Hyatt and American Airlines have a unique partnership that’s worth exploring if you have elite status with either World of Hyatt or American Airlines AAdvantage.
In this guide, we’ll look at the reciprocal benefits, points earning opportunities, and how to quickly link up your accounts to benefit from the partnership.
What Is the World of Hyatt and American Airlines Partnership?
The Hyatt and American Airlines partnership allows World of Hyatt elite members to earn World of Hyatt points on eligible American Airlines purchases, and allows American Airlines AAdvantage elite members to earn AAdvantage miles on qualifying Hyatt expenses.
In order to earn AAdvantage miles on Hyatt stays, you need to be an AAdvantage Gold status member or higher.
Similarly, in order to earn World of Hyatt points on qualifying American Airlines flights, you need to be a World of Hyatt Discoverist member or higher.
Before you can begin earning World of Hyatt points or AAdvantage miles, you’ll need to link your accounts.
World of Hyatt elite members can sign onto their Hyatt account on the World of Hyatt website and add their AAdvantage number to link accounts and start earning Hyatt points.
AAdvantage elite members, meanwhile, can log into their account on the AAdvantage website to start earning AAdvantage miles on Hyatt expenses.
Earning World of Hyatt Points through American Airlines
World of Hyatt elite members will earn 1 World of Hyatt point for every dollar (USD) spent on qualifying American Airlines flights.
You’ll also still earn AAdvantage miles as normal on eligible fares booked with American Airlines and partnered airlines.
World of Hyatt points can only be earned on flight tickets published by American Airlines and paid to American Airlines. Codeshare partner flights aren’t eligible for earning Hyatt points.
What’s more, bonus Hyatt points are only awarded off the purchase price of the flight exclusive of any applicable taxes, fees, and surcharges.
Any additional flight expenses such as checked luggage or in-flight purchases aren’t eligible for earning bonus World of Hyatt points.
Lastly, World of Hyatt points earned through this partnership don’t count towards earning elite status with World of Hyatt.
Earning American Airlines AAdvantage Miles through Hyatt Hotels and Resorts
American Airlines AAdvantage elite members will earn 1 AAdvantage bonus mile per dollar (USD) spent on eligible Hyatt stays and experiences.
Unlike the more restrictive earning structure around earning Hyatt points with American Airlines, all Hyatt expenses will earn AAdvantage miles. This means that any dining, spa, or experience expenses with Hyatt will earn AAdvantage bonus miles.
In addition to the bonus AAdvantage miles, you’ll still earn World of Hyatt points as you normally would on eligible Hyatt stays.
However, unfortunately, the AAdvantage bonus miles earned don’t count towards AAdvantage elite status.
Limited-Time Reciprocal Elite Status Offers
Another benefit of the World of Hyatt and American Airlines AAdvantage partnership is the reciprocal status offers that frequently pop up.
To begin, AAdvantage’s invitation-only Concierge Key members will enjoy World of Hyatt’s highest Globalist status level after linking accounts.
Other American Airlines elite members will have the chance to status match, and could potentially earn World of Hyatt elite status for a longer period of time by meeting certain qualifications. Although the status match offer isn’t permanent, it does pop up a couple times each year.
With the status match, AAdvantage Gold elite members and higher will typically enjoy World of Hyatt Explorist status for 90 days. If they earn 10 tier-qualifying nights within that 90 days, they’ll be able to retain Explorist status.
AAdvantage Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum elite members can typically earn World of Hyatt Globalist status by earning 20 tier-qualifying nights within the same 90-day period.
On the other hand, if you’re already a World of Hyatt elite member, and you’ve linked your accounts, American Airlines may reach out and offer a chance to earn AAdvantage elite status.
The specific terms aren’t publicized; however, you’ll need to travel on eligible American Airlines flights during a specified offer period to earn AAdvantage elite status.
How to Maximize the Hyatt and American Airlines Partnership
There aren’t too many benefits that come with the Hyatt and American partnership, but you’ll automatically earn bonus World of Hyatt points or AAdvantage miles on qualifying spend as an elite member.
If you have elite status in either program, there’s no reason not to link your accounts to earn bonus points or miles.
What’s more, getting the opportunity to participate in a reciprocal status match could provide additional value, even if you don’t plan on retaining that status.
It’d be nice to see the partnership flourish and add on additional benefits for elite members of either program.
For example, the Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus programs have a partnership that provides slightly better benefits.
Unlike the Hyatt and American partnership, there’s no need to participate in a status challenge under Marriott and United’s partnership. Higher-tier elite status members in one program automatically receive elite status in the other and can start enjoying benefits immediately.
Conclusion
The World of Hyatt and American Airlines AAdvantage partnership allows elite members to earn bonus Hyatt points or AAdvantage miles on eligible stays or flights.
If you enjoy elite status in one of these two programs, all you need to do is link your accounts, and you’ll immediately be able to enjoy the bonus points and miles benefit.
What’s more, reciprocal status match opportunities tend to pop up regularly, allowing you to enjoy a taste of elite status with the other program, and the opportunity to maintain elite status by engaging with that program.