American Airlines, Hyatt launch reciprocal rewards partnership

A new tie-up between American Airlines’ AAdvantage frequent flyer program and the World of Hyatt hotel loyalty scheme unlocks new opportunities to earn points and miles on eligible flights and hotel stays, as well as fast-track opportunities to reach higher status levels for some travellers.

But rather than opening the floodgates to all members, only high flyers with elite frequent flyer or hotel loyalty status can make use of this partnership: here’s what you need to know.

Earning bonus World of Hyatt points on American Airlines flights

If your travel wallet features a World of Hyatt Discoverist, Explorist or Globalist membership card, linking that membership to your American Airlines AAdvantage account will see you rewarded with one bonus Hyatt point per US$1 spent on eligible American Airlines flights.

This includes flights operated by American Airlines, as well as its regional affiliate American Eagle, when travelling on a paid airfare and booked on an AA flight number, and comes in addition to the AAdvantage miles you’d normally earn.

Codeshare flights – including those booked with an AA code but operated by another airline, or those booked under a partner airline’s flight number but operated by American Airlines – do not qualify.

Naturally, flights booked using frequent flyer points, whether that’s AAdvantage miles, Qantas Points or via any other rewards scheme, don’t qualify for bonus Hyatt points either, as this deal applies only to paid commercial airfares.

Pocket extra American Airlines AAdvantage miles on Hyatt hotel stays

On the other side of the coin, if you hold American Airlines AAdvantage Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro, Executive Platinum or ConciergeKey status, linking that membership to your World of Hyatt account serves up one bonus AA mile per US$1 spent on qualifying Hyatt hotel stays.

Once again, this reward comes alongside the World of Hyatt points you’d ordinarily earn, giving you something extra from your travels as opposed to choosing between one reward and another.

Travellers who hold elite status in both programs can benefit from both these points boosters when they travel – that’s bonus Hyatt points on eligible AA flights, and bonus AA miles on eligible Hyatt hotel bookings, when these accounts are linked.

However, jetsetters who hold elite status in only one program will only benefit from that part of the partnership.

For example, an American Airlines Platinum frequent flyer who holds no World of Hyatt status can earn bonus AA miles on their eligible Hyatt hotel stays, but cannot earn bonus Hyatt points from their American Airlines flights: and vice versa, for those who hold only hotel elite status.

Free World of Hyatt Globalist status for AA ConciergeKey members

No hotel status? That’s no problem for members of American Airlines’ ConciergeKey program – the North American equivalent of the Qantas Chairman’s Lounge – with all ConciergeKey members offered an instant boost to World of Hyatt Globalist status just by linking their accounts.

Globalist is the top rung of Hyatt’s own loyalty program, offering top-shelf perks such as complimentary upgrades to the best available room at check-in including standard suites, hotel club lounge access wherever available, and late check-outs of up to 4pm, subject to availability.

That’s joined by a complete waiver of all hotel ‘resort fees’ on both paid stays and those booked using points, as well as a 30% boost to the number of Hyatt points earned on every stay, and more.

Read: How to beat those annoying hotel 'resort fees' in the USA

Of course, with that World of Hyatt Globalist card in your wallet, you’ll be able to earn one Hyatt bonus point per US$1 spent on eligible American Airlines flights as above, even though your Hyatt status comes courtesy of American Airlines: and as goes without saying, as an AA elite member, you’ll earn bonus AA miles on your Hyatt hotel stays too.

Fast track to AAdvantage, World of Hyatt elite status for other travellers

Other than for AA ConciergeKey members, there’s no set ‘status matching’ policy between the two programs, although many members may receive targeted offers for fast-track status.

While these offers may vary from person to person, American Airlines says that such promotions may be extended to World of Hyatt Explorist members and above, with an opportunity “to earn AAdvantage elite status by traveling on eligible American Airlines flights during the designated offer period.”

Similarly, Hyatt acknowledges that “certain AAdvantage members with AAdvantage Platinum elite status or higher” may receive offers for fast-tracked World of Hyatt elite status, earned by completing qualifying nights at Hyatt properties during the offer window.

After linking your AAdvantage and World of Hyatt accounts, check the ‘partner offers’ section in each account to see whether there’s an offer waiting for you.

Linking your American Airlines AAdvantage, World of Hyatt memberships

Pairing your AAdvantage and World of Hyatt accounts is easy: if your existing status is with World of Hyatt, head to the World of Hyatt website to get started.

Or, if you're an elite American Airlines AAdvantage frequent flyer, you can link this to your hotel loyalty profile via the American Airlines website.

Should you already hold elite status in both programs, you can link your accounts using either website: and be sure to check that 'partner offers' section to see whether your status can be boosted even further, or locked-in for longer.

Chris C.

Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.