A few years ago, we used to earn miles in US programs based on the miles we flew. If we flew 20,000 miles, we would earn 20,000 miles (plus elite bonuses). Now, we only earn on those airlines based on what we pay.
Details of the New Hyatt and American Airlines Partnership
Fast forward to 2019. Now we have hotels giving us points for the dollars we spend to fly! That’s right, a new partnership coming from Hyatt and American Airlines will allow elite members of each program to earn miles/points based on activity with the other. Not only that, but there will be opportunity to earn status easier as well!
Earning Miles and Points with the New Hyatt and American Airlines Partnership
Coming later this year, members will be able to register for this new partnership and start earning. Here is how the earning will take place:
- Earning AA Miles with Hyatt: AAdvantage Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro, Executive Platinum and ConciergeKey members will be able to earn one AAdvantage bonus mile for every eligible dollar spent at qualifying Hyatt properties.
- Earning Hyatt Points with AA: World of Hyatt Discoverist, Explorist and Globalist members will be able to earn one World of Hyatt bonus point for every eligible dollar spent on qualifying American flights.
The great part is that you will continue to earn regular miles and points as well – this new partnership does not replace current earning strategies.
So, for elite members in each program, they will be able to maximize their earnings with the other program. For example, I am currently a Hyatt Explorist. When I fly AA, I will be able to earn 1 World of Hyatt point for each eligible dollar spent with AA!
Elite Status with the New Hyatt and American Airlines Partnership
Here’s a nice twist as well. While only invitation-only American Airlines Concierge Key members will receive status automatically (they will receive Hyatt Globalist status), Hyatt will be making available the potential for status matches/challenges.
Here is how Hyatt says this will work: These limited time elite status challenges will be available for qualifying elite members to have the ability to challenge for status in the reciprocal program with loyalty benefits starting as soon as they register.
So, when the program launches, elite members will be able to register and receive a status challenge for the opposite program. These are limited-time offers and the benefits will be available immediately upon registration.
Not bad! I would imagine that Hyatt Explorist members, for example, would receive a challenge for AA Platinum status (or Platinum Pro but I doubt it). While it has been possible to pay for such a challenge, Hyatt elite members will be able to take advantage of this for free.
Overall, I am a big fan of new ways to earn more miles and points, especially when it does not come with a downside. We have to wait a little longer for this program to actually roll out but, so far, it sounds like a big positive for those that want to earn more miles and points.
Featured image courtesy of Shutterstock
I didn’t realize the “full details” had been determined/announced yet – seems more like preliminary highlights to me.
Thanks for the comment, Matt. I guess the “full” part would be a premature since we don’t know exactly how the tiers would match up. Everything else has been announced though (as far as the point earning and how the status challenges would be availble). Sometimes I get tunnel visioned and err in titling, thanks for helping out!
I’m happy to earn extra miles, but I’m extremely skeptical about status challenges, considering how easy Hyatt status challenges are. If Hyatt turns Globalist into Hilton Diamond, handing it out like candy, I’ll have to move on to another chain.
I doubt they will be so generous with Globalist status considering how tight they have been with it as to challenges (only for certain corporations or for credit card members and still required something like 20 nights in 90 days).