While World of Hyatt’s top-tier Globalist status is my favorite hotel elite status, that’s not the only elite status tier available from Hyatt. There’s also the entry-level Discoverist status and mid-tier Explorist elite which don’t get as much attention as Globalist. In this post, we’ll go into how to earn World of Hyatt status (including Discoverist, Explorist, and Globalist) and the benefits you can expect at Hyatt once you do.
In this post:
How to Earn Elite Status in World of Hyatt
World of Hyatt can be earned either through elite qualifying nights or base points in a year. Nights earned through holding the World of Hyatt credit card or its business version, and award night redemptions count towards your elite qualifying nights total.
Base points are earned through spending at Hyatt hotels at a rate of 5 base points per dollar.
What Are The Elite Status Tiers in World of Hyatt?
World of Hyatt has three published elite status tiers:
- Discoverist is World of Hyatt’s entry-level tier
- Explorist is World of Hyatt’s mid-level tier
- Globalist is the top published tier in World of Hyatt
In addition, World of Hyatt’s most loyal customers can earn Lifetime Globalist status.
How Do You Earn World of Hyatt Discoverist Status?
Discoverist is the first of World of Hyatt’s three tiers of elite status and is easy to earn. There are three ways to earn Discoverist status in World of Hyatt.
- Sign up for a World of Hyatt Credit Card: The easiest way to earn Discoverist status in World of Hyatt is by signing up for either the World of Hyatt Credit Card or the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card. Both cards offer automatic Discoverist status (while the business version allows you to gift it to 5 additional employees). That’s in addition to all the other cardholder benefits.
- Earn 10 elite qualifying nights in a calendar year: Stays paid with cash, points, or even awards count towards elite qualifying nights as do nights credited from Hyatt’s cobranded credit cards.
- Earn 25,000 base points in a calendar year: You earn 5 elite qualifying base points per dollar spent on most spending at Hyatt properties so this is the equivalent of spending $5,000.
If you stay at Hyatt properties with any frequency, then it’s worth securing Discoverist status especially given how easy it is to earn with the otherwise valuable World of Hyatt credit card.
How Do You Earn World of Hyatt Explorist Status?
Explorist is the often-overlooked mid-tier status in World of Hyatt. The requirements for earning Explorist is exactly half of the requirements to earn Globalist and start unlocking some serious benefits. You can earn Hyatt Explorist in one of the following two ways:
- Earn 30 elite qualifying nights in a calendar year: Stays paid with cash, points, or even awards count towards elite qualifying nights as do nights credited from Hyatt’s cobranded credit cards.
- Earn 50,000 base points in a calendar year: You earn 5 elite qualifying base points per dollar spent on most spending at Hyatt properties so this is the equivalent of spending $10,000.
If you hold the personal World of Hyatt credit card, you’ll automatically earn 5 elite qualifying nights every year just for holding the card. On both the personal and business versions, you’ll also get the chance to earn additional nights through spending which will count towards status.
World of Hyatt is unique in not offering a path to earning mid-tier status by simply holding a credit card so Explorists will have earned it the traditional way. In contrast, both Marriott Bonvoy Platinum and IHG One Rewards Platinum can be earned by simply signing up for a credit card.
How Do You Earn World of Hyatt Globalist Status?
Globalist is the highest of World of Hyatt’s three published tiers of elite status. This is where loyalty becomes extremely valuable with some serious benefits including suite upgrades at check-in and complimentary breakfast.
Globalist can be earned in two ways using either qualifying nights or qualifying spend:
- Earn 60 elite qualifying nights in a calendar year: Stays paid with cash, points, or even awards count towards elite qualifying nights as do nights credited from Hyatt’s cobranded credit cards.
- Earn 100,000 base points in a calendar year: You earn 5 elite qualifying base points per dollar spent on most spending at Hyatt properties so this is the equivalent of spending $10,000.
As with Explorist, if you hold the personal World of Hyatt credit card, you’ll automatically start with 5 elite qualifying nights towards qualifying for status. On both the personal and business versions, you’ll also get the chance to earn additional nights through spending which will count towards status.
What Are The Benefits of Hyatt Discoverist?
While it’s the lowest level of status in World of Hyatt, Discoverist still comes with some benefits that can enhance your stays.
Guaranteed 2 pm checkout
Discoverist comes with guaranteed 2 pm late checkout at non-resort properties. This is the same benefit offered to mid-tier Explorist members (whereas Globalists get 4 pm). That’s unique to World of Hyatt since most programs do not offer a guarantee of late check-out to entry-level elite tiers.
10% more World of Hyatt points
Discoverists get 10% more World of Hyatt points per eligible dollar spent at Hyatt properties (both room rates and incidentals). World of Hyatt members earn a base amount of 5x points per dollar, so with the 10% increase, Discoverists earn 5.5 points per dollar.
In comparison, mid-tier Explorists get a 20% bonus and Globalists get a 30% bonus.
Best Room Available (within category booked)
World of Hyatt Discoverist members have access to preferred rooms within the category booked. This is a pretty limited guarantee but hotels do often go beyond. In comparison, Explorists get the best non-suite room available while Globalists get upgraded to the best available room up to the standard suite.
Here’s the full wording of this benefit from the World of Hyatt terms and conditions:
(c) Preferred Room: Subject to availability, Discoverists will be offered a preferred room at time of check-in at Hyatt hotels and resorts. Preferred rooms are determined by each hotel or resort (in its sole discretion) and include rooms on higher floors, corner rooms, or rooms with more appealing views. Preferred rooms are particular rooms that may be more desirable, but are within the same room type/category booked by the Member; they are not a “price point” upgrade in room type or category. Not offered at Caption by Hyatt, Hyatt Place, Hyatt House, Destination by Hyatt Residences, or Hyatt Vacation Club hotels and resorts.
Complimentary premium Wi-Fi
Discoverists get complimentary premium Wi-Fi at hotels and resorts that offer it. This isn’t a very widely applicable benefit but there are edge cases where this might be useful.
Bottled water
Discoverists receive a daily bottle of water at hotels throughout Hyatt’s portfolio (excluding Hyatt Vacation Club properties). Some hotels may substitute this benefit with a reusable water bottle and access to filtered water filling stations.
Elite check-in counter
Discoverists, Explorists, and Globalists all get access to the dedicated elite check-in counter if there’s one available. Enforcement and availability can vary dramatically by property.
Dedicated phone line
Discoverists have access to a dedicated reservations phone line. Once you earn the status, you can find the contact details by logging into your account.
AAdvantage partnership
American Airlines and Hyatt offer reciprocal benefits for elite members of AAdvantage and World of Hyatt, including Discoverist. If you hold status in World of Hyatt, you can earn one World of Hyatt point per dollar spent with American Airlines after you link your accounts.
If you fly with American Airlines frequently, this can be a great reason to maintain Discoverist status (even if it just means picking up the World of Hyatt credit card.
Milestone Rewards
World of Hyatt Milestone Rewards are technically distinct from elite status but they offer some pretty sweet benefits. You’ll earn your first Milestone Reward (while you’re still a Discoverist) when you earn 20 elite qualifying nights (or 35,000 base points) in a calendar year and get a choice between a 2K Next Stay award, 2 Club Access awards, or a $25 FIND Experience credit.
What Are The Benefits of Hyatt Explorist?
World of Hyatt’s mid-tier status is Explorist, coming in between Discoverist and Globalist. As explained above, you can earn the status with 30 elite qualifying nights at Hyatt or with $10,000 in spend. This level of status offers benefits that can start to seriously enrich your Hyatt experience, especially when you stack your elite benefits with Milestone Rewards.
Explorists enjoy all the benefits that Discoverists enjoy with some notable improvements.
Guaranteed 2 pm checkout
Like Discoverists, Explorists get guaranteed 2 pm late checkout at non-resort properties. While it’s not as good as the 4 pm guarantee offered to Globalists, it’s nice to have the extra 2 or 3 hours guaranteed.
20% more World of Hyatt points
Explorists get 20% more World of Hyatt points per eligible dollar spent at Hyatt properties (both room rates and incidentals). World of Hyatt members earn a base amount of 5x points per dollar, so with the 20% increase, Discoverists earn 6 points per dollar.
In comparison, Discoverists get a 10% bonus and Globalists get a 30% bonus.
Best Room Available (excluding suites)
World of Hyatt Explorists members are guaranteed the best available room when they check into a hotel, excluding suites. This is substantially more generous than the “best room within booked category” offered to Discoverists and can be a pretty big step up.
Of course, Globalists get upgraded to the best available room including standard suites.
Complimentary premium Wi-Fi
Explorists get complimentary premium Wi-Fi at hotels and resorts that offer it. This isn’t a very widely applicable benefit but there are edge cases where this might be useful.
Bottled water
Explorists receive a daily bottle of water at hotels throughout Hyatt’s portfolio (excluding Hyatt Vacation Club properties). Some hotels may substitute this benefit with a reusable water bottle and access to filtered water filling stations.
Elite check-in counter
Discoverists, Explorists, and Globalists all get access to the dedicated elite check-in counter if there’s one available. Enforcement and availability can vary dramatically by property.
Dedicated phone line
Explorists have access to a dedicated reservations phone line. Once you earn the status, you can find the contact details by logging into your account.
AAdvantage partnership
American Airlines and Hyatt offer reciprocal benefits for elite members of AAdvantage and World of Hyatt, including Explorists. If you hold status in World of Hyatt, you can earn one World of Hyatt point per dollar spent with American Airlines after you link your accounts.
Milestone Rewards
World of Hyatt Milestone Rewards are technically distinct from elite status but they offer some pretty sweet benefits. You earn your first Milestone Reward at 20 elite qualifying nights (or 35,000 base points) in a calendar year and continue to earn rewards every 10 qualifying nights.
These benefits can pack a lot of punch for Explorists. Club Access Awards are available starting at 20 nights, Suite Upgrade Awards are available at 40 nights, and Guest of Honor awards allow you to experience all the Globalist benefits before officially qualifying for Hyatt’s top-tier status.
What Are The Benefits of Hyatt Globalist?
I don’t make a secret out of the fact that Globalist is my favorite elite status. Aside from solid published benefits, I find World of Hyatt to be most consistent in delivering on the published benefits making it worthwhile to ensure I hit the 60 elite qualifying nights (or 100,000 base points) required to requalify every year.
Globalists get all the benefits of Explorist with some significant enhancements.
Guaranteed 4 pm checkout
Globalists get guaranteed 4 pm late checkout at non-resort properties. That’s the best published elite late checkout benefit offered by any of the major hotel loyalty programs.
Better yet, Hyatt consistently delivers on this benefit. The only time I had an issue utilizing it (on a stay at the Story Hotel Signalfabriken in Stockholm), the issue was quickly clarified.
30% more World of Hyatt points
Globalists get 30% more World of Hyatt points per eligible dollar spent at Hyatt properties (both room rates and incidentals). World of Hyatt members earn a base amount of 5x points per dollar, so with the 30% increase, Discoverists earn 6.5 points per dollar.
In comparison, Discoverists get a 20% bonus while Explorists get a 20% bonus.
Best Room Available (up to standard suites)
Globalists get complimentary upgrades at check-in to the best available room, up to standard suites. This is an incredibly generous benefit, especially since it is clear and guaranteed based on availability unlike other programs which leave substantial amounts of discretion to properties.
Complimentary breakfast
The Globalist breakfast benefit is, by far, the best elite breakfast benefit offered by any hotel loyalty program. Globalists get full breakfast at essentially all hotels, including tips.
If breakfast is offered in a club lounge, Globalists get breakfast there while if there is no breakfast in the club lounge, you get breakfast in the restaurant.
At least on paper, the Globalist benefit is similar to IHG’s Diamond breakfast benefit, however it’s much more consistently applied. It also favorably to the more limited (and complicated) Marriott breakfast benefit and certainly to Hilton’s F&B credit in the United States.
Club Lounge access
Globalists get automatic access to the club lounge at properties with a lounge. The quality of club lounges can vary widely, but they can also be pretty epic as it was at the Hyatt Regency Cairo West.
Complimentary premium Wi-Fi
Globalists get complimentary premium Wi-Fi at hotels and resorts that offer it. This isn’t a very widely applicable benefit but there are edge cases where this might be useful.
Bottled water
Globalists receive a daily bottle of water at hotels throughout Hyatt’s portfolio (excluding Hyatt Vacation Club properties). Some hotels may substitute this benefit with a reusable water bottle and access to filtered water filling stations.
Elite check-in counter
Discoverists, Explorists, and Globalists all get access to the dedicated elite check-in counter if there’s one available. Enforcement and availability can vary dramatically by property.
Dedicated phone line
Explorists have access to a dedicated reservations phone line. Once you earn the status, you can find the Globalists details by logging into your account.
AAdvantage partnership
American Airlines and Hyatt offer reciprocal benefits for elite members of AAdvantage and World of Hyatt, including Globalists. If you hold status in World of Hyatt, you can earn one World of Hyatt point per dollar spent with American Airlines after you link your accounts.
Milestone Rewards
World of Hyatt Milestone Rewards are technically distinct from elite status but they offer some pretty sweet benefits. You earn your first Milestone Reward at 20 elite qualifying nights (or 35,000 base points) in a calendar year and continue to earn rewards every 10 qualifying nights.
These include at least two free night certificates:
- A Category 1-4 Free Night Award at 30 elite qualifying nights (or 50,000 base points)
- A Category 1-7 Free Night Award at 60 elite qualifying nights (or 100,000 base points).
You might even earn the Ultimate Free Night Award as a Milestone Reward if you earn 150 elite qualifying nights in a calendar year.
Of course, there’s more to Milestone Rewards. For Globalists, the Guest of Honor award will allow you to share benefits with friends and loved ones while the confirmed suite upgrade award can guarantee you a suite at the time of booking on particularly important stays. In addition, benefits can be transferred so you can share awards like the club access award which doesn’t add anything to stays for Globalists who already have access.
Bottom line
World of Hyatt offers three tiers of elite status: Discoverist, Explorist, and Globalist, each with its own set of benefits and requirements for qualification. Discoverist is the entry-level tier and can be easily earned by holding a credit card while mid-tier Explorist and top-tier Globalist require members to qualify with elite qualifying nights or spend during the calendar year. Discoverist members enjoy perks like a 10% points bonus and 2 pm checkout, while Explorists get better room upgrades and a 20% points bonus. Globalists get the crème de la crème of benefits, including the best room available up to standard suites, complimentary breakfast, and club lounge access. Members also benefit from World of Hyatt’s Milestone Rewards program which offers additional benefits at 10-night intervals further enhancing stays.
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