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The World of Hyatt loyalty program has three elite status tiers: Discoverist, Explorist, and Globalist. Each tier has its own set of benefits and perks useful to frequent travelers. Discoverist elite status is the lowest Hyatt status, and you can earn Discoverist status easily by holding a World of Hyatt credit card, staying at Hyatt locations, or spending money at Hyatt properties. Even though it's the lowest elite level, Discoverist status comes with a handful of useful benefits.
Let's look at World of Hyatt Discoverist status and how Hyatt Discoverist benefits compare to other elite statuses.
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Earning Hyatt Discoverist Status
You can earn Hyatt Discoverist in several ways.
First, Hyatt Discoverist status can be earned by staying 10 nights at Hyatt properties in one calendar year. Even for those who don't travel frequently, this is a fairly obtainable number of nights. Rooms booked with cash, points, or Point+ Cash rates will count toward earning elite status.
Credit: Mark Jackson
Additionally, it's quite simple to earn Discoverist status by holding a Chase World of Hyatt credit card. Both the World of Hyatt personal card and the World of Hyatt small business card come with automatic Hyatt Discoverist status. You'll also be 10 nights closer to earning Explorist status, which is given at 30 elite nights.
- Earn up to 60,000 Bonus Points. Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent.
- Enjoy complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status for as long as your account is open.
- Get 1 free night each year after your Cardmember anniversary at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort
- Receive 5 tier qualifying night credits towards status after account opening, and each year after that for as long as your account is open
- Earn an extra free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel if you spend $15,000 in a calendar year
- Earn 2 qualifying night credits towards tier status every time you spend $5,000 on your card
- Earn up to 9 points total for Hyatt stays - 4 Bonus Points per $1 spent on qualified purchases at Hyatt hotels & up to 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member
- Earn 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airlines, on local transit and commuting and on fitness club and gym memberships
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
- Up to 9X points total per $1 spent at Hyatt - 4X points per $1 when you use your card at Hyatt hotels & 5X points per $1 you can earn as a World of Hyatt member
- 2X points per $1 spent at restaurants, on airlines tickets purchased directly from the airlines, on local transit and commuting and on fitness club and gym memberships
- 1X point per $1 everywhere else
If you're a big spender, you can earn Hyatt Discoverist status by earning 25,000 base points per calendar year. Base points are earned by spending money at Hyatt properties. Typically, members earn 5X points per dollar spent, meaning you'll need to spend $5,000 to earn 25,000 base points.
Finally, you can earn World of Hyatt Discoverist status by booking meetings and events at Hyatt. You'll earn 2 elite nights for every $5,000 spent on planet events. So, to earn Discoverist this way, you'll need to plan $25,000 in events in a calendar year. These elite nights are combinable with any personal elite nights earned, so in reality, less event spending is likely needed to earn Discoverist.
Related: 5 Reasons To Get The World of Hyatt Credit Card
Key Benefits of Being a Hyatt Discoverist
Hyatt Discoverist has its benefits, despite being the lowest tier elite status. But what is the status worth? Let's dig into all the perks of being a Discoverist.
Complimentary room upgrades:
World of Hyatt Discoverist members can receive a preferred room upgrade within the booked room type. Here's how Hyatt explains this perk:
“Preferred rooms are determined by each hotel or resort (in its sole discretion) and include rooms on higher floors, corner rooms, or rooms with more appealing views.”
In my experience traveling with Discoverists, Hyatt does try to upgrade Discoverists to better view rooms. For many infrequent travelers, this is a nice perk.
Late checkout
Hyatt Discoverist members receive a 2 p.m. late checkout. However, this Discoverist benefit is subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed at each Hyatt property. This is the same benefit that Explorists enjoy as well.
Bonus points on stays
Hyatt elite members earn extra points on Hyatt hotel spending. These points are awarded based on your Hyatt elite tier. As a World of Hyatt Discoverist, you earn a 10% bonus on base points as a benefit. Qualifying spending includes nights booked with cash or a combination of points and cash. It also includes incidentals charged to your room. The 10% bonus is just that, a bonus, and does not count toward base points used to qualify for World of Hyatt elite status.
For example, if I spent $100 in eligible spending at a Hyatt property as a Discoverist, I should expect to earn 500 base points, as all members earn 5x base points. Plus, as a Discoverist, I'll earn an additional 50 bonus points as an elite benefit. This is in addition to any earnings from my preferred credit card, like the The World of Hyatt Credit Card.
Premium internet access
All World of Hyatt elite members receive premium internet access. The type of internet varies by Hyatt property. Note that Hyatt Vacation Club properties do not offer this benefit. In my experience staying at hundreds of Hyatt hotels, more often than not, there's a premium Wi-Fi option available for guests.
Other benefits
There are a handful of other benefits that World of Hyatt members earn with Discoverist status. These include:
- Waived resort fees on award stays
- Exclusive savings on cash rates
- Dedicated check-in area
- Two free bottled waters per day (some properties may only offer a reusable water bottle)
You'll notice there's no food benefit like a guaranteed continental breakfast. However, there are ways to get free breakfast at Hyatt hotels even without higher tiers of status.
Managing Your Discoverist Rewards
World of Hyatt members will not receive any rewards solely for having Discoverist status. However, starting at 20 nights in one calendar year, members are eligible to receive Milestone Rewards for every 10 nights stayed. World of Hyatt elites with Discoverist status may reach 20 nights and choose from one of three awards: 2,000 bonus points on your next stay, two club access awards, a $25 FIND experience credit, or 2 Preferred Seat Coupons on American Airlines.
If you reach 30 nights in a calendar year, you will move up to Explorist status and earn a Category 1–4 free night award, plus your choice of one of the four same Milestone Rewards.
Keeping track of your World of Hyatt status
It's easy to keep track of your tier status through the Hyatt website or app. To do this, log in and then click “account.” This will bring up an overview of your account, including your Hyatt status, World of Hyatt number, and current points balance. It will also show your year-to-date elite status progress, along with how many qualifying nights and base points you have. Note that this is different than your Hyatt point balance (which you can redeem for hotel stays).
Additionally, you can use AwardWallet to see your current hotel elite status, keep track of free night certificates, and more. We do the hard work and track nearly 700 loyalty programs so you don't have to do it yourself.
Redeeming Hyatt points
We have an entire article dedicated to all of the ways to earn Hyatt points, along with an article covering how to keep your Hyatt account active. If you're on the path to earning hotel elite status, or have already earned it for the year, then you don't have to worry about your points expiring. They only expire after 24 months of inactivity.
To redeem points, World of Hyatt participants can book rooms at more than 1,300 Hyatt properties around the world. Each Hyatt property is assigned a category, including an off-peak, standard, and peak price. This makes it simple to know just how far your points can take you. The exceptions are Mr & Mrs Smith properties that use their own pricing model and The Venetian Las Vegas.
In the points and miles world, Hyatt is known for providing outsized value compared to other hotel brands.
Related: Sweet Spots for World of Hyatt Award Redemptions
Leveraging Hyatt Discoverist Benefits
Discoverist status members receive minor benefits, especially when compared to the plethora of benefits that come with Globalist status. Discoverists may not get fancy benefits like suite upgrade awards, but World of Hyatt Discoverist members can use their room upgrade to secure a nicer view on a higher floor. It can be helpful to contact the hotel ahead of time via phone call or text to request a room upgrade. This will be noted on your reservation and may put you ahead of others who may request an upgrade at check-in.
Thanks to the 10% bonus points earned on eligible Hyatt hotel spending, Hyatt Discoverists can potentially earn an extra award night without having to spend much out of pocket. Category 1 Hyatt hotels start at 3,500 points per night, meaning Discoverists need to spend just $637 to receive enough bonus points to book an award stay.
Beyond Discoverist: Comparing Hyatt Elite Tiers
What comes after Discoverist? A look at Explorist and Globalist
Once you've earned Discoverist status, you may be wondering what comes next. As we previously mentioned, there are two higher tiers: Explorist and Globalist status. We have dedicated articles for each, but let's go over the main benefits.
World of Hyatt Explorist status can be achieved by staying 30 nights or earning 50,000 base points in a calendar year. Explorist members receive:
- 20% additional points on stays
- Waived resort and destination fees on award bookings
- Upgrades to best-available rooms, excluding suites and rooms with club lounge access
- Dedicated check-in
- 2 p.m. late checkout (based on availability)
- 72-hour guaranteed availability
World of Hyatt Globalist status can be achieved by staying 60 nights or earning 100,000 base points in a calendar year. Globalist status members receive:
- 30% additional points on stays
- Waived resort and destination fees on award stays and cash stays
- Upgrades to best-available rooms, including standard suites
- Dedicated check-in
- 4 p.m. late checkout
- 48-hour guaranteed availability
- Complimentary club lounge access
- Free parking on award stays
- Priority access to rooms
Tier benefits comparison: Side-by-side look at what you gain
It can be helpful to compare the World of Hyatt tier benefits side by side to get a better understanding of what each elite status offers as compared to the other statuses.
| General Member (No status) | Discoverist (10 nights or 25,000 base points) | Explorist (30 nights or 50,000 base points) | Globalist (60 nights or 100,000 base points) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earn 5 base points per $1 spent. | Earn 5 base points per $1 spent and 10% bonus points (5.5 points). | Earn 5 base points per $1 spent and 20% bonus points (6 points). | Earn 5 base points per $1 spent and 30% bonus points (6.5 points). |
| Waived resort fees on free night awards. | Waived resort fees on free night awards. | Waived resort fees on free night awards. | Waived resort fees on free night awards and eligible paid nights. |
| Upgrades to preferred rooms within the type booked. | Upgrades to best-available rooms, but not suites or rooms with Club Lounge access. | Upgrades to best-available rooms, including standard suites. | |
| Elite check-in. | Elite check-in. | Elite check-in. | |
| 2 p.m. late checkout (based on availability) | 2 p.m. late checkout (based on availability) | 4 p.m. late checkout. | |
| 72-hour guaranteed availability. | 48-hour guaranteed availability. | ||
| Complimentary Club Lounge access or breakfast. | |||
| Free parking on free nights. | |||
| Priority access to rooms. |
FAQs for Hyatt Discoverist Seekers
How do I track my nights and points for Discoverist status?
Nights and points can be tracked through the World of Hyatt website or app. To do this, log on then click on your account. There is a tracker bar that shows how many points and eligible nights you have toward elite status. Alternatively, you can link your World of Hyatt account to AwardWallet and you'll be able to see all of your points and miles balances and status on one dashboard.
Can I use points to qualify for Discoverist status?
Yes, it takes 25,000 base points to earn Hyatt Discoverist status. Base points are points earned from paid stays and eligible spending. Points transferred from Chase Ultimate Rewards do not count toward status.
What are the room upgrade options available for Discoverist members?
Discoverists are eligible to receive a preferred room upgrade within their booked room type. Preferred rooms may be corner rooms, higher floor rooms, or rooms with a better view. The preferred room type assigned is up to the discretion of the individual Hyatt properties. All World of Hyatt program members have the possibility of upgrading their paid stay using points. However, this option is not available at all Hyatt hotels, so you'll need to call Hyatt to discuss options.
How does the late checkout benefit work for Discoverist members?
Hyatt Discoverist status members are eligible to receive 2 p.m. late checkout based on availability.
Do Discoverist members earn bonus points on all stays?
Yes, Hyatt Discoverist status members earn additional points on all stays. This includes nights booked with points, cash, or a combination of points and cash. Extra rewards are a common feature in loyalty programs.
Our Take
Discoverist status has its benefits, even as a “beginner” elite tier. 2 p.m. late checkout is a game-changer for many who had to survive with 11 a.m. checkout in the past. Preferred room upgrades are nice as well. Overall, it's a stepping stone to all the greatness of the World of Hyatt program. We write a lot about Hyatt hotels a lot here at AwardWallet, but a big reason is because the brand treats all guests, not just elites, with superb hospitality in my experience. Fair warning: Discoverist status might get you addicted to the World of Hyatt!
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: The World of Hyatt Credit Card (Rates & Fees)
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