For loyalists of American Airlines or Hyatt, the two have had a very lucrative partnership for several years now. However, that’s changing soon as American and Hyatt changes their partnership. Whether the new setup is better or worse to you greatly depends on how you’ve used the partnership thus far.
In 2019, American Airlines and Hyatt partnered up, allowing AAdvantage Elites to earn 1 mile per dollar spent with Hyatt and World of Hyatt elites to earn 1 point per dollar spent with American. Mind you, these benefits are in addition to what you’d normally earn in either program, so the relationship essentially let you double-dip. The current arrangement also confers World of Hyatt Globalist status to all AAdvantage ConciergeKey members, plus persistent status match challenges.
However, this lucrative setup is about coming to an end as American and Hyatt changes their partnership. Yup, that sweet double-dip is going away, being replaced by new milestone reward options.
American and Hyatt Changes Their Partnership
The last day to double-dip earn with World of Hyatt and AAdvantage is December 31, 2024. After that, that benefit goes away, though AAdvantage ConciergeKey members will continue to enjoy World of Hyatt Globalist status. So, what’s replacing the concurrent earnings as American and Hyatt changes their partnership? I’m glad you asked.
AAdvantage Members
Beginning January 2, 2025, AAdvantage members can select the following benefits:
- 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 Pro® level, AAdvantage® members unlock the ability redeem miles for a World of Hyatt Category 1–7 Free Night Award.
Then, three months later, the following Loyalty Points Rewards® options become available:
- 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 Members
Like AAdvantage members, there are two different options in place for World of Hyatt members as American and Hyatt changes their partnership, and like the American’s members, these include the ability to redeem points and new choices for Milestone Rewards. For the points redemptions, here’s what members can expect:
- 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.
For Milestone Rewards, World of Hyatt members get the following new options:
- 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
Unlike with AAdvantage, World of Hyatt members get access to all of the above on the same day – January 1, 2025.
American and Hyatt Changes Their Partnership, Final Thoughts
Admittedly, there are some interesting options above as American and Hyatt changes their partnership. However, does that offset the loss of the double-dipping? It depends. For the majority of people, I’m guessing not. But, again, I’m sure people will have differing opinions. So, what do you think? Let me know!