How I booked a Hyatt hotel for just 2,000 points per night this summer
When I became a nomad at the start of the year, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to go for Globalist status with World of Hyatt. Earning top-tier status requires 60 elite nights in a calendar year — and with no fixed address, I could shape my travel plans around that goal.
Now, halfway through the year, I've gotten more creative in how I earn and redeem my points.
And soon, I'll pull off one of my most satisfying redemptions yet: a weeklong stay in Europe for an effective rate of just 2,000 Hyatt points per night. This is an outstanding value for a modern hotel with a great location, gym and breakfast.
Here's how I made it happen and how you can do something similar, especially if you recently earned the 100,000-point bonus on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (offer no longer available) or are considering applying for the recently refreshed Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees).
Combining status goals with points strategy
Because I hold the World of Hyatt Credit Card (see rates and fees), I started the year with five elite nights. I've since earned six more by spending $15,000 on the card — a sweet spot worth targeting if you're working toward status.
By mid-July, I was sitting at 54 elite nights — 11 from my credit card and the other 43 from staying at hotels in Asia, Europe and South America. At just six nights shy of Globalist status, I started looking for an affordable way to cross the finish line.
Related: World of Hyatt Credit Card review
Booking a Category 1 property in Europe
I turned my attention to Category 1 Hyatt properties, which cost:
- 3,500 points per night on off-peak dates
- 5,000 points on standard dates
- 6,500 points on peak dates
Last summer, I stayed at the Hyatt Place Krakow in Poland and loved it. It's just outside the bustling Old Town, with a modern design, great gym and delicious breakfast (for about an additional $25 daily).
So, I booked an eight-night stay for next month for:
- 3,500 points per night for four nights
- 5,000 points per night for the other four
That's a total of 34,000 points — a solid redemption on its own. But I was just getting started.
Related: Hyatt just launched a convenient new award availability feature
Stacking promotions for even more value
Hyatt launched a summer promotion offering bonus points when you stay at select budget brands like Hyatt Place.
I registered and booked in time to qualify for a 16,000-point bonus for my eight-night stay. You can still book stays through Sept. 7 — just make sure you register for the promotion first.
This promotion will bring my out-of-pocket cost down to 18,000 points, but thanks to Hyatt's Milestone Rewards, I will save a smidge more.
Unlocking Milestone Rewards
World of Hyatt offers valuable perks for every 10 nights you stay (from 20 nights), including club access and suite upgrades. At 30 nights, I earned:
- A Category 1–4 free night (which I'll use for a stay in Cologne, Germany, to visit the Christmas markets)
- A 2,000-point bonus on my next stay at a Hyatt Place (or similar brand)
That bonus applies to my stay in Krakow, bringing my total cost down once more — from 18,000 to just 16,000 points.
That's 2,000 points per night for eight nights, which is equivalent to just $34 per night based on TPG's July 2025 valuation of World of Hyatt points. Or, it's about $41 per night if you're transferring points from Chase, like I did.
Given that cash rates in the summer start at around $105, I'm getting at least a 60% discount by using points.
Related: How to maximize World of Hyatt award redemption
Adding status perks to the mix
I'll also apply a Guest of Honor award, which I unlocked at 40 nights as another Milestone Reward.
That gives me top-tier Globalist benefits on this stay, including free breakfast for seven of the eight nights, saving me $175. (For the final breakfast, I'll pay out of pocket or grab something from the convenience store next door.)
Related: 3 ways to earn Hyatt Globalist status
Bottom line
This weeklong stay is bringing me closer to Globalist status and has reminded me why I love the travel rewards game.
By stacking Hyatt promotions, off-peak rates, Milestone Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards points, I'm unlocking a stylish European hotel stay for just 2,000 points per night.
Want to do the same?
- Register for promotions in My Offers (check both the 'Enrolled' and 'Available' tabs).
- Look for low-category Hyatt properties, especially on off-peak and standard dates.
- Stack Milestone Rewards earned at every 10 elite nights.
- Transfer Chase points to Hyatt.
The path to outsize value is there — you just have to piece it together.
Related: Why the World of Hyatt card has become one of my top 2 cards when traveling abroad
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.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.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.