Quick points: How Hyatt and American loyalists can earn more rewards by linking accounts
Editor's Note
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
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.
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.
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:
- World of Hyatt elite members: Go to WorldofHyatt.com/aa
- American AAdvantage elite members: Go to aa.com/WorldofHyatt
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.
TPG featured card
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5X miles | Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2X miles | Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day |
Pros
- Stellar welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year upon account opening.
- You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
- Rewards are versatile and can be redeemed for a statement credit or transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners
Cons
- Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app