“October 2024 Update” Since 2019, Hyatt and American Airlines have had a partnership that gave elite members opportunities to earn points and miles from flights and hotel stays. Now, Hyatt and American Airlines are making changes to that partnership. Starting January 1, 2025, World of Hyatt elite members will no longer earn points on American Airlines flights, and AAdvantage elite members will no longer earn AAdvantage miles during Hyatt hotel stays. The new rewards are mainly focused on milestone rewards, which are earned after reaching certain points thresholds.

When American Airlines Loyalty Points reach 40,000, members can choose a World of Hyatt Category 1–4 free night certificate; at 125,000 points, they can choose a Category 1–7 free night certificate.

  • Category 1–4 Free Night Award: At 40,000 Loyalty Points or the AAdvantage Gold®level, AAdvantage® members unlock the ability redeem miles for a World of Hyatt Category 1–4 Free Night Award.
  • Category 1–7 Free Night Award:At 125,000 Loyalty Points or the AAdvantage Platinum® level, AAdvantage® members unlock the ability redeem miles for a World of Hyatt Category 1–7 Free Night Award.

On the Hyatt side, each tier also adds American Airlines benefit options, including preferred seat coupons, Gold status, Platinum status, and more.

  • Preferred Seat Coupons: At 20 and 30 nights or 35,000 and 50,000 base points respectively, World of Hyatt members can choose two (2) Preferred seat coupons on American Airlines flights.
  • Main Cabin Extra Seat Coupons: At 40 and 50 nights or 65,000 and 80,000 base points respectively, World of Hyatt members can choose two (2) Main Cabin Extra seat coupons on American Airlines flights.
  • Gold Status:At 70, 80 and 90 nights respectively, World of Hyatt members will get the choice of AAdvantage Gold® status, valid for the full status membership year.
  • Platinum Status:Starting at 100 nights, World of Hyatt members will get the choice of AAdvantage Platinum® status, valid for the full status membership year.

In addition, Hyatt Explorist and Globalist members can redeem points for temporary AA elite status, though it only lasts for 1 day. The highest available option is AA Platinum Pro. This benefit is actually pretty useful: you can redeem it on the day you fly and get perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, bonus miles, and more.

Personally, I think this is a positive change. For people who do not stay or fly very often, earning a few extra points does not mean much anyway. After the change, the program will do a better job of rewarding people who stay more and fly more, with more rewards and more benefit choices.

About

In 2019, Hyatt and AA launched a partnership that let members earn points and miles from hotel stays and flights. In addition, the two programs have usually offered reciprocal status matches once per year. If you have not linked your accounts yet, see:

  • Hyatt benefits: Hyatt Discoverist members and above, after linking their AA account, can earn regular AA miles on paid AA flights and also earn an extra 1 Hyatt point per dollar into their Hyatt account. In addition, Hyatt Explorist and Globalist members may also have access to AA elite fast-track offers, where completing certain requirements can quickly earn AA elite status.
  • AA benefits: AA Gold members and above, after linking their Hyatt account, can earn regular Hyatt points on paid Hyatt stays and also earn an extra 1 AA mile per dollar spent.
  • Commentary: Hyatt Discoverist is automatically granted just by holding a Hyatt credit card, so this benefit has been pretty easy to get. I recommend linking the accounts, since the extra points post automatically and there is no reason to leave them on the table. The reverse path via AA Gold may be harder for most people.
  • Related links: Overview of the AA and Hyatt partnership, AA and Hyatt account-linking page

In addition, there is usually one reciprocal status-match opportunity each year. Details are below.

Hyatt Elite Status Match to AA Status

Right now, American Airlines is offering a fast-track status match for World of Hyatt Globalist members. After registering, you can receive four months of Platinum Pro (Oneworld Emerald) status. Whether you keep or improve that status depends on how many Loyalty Points you earn during the trial period.

  • Offer link (log in to your AA account and check the promotions section; this may be a targeted offer)

Requirements: register by September 5, 2024, and you can receive complimentary AAdvantage Platinum Pro status. If you reach the required Loyalty Points thresholds, you can continue enjoying the upgraded AAdvantage status benefits for up to one year. Below is a detailed explanation of how it works. These LP can be earned by flying on AA, spending on an AA co-branded card, and partner activities.

AA Elite Status to Hyatt Elite Status

AAdvantage AA elite members can register for an offer and quickly get Hyatt Explorist status for 90 days.

Details are as follows:

  • AAdvantage elites who stay 10 nights within 90 days can extend the status through 2/28/26.
  • AAdvantage Platinum Pro or higher members who stay 20 nights within 90 days can earn Hyatt Globalist through 2/28/26.
  • Award stays booked with points do count, but Free Night awards from credit card spending do not.

Other notes:

  • You will earn the higher status within 7 days of completing the applicable challenge.
  • Note that while Globalists are eligible for suite upgrades at check-in, you need to achieve 50 nights in a calendar year in order to start receiving confirmed suite upgrade awards and 60 nights to get a personal concierge, so this is essentially Globalist Lite status.
  • Limit one such offer each calendar year per Eligible Member.

My Take

Being able to quickly get elite status in the partner program is still quite valuable. One important tip: do not register right away. Wait until you actually have travel planned, so you can make full use of the trial period and potentially complete enough travel to extend the status as well.