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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. 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. Discoverist status also comes with a handful of useful benefits.
Let's look at everything World of Hyatt Discoverist elite status has to offer and see how it lines up with other loyalty programs.
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Earning Hyatt Discoverist Status
There are a few ways to earn World of Hyatt Discoverist elite status.
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 or points will count toward earning elite status.
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 World of Hyatt small business card come with automatic Hyatt Discoverist status.
Furthermore, 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 three meetings or events at Hyatt properties.
Related: 5 Reasons To Get The World of Hyatt Credit Card
Key Benefits of Being a Hyatt Discoverist
Hyatt Discoverist status may be the lowest World of Hyatt elite status, but that doesn't mean it lacks useful benefits for elite members. What is World of Hyatt Discoverist status worth? Let's look at the perks it provides.
Complimentary room upgrades: What kind of rooms can you get?
World of Hyatt Discoverist members are eligible to 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.”
Late checkout: How late can you stay?
Hyatt Discoverist members receive 2 p.m. late checkout. However, this benefit is subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed at each Hyatt property.
Bonus points on stays: How much more will you earn?
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. 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 for World of Hyatt elite status.
Premium internet access: What does this include?
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.
Guaranteed room availability: How far in advance do you need to book?
Guaranteed room availability is a World of Hyatt benefit that extends to Explorist and Globalist members, but it's not included in the benefits for World of Hyatt Discoverist.
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
- Reciprocal benefits for American Airlines loyalty program members
- Exclusive savings on cash rates
- Dedicated check-in area
- Two free bottled waters per day
- Mr. & Mrs. Smith benefits
You'll notice there's no food benefit like 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 awards 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: 2K next stay, two club access awards, or a $25 FIND experience credit.
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 three same three 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 due to 24 months of inactivity.
To redeem points, World of Hyatt participants can book rooms at roughly 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 sole exception is Mr & Mrs Smith properties that use their own pricing model.
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 puts 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 further 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
- Participation in the Hyatt–American Airlines partnership
- Dedicated check-in
- 2 p.m. late checkout
- 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
- Participation in the Hyatt–American Airline partnership
- 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. |
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