No status, no problem: Get perks at Small Luxury Hotels of the World when you book through Hyatt
Editor's Note
There are many ways to get perks on stays, ranging from earning hotel elite status to booking through a program like American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts. But one often overlooked option is booking select Small Luxury Hotels of the World stays through World of Hyatt.
In 2018, Hyatt and SLH launched a partnership, enabling World of Hyatt members to earn and redeem points at participating SLH properties and get several value-added benefits. The partnership extends to hundreds of properties worldwide; you can see the current list of participating SLH properties on Hyatt's website. Most are in Europe, but there are also several in Asia and North America.
In this guide, we'll look closely at the benefits World of Hyatt members get at participating SLH properties. We'll also discuss how to book your stay to get these perks, as not all bookings are eligible.
World of Hyatt benefits at SLH properties
You can earn World of Hyatt points and elite night credits on all SLH stays booked through Hyatt as you normally would (albeit not on incidentals). That means you can accrue at least 5 points per dollar spent before factoring in World of Hyatt elite bonuses.
You can also redeem Hyatt points and free night awards at participating SLH properties as you normally would. However, award bookings are only for two adults, so you may face extra fees if you have additional adults or children.
Instead of the standard World of Hyatt benefits, all members enjoy the following on-property perks regardless of their World of Hyatt membership tier status:
- Daily complimentary continental breakfast for two
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Early check-in at noon (based on availability at check-in)
- Late checkout at 2 p.m. (based on availability at check-in)
- One category room upgrade (based on availability at check-in)
Note that while elite members will get their standard points bonuses (10% for Discoverist, 20% for Explorist and 30% for Globalist), no other elite benefits apply. For example, World of Hyatt members can't redeem suite upgrade certificates, and Globalist members won't get waived resort fees.
Interestingly, the benefits of booking an SLH property through Hyatt are even more generous than when booking with SLH and its Invited loyalty program. The Invited program only offers free breakfast and upgrades once you reach its Inspired tier, which requires at least three nights per 12-month tier year with SLH.
Related: What is World of Hyatt elite status worth?
Booking SLH stays through Hyatt
World of Hyatt's award charts use peak, off-peak and standard pricing. So, although each participating SLH property has a Hyatt category, award night prices will vary depending on whether the dates you want to book are peak, off-peak or standard.
Whether paying cash or redeeming points, you must book your SLH stay through Hyatt to get the partnership benefits discussed in this guide. Unfortunately, booking through World of Hyatt might not always get the lowest rate. Sadly, SLH properties are not subject to Hyatt's best rate guarantee.
You can see this in action by looking up a stay at the Brick Hotel in Mexico City. For a one-night stay on Sept. 13, 2024, Hyatt is quoting $642.91.
If we booked directly with SLH, we could book the same room type with the same cancellation policies for $578.62.
Ultimately, your best bet is to compare rates when booking SLH properties and then decide whether the premium — if there is one — is worth the extra benefits and Hyatt points.
Related: What it's like to stay at Nanuku Resort in Fiji, bookable through World of Hyatt
Maximizing your SLH bookings
The best way to maximize your SLH bookings is with the World of Hyatt Credit Card (see rates and fees) or the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card (see rates and fees). As with other Hyatt bookings, cardholders earn 4 points per dollar spent at participating SLH locations on top of their usual World of Hyatt earnings.
If you're considering adding the World of Hyatt Credit Card to your wallet, it's currently offering a sign-up bonus where new applicants can 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.
Meanwhile, the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card currently offers a sign-up bonus of earning 60,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
You can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Hyatt if you want to earn Hyatt status quickly. World of Hyatt is also a Bilt Rewards transfer partner, so you have multiple options to boost your Hyatt account balance if you want to redeem points for an SLH stay.
Related: Book a life-changing stay at the Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary with Hyatt points
Bottom line
Although not always the cheapest option, booking participating SLH properties through World of Hyatt can be incredibly compelling. After all, you'll get elitelike benefits and earn valuable World of Hyatt points when you book through Hyatt. Plus, Discoverist and Explorist elite members will enjoy better benefits on SLH stays than on most other Hyatt stays.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 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. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
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.
Rewards Rate
| 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. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
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
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
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.