Why Hyatt Globalist Is Worth It
Let's start with my final number: 70 qualifying nights.
That's how many qualifying Hyatt nights I had in 2025.
Here's the part that matters: Hyatt Globalist requires 60 nights. I had credit for 70. I only paid cash for 15. I only stayed 47 actual nights in Hyatts. The rest? Points, awards, credit card spend, and free night awards.
Yes, that means 32 free nights. No resort fees. No parking fees. Free breakfast, early check-in, late checkout, upgraded rooms, and sometimes welcome amenities like bottles of wine. This reward program is amazing.
That's not luck. That's understanding the system.
What Hyatt Globalist Means (and Why You Should Care)
Hyatt Globalist is Hyatt's top-tier elite status. To qualify, you need 60 nights in a calendar year.
After I first earned the status in 2024, I've prioritized re-qualifying each year since.
What it actually gives you:
Free breakfast (not continental. Real breakfast.)
Suite upgrades when available
Club lounge access (this perk is amazing for families, especially in expensive cities)
Waived resort fees
Free parking
Late checkout when available, up to 4PM. That's like a whole free day.
Prioritized early check-in when available
Actual customer service when things go wrong. My Hyatt Concierge!
Guest of Honor awards (the secret weapon for traveling with others)
Why I Booked a Hotel I Didn't Need
I was going to end the year at 69 nights.
So I booked the cheapest Hyatt in Austin for $128. Checked in. Went home. Came back for free breakfast. Checked out.
Why?
Because the milestone rewards at 70 nights were worth more than the cost of the stay.
That's Bargain Bougie math.
I'll get to choose one of those four milestone rewards plus get a Guest of Honor award.
Guest of Honor Awards: The Best Perk No One Talks About
Guest of Honor awards let you gift full Globalist benefits to someone else.
Not partial perks. Not discounts. Full Globalist treatment.
And the best part? Each award can be used for up to 7 consecutive nights.
I'm already planning to use mine for:
My parents' 75th birthday trip
My nephews' 16th birthday celebration
Family travel where perks equal sanity
You don't even have to be there. Gift it to a client and really impress them.
How to Earn Free Night Awards (and Why They're a Big Deal)
One of the biggest reasons Hyatt loyalty works so well is Free Night Awards. These are not coupons. They're real hotel nights that can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars.
But here's the key: not all free night awards are the same.
The Three Types of Hyatt Free Night Awards
Category 1-4 Free Night Award
Value: $150 to $400
Valid at any participating Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel. This is the most common award. Perfect for city hotels, airport hotels, and family-friendly resorts.
Examples:
Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk
Hyatt Centric New Orleans
Many Hyatt Regencys
Category 1-7 Free Night Award
Value: $650 to $1,500
Valid at any participating Category 1-7 Hyatt hotel. Also valid at Category A-D all-inclusive resorts.
This is where luxury has entered the chat and you plan for it.
Ultimate Free Night Award
Value: $2,000+
Valid at any Category 1-8 Hyatt hotel, Category A-F all-inclusive resorts, and Miraval resorts.
This is the holy grail. You plan trips around this one.
How You Actually Earn Free Night Awards
There are multiple paths, and this is where strategy stacks.
Hyatt Brand Explorer (The Sneaky One)
Stay at five different Hyatt brands on qualifying paid rates and earn a Category 1-4 free night.
Hyatt has 20+ brands, which means you can earn multiple free nights just by mixing up where you stay.
I've already earned 4 free night awards this way.
In the next blog post, I’ll walk you through the other paths to earning free night awards and deep dive into even more reasons why I love Hyatt.
Interested in Building Your Own Points Strategy?
Book a 1-1 strategy session with Mendy to get more from the points you already have.
