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? There are a few different ways you can match elite status on another program to Hyatt.

Many different hotel chains will allow you to status match or complete a status challenge to receive expedited elite status. 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

American Airlines and Hyatt have a partnership that allows members of either program to unlock rewards at different levels when doing business with the airline or Hyatt. They include perks like Discoverist or Explorist status with World of Hyatt for earning a certain number of American Airlines Loyalty Points.

AAdvantage members who earn 100,000 Loyalty Points unlock Hyatt Discoverist status, while members who earn at least 175,000 Loyalty Points have the option of choosing Hyatt Explorist status as a Loyalty Point reward.

Additionally, American Airlines Concierge Key members — which is the highest possible elite status you can achieve with the airline — receive Globalist elite status with Hyatt.

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

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. If you're an AAvantage elite member, you may have the option to unlock elite status with your Loyalty Point earnings. Otherwise, you’ll earn status by staying at Hyatt hotels, through credit card spend or a combination of both.

Photo courtesy of Hyatt.