Hyatt and Lindblad Expeditions agree to part ways
It's a rough day at sea for World of Hyatt members looking to earn or burn points on a luxury cruise with Lindblad Expeditions. Hyatt and Lindblad Expeditions announced that they have mutually agreed to end their relationship, effective Dec. 31.
Lindblad Expeditions, a luxury adventure cruise company sailing to places like Antarctica, linked up with Hyatt in 2019. The partnership allowed World of Hyatt members to redeem their Hyatt points for cruises on Lindblad ships as well as to earn World of Hyatt points and elite night credits on paid cruises, and even enjoy elitelike perks such as onboard credits just for being a World of Hyatt member.
Travelers with existing or new Lindblad Expeditions reservations booked through Hyatt's dedicated website by Dec. 31 will still be eligible to earn World of Hyatt points and qualifying nights on their cruises. World of Hyatt points redemptions for Lindblad Expeditions trips made before Dec. 31, 2023, for travel that is completed by Dec. 31, 2024, will also be honored.
"We recognize our guests' and members' desire for strategic relationships that enrich their travel experiences and we remain committed to evolving and enhancing World of Hyatt to best care for that need," a Hyatt executive told TPG.
Unfortunately, Lindblad was one of the few cruise operators with a points link to a hotel program, so it's sad to see this partnership end. Over at Marriott, Bonvoy members can still earn points (and elite-qualifying nights) or book sailings with points with The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.
Beyond that, there are still other ways to use points and miles to book a cruise (even though they might not be the best use of points).
Hyatt still has several other interesting partnerships its loyalty members can take advantage of. One of those is Find Experiences, a program where World of Hyatt members can trade in points for experiences around the world, like a Japanese whisky tasting in San Francisco or an open-air jungle safari in Bali.
Another great partner of Hyatt is American Airlines. World of Hyatt members can earn points on eligible flights by linking their AAdvantage accounts. But it doesn't end there; both companies have offered a quick path to higher tiers of elite status in both programs throughout the partnership. Right now, Hyatt Explorists and Globalists can earn American Airline status by registering for a special promotion by Nov. 30.
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