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Quick points: How Hyatt and American loyalists can earn more rewards by linking accounts

Dec. 08, 2023
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3 min read
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Editor's Note

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If you have elite status with American Airlines AAdvantage or World of Hyatt, you should ensure your accounts are linked. The linking process is very straightforward and can be completed in minutes. But it's worth doing if you're eligible, as then you'll earn extra points, miles and perks during your travels.

Why to link your Hyatt and American accounts

You're missing out on easy rewards if you use American and Hyatt, have elite status with at least one of them and haven't linked your accounts. So, let's rectify that. But first, here's what's in it for you:

  • World of Hyatt elite members: All World of Hyatt elite members earn one bonus Hyatt point per eligible dollar on qualifying American Airlines flights. This includes those with the World of Hyatt Credit Card or the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card — both of which confer automatic Discoverist status.
  • American AAdvantage elite members: All AAdvantage elite members earn one bonus American mile per eligible dollar on qualifying Hyatt stays and experiences.

These bonus earnings are on top of the World of Hyatt points you'd already earn on stays and the American Airlines AAdvantage miles you'd already earn on flights. Check out the following screenshots for two examples of my reciprocal earnings on flights and hotels as an AAdvantage Executive Platinum member with Hyatt Globalist status.

Earning American miles on a flight
Earning Hyatt points on an American flight
Earning Hyatt points on a stay
Earning American miles on a Hyatt stay
1 of 4
AA.COM
0
1
2
3

Elite members with linked accounts may also get opportunities to fast-track to elite status in the other program. In particular, Explorist and Globalist elite members may get opportunities to fast-track to higher AAdvantage elite status. And AAdvantage elite members may get opportunities to fast-track to higher World of Hyatt elite status. Meanwhile, ConciergeKey members can receive top-tier Hyatt Globalist status without meeting any stay requirements.

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So, if you have elite status with one program and want to earn elite status with the other, it's undoubtedly worth linking your accounts.

Related: Which credit card should you use for Hyatt stays?

How to link your Hyatt and American accounts

Linking your World of Hyatt and American Airlines AAdvantage accounts is quick, and there's no downside to doing so. So, here's where to go to get started:

From there, provide your membership number with the other program. If you have elite status in both programs, you only need to link once from either program.

Related: Which credit card should you use for American Airlines flights?

Bottom line

If you frequently fly with American and stay with Hyatt, then linking your accounts will earn you extra rewards and potentially even let you boost your status.

This partnership may not help much if you only use one of these programs, though. When American Airlines and Hyatt announced this partnership in 2019, I held Executive Platinum elite status with American but rarely stayed with Hyatt so the partnership didn't significantly help me. But now, I hold Executive Platinum status and Globalist status. So, although the status fast track offers don't help me, the reciprocal earnings on qualifying American Airlines flights and Hyatt stays provide some value.

Featured image by KATIE GENTER/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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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    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.