Update 9/29/21: Just a quick reminder that you have to apply for the World of Hyatt credit card by September 30 if you want to be able to take advantage of the double elite nights earning opportunity through the end of the year.
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If you missed the ludicrously easy path to Hyatt Globalist elite status early this year and you can qualify for a new Hyatt credit card, then you’re in luck — it’s not too late! By combining the latest credit card offer, card spend, and Hyatt’s lower 2021 elite requirements, you can still get to top tier status easily. That status will then last through February 2023.
Hyatt’s latest credit card promotion makes new cardholders eligible for double tier qualifying nights on stays this year.
Tier qualifying nights are often referred to as “elite nights”. With many hotel chains, you can earn elite status by acquiring a number of tier qualifying elite nights each year. For example, Hyatt usually requires earning 30 elite nights per year to achieve mid-tier Explorist status, or 60 elite nights for top-tier Globalist status, but they’ve cut those numbers in half for 2021. Additionally, Hyatt offers “Milestone Rewards” which are perks like free lounge access, free nights, bonus points, etc. Milestone Rewards are earned within a calendar year when you achieve 20 elite nights, and every 10 elite nights after that up to 100. Read more about Hyatt elite status and Milestone Rewards in our World of Hyatt Complete Guide.
Easy path to Globalist with $15K spend
When combined with other card features and the fact that Hyatt requires only 30 elite nights this year instead of 60 to reach top tier status, the path to top tier is relatively easy:
- Sign up for the World of Hyatt card by 9/30/21: Get 5 elite nights automatically & qualify for double elite nights on stays in 2021.
- Spend $15,000 on the card before the end of the year: Earn 60,000 total points (thanks to the current welcome bonus); 6 elite nights from spend; and a category 1-4 free night certificate.
- Spend 10 nights at Hyatt hotels this year (including free nights booked with points or certificates): Earn 20 elite nights.
- With the 31 elite nights earned (as listed above): Get Globalist elite status for the rest of this year, all of 2022, and through February 2023. Also get the 30 night Milestone reward (A category 1-4 free night certificate & 2 club access awards).
Path to Globalist with $5K spend
If you can’t spend $15K on the Hyatt credit card by the end of the year, here’s another option:
- Sign up for the World of Hyatt card by 9/30/21: Get 5 elite nights automatically & qualify for double elite nights on stays in 2021.
- Spend $5,000 on the card before the end of the year: Earn 40,000 total points (thanks to the current welcome bonus); and 2 elite nights from spend.
- Spend 12 nights at Hyatt hotels this year (including free nights booked with points or certificates): Earn 24 elite nights.
- With the 31 elite nights earned (as listed above): Get Globalist elite status for the rest of this year, all of 2022, and through February 2023. Also get the 30 night Milestone reward (A category 1-4 free night certificate & 2 club access awards).
Top tier Hyatt status: Why chase Globalist?
In my opinion, Hyatt offers the best top-tier elite perks of any hotel chain. Top tier Globalist elites get free upgrades including standard suites, waived resort fees on paid nights (resort fees are waived on award nights for all members), free breakfast or club access, free parking on award nights, and more. Mid-tier Explorist status, meanwhile, offers very few meaningful perks. In my opinion, Globalist status is worth a lot. Explorist status is worth very little.
Elite status requirements cut in half
For those seeking to earn Hyatt elite status in 2021, Hyatt has cut in half the requirements. Here are the 2021 requirements for each elite level:
| Membership Level | Elite Nights Usually Required | Elite Nights Required in 2021 | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discoverist | 10 | 5 | 2PM late check-out; Earn Hyatt points w/ AA spend |
| Explorist | 30 | 15 | Match to M life Gold; Room Upgrade |
| Globalist | 60 | 30 | Waived resort fees on all stays; Suite upgrades, 4PM late check-out; Club access or free breakfast; Free parking on award stays; Guest of Honor bookings |
For those who earn status through spend at Hyatt properties, the requirements for earning status through base points has also been cut in half. For example, in 2021 you can earn Globalist status by earning 50K base points instead of the usual 100K. This would require $10K calendar year spend at Hyatt. Most people will do better earning status through stays.
Double elite nights via Hyatt credit card promo
The latest World of Hyatt credit card offer includes the ability to earn 2 Tier-Qualifying Night Credits for each night you stay from 8/16/21 through 12/31/21. The ability to earn double elite nights does not apply to those who got the World of Hyatt card before the current offer (shown below) was introduced. It also doesn’t apply to those who sign up through alternate channels such as when an offer shows up while making a Hyatt booking. Double elite nights does apply to this offer:
| Card Offer and Details |
|---|
Up to 45K points ⓘ Non-Affiliate Up to 45K: 30K after $3K spend plus 1 extra point per dollar for non-bonused spend, up to $15K spend in 6 months.$95 Annual Fee This card is subject to Chase's 5/24 rule. Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: Great card for signup bonus and annual free night. Might be worth using regularly for additional free night and as a path to status. Earning rate: ✦ 2X restaurants / cafes / coffee shops, airlines, local transit, fitness clubs and gym memberships ✦ 4X Hyatt Card Info: Visa Signature issued by Chase. This card has no foreign transaction fees. Big spend bonus: One free Cat 1-4 night certificate after $15K spend in a calendar year. ✦ Get 2 elite qualifying night credits every time you spend $5K in purchases Noteworthy perks: ✦ Free category 1-4 night every year upon renewal ✦ Additional free category 1-4 night after $15K spend in calendar year ✦ Discoverist elite status ✦ 5 elite qualifying nights |
Elite nights from Hyatt credit card & card spend
All World of Hyatt cardholders automatically earn 5 elite nights each year. Plus, the card offers 2 elite nights with each $5K of spend.
Milestone rewards
It’s important to understand that some of the perks that people associate with Hyatt Globalist status are actually earned with Milestone Rewards. These are rewards that are earned when you hit different milestones of elite nights. Suite Upgrade Awards, a free night category 1-7 certificate, and access to My Hyatt Concierge are Milestone benefits, not elite benefits. Therefore if you earn elite status with only 30 elite nights, you won’t earn those perks.
This chart shows the details:
| Elite Nights Earned | Milestone Reward |
|---|---|
| 20 Nights | |
| Automatic: | N/A |
| Pick 1: | 2K Next Stay Award |
| 2 Club Access Awards | |
| $25 FIND Credit | |
| 30 Nights | |
| Automatic: | 1 Cat 1-4 Free Night |
| Pick 1: | 2K Next Stay Award |
| 2 Club Access Awards | |
| $25 FIND Credit | |
| 40 Nights | |
| Automatic: | 1 Guest of Honor Award |
| Pick 1: | 5K Bonus Points |
| 1 Suite Upgrade Award | |
| $150 FIND Credit | |
| 50 Nights | |
| Automatic: | N/A |
| Pick 1: | 5K Bonus Points |
| 2 Suite Upgrade Awards | |
| $150 FIND Credit | |
| 60 Nights | |
| Automatic: | 1 Cat 1-7 Free Night |
| 2 Suite Upgrade Awards | |
| My Hyatt Concierge | |
| 2 Guest of Honor Awards | |
| 70, 80, 90 Nights | |
| Automatic: | 1 Guest of Honor Award |
| Pick 1: | 10K Bonus Points |
| 1 Suite Upgrade Award | |
| $300 FIND Credit | |
| 100 Nights | |
| Automatic: | 1 Cat 1-7 Free Night |
| Pick 1: | 10K Bonus Points |
| 1 Suite Upgrade Award | |
| Miraval Extra Night | |
| 110, 120, 130, 140 Nights | |
| Automatic: | 1 Guest of Honor Award |
| Pick 1: | 10K Bonus Points |
| 1 Suite Upgrade Award | |
| Miraval Extra Night | |
| 150 Nights | |
| Automatic: | Ultimate Free Night Award |
| Pick 1: | 10K Bonus Points |
| 1 Suite Upgrade Award | |
| Miraval Extra Night |
Completely separate from elite status, Milestone Rewards are available to everyone and are based on the number of nights you stay in a calendar year. Most awards are valid for the rest of the calendar year in which they are selected and 14 months beyond. The Ultimate Free Night award, Miraval Extra Night Award, and the 2K Next Stay Awards are good for 180 days.
More details about Milestone Rewards, including value estimates, can be found here.
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