The Guide to Hyatt Discoverist

World of Hyatt has three tiers of elite status and Discoverist is the lowest-tier level. There are several ways to achieve World of Hyatt Discoverist status, including staying at least 10 nights, earning 25,000 base points or organizing three meetings and events at Hyatt properties within a calendar year. It's also possible to earn Hyatt Discoverist benefits with co-branded Hyatt credit cards.

While this may not be the most lucrative status for Hyatt guests (Globalist benefits are great), it does come with decent perks that make it worth attaining. These include:

• Bonus points.

• Bottled water.

• Faster Wi-Fi.

• Late checkout.

• Waived resort fees on award stays.

Here's all you need to know about the entry-level World of Hyatt Discoverist elite status.

» Learn more: The complete guide to the World of Hyatt

Hyatt Discoverist benefits

With Discoverist status, checking into a World of Hyatt property can deliver some notable benefits. These are the main perks:

• 10% bonus points. 5 Base Points on most Hyatt purchases plus a 10% bonus, which means 5.5 points per dollar spent.

• Preferred room upgrade. Hotels will offer a Preferred room within the same type of category initially booked.

• Late checkout. Upon availability, guests can check out as late as 2 p.m.

• Onsite amenities. Elite check-in lane, bottled water and premium Internet.

• Bonuses with partners. Link your American AAdvantage account with World of Hyatt to earn one point for every dollar spent with American.

• Waived resort fees. Any resort fees will be waived when redeeming points to stay at a Hyatt property.

How to get Hyatt Discoverist status

There are several ways to get to this first tier of World of Hyatt elite status, and they don't all involve having to stay at Hyatt properties.

If you're planning your first stay with World of Hyatt, you can also catapult your elite status to Discoverist via a credit card.

1. Earning World of Hyatt base points

World of Hyatt members earn five Base Points per dollar spent on up to three rooms during their stay. Once you earn 25,000 Base Points within a calendar year, you will achieve Discoverist status.

Not all rates are eligible, which includes some rates not booked directly through a Hyatt channel. For example, rooms booked through third-party sites like Priceline or Expedia would not qualify.

» Learn more: The complete guide to earning Hyatt points

2. Staying at World of Hyatt properties

Earn Discoverist status by staying in eligible rate rooms for at least 10 qualifying nights in a calendar year. Like earning Base Points, eligible rates do not include third-party bookings.

3. Hosting a meeting or event at World of Hyatt properties

By holding three meetings or events at a World of Hyatt property, it is possible to achieve Discoverist elite status without staying 10 nights or earning 25,000 Base Points within a calendar year. To be an eligible meeting that counts toward earning status, at least ten rooms on the same night must be part of a group booking.

4. Apply for a Hyatt credit card

Two credit cards provide instant access to Discoverist status. If you want to earn fast status, perhaps for an upcoming stay, this can be a great option.

• World of Hyatt Credit Card ($95 annual fee): Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent.

• World of Hyatt Business Credit Card ($199 annual fee): 60,000 Bonus Points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.

Even better, these credit cards can expedite your way to the next tier, Explorist and beyond. That's because the World of Hyatt Credit Card comes with 5 qualifying night credits each year and 2 additional qualifying night credits each time you spend $5,000 on the card within the calendar year. On your card anniversary, you'll also receive a Free Night Award for a Category 1-4 hotel each year.

World of Hyatt Business Credit Card comes with 5 additional night credits for every $10,000 spent on the card within the calendar year. If you spend as much as $50,000 on the card in the same timeframe, you also receive 10% of your redeemed points back during the year.

This card comes with more than just Discoverist status for one person. It includes the same status tier for as many as five additional employees. Other perks include earning up to $100 in statement credits when spending at least $50 at a Hyatt property and paying with the card.

» Learn more: The best hotel credit cards right now

How much is World of Hyatt status worth?

There is a significant value differential between World of Hyatt's lowest and top status levels. The real value comes in achieving at least mid-tier status with World of Hyatt. Acquiring a Hyatt co-branded credit card can get you to that level faster.

» Learn more: The guide to hotel status matches

What else you need to know

World of Hyatt promotions

You can benefit from World of Hyatt promotions at various points throughout the year. These vary from offering bonus points to the ability to double qualifying-night credits. Keep a close eye on your World of Hyatt account (by the website or the app) or check NerdWallet for the latest hotel promotions. You'll want to register for them to take advantage, and often, Hyatt co-branded cardholders have more generous offers.

» Learn more: What is the best Hyatt credit card offer?

Status match opportunities

Hyatt does not generally offer status matches, but it does have a partnership with one program that allows status matching: American AAdvantage. The partnership with AAdvantage does not offer instant status match bonuses to Discoverist, but occasional challenges occur during the year.

» Learn more: Hyatt elite status: What you need to know

How long does World of Hyatt status last?

Elite status with World of Hyatt lasts through the end of February of the second calendar year after qualifying. This means that if you earn Discoverist status in November 2023, it will last through February 28, 2025.

Milestone Rewards

To encourage additional stays with World of Hyatt beyond reaching the elite status thresholds, the program developed Milestone Rewards. These deliver bonus perks for meeting certain Base Point or night credit thresholds.

For example, if you stay 20 nights or achieve 35,000 Base Points, you will receive two Club Level Access awards. Stay 50 nights or achieve 80,000 Base Points, and you will receive two Suite Upgrade Awards. Those that stay as many as 100 nights can choose between 10,000 bonus points or one Suite Upgrade Award.

For each of the nine thresholds you achieve, you are eligible for yet another perk making Milestone Rewards a rewarding incentive.

Hyatt lifetime status

World of Hyatt does not have a lifetime status program for its lower tiers. Still, it does offer Lifetime Globalist status for those that achieve one million Base Points during their membership.

Is World of Hyatt Discoverist status worth it?

Any hotel elite status is worth having, even for some extra recognition and bonus points. Still, World of Hyatt Discoverist status is worth it if you want a late checkout or to avoid paying a resort fee when redeeming points at any property that charges one.

Since you don't necessarily have to stay at Hyatt hotels to get Discoverist, it's an easy tier to achieve before your next World of Hyatt hotel stay.

(Top photo courtesy of Hyatt)