January 1 brings in a new year and changes to the World of Hyatt with the introduction of 2019 Milestones rewards.
Hyatt has been slowly changing their loyalty program over the past couple of years. For some people, this change has been good. But for others, it has not.
These new changes are a huge loss. The big takeaway you’re losing:
- 4 free nights
- Use Category 1 to 4 free night at Mlife
- Ability to requalify for Globalist with fewer nights
Keep reading to find out about the changes to the milestone rewards program and how it affects you.
World of Hyatt 2019 Milestone Rewards
Milestone Rewards are extra benefits World of Hyatt members earn after staying a set number of nights. But this changes starting March 1, 2019.
Currently, the World of Hyatt milestone rewards are:
- Stay at 5 Different Hyatt brands = earn a free Category 1 to 4 free night, SLH hotels or M life Rewards destination. You can earn this twice.
- Stay 30 nights or earn 50,000 base points = earn a free Category 1 to 4 free night, SLH hotels or M life Rewards destination.
- Stay 60 nights or earn 100,000 base points = earn a free Category 1 to 7 free night, resort, or SLH hotel. 4 Suite upgrades awards. Access to My Hyatt Concierge. Requalify for Globalist after 55 nights each year.
- Stay 70, 80, 90, and 100 nights = 10,000 bonus points or a suite upgrade award.
- Earn 1,000,000 base points = Lifetime Globalist Status
You can now earn three additional benefits starting March 1, 2019. But you also lose out on five benefits sooner than that.
The new 2019 Milestone Rewards chart:
- 20 nights or 35,000 base points = 2 Club Lounge awards (NEW)
- 30 nights or 50,000 base points = Free Category 1 to 4 night + 2 Club Lounge awards (UPDATED)
- 40 nights or 65,000 base points = Bonus points, Hyatt gift card, or a FIND experience savings when redeeming points (NEW)
- 50 nights or 80,000 base points = 2 suite upgrades (NEW)
- 60 nights or 100,000 base points = free Category 1 to 7 free night, 2 Suite upgrades, and My Hyatt Concierge (UPDATED)
- Stay 70, 80, 90, and 100 nights = 10,000 bonus points or a suite upgrade award.
On first glance, it doesn’t look too bad. But when you look at what you used to get and what you’re going to get, it’s bad.
Very bad.
And if you’re Globalist the Club Lounge awards are worthless. I’d love Hyatt to add a point option. That’s of more value to a Globalist than a Club Lounge award.
What You Lose With the World of Hyatt 2019 Milestone Rewards
Here’s a quick summary of the perks you’re losing:
- 4 free nights
- Use Category 1 to 4 free night at Mlife
- Requalify for Globalist with fewer nights
No More Double Dipping
You won’t be able to double dip.
You will only earn one milestone benefit each year starting January 1, 2019.
This may not sound like much. But you’re losing 2 free Category 1 to 4 nights and 2 free Category 1 to 7 nights.
Here’s how it works.
The current milestone gets you a free night when you stay 30 nights or earn 50,000 base points.
Let’s say you’re currently at 28 nights and 48,000 base points.
If you stayed 2 more nights, you’d reach the 30 qualifying night milestone. You’d earn a free Category 1 to 4 night that’s valid at Hyatt, Hyatt resorts, or SLH hotels.
If the Hyatt you booked was $100 a night. You’d earn 1,000 base points. This brings you to 30 nights and 49,000 base points.
You’re 1,000 points away from earning another free Category 1 to 4 night. Based on the 30 nights OR 50k base points milestone.
It could be worth doing another mattress run to earn the extra 1,000 base points.
After all, it’s another free night.
Under the existing Milestone Rewards program, you could earn 4 free nights if you hit each tier:
- 30 qualifying nights = 1 free Category 1 to 4 night
- 50,000 base points = 1 free Category 1 to 4 night
- 60 qualifying nights = 1 free Category 1 to 7 night
- 100,000 base points = 1 free Category 1 to 7 night
That’s why it specifically says in the 2019 Milestones that you can only earn one award based on the tier. Instead of earning two awards on each tier.
Pro-tip: There are 12 nights left in the year.
You’re probably questioning my math. If you check in on December 31, you’re checking out on January 1 so that counts toward the new year. (Watch for a post on this soon)
Depending on how many nights you’ve stayed and base points you’ve earned, you could still earn a free night.
But do the math to make sure it’s worth spending the time and cost.
Use Category 1 to 4 Free Night at Mlife
You will no longer be able to use your Category 1 to 4 free night at Mlife hotels.
This is a big blow if you used your free nights in Vegas.
Requalify for Globalist at 55 Nights
Some of us were able to requalify for Globalist with only 55 nights this year.
Those of us that upgraded our World of Hyatt credit card did even better. We requalified with less actual stayed nights because we earned free qualifying nights through spending.
Starting in 2020, every Globalist has to earn 60 qualifying nights. Say goodbye to soft landings.
Pro-tip: You may want to upgrade your Hyatt card. Read this post to find out when you upgrade your Hyatt card.
Who Benefits From 2019 Milestone Rewards Changes
Some people will benefit from the Milestone Rewards changes.
Club Lounge Access Awards
You will no longer get Club Lounge access awards when you reach Explorist status.
This is an actual benefit if you’re an Explorist or a Hyatt cardholder (old Hyatt card vs the new card).
Because starting 2020, instead of having to stay 30 nights or earn 50,000 points, you’ll get 2 Club Lounge access awards after 20 nights or 35,000 points.
For legacy Hyatt cardholders, you don’t have to spend $50,000 to earn those 4 Club lounge access awards. In 2020, you’ll earn Club lounge access awards based on nights stayed or base points earned.
Suite Upgrades
You can confirm suite upgrades at time of booking. And they’re valid for stays up to seven nights.
Recommendation
I recommend you upgrade your Hyatt card or apply for the Hyatt card.
Because you can earn Milestone Rewards faster. You get 2 free qualifying nights every $5,000 you spend. There’s no limit to the number of free qualifying nights you can earn.
You could earn Globalist without staying at Hyatt.
Conclusion
The World of Hyatt 2019 Milestone Rewards means big changes.
Hyatt’s making it easier for people to earn free nights sooner.
While you can earn perk faster at lower thresholds, at the cost of losing benefits instead of gaining benefits.
You’re losing out on 4 free Category 1 to 4 nights, the ability to use your free award nights at Mlife hotels, and being able to requalify for Globalist with fewer nights.
If you haven’t already, I recommend you upgrade your Hyatt card or apply for the Hyatt card.
With the World of Hyatt card, you can reach the Milestone Rewards tiers faster. Because you earn qualifying nights with spending. You earn 2 free qualifying nights every $5,000 you spend. And there’s no limit to how many free nights you can earn. So you could earn Globalist without staying a single night at Hyatt.
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Featured image courtesy: Park Hyatt Maldives
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