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Why I'm not mattress running for World of Hyatt Globalist status
Katie Genter is a digital nomad who has traveled full time since June 2017. She writes and edits stories about points and miles, and loyalty programs, often letting her personal experiences color these stories.
February 2, 2021 • 10 min read
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Quick summary
World of Hyatt reduced the number of nights and base points required to earn elite status in 2021, making it easier for members to qualify.
Some travelers are booking hotel stays solely to earn status or milestone rewards, a practice known as a 'mattress run.'
Current promotions allow for double elite night credits and points rebates, further incentivizing mattress runs for those seeking top-tier status.
The author opts not to mattress run, instead planning to earn Globalist status through organic stays and spending throughout the year.
What to consider
Mattress runs require checking in and completing the stay to earn credit, per Hyatt's terms and conditions.
Promotions such as double elite night credits and points rebates had specific registration deadlines and stay windows, so not all members may be eligible.
TPG's valuations peg World of Hyatt points at about $170 earned for an 11-night mattress run as of the article's publication.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed breakdown of strategies for earning World of Hyatt Globalist status, including how to maximize milestone rewards and leverage ongoing promotions.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
But I'm not doing any World of Hyatt mattress runs. Here's my reasoning for not mattress running and my approach to earning World of Hyatt Globalist status in 2021.
What is a mattress run?
Hyatt Place Melbourne / Palm Bay in Florida (Photo by Katie Genter/The Points Guy)
A mattress run is when you book and pay for a hotel room that you otherwise wouldn't book just to earn elite status or other rewards. A mattress run is somewhat like a mileage run. But, instead of taking flights, you're booking hotel nights.
Generally, travelers book a mattress run for a lower cost than the value of the points, perks and elite status they'll earn. That being said, it's critical to consider the loyalty program's terms and conditions before booking a mattress run. For example, Hyatt’s terms and conditions state, “The Member must actually check-in and complete the stay for his or her reservation at a Point Property to earn points.” As such, if you don't check-in and complete your stay, your points and nights may not post.
Discoverist: 5 tier-qualifying nights or 12,500 base points
Explorist: 15 tier-qualifying nights or 25,000 base points
Globalist: 30 tier-qualifying nights or 50,000 base points
This reduction in elite-qualifying requirements is undoubtedly compelling, especially since you'll earn status through Feb. 28, 2023. However, some travelers can reach World of Hyatt status with even fewer nights.
For example, some travelers signed up for the World of Hyatt Credit Card in late 2020. New cardholders got 10 tier-qualifying nights in 2020 and 10 more in 2021 (instead of the typical five tier-qualifying nights each year). Plus, all World of Hyatt cardholders can earn two tier-qualifying night credits for every $5,000 spent on their card. This makes it much easier to spend your way to elite status with Hyatt
Other promotions also come into play. For example, as part of the Bonus Journeys promotion all Hyatt stays between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, 2020 counted toward status in both 2020 and 2021. The extended Bonus Journeys promotion allows travelers who registered by Jan. 15, 2021, to earn double elite night credits when checking out by Feb. 28, 2021.
Finally, some travelers registered by Jan. 15, 2021, to get a points rebate when redeeming World of Hyatt points through the end of Feb. 2021. In particular, World of Hyatt cardholders get 25% of redeemed points back and other World of Hyatt members get 15% back.
But, why rush to earn status so early in 2021? And why spend money on hotel rooms you don't otherwise need? Well, most World of Hyatt mattress runners are working toward one or more of the following goals:
Earning World of Hyatt Globalist status now so they'll have Globalist perks for their next actual stay
For example, TPG's Summer Hull spent $772 on 11 nights to accrue 22 tier-qualifying nights and about 10,000 World of Hyatt points. Based on TPG's valuations, she earned about $170 worth of points on her mattress run. But, more importantly, she's now within one night of snagging World of Hyatt Globalist status.
Likewise, I know several travelers who are mattress running well past 30 tier-qualifying nights to earn milestone awards, including free nights awards, suite upgrade awards and access to My Hyatt Concierge. Even assuming these travelers stay at inexpensive hotels for $30 - $40 per night, they're still spending quite a bit to snag these rewards.
Hyatt Regency Kuantan Resort in Malaysia (Photo by Katie Genter/The Points Guy)
Before the pandemic halted travel last March, my husband and I lived out of hotels as full-time digital nomads. If we were still living out of hotels now, we'd have enough nights Hyatt for me to snag Globalist status before the end of February. But, the pandemic pushed us to buy an RV and travel full-time domestically until we can safely and responsibly resume our globetrotting. As such, we don't have much need for hotels nights now.
Even during standard times, I wouldn't do a traditional mattress run to earn hotel elite status. First off, I don't want to get on the wrong side of a hotel loyalty program. And second, although I'll do some crazy things for elite status (such as taking 18 flights in 16 days), I don't want to pay for hotel nights I don't need.
Finally, I'm not mattress running because I expect to earn Globalist status on trips later this year. As such, I don't want to spend points or money on hotel nights that I don't need now just to earn Globalist status quicker.
How I'll earn World of Hyatt Globalist status in 2021
Hyatt Andaz Capital Gate in Abu Dhabi (Photo by Katie Genter/The Points Guy)
I signed up for the World of Hyatt card in late 2020 and have spent over $5,000 on it this year. I also stayed one night at a Hyatt Place this January when I needed fast, unlimited internet for work. Once all of my activity posts, I'll have 19 tier-qualifying nights. So, I'll only need 11 more tier-qualifying nights to earn Globalist status in 2021.
With 19 tier-qualifying nights, I'll only need one more night to earn my first milestone award (two Club Lounge access awards). Earning these two Club Lounge access awards means I can still get Club Lounge access on up to two stays of up to seven nights each before reaching Globalist status. As such, I don't feel compelled to book stays I don't need now just to earn Globalist status quicker.
After all, I have a lot of trips booked for mid to late 2021. Although some of these trips may need to be canceled or postponed, I expect I'll travel enough in the second half of 2021 to get the remaining tier-qualifying nights I need to earn Globalist status. But, even if we don't restart international travel at all in 2021, I'll still get my remaining tier-qualifying nights. After all, there are ample 5,000-point per night Hyatt hotels domestically. And I can always spend on my World of Hyatt card to earn two tier-qualifying nights per $5,000 spent.
Finally, consider how many World of Hyatt tier-qualifying nights you need this early in 2021. You may find that getting to 20 tier-qualifying nights to earn two Club Lounge access awards as a milestone award is enough for now. You can then pick up the remaining nights throughout the rest of 2021 with a combination of stays and spending on your World of Hyatt card.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
