Big Changes Coming to American Airlines and Hyatt Partnership

Big Changes for American Airlines and Hyatt Partnership

American Airlines AAdvantage and World of Hyatt announced today big changes for their partnership. Starting January, AAdvantage members will be able to choose World of Hyatt awards at various levels in Loyalty Point Rewards and World of Hyatt members will be able to select AAdvantage rewards as part of World of Hyatt Milestone Rewards.

However, reciprocal earning between the two programs will end on December 31, 2024. Currently, American AAdvantage elite members earn one bonus mile per dollar on Hyatt stays, and World of Hyatt elites earn one bonus point per dollar spent on American Airlines flights.

New Rewards Coming Soon

Members who link their AAdvantage and World of Hyatt accounts can choose from several benefits at every level:

•  AAdvantage:

  • Starting January 2, 2025, AAdvantage members can unlock the ability to redeem miles for World of Hyatt Free Night Awards:
    • Category 1–4 Free Night Award: At 40,000 Loyalty Points or the AAdvantage Gold level, AAdvantage members unlock the ability redeem miles for a World of Hyatt Category 1–4 Free Night Award.
    • Category 1–7 Free Night Award: At 125,000 Loyalty Points or the AAdvantage Platinum level, AAdvantage members unlock the ability redeem miles for a World of Hyatt Category 1–7 Free Night Award.
       
  • Beginning March 1, 2025, World of Hyatt awards will be a choice within AAdvantage Loyalty Point Rewards:
    • Discoverist status: AAdvantage members unlock World of Hyatt Discoverist status at 100,000 Loyalty Points to take advantage of preferred rooms, +10% Bonus Points on eligible purchases, 2 p.m. late checkout and more.
    • Explorist status: AAdvantage members can choose World of Hyatt Explorist status at the 175,000 and 250,000 Loyalty Points Reward levels respectively to enjoy upgraded rooms, +20% Bonus Points on eligible purchases, 2 p.m. late checkout and more.
    • Category 1–4 Free Night Award: At the 400,000, 550,000 and 750,000 Loyalty Points Reward levels respectively, AAdvantage members can choose a World of Hyatt Category 1–4 Free Night Award.
    • Category 1–7 Free Night Award: At the 1M, 3M and 5M Loyalty Point Reward levels respectively, AAdvantage members unlock the ability to choose a World of Hyatt Category 1–7 Free Night Award.
       

• World of Hyatt: 

  • Beginning January 1, 2025, AAdvantage rewards will be a choice within the World of Hyatt Milestone Rewards at almost every milestone — from seat upgrades to status upgrades:
    • Preferred Seat Coupons: At 20 and 30 nights or 35,000 and 50,000 base points respectively, World of Hyatt members can choose two (2) Preferred seat coupons on American Airlines flights.
    • Main Cabin Extra Seat Coupons: At 40 and 50 nights or 65,000 and 80,000 base points respectively, World of Hyatt members can choose two (2) Main Cabin Extra seat coupons on American Airlines flights.
    • Gold Status: At 70, 80 and 90 nights respectively, World of Hyatt members will get the choice of AAdvantage Gold^® status, valid for the full status membership year.
    • Platinum Status: Starting at 100 nights, World of Hyatt members will get the choice of AAdvantage Platinum^® status, valid for the full status membership year.
       
  • Starting January 1, 2025, World of Hyatt Explorist and Globalist members can unlock the ability to redeem World of Hyatt points for AAdvantage Status for a Day:
    • AAdvantage Gold Status for a Day: For 5,000 World of Hyatt points, Explorists or Globalists can enjoy complimentary upgrades when available, one free checked bag, priority check-in, a 40% mileage bonus and more.
    • AAdvantage Platinum Status for a Day: For 8,000 World of Hyatt points, Explorists or Globalists can enjoy complimentary upgrades, two free checked bags, priority check-in, a 60% mileage bonus and more.
    • AAdvantage Platinum Pro Status for a Day: For 12,000 World of Hyatt points, Globalists can enjoy complimentary upgrades, three free checked bags, priority check-in, an 80% mileage bonus and more.

Guru’s Wrap-up

These changes are touted as an enhancement of the partnership between American Airlines AAdvantage and World of Hyatt. However, the end of reciprocal earning will impact those who frequently stay at Hyatt hotels or fly American Airlines.

While the are new perks added starting on January 1st, there is not much value there.

Let me know what you think!