Fancy a free night at a Hyatt hotel? You’re not dreaming, Hyatt’s loyalty programme actually hands them out. No need to hoard hundreds of thousands of points or live in a hotel lobby. In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to earn and redeem these valuable free night certificates even if you’re based in the UK with no Hyatt credit cards in sight.
Bonus: I used mine for a stay at the Hyatt Centric in Chicago, worth 18,000 points. Not bad for £0.
In This Post
The Basics: What Is a Hyatt Free Night Award?
A Hyatt Free Night Award is a digital certificate loaded into your World of Hyatt account. You can redeem it for a one-night stay at a hotel up to a specific category (e.g. Category 1–4, 1–7, or even 1–8), depending on how you earned it. Click here for the full World of Hyatt guide.
These awards can save you anywhere from 12,000 to 45,000 points, depending on the hotel and season. And yes, they’re real beds, real stays, and they also earn elite night credits.
How to Earn a Hyatt Free Night Award
Even if you don’t have a US Hyatt credit card, such as if you live in the UK, there are still plenty of ways how to earn these certificates. Here’s the full breakdown:
| How You Earn It | Award Type | Expires After |
|---|---|---|
| Brand Explorer (stay at 5 different Hyatt brands) | Cat 1–4 | 12 months |
| 30 elite nights (Milestone Reward) | Cat 1–4 | 180 days |
| 60 elite nights (Milestone Reward) | Cat 1–7 | 180 days |
| 100 elite nights (Milestone Reward) | Cat 1–7 | 180 days |
| 150 elite nights (Ultimate Reward) | Cat 1–8 / All-Inclusive / Miraval | 180 days |
| Lifetime Globalist (annual perk) | Cat 1–7 | 180 days |
Brand Explorer Example:
I earned my own Category 1–4 voucher through the Brand Explorer promotion, which gives you a free night for every five unique Hyatt brands you stay at. There are over 30 brands in the Hyatt universe, from Park Hyatt to Caption, so this can add up quickly.
How to Check If You Have Any
- Log in to your World of Hyatt account.
- Click on “My Awards”.
- You’ll see active certificates, expiry dates, and category restrictions.
Important: You must stay by the expiry date, not just book by then.
How to Redeem a Free Night Award
Using a certificate is straightforward:
Option 1: Search by Points
- Head to Hyatt.com
- Tick “Use Points”
- Search your destination and dates
- Look for hotels priced within the certificate’s category limit (e.g. ≤18,000 points for Cat 1–4)
Option 2: Use the Hotel Explorer Tool
- Visit the Hyatt Hotel Explorer
- Filter by category, region, or brand to browse eligible properties
If a standard room is available for points, you can book it with a certificate with no blackout dates.
Perks When Using a Free Night
- No resort/destination fees (score!)
- Elite nights earned count toward status
- Globalist members get free parking
- Eligible for standard elite benefits, like room upgrades and breakfast
- Not eligible for Suite Upgrade Awards, Club Access Awards, or Guest of Honour bookings
Gifting a Free Night
Feeling generous?
- Go to “My Awards” in your account
- Click the three dots next to the certificate
- Select “Gift Your Award”
- Enter the recipient’s Hyatt number and surname
The certificate transfers instantly and keeps its original expiry date.
Certificate Values: What You’re Saving
| Category | Points Saved per Night |
|---|---|
| Cat 1–4 | 12,000–18,000 pts |
| Cat 1–7 | 25,000–35,000 pts |
| Cat 1–8 | 35,000–45,000 pts |
Hyatt’s no “top-up” feature, unlike IHG or Marriott, so if your hotel costs more than your certificate allows, you’ll need to pay with points or cash instead.
Final Boarding Call: Is It Worth It?
Absolutely. A single Hyatt free night can be worth £250+, especially if redeemed during peak season or at a high-value urban property.
My Hyatt Centric stay in Chicago would’ve set me back 18,000 points, and I got it free thanks to Brand Explorer. It felt even better knowing I earned an elite night credit, too.
So, whether you’re slowly stacking brands or sprinting to Globalist, these certificates are a smart way to maximise Hyatt without going broke.
Cabin Binge: More Reads
