Why World of Hyatt is the Best Hotel Loyalty Program for Points Enthusiasts

When it comes to hotel loyalty programs, World of Hyatt consistently ranks as the top choice for points and miles enthusiasts. While other chains have complicated award charts and hidden fees, Hyatt delivers superior value and maintains secret programs that most travelers never learn about. One hidden perk can slash family accommodation costs in half, but you won’t find it advertised anywhere on their website.

Here’s why smart travelers choose Hyatt and the insider tricks that can transform how much you pay for family travel.

About the World of Hyatt Program

World of Hyatt launched in 2017 as Hyatt’s current loyalty program. Members can earn points and access special rates and benefits at more than 1,000 hotels across more than 25 brands worldwide.

The Hyatt portfolio includes these brands:

• Luxury: Park Hyatt, Alila, Miraval, Impression by Secrets, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
• Lifestyle: Andaz, Thompson Hotels, The Standard, The Standard X, Dream Hotels, Breathless Resorts & Spas, JdV by Hyatt, Bunkhouse Hotels, Me and All Hotels
• All-Inclusive: Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resort, Alua Hotels & Resorts, Dreams Resorts & Spas, Hyatt Zilara, Hyatt Ziva, Secrets Resorts & Spas, Hyatt Vivid, Sunscape Resorts & Spas
• Classics: Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Destination by Hyatt, Hyatt Centric, Hyatt Vacation Clubs, Hyatt
• Essentials: Caption by Hyatt, Hyatt Place, Hyatt House, Hyatt Studios, UrCove by Hyatt

All these brands allow you to earn and redeem Hyatt points while honoring your elite status benefits.

Why Points People Love Hyatt Over Other Hotel Chains

Points and miles fans often choose Hyatt over other hotel chains for several compelling reasons. Here’s what makes Hyatt the clear winner.

Simple and Predictable Award Chart

Hyatt’s award pricing is transparent and changes less frequently than that of their competitors with clear category-based pricing for most brands, excluding Mr & Mrs Smith properties. While Marriott, Hilton and IHG have shifted to dynamic pricing where award rates can spike unpredictably, Hyatt’s system allows you to plan trips with confidence, knowing the points required won’t suddenly double overnight.

Hyatt gives advance notice for any award chart changes, so you can lock in bookings before any increases take effect, unlike the surprise devaluations that are common with other programs. This transparency and stability make Hyatt the rare loyalty program where you can actually trust the pricing when planning future travel.

Outstanding Point Value

Hyatt points are consistently among the most valuable in the industry, often delivering 2 to 2.5 cents per point or more, while Hilton and Marriott points usually yield 0.5 to 0.8 cent each, even after adjusting for their higher earning rates. You can book luxury hotels like Park Hyatt, Alila and Andaz for far fewer points than comparable properties with Marriott or Hilton, letting you stretch your rewards further and enjoy high-end experiences for less.

Real-World Example: Luxury Hotels in Kyoto

Here’s how Hyatt’s superior point value plays out with comparable luxury properties in Kyoto:

• Park Hyatt Kyoto (Hyatt): 35,000 to 45,000 points per night
  • Off-peak: 35,000 points
  • Standard: 40,000 points
  • Peak: 45,000 points
  • Cash rates often exceed $1,500 to $2,000 per night.
• Ritz-Carlton Kyoto (Marriott): 88,000 to 138,000 points per night
  • Standard nightly rates start at around 88,000 to 90,000 points.
  • Peak seasons (cherry blossom, fall foliage): 135,000 to 138,000 or more points
  • Dynamic pricing means rates rarely drop below 88,000 points.
• Roku Kyoto LXR (Hilton): More than 110,000 points per night
  • Standard award nights: 110,000 points minimum
  • Dynamic pricing can push rates even higher during peak periods.
  • Must book well in advance for best availability.

You’ll redeem 2x to 3x times more points at Marriott or Hilton for a similar luxury experience in Kyoto. That means your Hyatt points go roughly twice as far, letting you book more nights or save points for future trips.

These outstanding point values don’t apply to just luxury and aspirational properties, either. Regular stays at low-tier and mid-tier properties will almost always deliver better value per point compared to other chains, especially when cash rates are high. This value advantage becomes even more pronounced during peak travel seasons when other hotels use dynamic pricing to increase their point rates while Hyatt’s award rates stay predictable.

While Marriott and Hilton constantly adjust their award prices based on demand, Hyatt keeps their categories stable. This predictability lets you plan ahead and lock in amazing deals. For example, you might book a city hotel during New Year’s Eve or a beachfront property during spring break at the same point cost as any regular weekend while competitors could double or triple their requirements for those same dates.

Easy Points Earning and Flexible Transfers

Hyatt points are easy to earn through multiple pathways. You get 5X World of Hyatt points per dollar on stays, generous elite bonuses and strong credit card earning rates like 4X points per dollar at Hyatt hotels with the World of Hyatt Card. You can transfer points 1:1 from Chase Ultimate Rewards and Bilt Rewards, making it simple to top up your account even if you don’t stay at Hyatt properties regularly.

Hyatt allows you to combine points with another member up to 500,000 points per year, which is great for family or group travel. These multiple earning pathways mean you can build your Hyatt balance quickly, often faster than with Marriott or IHG unless you’re a road warrior with those brands.

Top-Tier Elite Benefits

Hyatt’s Globalist status is widely regarded as the best in the industry, offering perks like complimentary breakfast for up to four people, suite upgrades, waived resort and parking fees on award stays and guaranteed late checkout.

What truly sets Hyatt apart is the Guest of Honor benefit, which allows Globalists to book award stays for friends or family and extend their elite benefits, including breakfast, upgrades and late checkout to the guest. This means you can treat your parents to a luxury vacation or help friends enjoy elite treatment even when you’re not traveling with them.

Hyatt also offers transferable Club Access Awards that guarantee lounge access for yourself or others on both paid and award stays. Marriott and Hilton offer no comparable programs, as you can’t share elite benefits with others unless you’re staying with them. This flexibility makes Hyatt’s elite program truly stand out in the industry.

Fewer Hidden Fees

Resort fees are always waived on award stays for all members, and parking fees are waived for Globalists on award stays. This can save $30 to $60 per night at resorts and city hotels, adding significant value to points bookings. This policy puts Hyatt ahead of the competition when it comes to transparency and value.

Marriott Bonvoy charges resort fees on award stays, even for top elites, and parking fees are not waived for elites on award stays. Hilton Honors waives resort fees on award stays for all members as of 2024, but parking fees are not automatically waived for elites. These fee policies mean that even when you “pay” with points at other chains, you’re still hit with surprise charges that can add up quickly over a multi-night stay.

The Secret Hyatt Family Plan Rate

Here’s an insider tip that most travelers don’t know about—Hyatt’s Family Plan Rate. This hidden gem isn’t advertised on their website, and you can’t book it online, but it can save families serious money.

What Is the Family Plan Rate?

The Hyatt Family Plan Rate is an under-the-radar program that offers a second room for kids younger than 18 at a steep discount (often 50% off) at participating properties worldwide. It’s perfect for families who’ve outgrown standard rooms that sleep four or just want extra space for everyone’s sanity.

How It Works

The process is straightforward but requires a phone call:

1. Book your first room: Reserve one standard room for adults (using cash or points).
2. Call and ask: Request the Family Plan Rate for a second room for children under 18. (For some hotels this rate is only for children under 12.)
3. Get the discount: The second room is offered at a reduced rate of the standard cash price, typically up to 50% off. The discount for the second room applies only to the cash rate—not the points rate. The second room must be paid for with cash at up to 50% off the standard cash price, and you can’t get 50% off the points rate for the second room.
4. Enjoy connecting rooms: Rooms are usually connected or adjacent for convenience.

Important Details

• Must book by phone: Call Hyatt at 1-800-544-9288, use online chat or call the property directly.
• Not universally implemented: The program isn’t available at every property, so ask about availability for your specific hotel.
• Educate the rep: Some representatives aren’t familiar with this program, so you may need to remind them politely that it exists.

This hidden benefit makes Hyatt even more attractive for family travelers who need extra space without paying full price for two rooms. Fair warning: the majority of participating Hyatt hotels are international properties. Here are 25 Hyatt hotels that are known to usually provide this benefit.

World of Hyatt Credit Cards

One of the fastest ways to build your Hyatt points balance and earn elite status is through Hyatt’s co-branded credit cards: The World of Hyatt Credit Card and the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card.

The World of Hyatt Credit Card offers a welcome bonus of 30,000 to 60,000 points after meeting spending requirements in your first few months, plus you earn a free night award annually at Category 1-4 properties. This personal card is perfect for everyday travelers who want to build their Hyatt balance through regular spending.

The World of Hyatt Business Credit Card typically offers 60,000 points plus temporary Explorist status when you meet the initial spending threshold (offer ends June 30, 2025). This card is ideal for business owners, freelancers and anyone with business expenses who can maximize the higher spending requirements.

Both cards offer generous welcome bonuses and ongoing earning rates that make accumulating Hyatt points much easier. The specific bonus amounts and spending requirements change periodically, so check current offers before applying.

Useful Hyatt Program Features

Points Calendar Tool

World of Hyatt offers a handy Points Calendar feature for each hotel that shows award availability and nightly point costs. This tool is invaluable when you have a specific property in mind and want to find the best dates or off-peak pricing.

To find it, on the Hyatt.com desktop or mobile website, search for your desired hotel with any dates, click through to the hotel’s page and look for the Points Calendar link below the phone number.

Flexible Cancellation Policy

Most World of Hyatt award bookings are fully refundable. If you spot a great redemption opportunity, book it even if you’re not 100% certain about your plans. You can cancel later as long as you follow the hotel’s cancellation terms.

This flexibility lets you secure valuable awards while you finalize your travel plans.

Earning Hyatt Points Through Point Transfers

Chase Ultimate Rewards

The easiest way to boost your Hyatt points balance is by transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points to the World of Hyatt program. This partnership offers a 1:1 transfer ratio and is considered one of the best uses of Chase points.

With Hyatt points typically being worth around 1.7 cents each, these transfers deliver excellent value.

Eligible Chase cards for transfers:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

How to transfer:

1. Log into your Chase Ultimate Rewards account.
2. Navigate to the “Earn / Use” section.
3. Click “Transfer to Travel Partners.”
4. Find World of Hyatt and enter recipient details.
5. Choose your transfer amount.

Transfers typically process instantly, but remember they’re permanent. Only transfer when you have a specific redemption planned.

Bilt Rewards

Bilt Rewards is another partner whose points transfer to the World of Hyatt program at a 1:1 ratio. You can earn these points with The Bilt Mastercard, which allows you to earn rewards for paying rent.

How to transfer:

1. Log in to your Bilt Rewards account via the app or website.
2. Go to the Rewards or Travel section and select “Transfer” to view transfer partners.
3. Choose World of Hyatt as your transfer partner and link your Hyatt account if you haven’t already.
4. Enter the number of points to transfer (in 1,000-point increments) and confirm the details.
5. Submit the transfer and wait for your Hyatt points to appear—most transfers are instant or complete within minutes.

Bottom Line

World of Hyatt stands out in the crowded hotel loyalty landscape by offering real value, transparent pricing and meaningful benefits. Whether you’re chasing luxury experiences at Park Hyatt properties or looking for family-friendly deals with the Family Plan Rate, Hyatt consistently delivers more bang for your buck than the competition.

The program’s combination of stable award pricing, generous elite benefits and hidden perks like the Family Plan Rate make it the smart choice for travelers who want to maximize their points’ value and minimize hassles.