Quick Points: Make sure Hyatt pulls the right certificate from your account
Imagine the frustration of staying at a Hyatt Category 3 property and accidentally paying for it with a Category 1-7 free night certificate — all while a Category 1-4 free night certificate sits unused in your account. Ouch.
This experience taught me about a World of Hyatt quirk you should know. Here's how to ensure Hyatt pulls the right certificate from your account.
Hyatt's 2 types of free night awards
World of Hyatt issues two free night awards: Category 1-4 free night awards and Category 1-7 free night awards.
The former can be used at any property rated in categories 1-4 on Hyatt's award chart. These aren't affected by Hyatt's peak and off-peak pricing, either. As long as you can find a standard award room at an eligible property, you can use this certificate there. You can earn these free nights in the following ways:
- Receive a Category 1-4 free night each year with the World of Hyatt Credit Card (see rates and fees). This card is currently offering new cardholders to earn up to five free nights: three free nights after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. Plus, two free nights after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first six months. Free nights can be redeemed at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort worldwide.
- Earn a second Category 1-4 free night by spending $15,000 in a calendar year on the World of Hyatt Credit Card.
- Earn a Category 1-4 free night award after staying 30 qualifying nights or earning 50,000 base points with World of Hyatt in a calendar year, also qualifying you for mid-tier Explorist status.
- Right now, the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card (see rates and fees) is offering a generous welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Category 1-7 free night awards are more valuable; these can be used at Hyatt properties in categories 1-7 and all-inclusive properties in categories A-D.
These awards also are more difficult to earn. You'll need to stay 60 qualifying nights or earn 100,000 base points in a year to nab a Category 1-7 certificate, also qualifying you for top-tier Globalist status.
Related: World of Hyatt card vs. World of Hyatt Business card: 2 valuable hotel earners
Pulling the right certificate
If you have both types of awards in your account, you don't want to use a Category 1-7 award when staying at a hotel in Categories 1-4. Unfortunately, I did this without realizing it on a short-notice booking at the Category 3 Grand Hyatt Incheon.
As I learned the hard way, when you use a free night award to book a hotel online, Hyatt's website automatically pulls the award that expires first. You don't have the option to choose the lower-value award.
To get around this, call World of Hyatt reservations at 1-800-354-9288 or contact your My Hyatt Concierge (if you have one) to ensure the right certificate is applied.
Related: Quick Points: How (and why) you should regularly audit your loyalty accounts
Bottom line
Using my Category 1-7 free night award at a Category 1-4 property not only made me feel like I overpaid, but also prevented me from maximizing the more valuable award. Unfortunately, the award type can't be changed after your stay, so you should ensure in advance that Hyatt uses the right certificate.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees