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Hyatt adds online redemption for suite, club upgrade awards

Dec. 06, 2024
5 min read
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
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World of Hyatt members can now apply earned or gifted suite upgrade awards and club access award certificates to new bookings online or in the Hyatt app. This adds valuable flexibility for high-tier elite members, who previously needed to call to utilize these benefits.

If you want to add one of these certificates next time you book as a World of Hyatt elite member, here is everything you need to know.

Related: Is Hyatt Globalist status worth it?

How to apply Hyatt suite upgrade awards and club access awards online

When searching for rooms at hyatt.com, look for new buttons under "Eligible Awards" at the top of the search results, next to any Guest of Honor awards you may have in your account.

These buttons allow you to apply suite upgrade awards or club access awards as you search.

HYATT.COM

Applying either award will show the upgraded room with the award applied for the original price, whether you are paying in cash or World of Hyatt points.

HYATT.COM

When these awards are unavailable for your selected property on your selected dates, the new buttons will be grayed out. Remember that many brands do not offer club rooms, while standard suites may be sold out for your preferred dates.

HYATT.COM

If you're booking through the Hyatt app, expand the "Available Awards" section by clicking on the blue plus symbol and selecting the award you want. We always recommend redeeming the award that is expiring soonest.

This new functionality not only makes it easier to use these awards but also clarifies the exact room types eligible for upgrades. Many properties specify the suite (or suites) to which a traveler can upgrade with the verbiage, "This is a standard suite." However, some do not, forcing members to call and inquire about eligible rooms before booking.

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Now, it should be clear which accommodations can be booked using suite upgrade awards.

Unfortunately, World of Hyatt members cannot combine multiple awards on the same stay, so if you have a free night certificate and a suite or club certificate to redeem, you must choose one or the other.

In our testing of the new upgrade options, we could not add a suite upgrade award or club access award to an existing reservation, so World of Hyatt members may need to call Hyatt to manually add these.

Related: How to earn up to 6 free nights with Hyatt Brand Explorer

How to earn Hyatt suite upgrade awards and club access awards

CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

The World of Hyatt program is among the most generous regarding upgrades for its elite members. Suite upgrade awards allow members to confirm an upgrade — in advance — to a standard suite for a stay of up to seven consecutive nights (subject to availability). While top-tier Globalist members can receive complimentary space-available upgrades to suites when checking in, this is not guaranteed, so Globalist members can opt to apply for an award to ensure they can enjoy a suite for their chosen stay.

Globalist members receive two suite upgrade awards when reaching 60 elite-qualifying nights or 100,000 base points in a calendar year. However, they can earn more as part of Hyatt's Milestone Rewards program, as they can choose them at the following thresholds:

  • 40 elite-qualifying nights or 65,000 base points in a calendar year: One suite upgrade, 5,000 bonus points or a $150 Find Experience credit
  • 50 elite-qualifying nights or 80,000 base points: Two additional certificates, 5,000 bonus points or a $150 Find Experience credit
  • 70, 80 and 90 elite-qualifying nights: One additional certificate, 10,000 bonus points or a $300 Find Experience credit
  • 100, 110, 120, 130, 140 and 150 elite-qualifying nights: One additional certificate, 10,000 bonus points or a Miraval extra night award

Related: How and when to use Hyatt upgrade certificates

Club access awards allow members access to hotel club lounges where available for a stay of up to seven consecutive nights, with continental breakfast served in the lounge and evening hors d'oeuvres daily.

These are also awarded as Milestone Rewards:

  • 20 elite-qualifying nights or 35,000 base points: Two club access award certificates, 2,000 bonus points or a $25 Find Experience credit
  • 30 elite-qualifying nights or 50,000 base points: Two additional award certificates, 2,000 bonus points or a $25 Find Experience credit

Related: Guide to World of Hyatt club lounge access awards, including how to use them for someone else

Bottom line

World of Hyatt continues to reward members for their loyalty with benefits awarded not just for reaching new elite status levels but perks for additional elite nights or points earned between these status levels. It's also great for super-frequent guests to be awarded a choice of perks for stays beyond top-tier Globalist status.

Another positive innovation is the new ability to apply suite upgrade awards and club access award certificates online at hyatt.com or through the Hyatt app. We hope that the ability to add these to existing reservations will be available online soon.

Featured image by CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • 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.
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  • $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.