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World of Hyatt is easily one of the most rewarding loyalty programs available to travelers. From late checkouts to upgraded rooms with club lounge access, Hyatt's loyalty program offers elite benefits that make every stay more enjoyable.
Like most hotel programs, Hyatt awards elite status primarily based on the number of nights spent at participating hotels. However, there are additional ways to earn qualifying nights beyond hotel stays. These include holding and spending on a co-branded credit card, hosting events, or even celebrating your wedding reception at a Hyatt property.
Here are all the ways to earn qualifying nights to help you advance to the next World of Hyatt elite tier.
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What Are Hyatt Qualifying Nights?
World of Hyatt has three levels of elite status: Discoverist, Explorist, and Globalist. Each tier provides increasing benefits to enjoy during your stay.
One way to achieve elite status or move to a higher tier is through qualifying nights. Typically, each night at a participating World of Hyatt hotel booked on an eligible rate counts as one qualifying night. But there are also several ways to earn additional qualifying nights without actually staying at a Hyatt hotel.
All the methods we'll discuss will help you accumulate tier-qualifying nights, which unlock higher status and more benefits. The more nights you stay, or the more you spend on a co-branded Hyatt credit card, the faster you'll advance in status — and the more Milestone Rewards you'll earn.
How to Earn Hyatt Qualifying Nights
There are three main ways to earn qualifying nights toward World of Hyatt elite status:
- Staying at participating World of Hyatt locations
- Holding and spending on World of Hyatt co-branded credit cards
- Planning and hosting events at Hyatt properties
Combining credit card spending and hotel stays can be an effective strategy to reach elite status faster.
Staying at Hyatt
A convenient feature of the World of Hyatt loyalty program is that members earn tier-qualifying nights whether stays are booked with cash, Hyatt points, or free night certificates, provided the property participates in the program.
That means you can achieve elite status without spending money at Hyatt properties by booking stays entirely with points or certificates. However, you can accelerate your elite status progress even further using the methods below.
Related: How To Use Hyatt Pay My Way and Points + Cash Options
Holding and spending on World of Hyatt co-branded credit cards
Both The World of Hyatt Credit Card and World of Hyatt Business Credit Card can help you earn Hyatt elite status faster — in multiple ways.
Just holding either card automatically grants Discoverist status, giving you a head start in the program. If you hold the personal card, you’ll also receive five qualifying nights each year, beginning once you open your account. The business version does not offer this perk.
When it comes to spending, both cards let you earn additional qualifying nights based on how much you put on the card. With the World of Hyatt Card, you’ll earn two qualifying nights for every $5,000 spent. With the Hyatt Business Card, you’ll earn five qualifying nights for every $10,000 spent.
Depending on your spending habits, using one of these cards may be the easiest way to earn qualifying nights and unlock higher tiers of Hyatt elite status.
- 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
- Up to 9X total points per $1 spent at Hyatt – 4X points per $1 on qualifying purchases 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 on fitness club and gym memberships
- 1X point per $1 everywhere else
In addition, you'll earn 2X points per $1 spent in your top three spend categories each quarter. Eligible categories include:
- Dining
- Shipping
- Airline tickets when purchased directly with the airline
- Local transit & commuting
- Social media & search engine Advertising
- Car rental agencies
- Gas stations
- Internet, cable & phone services
Hosting events through Hyatt
Hosting social events or meetings at Hyatt properties is another less obvious way to earn qualifying nights. Hyatt members who book eligible events earn two qualifying nights for every $5,000 spent, up to a maximum of 60 nights per year.
Gifting Guest of Honor Awards
You can also earn Hyatt qualifying nights for being generous! World of Hyatt members can gift Guest of Honor Awards to other members. You'll get one qualifying night when the recipient completes their stay, regardless of how long they stay.
How Many Qualifying Nights Do I Need for Hyatt Elite Status?
To achieve and maintain Hyatt elite status via qualifying nights, you'll need to earn the following qualifying nights each calendar year through hotel stays, credit card spending, events, or a combination of these.
- Discoverist: 10 qualifying nights per year
- Explorist: 30 qualifying nights per year
- Globalist: 60 qualifying nights per year
Qualify for elite status via base points
Another way to earn Hyatt elite status is through base points. Base points come from eligible spending at Hyatt hotels, including room rates and dining charges. For example, Discoverist status requires 25,000 base points, equivalent to $5,000 spent at Hyatt properties.
Depending on how you travel, earning status via base points may be easier than earning qualifying nights.
Can you earn Lifetime Globalist via qualifying nights?
Lifetime Globalist status requires accumulating 1 million base points. You cannot reach this milestone through credit card spending; only points earned directly from Hyatt stays qualify.
Shortcuts to World of Hyatt Elite Status
If you want to earn Hyatt elite status this year but find the requirements a bit daunting, you may find value in taking advantage of one of the available elite status shortcuts.
Credit cards
Both the World of Hyatt Card and Hyatt Business Card automatically grant Discoverist status without any Hyatt stays. This is the quickest route to entry-level elite status and its accompanying perks, like preferred room upgrades and late checkout.
Status matches and fast-track offers
Hyatt doesn’t offer a public status match, but there are a couple of targeted ways to fast-track your way to elite status.
American Airlines AAdvantage® members can unlock Hyatt status through Loyalty Choice Rewards. After earning 100,000 Loyalty Points in a calendar year, you’ll automatically receive Discoverist status. At the 175,000 or 250,000-point thresholds, you can select Explorist status from a menu of benefits.
Hyatt also offers a corporate fast-track program that gives eligible employees complimentary Explorist status for 90 days. During that period, you can earn a higher tier by earning a set number of qualifying nights. This offer is only available to employees of participating large companies. Registration is required.
Limited-time promotions
Hyatt regularly launches promotions that let you earn qualifying nights faster, such as earning double qualifying nights at specific brands. When these offers come around, they're worth taking advantage of. Our Hyatt promotion roundup is regularly updated to reflect all the current offers.
Bottom Line
Qualifying nights are the key to unlocking elite status with World of Hyatt. You can earn these nights through paid or award stays, credit card spending, or hosting events at Hyatt hotels. By combining these methods strategically, you'll be on your way to enjoying free breakfast, suite upgrades, and the many other perks that come with World of Hyatt elite status.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: The World of Hyatt Credit Card (Rates & Fees), and World of Hyatt Business Credit Card (Rates & Fees)
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