to earn Globalist status for free through any credit card perks, the World of Hyatt co-branded credit cards can still help you reach the 60-night target.
Do you take advantage of the World of Hyatt co-branded credit cards to reach Globalist status? Join the discussion in our Facebook group!
