Quick Points: Hyatt Globalists get free parking on award stays
It’s no secret that World of Hyatt’s top-tier Globalist status comes packed with perks. Popular benefits include standard suite upgrades (upon availability), a full breakfast for registered room guests (up to two adults and two children), waived resort fees and 4 p.m. late checkouts.
But here’s one of my favorite Globalist benefits you might not be aware of: free parking on award stays.
Today, we’ll review what you need to know about this perk so that you can bring your car along for free on your next stay.
Related: World of Hyatt elite status: What it is and how to earn it
Free parking on award stays
According to the World of Hyatt terms and conditions, “Globalists receive free parking at participating Hyatt hotels or resorts for nights during which the Globalist stays on a Free Night Award.”
This means the free parking benefit is only valid when redeeming points for the room or staying on a Category 1-4 or Category 1-7 free night certificate at participating properties. You’re responsible for parking charges if you book a cash room rate.
The terms and conditions state, “Free parking benefit is valid at Hyatt hotels or resorts that offer parking, provided that parking charges at such hotel or resort can be billed to the guest room/folio.”
This is an important point. If the hotel doesn’t put the parking charge on your folio (i.e., you must pay directly with the parking lot or valet), Hyatt won’t cover your parking. I recommend calling your hotel before arriving to confirm whether Globalists receive free parking on award stays.
The terms and conditions also specify that the benefit is valid for both valet and self-parking if the hotel offers both.
Finally, the free parking benefit doesn’t apply to vacation ownership properties.
How to maximize this benefit
Free parking can be a significant savings, particularly in pricey cities. Overnight parking at the Grand Hyatt San Francisco costs $62.70 for self-parking or $90.06 for valet parking, while at the Park Hyatt New York, you’ll be spending $90 to valet or self-park your ride.
I redeemed 17,000 points (the off-peak Category 5 rate) to stay at the Park Hyatt Washington D.C., to dodge a room bill that would have totaled $422.17. I was already pleased with my redemption of World of Hyatt points at 2.5 cents apiece, about 40% above TPG’s October 2024 valuation of 1.7 cents apiece.
But at Washington's Dulles International Airport (IAD), I rented a car. Parking rates at this property were $59 per night, so the free parking benefit stretched my points further — clocking out at 2.8 cents per point.
Guests who park at the Park Hyatt Washington D.C. are also entitled to complimentary electric vehicle charging.
Since I found a plug-in hybrid on the National Car Rental executive aisle at Dulles, the hotel gladly charged up my rental car between outings — a greener way to drive, convenience and savings at the pump.
How to qualify for Globalist status
You must hold Globalist status to enjoy the free parking perk on award stays. Here’s a look at how to qualify for Globalist status this year:
- Stay 60 qualifying nights or
- Earn 100,000 base points
If you hold the World of Hyatt Credit Card, (see rates and fees) you earn five elite nights toward Hyatt status. World of Hyatt cardholders earn two elite nights for every $5,000 spent on qualifying purchases.
This card currently offers new applicants the chance to earn up to 60,000 points: 30,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening and up to 30,000 more bonus points by earning 2 bonus points total per $1 spent in the first six months from account opening on up to $15,000 spent.
You'll also receive one free night certificate valid at any Category 1-4 property (for spending $15,000 in a single calendar year) and a free night certificate you earn just for keeping your account open. And yes, Globalists are entitled to free parking at a qualifying property when staying on these certificates.
Related: Comparing the best hotel elite status tiers and how to earn them
Bottom line
Parking charges are on the rise, but as a Globalist, both you and your car might be able to sleep for free. Confirm that your hotel offers complimentary parking to Globalists on award stays. So far, I’ve yet to find a hotel that doesn’t participate in this benefit.
The next time you redeem Hyatt points, factor parking charges into your redemption. In my case, this perk made a sweet deal that much sweeter.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.