World of Hyatt Elite Status: Guide to Qualifying and Privileges

The loyalty program for Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, World of Hyatt, is arguably the best hotel loyalty program around.

You can earn elite status with Hyatt through several routes, including hotel activity, or by spending on co-branded World of Hyatt credit cards.

In this guide, we’ll look at the World of Hyatt elite status program, including how to qualify and the benefits at each tier.

How Does World of Hyatt Elite Status Work?

Beyond general membership, World of Hyatt has three elite tiers: Discoverist, Explorist, and Globalist.

In order to reach each of the elite tiers, you’ll need to earn one of the following:

• Discoverist: 10 qualifying nights, 25,000 Base Points, or three qualified meetings or events
• Explorist: 30 qualifying nights, 50,000 Base Points, or 10 qualified meetings or events
• Globalist: 60 nights,100,000 Base Points, or 20 qualified meetings or events

You can earn World of Hyatt elite status through qualifying hotel activity, by spending on World of Hyatt credit cards, and by other means, which we’ll go over.

Earning Status with Hotel Stays

The most common way to earn World of Hyatt elite status is through hotel activity. There are three ways to do this: by earning a specific number of hotel stays, by earning Base Points, or by hosting enough qualified meetings or events in a calendar year.

It’s important to note that stays booked through third-party providers, such as online travel agencies like Expedia, don’t usually count towards elite qualifying nights. Therefore, be sure to book directly with Hyatt to ensure you’re credited for the nights from your stay.

Although there are three avenues to earn elite status at Hyatt properties, the easiest method is to meet the qualifying nights requirement.

This is because if you want to earn elite status through Base Points, you’ll have to spend a fair bit. You’ll earn 5 Base Points for every eligible dollar (USD) spent at Hyatt hotels, which means you’ll need to spend $5,000 (USD) for Discoverist, $10,000 (USD) for Explorist, or $20,000 (USD) for Globalist.

Technically, earning Base Points could be the fastest route possible to earning World of Hyatt elite status if, for example, you found a way to spend $20,000 (USD) in one night. In this case, you’d automatically reach the highest Globalist status level without needing to stay any additional nights.

Reaching elite status by hosting meetings or events is especially difficult, as one qualified meeting or event requires you to have at least 10 paid guest rooms.

However, starting January 1, 2024, meeting and event planners will also be able to earn two qualifying night credits for every $5,000 (USD) in eligible event spend, up to a maximum of 60 qualifying night credits each year.

Both the qualifying meeting threshold and the qualifying night credits earned from meeting and event spending will be earned simultaneously.

Notably, starting in 2025, qualifying meetings will no longer be a route to earning elite status.

Your World of Hyatt elite status is valid for the entire year in which you earn the status plus the entire following year, and all the way until the end of February of the year after that.

For example, if you earn Explorist elite status in April 2024, you’ll enjoy that status level until February 28, 2026.

Status with Credit Cards

There are two World of Hyatt co-branded credit cards, both issued by Chase in the US: the Chase World of Hyatt Visa Credit Card and the Chase World of Hyatt Business Visa Credit Card.

Both cards come with automatic World of Hyatt Discoverist status and the ability to earn qualifying nights through spending.

What’s more, the Chase World of Hyatt Business Visa Credit Card allows you to give the gift of Discoverist status to up to five employees.

With the Chase World of Hyatt Visa Credit Card, you’ll earn an automatic five qualifying night credits each calendar year that you hold the card.

You’ll then earn an additional two qualifying night credits for every $5,000 (USD) you spend on eligible purchases.

The Chase World of Hyatt Business Visa Credit Card doesn’t come with any automatic qualifying night credits; however, the business card does provide a slightly better qualifying night earning rate.

With the Chase World of Hyatt Business credit card, you’ll receive five qualifying nights for every $10,000 spent on eligible purchases. By comparison, you’ll only receive four qualifying nights with the Chase World of Hyatt personal credit card and the equivalent spend.

If you wanted to earn World of Hyatt status solely by earning qualifying nights through credit card spending, you’d need to spend the following amounts each calendar year for the associated status tier:

• Chase World of Hyatt Credit Card:
  • Discoverist: Automatic status earned by being a cardholder
  • Explorist: Spend $65,000 (USD) for 26 qualifying night credits + 5 automatic qualifying nights
  • Globalist: Spend $140,000 (USD) for 56 qualifying night credits + 5 automatic qualifying nights
• Chase World of Hyatt Business Credit Card:
  • Discoverist: Automatic status earned by being a cardholder
  • Explorist: Spend $60,000 (USD) for 30 qualifying night credits
  • Globalist: Spend $120,000 (USD) for 60 qualifying night credits

Status Match

World of Hyatt doesn’t have any ongoing status match options; however, they have consistently run promotions that provide opportunities to earn status through matching and status challenge activities.

Most recently, some American Airlines AAdvantage elite members were offered the chance to earn World of Hyatt Explorist status for 90 days, with the added opportunity to earn Globalist status by completing a status challenge activity.

In the past, similar promotions have also been offered to employees of specific companies.

World of Hyatt Status Tiers

The World of Hyatt program has three elite tiers: Discoverist, Explorist, and Globalist. The benefits and perks get better as you move up in status, as outlined below.

Discoverist

The Discoverist tier is World of Hyatt’s lowest elite status tier. You can reach Discoverist status by earning 10 qualifying nights, 25,000 Base Points, or 3 qualifying meetings or events per calendar year (though the latter option ends after 2024).

You’ll can also earn Discoverist status by holding one of the two Chase World of Hyatt credit cards mentioned above.

Being the lowest elite status level, the Discoverist tier doesn’t come with too many elite benefits. However, there are three benefits worth noting:

• Room upgrade to a preferred room within the room type category originally booked.
• Guaranteed 2pm late check-out at almost all Hyatt hotels
• Additional 10% bonus points on eligible purchases at Hyatt hotels

Late check-out can be particularly useful as it can help you get the most out of your hotel stay by stretching out the day. What’s more, late check-out isn’t typically a benefit offered to the lowest elite members within other hotel loyalty programs.

It’s important to note that only Base Points, and not bonus points, count towards elite status tiers or milestone rewards. Bonus points can only be used as part of redemptions for free nights or experiences at Hyatt properties.

Explorist

The Explorist tier is World of Hyatt’s second elite status tier. You can reach Explorist status by earning 30 qualifying nights, 50,000 Base Points, or 10 qualifying meetings or events per calendar year.

Although the Explorist elite level is above the Discoverist tier, it still doesn’t provide much more by way of benefits.

The potential room upgrades are slightly better, but still exclude suites and rooms with club lounge access, and the late check-out remains the same at 2pm.

At the Explorist level, you’ll also receive a slight bump up to 20% bonus points earned on eligible purchases at Hyatt hotels.

Despite the limited additional benefits mentioned above, by earning the 30 qualifying nights or 50,000 Base Points necessary to reach the Explorist level, you’ll unlock another World of Hyatt benefit through Milestone Rewards.

More specifically, through Milestone Rewards, you’ll earn two club lounge access awards after reaching 20 qualifying nights or 35,000 Base Points.

As of January 1, 2024, this Milestone Reward will change to your choice of 2,000 bonus points on your next stay at select properties, two club access awards, or a $25 FIND Experience credit.

Once you reach 30 qualifying nights or 50,000 Base Points, you’ll earn an additional two club lounge access awards and a Free Night Award valid for Category 1–4.

As of January 1, 2024, this will also change to a Category 1–4 Free Night Award, plus your choice of 2,000 bonus points on your next stay at select properties, two club access awards, or a $25 FIND Experience credit.

In other words, despite the minimal increase in benefits from the Discoverist to Explorist level, you’ll still be able to enjoy a free night at a Category 4 or lower hotel, and you’ll have your choice of either lounge access (for up to four stays), 4,000 bonus World of Hyatt points, a $50 FIND Experience credit – or you can split the value between a combination of the three.

Globalist

The Globalist tier is World of Hyatt’s highest elite status tier. You can reach Globalist status by earning 60 qualifying nights, 100,000 Base Points, or 20 qualifying meetings or events per calendar year.

The Globalist level is where the benefits really shine. At World of Hyatt’s highest elite status tier, you’ll enjoy free breakfast for up to two adults and two children.

You’ll also have access to club lounges where available. Lounges can vary depending on the property, but they’ll usually offer evening hors d’oeuvres and other snacks throughout the day.

At the Globalist level, the room upgrade benefit is significantly better since upgrades at this level can include standard suites.

Globalist members will also receive free parking at participating Hyatt hotels or resorts when their stay is booked using a free night award.

Late check-out is extended to 4pm for Globalist elite status members; however, similar to the lower elite levels, this is a guaranteed benefit with certain exceptions.

Late check-out is subject to availability at Hyatt resorts, Destination by Hyatt Residences, and Hyatt hotels with a casino. Additionally, late check-out isn’t offered at Hyatt Vacation Club properties.

Early check-in is also a Globalist benefit, called “Priority Room Availability.” With this benefit, you’ll have access to the soonest available room, allowing for check-in as early as 9am local time.

All Globalist members who earn 60 qualifying nights or 100,000 Base Points will also have access to a Hyatt Concierge agent. Agents can help with special requests, including bookings, messaging the hotel or resort on your behalf, and making sure you’re registered for any promotions.

Lastly, a unique and powerful Globalist perk is the Guest of Honor benefit.

The Guest of Honor benefit allows members to make an award or cash booking for someone else, and then during this stay, the guest can enjoy all the Globalist benefits, even if they don’t have any Hyatt elite status.

This means they’ll receive complimentary breakfast, room upgrades, late check-out, access to the club lounge if the hotel has one, and more.

In January 2024, the Guest of Honor perk is getting a major overhaul, but the essence of the benefit remains the same. Instead of being a key Globalist perk that comes with an unlimited number of bookings, Guest of Honor will become a Milestone Reward.

Under this new structure, one Guest of Honor award can be earned after 40 qualifying nights or 65,000 Base Points, two can be earned at 60 qualifying nights or 100,000 Base Points, and an additional one can be earned at 70, 80, 90, 110, 120, 130, and 140 qualifying nights.

As a Globalist elite member, in addition to Guest of Honor awards, you’ll earn even more benefits through Hyatt’s Milestone Rewards.

As already mentioned, Milestone Rewards will be changing as of January 1, 2024. Until then, Globalist members can expect the following Milestone Rewards:

• After 40 nights or 65,000 Base Points: a choice of 5,000 World of Hyatt points, a $100 Hyatt gift card, or $150 FIND Experience credit
• After 50 nights or 80,000 Base Points: two Suite Upgrade Awards
• After 60 nights or 100,000 Base Points: one category 1–7 free night award, two Suite Upgrade Awards, and access to My Hyatt Concierge.

If you’re able to earn qualifying nights beyond these levels then at nights 70, 80, 90, and 100, you’ll get a choice of 10,000 World of Hyatt points or a Suite Upgrade Award.

As of January 1, 2024, the Milestone Rewards will look as follows:

1. After 40 nights or 65,000 Base Points: one Guest of Honor award and a choice of 5,000 World of Hyatt points, a Suite Upgrade Award, or $150 FIND Experience credit.
2. After 50 nights or 80,000 Base Points: a choice of 5,000 World of Hyatt points, a Suite Upgrade Award, or $150 FIND Experience credit.
3. After 60 nights or 100,000 Base Points: one category 1–7 Free Night Award, two Suite Upgrade Awards, access to My Hyatt Concierge, and two Guest of Honor awards.

60 qualifying nights or 100,000 Base Points is all you need to earn World of Hyatt Globalist status. However, if you’re able to earn more qualifying nights, you’ll get access to even more perks, as follows:

• At 70, 80, 90 nights: one Guest of Honor award, plus a choice of 10,000 World of Hyatt points, one Suite Upgrade Award, or a $300 FIND Experience credit
• At 100 qualifying nights: one category 1–7 free night award, plus a choice of 10,000 World of Hyatt points, one Suite Upgrade Award, or one Miraval Extra Night award
• At 110, 120, 130, and 140 qualifying nights: one Guest of Honor award, plus a choice of 10,000 World of Hyatt points, one Suite Upgrade Award, or one Miraval Extra Night award
• At 150 qualifying nights: one Ultimate Free Night award redeemable at any participating category 1–8 hotel, category A–F all-inclusive resort, or Miraval resort, plus a choice of 10,000 World of Hyatt points, one Suite Upgrade Award, or one Miraval Extra Night award

How to Earn World of Hyatt Lifetime Elite Status

The World of Hyatt program allows its most loyal members to earn Globalist status for life. However, unlike normal elite status levels, Hyatt’s lifetime Globalist status can’t be earned through qualifying nights.

Instead, lifetime Globalist status can only be achieved by earning at least 1,000,000 Base Points throughout the membership period. This means, you’ll have to spend $200,000 (USD) at Hyatt hotels and resorts in order to reach lifetime Globalist status.

This is certainly no easy task, as even at $20,000 (USD) spent per year (the amount required for Globalist status in any given year), it’d still take 10 years to reach lifetime status. That being said, if you do happen to spend this amount, you’ll be greatly rewarded.

In addition to all of the benefits that Globalist status members receive, lifetime Globalist members receive the following:

• Four Suite Upgrade Awards annually
• One annual Category 1–7 Free Night Award
• Access to a My Hyatt Concierge agent for the rest of their lives.

Conclusion

The World of Hyatt loyalty program provides great value to elite-status members in two ways: first through the general benefits that come with the Discoverist, Explorist, and Globalist status levels, and second through Milestone Rewards.

Elite status levels can be reached by earning Base Points or by earning qualifying nights. What’s more, qualifying nights can be earned by staying at Hyatt hotels and resorts or by spending on World of Hyatt credit cards.

And even once Globalist status is reached at 60 qualifying nights, further engagement with Hyatt hotels will reap even more rewards, up to 150 qualifying nights.