Check your World of Hyatt account – extended loyalty perks have now posted
As the coronavirus pandemic continues, the travel demand is still significantly suppressed.
With fewer people traveling, airlines and hotels have been busy making customer-friendly adjustments to their loyalty programs. At the outset of the pandemic, most travel companies extended elite status and associated benefits to 2021.
Roughly nine months later, and we're back for round two. In September, Delta became the first major U.S. carrier to announce a second round of extensions to loyalty benefits.
On Oct. 6, World of Hyatt became the first major global hotel chain to do the same. And now, the extensions are posting to members' accounts.
World of Hyatt extending point expiration
World of Hyatt points are typically forfeited if an account is inactive for 24 months. Previously, the chain announced that point expiration was suspended through Dec. 31, 2020.
Now, the chain is tacking on six more months to use your points. As such, point expiration has been extended through June 30, 2021.
This is great news for those with inactive accounts who'd like to use (and not lose) their points. As travel hopefully resumes, the six-month extension should give members enough time to use the points. If not, I'd imagine that Hyatt might further extend the point expiration.
Related: How to keep your points and miles from expiring
World of Hyatt extending awards
This is a big one.
World of Hyatt elites and cobranded credit cardholders earn various club lounge access awards, suite night awards and free night certificates each year. These awards are some of the best in the business, so it's no surprise that many readers have been wondering if Hyatt would extend them again.
And indeed, all awards with 2021 expirations will be extended.
Any unused club lounge access or suite night awards with Feb. 28, 2021 expiration dates will be extended to Dec. 31, 2021. In addition, all unused free night awards that were earned in 2020 with 2021 expiration dates will be extended to Dec. 31, 2021. The certificate extension includes all free night awards, including those earned from promotional programs like the Brand Explorer challenge.
Plus, as previously announced, all unused awards with expiration dates between March 1, 2020 and Dec. 31, 2020 have already been extended to Dec. 31, 2021.
These extensions are in the process of being generated by Hyatt — members do not need to do anything on their end.
All free night certificates have already been extended to Dec. 31, 2021.
Unused club lounge and suite upgrade awards that expire in February 2021 will be replaced with a new award in the coming days and weeks. All other qualifying unused awards will be updated by the 20th day of the month in which the award would have originally expired.
This move should bring peace of mind to most World of Hyatt Explorists and Globalists.
World of Hyatt status extensions
Earlier this year, World of Hyatt extended status for elite members without needing to spend a single night in a hotel. If you held status with Hyatt on March 31, 2020, your tier was automatically extended through Feb 28, 2022.
While the previously announced extensions are great for current elites, the chain made any adjustments to earning status in 2021 for the 2022 program year.
Note that all stays during the chain's Bonus Journeys promotion will count towards elite status in 2021 as well.
World of Hyatt award chart changes
Well before the pandemic, World of Hyatt was planning to introduce peak and off-peak pricing on March 22, 2020. Needless to say, the planned implementation date — at the height of the pandemic — wasn't great.
In March, the chain announced that it would delay the tiered award pricing structure to the beginning of 2021. With January right around the corner, World of Hyatt has decided to give members another six months of the standard award chart. As such, peak and off-peak pricing has now been delayed to July 2021.
Of course, this date could continue getting pushed, depending on the status of the virus early next year.
In addition, most hotel chains make annual updates to award chart categories. Demand for some hotels change year-over-year, so the parent chain adjusts award categories to account for that. With only a few exceptions, World of Hyatt is suspending its 2021 hotel category award chart changes that typically occur each March.
Only 16 hotels will change category this cycle — 12 are going down and four are going up. You can find the full list of category changes here, but some highlights are below.
- Stonebridge Inn, A Destination Hotel from category 5 to 4
- Parker New York from category 6 to 5
- Grand Hyatt Vail from category 7 to 6
- Hyatt Regency John Wayne Airport from category 2 to 3
- Hyatt House Nashville / Downtown - SoBro from category 4 to 5
- Mar Monte Hotel part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt from category 4 to 5
- Park Hyatt Aviara from category 5 to 6
Related: Hyatt dropping award price of 12 hotels, further delaying peak pricing
World of Hyatt limited-time promotions
These loyalty extensions come as the chain is working hard to incentivize stays with multiple limited-time promotions.
As part of the Bonus Journeys promo, World of Hyatt members can earn up to quadruple points starting with their first stay from Oct. 1, 2020, to Jan. 4, 2021. Plus, elite-qualifying nights earned during this period will count both in 2020 and in 2021.
In addition, the chain recently launched a Work from Hyatt package, a 15% to 25% discount on award nights and bonus points on dining at a local Hyatt hotel.
Bottom line
Hyatt was the first major hotel chain to extend loyalty benefits twice.
Point expiration and awards certificates have now been extended well in 2021. This move should hopefully give members enough time to use their benefits.
Plus, the chain is suspended most award chart changes. Off-peak and peak pricing is delayed to July 2021, and just 16 hotels are changing category this cycle.
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Annual Fee
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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
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- 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.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.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.