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Hyatt and American Airlines have today announced details of a new partnership that’s going to offer reciprocal earning opportunities, status challenges and more. These mutual benefits aren’t available yet as they’re not going live until later this year.
You can find the full press release here. Here’s a summary of the benefits:
American Airlines
- AAdvantage members with Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro, Executive Platinum and ConciergeKey status will earn 1 bonus mile per eligible dollar spent at Hyatt properties.
- ConciergeKey members will receive automatic Globalist status with World of Hyatt.
Hyatt
- Discoverist, Explorist and Globalist members will earn 1 bonus point per eligible dollar spent on American Airlines flights.
Status Challenges
AAdvantage members with Platinum, Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum status will be able to participate in status challenges to earn status with World of Hyatt. Similarly, Explorist and Globalist members will be able to take a status challenge to earn status with American Airlines. Once registered for a status challenge, members will receive access to benefits immediately, rather than having to wait until they’ve successfully completed the challenge.
Quick Thoughts
Many World of Hyatt members will have Discoverist status thanks to their credit card, so this partnership will mean they’ll earn 1 bonus point per dollar spent on American flights which is a nice bonus.
For those with Explorist or Globalist status earned organically or by status matching with M life, this’ll give you access to a status challenge with American Airlines. The fact that the AAdvantage benefits will be available immediately means it could be worth registering for a status challenge before flying with American even if you know you won’t fly enough to complete the challenge in time.
ConciergeKey members are the ones who come out best with this partnership. Not only will they earn bonus miles for every dollar they spend at Hyatt properties, but they’ll also receive Globalist status automatically without having to complete a status challenge. Something important to note though is that they won’t receive benefits like Suite Upgrade Awards and the free category 1-7 night as those are only awarded when staying the requisite number of nights.
This partnership is, for the most part, a positive development seeing as you’ll have the chance to earn bonus miles or points by simply linking your World of Hyatt and AAdvantage accounts. Those with top tier status with American Airlines and Hyatt might feel slightly aggrieved though as this will increase the number of other top tier elite members, increasing competition for seat upgrades, suite upgrades, etc.
These benefits aren’t due to go live until later this year, but no date has been announced yet. We’ll provide further details as they become available and will provide the registration link once it goes live.
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Did they explain how to sync both programs when booking on either side?
Not yet – registration for the partnership hasn’t started yet, so we’ll be sure to post about it once it’s open.
Why is it that status with hotels seems only valuable overseas, particularly in Asia?