What to Know About Hyatt Status Matches

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of a complimentary suite upgrade, is there? Hotel elite status can offer this and other valuable perks, including late check out, free breakfast and waived resort fees.

Hyatt elite status offers some of the best benefits to its loyal customers, but what if you don’t have enough time or dollars to earn elite status the hard way? Does Hyatt status match? Here's a look at the different ways you can match elite status to Hyatt and whether they’re worth it for you.

Many different hotel chains will allow you to status match or complete a status challenge to receive expedited elite status. Both Hilton and Marriott are known for this — in most cases, you simply need to email them with proof of your existing elite status elsewhere, then complete a reduced number of stays to earn status.

Hyatt doesn’t generally participate in status match programs like this. Instead, you’ll typically need to earn elite status by spending a certain number of nights or earning a specific number of base points in a calendar year. For Globalist, Hyatt’s top-tier elite status, you’ll need to have spent 60 nights or earned 100,000 points in a year.

However, there are still some limited circumstances when you may be able to complete a Hyatt status match.

» Learn more: The guide to World of Hyatt elite status

(Editor's note: MGM Rewards and World of Hyatt have announced an end to the partnership discussed below. World of Hyatt members must status match by July 14, 2023, to enjoy reciprocal benefits with MGM Rewards. You can read more on that — as well as MGM's forthcoming partnership with Marriott— here.)

The most reliable method of status matching to Hyatt comes from MGM Rewards thanks to the two programs’ reciprocal relationship. Along with being able to book and earn points at both programs' hotels, you can also match your elite status between the pair.

While you can’t match all the way to Hyatt’s top-tier status, you can get to the Explorist level if you’re an equivalent MGM Rewards elite member.

Note that you can also earn elite night credits toward Hyatt elite status when staying at MGM. This can be especially lucrative at low-cost Las Vegas hotels, where nightly room rates can fall below $50 per night.

» Learn more: How Las Vegas just became the best place to earn Hyatt elite status

American Airlines and Hyatt also have a status matching program, though it’s far less concrete than the partnership between Hyatt and MGM. This is because there’s no set match program between the pair.

Instead, you may find promotions within your account allowing you to fast track to Hyatt elite status (if you’re an AAdvantage elite member) or to AAdvantage elite status (if you’re a Hyatt elite member).

However, American Airlines does note that if you’re a Concierge Key member — which is the highest possible elite status you can achieve with the airline — you can match over to Globalist elite status.

» Learn more: American Airlines elite status: What you need to know

Although Hyatt doesn’t publicly offer a status match program, it does sometimes allow you to complete a status match challenge if you’re a member of an eligible corporation.

To find out if this is possible for you, go to Hyatt’s registration page. You’ll enter your World of Hyatt number and company email address to see if you’ve been targeted for the offer.

» Learn more: Should you pursue Hyatt elite status?

Founderscard is a membership program for small-business owners that offers a variety of benefits. Although it doesn’t provide direct matching over to Hyatt, there are two benefits it features that can help you get to Hyatt elite status matches.

In the past, Founderscard has offered the ability to fast-track elite status with various airlines, including American. Once you’ve completed the challenge, you may be able to match over to Hyatt status as we’ve outlined above.

Founderscard also offers complimentary Caesars Diamond elite status. MGM Rewards is currently offering the ability to status match up to MGM Gold level for those with Caesars Diamond elite status — though you’ll need to do so in person.

Still, matching over to MGM Gold from Caesars Diamond also grants you the ability to match over to Hyatt Explorist.

Note that the Founderscard isn’t free. Annual costs to hold the card can vary, but the standard price is $595 per year.

» Learn more: The complete guide to World of Hyatt

Although this last option isn’t quite a status match to Hyatt, it can still allow you to gain elite status with the program. Hyatt has two credit cards on offer, including a personal and small-business version.

Both of these credit cards provide complimentary Discoverist elite status as long as you hold the card, granting you the lowest level of Hyatt status available. You can also earn elite status by spending on your credit card.

The World of Hyatt Credit Card gives you five elite qualifying nights each year as well as two elite night credits for every $5,000 that you spend. The World of Hyatt Business Credit Card, meanwhile, earns you five elite night credits for every $10,000 that you spend.

By making enough purchases in a calendar year with these cards, it’s possible to earn Hyatt Globalist elite status without ever staying a night in a hotel.

» Learn more: How to spend your way to airline and hotel elite status on credit cards

Hyatt’s elite program is well-known thanks to the generous ways it treats its members. However, status matches to World of Hyatt are slim on the ground. Your best bet is to aim for MGM elite status, which can then be matched all the way up to Hyatt’s Explorist status.

Photo courtesy of Hyatt.