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The changes mentioned below have started to take effect.
The American Airlines and World of Hyatt partnership is particularly lucrative — particularly if you hold elite status in either program. Perhaps you have even gotten complimentary elite status through this partnership. But at the end of this year and the very beginning of next year, this partnership will undergo some changes — some good and some bad.
If you're a fan of the partnership (and the reciprocal rewards), read on to learn what's about to change.
Reciprocal Earnings Are Going Away at the End of 2024
One of the aspects of the Hyatt-American Airlines partnership we've come to appreciate the most is earning reciprocal earnings on flights and stays. As it stands today, those with American Airlines elite status can earn one mile per dollar spent on qualifying Hyatt purchases. Similarly, World of Hyatt elites can earn one point per dollar spent on eligible American flights.
But unfortunately, all good things must end. This benefit will be removed on December 31, 2024. So, if you've been raking in valuable rewards by double-dipping, you only have a few more months to enjoy it.
Expanded AAdvantage Benefits for Hyatt Elites
Now for the positives. Starting on January 1, 2025, Hyatt will add four new benefits to the brand's Milestone Rewards offerings:
- Preferred seat coupons: Pick two American Airlines preferred seat coupons at 20 nights (or 35,000 points) and at 30 nights (or 50,000 base points).
- Main Cabin Extra seat coupons: Pick two Main Cabin Extra seat coupons at 40 nights (or 65,000 points) and at 50 nights (or 80,000 base points).
- AAdvantage Gold status: Choose AAdvantage Gold status at 70, 80, or 90 nights. Status is valid for the full membership year.
- AAdvantage Platinum status: This benefit is available starting at 100 nights and is also valid for the full membership year.
Getting preferred or extra-legroom seating is a nice addition, but the real value is when you hit 70 nights and have the option to select American Airlines elite status as a Milestone Reward.
AAdvantage elite status — if you don't already have it via this partnership or otherwise — can be a boon if you fly American with any regularity. Free checked bags and the occasional complimentary upgrade to first class are just the tip of the iceberg.
Redeem Hyatt points for limited-time AA status
Additional perks will be rolled out at the start of 2025 that are unique to World of Hyatt Explorist and Globalist members. These options will allow such members to redeem Hyatt points for American Airlines “status for a day” benefits.
- Get AAdvantage Gold status for a day for 5,000 Hyatt points.
- Get AAdvantage Platinum status for a day for 8,000 Hyatt points.
- Get AAdvantage Platinum Pro status for a day for 12,000 Hyatt points.
Whether or not this is intentional, the point thresholds for these awards parallel Hyatt's standard pricing for award nights at Category 1, 2, and 3 properties. Depending on the value you could extract from a free night, it may be worth passing on a day of AA elite status for a night in a Hyatt hotel. But, depending on the trip, you may find value in upgrading your American Airlines benefits, even if it's just for a day.
Related: How To Earn American Airlines Miles and Loyalty Points
Expanded Hyatt Benefits for AAdvantage Elites
On the flip side, those with American Airlines will have a new slate of benefits to look forward to come January 2, 2025. The two main benefits taking effect at the start of the year are:
- Category 1-4 free night award: Unlock the chance to redeem AA miles for one Category 1-4 free night award at 40,000 Loyalty Points — which is when you earn AAdvantage Gold.
- Category 1-7 free night award: Unlock the chance to redeem AA miles for one Category 1-7 free night award at 125,000 Loyalty Points — which is when you earn AAdvantage Platinum Pro.
The language here is what you'll want to pay attention to. No, you won't get a free night at either threshold. Instead, you'll get the chance to redeem 25,000 AAdvantage miles for a Category 1-4 free night award or 65,000 AAdvantage miles for a Category 1-7 free night award.
While it's possible to unlock excellent value using free night awards, you might find better value via one of the several AAdvantage program sweet spots.
Expanded Loyalty Choice Rewards
Additional benefits are also due to arrive on March 1, 2025. These benefits will line up with the AAdvantage Loyalty Choice Rewards, so you'll be able to pick them at specific thresholds.
- Hyatt Discoverist Status: Unlock this choice at 100,000 Loyalty Points.
- Hyatt Explorist Status: Unlock this choice at 175,000 Loyalty Points, and again at 250,000 Loyalty Points if you didn't select it the first time around.
- Category 1-4 free night award: Unlock this choice at 400,000, 550,000, and 750,000 Loyalty Points.
- Category 1-7 free night award: Unlock this choice at 1 million, 3 million, and 5 million Loyalty Points.
On the one hand, it's nice to see more benefit choices in AA's Loyalty Choice Rewards. However, whether or not it's worth selecting complimentary Hyatt status or free night awards over Systemwide Upgrades (SWUs), Admirals Club memberships, bonus miles, and so on will vary from person to person.
Related: Best Category 1–4 Hotels for World of Hyatt Free Night Awards
Final Thoughts
One of our favorite airline and hotel partnerships is undergoing some major changes. In large part, the changes are pretty positive. There's something to be said about choosing how you want to be rewarded. If these new benefits will help you, then this news will be nothing short of welcome.
However, if these benefits come as redundant, the loss of the reciprocal mileage and point earnings at the end if this year will sting the most. But rest assured, you still have a few more months to double-dip on your American Airlines flying and your Hyatt stays.
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