World of Hyatt Elite Status

Having hotel status is one of the best and easiest ways to bring your vacation to the next level. Hyatt is a fantastic hotel chain that can provide lots of value for travelers. This is especially true after the Marriott merger and re-branding. Hyatt’s membership program is known as the World of Hyatt and having World of Hyatt Elite Status could be very lucrative.

The Points Guy has similar posts that assume values for hotel statuses from different chains. But because everyone’s mileage may vary, it’s inherently unfair to peg values for each level. Therefore, this post simply explains what is available at each level.

Member

This level is where everyone starts out when creating their Hyatt account. There are no spend or stay requirements and anyone over the age of 18 can join.

World of Hyatt Purchases

Extra Base Points can be earned when staying at Hyatt properties regardless of status level. All points count towards earning higher status and free nights.

Members will earn 5x extra Base Points on stays, dining, spa services and more at participating locations. Plus, members will earn 5x extra Base Points on room rates at participating Small Luxury Hotels (SLH) of the World.

And instead of Base Points, members can even earn miles with Hyatt’s airline partners for stays at participating Hyatt hotels and resorts.

Hotel Perks

Free internet, waived resort fees on reward stays, and free breakfast (only at certain properties) highlight the perks. SLH hotels also offer more perks when staying there. Those perks include early (12 PM) check-in, late (2 PM) check-out, and a one category free room upgrade (if available).

Discoverist

Discoverist is the lowest earned level of World of Hyatt Elite status. Members must either earn 25,000 Base Points, stay 10 nights, or hold three meetings or events in a calendar year to earn this level. A shortcut to earning Discoverist Status is acquiring the Chase World of Hyatt Card. This credit card lets cardholders earn even more points towards next vacation.

Discoverists get all the points and perks from regular membership plus the following:

Bonus Points

Discoverists will receive a 10% points bonus on all Hyatt hotel purchases, making your 5x extra base points 5.5x. Given the value of Hyatt points, this is a nice bonus for such a modest hotel status.

Upgrade to Preferred Rooms

Plus, Discoverists can ask the front desk if they have any upgraded rooms within their current room’s category. This means Discoverists might get a standard room with a better view or on a higher floor if they paid for a standard room.

Late Check Out

Lounge lizards rejoice! Discoverists can request a 2:00 local time late checkout. Most Hyatt properties will grant your wish. However, this perk is not available at Hyatt Residence and M Life resorts.

Complimentary Premium Internet

Regular members get free Wi-Fi, but those with Discoverist status get slightly faster internet for no cost. Businesspeople who need to do work in their hotel room would especially like this feature because it might make them more efficient.

Elite Reservation Line

This is a phone line that lets Discoverists call Hyatt and not wait as long as regular members or the general public. Convenience is one of the perks of having any kind of status and this is a great example.

Pearl Status with M Life Rewards

Hyatt has been partners with M Life since 2013. Matching Hyatt Discoverist status will net members M Life Pearl Status.

Explorist

The perks get more serious at the Explorist level. Members must either earn 50,000 Base Points or stay 30 nights in a calendar year to achieve this level of status.

The World of Hyatt Card gives cardholders five elite night credits and another two for every $5,000 you spend on the card in a calendar year. This means that it is possible to earn Explorist status without any stays. World of Hyatt cardholders have to spend $65,000 on their card in one year.

Explorist Status gives members all the points and perks from Discoverist Status plus the following:

Bonus Points

Explorists will receive a 20% points bonus on all Hyatt hotel purchases, raising your 5x extra base points to 6x.

Upgrade to the Best Room Available

This perk takes the room upgrade to the next level as there are no longer any category restrictions. Those with Explorist Status can ask for an upgrade to the best available room at check-in. However, this does not include suites and rooms with lounge access.

Hyatt Place, Hyatt House, Hyatt Residence Club and M life resorts do not participate. So be mindful when planning an upcoming trip to take full advantage.

Free Night

This perk is like the one offered with the World of Hyatt card, but more restrictive. It’s limited to Categories 1-4 (up to 15,000 points for a standard room) like the one from the World of Hyatt credit card. But unlike the night from the card, reservations must be booked and completed within 120 days of issuance. This means that the free night expires 120 days after earning it.

Guaranteed Availability

A room will always be available for Explorist members who reserve a room at least 72 hours before they arrive. Hyatt has placed restrictions on this perk including “periods of extraordinary room demand” and blackout dates. Such restrictions don’t make availability so guaranteed.

Gold Status with M Life Rewards

This perk is a step above that earned with Discoverist Status. Explorists can status match to M Life Gold Status.

Globalist

Globalist is the top tier of World of Hyatt Elite status. There are a lot of perks and points that are offered, rivaling Hilton Diamond Elite Status. Members must earn 100,000 Base Points or stay 60 nights in a calendar year to earn this level. Think of earning Globalist Status as earning Explorist Status twice over.

Globalist Status gives members all the points and perks from Explorist Status plus the following:

Bonus Points

Globalists will receive a 30% points bonus on all Hyatt hotel purchases. This raises a Globalist member’s 5x extra base points to a nice 6.5x.

Upgrade to the Best Room Available

Globalists can ask for an upgrade to the best available room at check-in. But unlike Explorist status, suites and rooms with lounge access are included. That’s a huge difference! Hyatt Place, Hyatt House, Hyatt Residence Club and M life resorts do not participate.

Suite Upgrade Awards

This perk is a favorite among Hyatt Globalists because it provides tons of value. Globalists can receive up to four Suite Upgrade Awards (SUA) per calendar year. They can also earn two SUAs upon reaching 50 elite-qualifying nights (or 80,000 base points). Globalists can earn another two after staying 60 nights (or earning 100,000 base points) and earning Globalist status.

SUAs let Globalists confirm a suite when you book. Each SUA covers up to seven nights and can be used on paid and award stays.

Free Nights

Globalists will receive one free night limited to Categories 1-4 (up to 15,000 points for a standard room). Plus, Globalists will receive another free night with no category limitations. Both nights expire 120 days after they are earned.

Guaranteed Availability

A room will always be available for Globalist members who reserve a room at least 48 hours before they arrive. The same restrictions apply to both Globalists and Explorists.

Club Lounge Access

Globalists gain access to Hyatt Club Lounges when they’re available. Access also gives each registered guest free breakfast. There is a limitation of two adults and two children for the free breakfast.

Early Check In & Later Check Out

Discoverists and Explorists get late checkout, but Globalists get early check-in as well. Early check-in is usually 12 PM local time. Late checkout is also extended to 4 PM local time for Globalists. It’s 2 PM local time for Discoverists and Explorists.

My Hyatt Concierge

Globalist members get a more personalized concierge service that Explorists and Discoverists. Any special requests that a Globalist might have can be granted with this concierge. It’s not just limited to reservations at restaurants.

Guest of Honor

This perk lets Globalists transfer their status to friends and family, making for a nice gift or gesture.

Lifetime Globalist

Lifetime Globalist Status is simply an extension of Globalist Status. The difference is that members with this status remain at Globalist for the rest of their lives.

Members must earn 1,000,000 base points over the course of their World of Hyatt membership to earn Lifetime Globalist Status. In the World of Hyatt, being a points millionaire unlocks the chain’s most generous perks. True Hyatt loyalists should strive for this level if they can.

Final Draw

Hyatt is a great hotel chain with a status pyramid that is worth climbing. The stay requirements for World of Hyatt Elite Status are akin to those from Marriott. The difference is that Hyatt offers much more than Marriott at each level for just a few more nights.