World of Hyatt: The Full Guide for Hotel Nerds and Point Hunters

The Basics

• Full Name: World of Hyatt
• Parent Company: Hyatt Hotels Corporation
• Launched: 2017 (rebrand from Hyatt Gold Passport)
• Number of Hotels: ~1,300 globally
• Brands: Park Hyatt, Andaz, Alila, Thompson, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt Place, Hyatt House & more
• UK Credit Card: None
• Transfer Partners: Yes (via Chase/Bilt; airline transfers at 2.5:1)
• Points Expiry: After 24 months of inactivity
• Bonus Programmes: Milestone Rewards, Guest of Honour, Brand Explorer

What’s the Vibe?

World of Hyatt is the boutique loyalty scheme of the big hotel players, with fewer hotels but more polish. With just over 1,300 properties, it’s tiny compared to Hilton or Marriott, but Hyatt’s strategy leans hard toward quality over quantity.

You’ll find luxury names like Park Hyatt, eco-chic hideaways like Alila, lifestyle gems like Andaz, and city staples like Hyatt Regency. Plus, its reach has grown with:

• Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH)
• Mr & Mrs Smith (added in 2024)
• All-inclusive brands like Secrets, Dreams, and Zoëtry

It’s not everywhere, but where it is, it’s often worth it.

How Do You Earn Points?

World of Hyatt keeps it simple:

Elite status bumps that with:

You’ll also earn on:

• On-property spend (dining, spa, etc.)
• SLH & Mr & Mrs Smith stays (booked via Hyatt.com)
• Meetings and events
• US Hyatt credit card (sadly, nothing for the UK yet)

UK travellers take note: You can’t earn via Amex Membership Rewards, and there’s no UK credit card. But you can transfer points via Chase (if you have a US setup) or use Bilt for more advanced players.

World of Hyatt Status: Actually Worth It

Here’s how Hyatt’s status shakes out:

Globalist is one of the most rewarding top-tier statuses in the game. You’ll get actual upgrades (including to standard suites), complimentary breakfast, and a level of elite treatment Marriott can only dream about.

Note: Confirmable suite upgrades are valid for stays of up to 7 nights, and only when a standard suite is available at the time of booking, so flexibility helps.

Milestone Rewards: The Bonus Ladder

Hyatt adds extra perks as you go, independent of your status level.

You unlock something every 10 nights up to 150. Globalist at 60 nights comes with a free night at any Category 1–7 property.

Redeeming Points: Hyatt’s Crown Jewel

Hyatt uses a fixed award chart for redemptions; there is no dynamic roulette here.

There are no blackout dates. If a room’s for sale, you can book it with points.

Some standout uses:

• Park Hyatt Maldives, Alila Ubud, Andaz Tokyo = killer redemptions
• Secrets/Zoëtry all-inclusive = solid value with everything included
• Hyatt Place in obscure cities = pure efficiency

Average value? Around 1.2–1.5p per point. Plus, no resort fees or parking charges on award stays. It adds up.

Tip: Hyatt also offers Points + Cash redemptions, letting you stretch your stash when you’re short. The value varies, but it’s a handy fallback.

Heads up: Popular properties like Park Hyatt Tokyo and Alila Napa Valley can be tough to snag on points, especially during peak seasons. Book early or stay flexible.

Guest of Honour: Share Your Status

This used to be a Globalist-only secret weapon, but Hyatt expanded it in 2024. Now, anyone hitting 40 elite nights can unlock Guest of Honour awards, letting friends or family enjoy your Globalist perks (breakfast, upgrades, lounge access) even if you’re not there.

You earn more Guest of Honour awards every 10 nights from 60 onwards, so you can be everyone’s favourite travel friend.

Brand Explorer: An Overlooked Gem

The Brand Explorer promo gives you a free Category 1–4 night for every five different Hyatt brands you stay at.

There are over 25 brands now, so this can quietly rack up some good free nights, especially for lifestyle travellers. It’s a lifetime tracker, not an annual one, so you can take your time.

SLH, Smith & All-Inclusive Extras

Hyatt’s partnerships help plug the gaps in its small footprint:

• SLH brings boutique hotels around the world
• Mr & Mrs Smith adds luxe indie properties as of 2024
• Secrets, Zoëtry, and Dreams bring the all-inclusive game

Caveats:

• SLH & Smith hotels don’t always offer elite benefits (no breakfast, no upgrades)
• All-inclusive award nights follow a separate chart but include food, drink, and entertainment

Transfer to Airlines? Eh…

Yes, Hyatt lets you convert points to airlines like Avios and Virgin at a 2.5:1 ratio, but it’s rarely a good deal.

Example: 6,000 Hyatt points get you a confirmed suite upgrade for one night… or 2,400 Avios. It’s an easy choice.

Tech & App Vibes

Hyatt’s mobile app and website are fast, simple, and generally glitch-free, but don’t expect Hilton-style bells and whistles. You’ll get clean booking tools, a slick loyalty dashboard, and not much more. And honestly? That’s fine.

World of Hyatt in a Nutshell

So… Is World of Hyatt Worth It?

If you want predictable value, top-tier recognition, and properties that punch above their category, Hyatt is a loyalty programme worth chasing. You’ll need to plan around the smaller footprint, but the perks pay off.

If you’re a casual traveller, maybe this is not your go-to. But if you like boutique luxury, confirmed upgrades, and not being ghosted by reception when you flash your status, this one’s for you.

Sign-Up Link

👉 Join World of Hyatt here – and maybe line up your first Brand Explorer free night while you’re at it.

Keep the Miles Rolling

• The Ultimate Guide to Marriott Bonvoy: Rewards, Status & Tips
• IHG One Rewards: The Full Guide to Maximising Your Stays.
• The Ultimate Guide to Hilton Honors: How to Earn, Burn, and Maximise Rewards.
• The Ultimate Guide to Radisson Rewards: Perks, Points & Pitfalls.