Among travel hackers, there’s no hotel loyalty elite status that’s quite as popular as Hyatt Globalist. While every program has its flaws, World of Hyatt is arguably one of the best programs for top-tier elite recognition and that’s definitely true if you value complimentary breakfast and suite upgrades.

Access to a complimentary breakfast is a pretty common perk for elite members. It’s now offered by all of the big four hotel chains. Even IHG offers breakfast to Diamond elites now, joining longstanding offers from Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy, and of course, World of Hyatt. It’s a benefit that’s valued highly by many elites. With the prices at some properties, having breakfast included can result in some significant savings if the convenience of an on-property breakfast appeals to you.

Not every program’s breakfast benefit is the same. At some brands, the benefit might leave you disappointed. if you were hoping to enjoy a filling breakfast. That’s not an issue for Hyatt Globalists. In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at what World of Hyatt promises as part of the Hyatt Globalist breakfast perk, how it works, and how it’s implemented at properties in the brand.

Basics of the Hyatt’s Globalist Breakfast Benefit

The Hyatt Globalist free breakfast benefit is pretty straightforward in its simplicity. Hyatt Globalists get a free breakfast on stays at almost every World of Hyatt property. If the property is serving breakfast in a club lounge, that’s where breakfast is offered. If the property doesn’t have an open club lounge, Globalists will be offered a “full breakfast” in the hotel’s restaurant.

World of Hyatt provides a clear definition of what it considers the minimum offering to be considered a “full breakfast” in its terms.

• A full breakfast must include a minimum of “one entrée or standard breakfast buffet, juice, and coffee.”

• Taxes, service charges, and gratuity are included in the benefit.

The benefit is for every registered guest in the room, up to a maximum of two adults and two children.

Breakfast is included for Globalists in almost every hotel that participates in World of Hyatt with only a few exceptions.

Globalist Breakfast Benefit: Exempt Hotels

While a few hotels are exempt from the Globalist breakfast benefit, that’s rarely something that Globalists will need to concern themselves with.

Hotels that participate in the Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) collaboration with World of Hyatt do not honor Globalist benefits. However, rates booked through Hyatt generally include breakfast even at SLH properties.

Breakfast isn’t included as a Globalist elite benefit at Miraval Resorts, Hyatt Place, and Hyatt House. At Miravel Resorts, that’s because breakfast is already included as a benefit for all guests meaning this isn’t a Globalist-specific benefit.

That’s also the case at most Hyatt Place and Hyatt House hotels. The exceptions are Hyatt Place and Hyatt House hotels in the Asia-Pacific region and Hyatt Place hotels in Europe, Africa, Middle East, and Southwest Asia region where breakfast isn’t necessarily included for all guests. If a Hyatt Globalist stays at one of these hotels, they’ll still receive a free breakfast. However, it might not meet the definition of “full breakfast” given in the terms above.

At Caption by Hyatt, Globalists get a smaller breakfast benefit with an “elevated coffee” and a “small plate” per guest. Caption by Hyatt is a new brand with only 3 locations globally so while the limit is unfortunate, it’s also rare.

The Hyatt Globalist breakfast perk doesn’t apply at most vacation ownership properties. The exceptions to this (meaning that they do provide the free breakfast benefit) are The Lodge at Spruce Peak; Resort at Squaw Creek; Wild Dunes Resort – Sweetgrass Inn and Boardwalk Inn; Wild Dunes Resort Vacation Rentals; and Wild Dunes Resorts – Residences at Sweetgrass Inn. The AluaSun Far Menorca resort provides the breakfast benefit at its nearby sister resort, AluaSun Mediterráneo.

Hyatt Globalist Breakfast Benefit: Actual Experiences

While the guidelines above are the minimums required by the World of Hyatt terms, most properties go above and beyond with the free breakfast benefit in my experience.

In dozens of hotels I’ve visited since becoming a World of Hyatt Globalist, I’ve never been limited to only one entreé or just the buffet. In practice, most Hyatt hotels seem to give Globalists a full selection of both á la carte breakfast items and the buffet should it be available. Of course, it’s important to clarify if you’re not sure of a hotel’s practices.

Other hotels go even further. What’s more convenient than ordering breakfast to your room?

The Park Hyatt New York allows Globalists to enjoy their complimentary breakfast via room service. This is also the policy at the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme. On my last stay, even a bottle of sparkling wine ordered with breakfast was removed from the final bill.

Turns out that allowing some alcohol to be included with the complimentary breakfast for Globalists isn’t exactly unique to the Park Hyatt New York. I’ve stayed at quite a few Hyatts where there was no charge for alcoholic drinks ordered at breakfast for Globalists.

Hotel Martinez in Cannes, Grant Hyatt Sao Paulo, Grand Hyatt Bogota, Andaz Los Angeles, and Park Hyatt Saigon are among the hotels where I’ve ordered a mimosa with breakfast without a charge. This isn’t a published Hyatt benefit and there’s no entitlement but it’s a fun thing to keep track of and definitely appreciated.

How To Earn Hyatt Globalist Status

To be eligible for the complimentary breakfast perk in the World of Hyatt program, you’ll need to earn Hyatt Globalist status.

Globalist is the top published tier of the World of Hyatt loyalty program and requires 60 qualifying nights or 100,000 base points in a calendar year. You’ll also earn some sweet milestone rewards at that threshold.

In addition to complimentary breakfast, Globalist offers a suite of top-notch benefits including free upgrades to suites at check-in, milestone rewards that include confirmed suite upgrade awards, and more.

There are some ways to fast-track your way to Globalist status.

• World of Hyatt Credit Card: Holding the World of Hyatt Credit Card will automatically bump you out to the lowest of three elite statuses at Hyatt, Discoverist. In addition to numerous other benefits that make this card worthwhile, it will automatically credit you 5 elite qualifying nights each year and 2 additional qualifying night credits for every $5,000 spent.
• World of Hyatt Business Credit Card: Similarly, the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card will automatically bump you up to Discoverist status. In addition to its other benefits, it offers 5 elite qualifying nights for every $10,000 spent on the card making Globalist status more achievable.
• Status Challenge or Fast Track: If you’re close to earning Globalist status, you might be able to request a status challenge or fast track, which allows you to earn status in a shorter timeframe.
• AAdvantage Status: Speaking of fast tracks, World of Hyatt regularly offers status fast tracks to AAdvantage elites as part of their partnership with American Airlines. Even better, American Airlines Concierge Key members receive automatic Globalist status.
• Promotions: World of Hyatt is currently targeting some members with an offer to count each qualifying night twice as part of its current targeted promotion. This is a great way to quickly get the nights needed for Globalist.

Otherwise, most World of Hyatt members will need to achieve Globalist status the traditional way — by staying the needed 60 qualifying nights or earning 100,000 base points in a calendar year.

See also: Offer: World of Hyatt Points On Sale For 25% Off

Bottom line

World of Hyatt limits its complimentary breakfast benefit to only its Hyatt Globalist members, the highest published elite status in its program. This is the most comprehensive breakfast benefit offered by any hotel loyalty program with a “full breakfast,” including service charges and gratuities, available for up to two adults and two children per room. The breakfast benefit is available at most Hyatt properties, with a few exceptions. Most properties go above and beyond the minimums required by World of Hyatt, providing a high-quality breakfast experience. This helps make Hyatt Globalist one of the most valuable elite statuses for frequent travelers.