American and Hyatt Elites Now Get Reciprocal Benefits
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
As we reported back in March, American Airlines AAdvantage and World of Hyatt are joining forces to incentivize members from both programs to do business with the other, with a structure and benefits similar to the (now defunct) Crossover Rewards partnership between Delta and SPG.
Members can link their accounts now to begin taking advantage of benefits, which vary depending on your tier. First, Hyatt elites can earn 1 bonus point per $1 spent on qualifying AA flights, while all American elites can earn 1 bonus mile per $1 spent on qualifying Hyatt stays.
Both programs are offering elite-status "fast track" offers as well, though these may vary from one member to the next, and are only available to Hyatt Explorist or Globalist elites looking for status with American, or AAdvantage Platinum members or above seeking status with Hyatt. Additionally, ConciergeKey members will receive top-tier Hyatt Globalist status.
As a World of Hyatt Globalist and AAdvantage Gold, I wasn't targeted for an offer myself, but an AA Platinum Pro colleague did receive an offer for trial Hyatt Explorist status, with an opportunity to retain status (and earn four Club Lounge Access Awards) after staying 10 qualifying nights within 90 days of registration — a much more achievable requirement than the usual 30 qualifying nights.
Another TPG staffer, Senior Aviation Editor Ben Mutzabaugh, is currently Executive Platinum with American and Discoverist with Hyatt. He was given a fast track opportunity to earn either Explorist or Globalist. By registering before October 1, 2019, he'd enjoy Explorist status for 90 days and then has the following stay thresholds to keep that status or upgrade to Globalist:
- Stay 10 qualifying nights within 90 days of registration to maintain Explorist through February 28, 2021 and earn four Club Lounge Access Awards.
- Stay an additional 10 qualifying nights within 90 days to earn Globalist status through February 28, 2021.
According to AA, "American Airlines may, from time to time, select certain World of Hyatt members with World of Hyatt Explorist elite status or higher who have linked their AAdvantage and World of Hyatt accounts for the opportunity to participate in offers to earn AAdvantage elite status by traveling on eligible American Airlines flights during the designated offer period."
In other words, simply holding status with one program doesn't guarantee a match or challenge with the other. Still, it's worth linking your accounts for the extra points and miles alone — we value Hyatt points at 1.7 cents each and AA miles at 1.4 cents, so at the very least you'd be getting a notable additional return on your paid flights and stays.
If you're hoping to participate in this new partnership but don't currently hold elite status in either program, consider adding the World of Hyatt Credit Card to your wallet. In addition to the current welcome bonus, you'd also enjoy automatic Discoverist status, unlocking an additional Hyatt point for every dollar you spend on American flights through this partnership.
See this post for full details on both programs and their benefits.
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: 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.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles50,000 Bonus MilesAnnual Fee
$250Recommended 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.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: 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.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees