Why Hyatt Hotels Is the Best Brand for Family Rewards Travel
When it comes to finding the perfect hotel for our family vacation, Hyatt consistently stands out. With an amazing rewards program, family-friendly accommodations, and unbeatable perks, Hyatt hotels makes it easier to travel with our family for way fewer points than other hotel brands (sorry, Marriott and Hilton!). When it comes to rewards travel, brand loyalty always pays off. Here’s why Hyatt has consistently been the best hotel brand choice for our family, for redeeming points at the best value, earn rewards, and stretching our travel budget.
World of Hyatt Program: A Game-Changer for Rewards Travel
Hyatt’s World of Hyatt program is known for its easy-to-earn points and low redemption rates, making it one of the best hotel loyalty programs out there for families, couples, and solo travelers.
Low Points Redemptions: Stretch Your Travel Budget
Hyatt’s award chart makes it easy to stretch your travel budget by offering affordable redemptions. Unlike other hotel brands, Hyatt’s most aspirational properties—Category 8 hotels—require just 40,000 points per night, which is often lower than what other brands charge for more basic stays. Hyatt’s budget brands can sometimes be snagged for as little as 3,500 points per night, and we’ve typically gotten Category 1-4 hotels for as low as 5,000-6,500 per night. With a sign up bonus of 60,000 points on some of the Chase cards (which can be transferred to Hyatt) and the Hyatt co-branded cards, it’s easy to see how you can get many hotel nights for a steal with Hyatt.
Hyatt’s properties are divided into categories, with lower-tier hotels offering even greater value.
Category 1-4 (Lower to Mid-Tier Categories):
- Hyatt Place: Spacious rooms, complimentary breakfast, and family-friendly setups (like sofa beds) make it an excellent choice for families.
- Hyatt House: Extended-stay hotels catering to guests seeking residential-style rooms that often include full kitchens.
- Hyatt Centric: Lifestyle hotels located in prime city destinations, usually geared towards younger travelers.
- Hyatt Regency: Full-service hotels and resorts, often situated in urban and resort locations.
- Hyatt: A selection of full-service hotels offering a range of amenities.
- Hyatt Ziva: All-inclusive family resorts located in beachfront destinations.
- Hyatt Zilara: All-inclusive adults-only resorts in tropical locations.
- JdV by Hyatt: A collection of independent hotels reflecting the local vibe of their neighborhoods.
- Destination by Hyatt: Independent hotels and resorts in unique locations, offering immersive experiences.
Category 5-8 (Upper to Luxury Categories):
- Park Hyatt: Luxury hotels offering refined accommodations and exceptional service.
- Grand Hyatt: Large luxury hotels with comprehensive amenities, including meeting and event spaces.
- Andaz: Boutique luxury hotels with a focus on local culture and unique design.
- Alila: Luxury boutique hotels emphasizing sustainable practices and personalized experiences.
- Thompson Hotels: Lifestyle hotels known for their bold design and culinary offerings.
- Miraval: Luxury wellness resorts focused on health and mindfulness.
- The Unbound Collection by Hyatt: Unique, story-worthy hotels ranging from historic landmarks to contemporary properties.
- Dream Hotels: Design-forward hotels offering vibrant nightlife and dining experiences.
- Caption by Hyatt: Select-service lifestyle hotels with lively communal spaces.
Hyatt’s Homes & Hideaways collection doesn’t fall into the traditional World of Hyatt award category system (Category 1–8). This collection includes private homes, vacation rentals, and unique properties available through partnerships. These properties typically don’t use the standard points redemption structure of Hyatt hotels. World of Hyatt members can still earn and redeem points for these stays, but the points required vary based on the cash rate of the property. It’s best to check specific property listings for redemption details.
This structure allows families to enjoy high-quality stays without breaking the bank.
Transfer Points Easily with Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- You can transfer points from Chase Ultimate Rewards® directly to Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio.
- Popular Chase cards like the Sapphire Preferred® and Sapphire Reserve® make it easy to earn Ultimate Rewards points, which can then be transferred to Hyatt for hotel stays, room upgrades, and more.
Hyatt Co-Branded Credit Cards
Hyatt hotels offers two main credit cards: the World of Hyatt Credit Card and the Hyatt Business Credit Card, both designed to enhance family travel with excellent benefits. These credit cards fall under the Chase family, meaning you would manage your Hyatt co-branded credit card with Chase bank. While you can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards® directly to Hyatt to turn them into World of Hyatt points, you cannot transfer points from Hyatt back to Chase.
World of Hyatt Personal Credit Card
- Earn Points Faster: This card helps you earn bonus points at Hyatt properties, on dining, and on travel, accelerating your path to free nights and rewards.
- Bonus Free Night: After spending a certain amount in the first three months, you’ll earn a free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt property, perfect for a family getaway.
- Upgrade Your Stay: You can earn upgrade certificates that allow you to stay in suites, making your family vacation more comfortable.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees: For families traveling internationally, this is a great feature as it saves on additional fees overseas.
Hyatt Business Credit Card
- Bonus Points on Business Expenses: If you’re running a family business, this card earns additional points for business-related spending like travel, advertising, and shipping. Your points can then be used for family trips.
- Free Night Award: Like the personal card, you’ll also receive a free night after meeting the spending threshold.
- Travel Perks: Access to no-fee currency exchange and other family-friendly travel perks.
Both cards offer additional benefits for families, such as bonus points for spending, which can be redeemed for free nights, room upgrades, and other perks that make family travel easier and more affordable.
Earning Hyatt Points: Multiple Routes for Families
There are various ways to earn points for your family’s next getaway. Whether you prefer a personal credit card or a business card, Hyatt’s rewards program offers flexibility.
Top Cards for Earning Flexible Points
All of these cards are great options if you want to earn flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards® that can be transferred to Hyatt or to other Chase travel partners.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred®: This is a great choice for families looking to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards® points quickly.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®: With higher earning rates and premium benefits, this card is perfect for frequent travelers.
- Chase Ink Business Cards: For those with a business, these cards allow you to earn extra points on everyday purchases.
Once you’ve earned your points, transferring them to Hyatt is seamless, making it easy to book your next family vacation.
Hyatt’s Family-Friendly Accommodations: More Room to Relax
When traveling with kids, having space to spread out and be comfortable is crucial. Hyatt hotels excels in offering flexible and spacious family accommodations.
Family Rooms and the Hyatt Family Rate
- Hyatt hotels offer connecting rooms and spacious suites, so your family can stay together while still having privacy.
- The Hyatt Family Rate offers a 50% discount on a second room for kids under 18 (or under 12 at some properties), making family vacations more affordable.
To book either of these two options, it’s best to put a call into Hyatt to have a representative let you know the available options and help secure your reservation.
Perfect for Families of All Sizes
- Whether you’re staying for a weekend getaway or a weeklong adventure, Hyatt offers options for every family size.
- Look for Hyatt hotels with amenities like kid-friendly pools, nearby attractions, and family suites for the ultimate family stay.
The Benefits of Status with Hyatt
Hyatt’s loyalty program, World of Hyatt, offers several benefits, especially for top-tier members. There are three main membership tiers:
Member
Free to join with no minimums on nights or points.
Discoverist
Earned after staying 10 nights in a calendar year at participating World of Hyatt locations. With this status, you’ll get basic perks like late check-out and bonus points on stays. Discoverist status also includes complimentary premium internet, daily bottled water and upgrades to a preferred room. You automatically earn Discoverist status when you hold the World of Hyatt personal card.
Explorist
Earned after staying 30 nights in a calendar year at participating World of Hyatt locations. Explorist members get all of the benefits of Discoverist status, plus room upgrades and a late 2 pm check-out.
We are currently Explorist status holders. Since we joined the program we have stayed in Hyatt hotels in: Hawaii, Rome, Cancun, San Francisco, Sonoma, New York City, Atlanta, Washington DC, and Philadelphia. We’ll also be staying in Hyatts in Orlando, New York City (again!), and London this year.
Globalist
Earned after staying 60 nights in a calendar year at participating World of Hyatt locations. Globalist is highest tier, which offers premium perks, including suite upgrades, waived resort fees, guaranteed 4 pm checkout, free breakfast for the whole family, and the ability to share benefits with family or friends through Guest of Honor. With Guest of Honor, your Globalist status can be shared with others: Globalist members can book a Guest of Honor reservation, allowing family or friends to enjoy the same elite benefits, such as upgrades and free breakfast.
Keep in mind that while there are some excellent perks that come with this status, it’s not always realistic for an average family traveling on PTO and school vacations to earn it. However, if you do find your family able to stay 60 nights with Hyatt, through a combination of family travel and business trips, you will enjoy some great benefits.
Earning Status Beyond Nights in a Hotel
Earning Hyatt status without staying at Hyatt properties involves leveraging partnerships, credit card benefits, and promotions. These are the easiest ones for families to take advantage of:
- World of Hyatt Credit Card:
- Earn automatic Discoverist status as a cardholder.
- Receive 5 qualifying night credits each year.
- Earn 2 additional qualifying nights for every $5,000 spent on the card.
- World of Hyatt Business Credit Card:
- Earn 5 qualifying night credits for every $10,000 spent in a calendar year.
- Hyatt Car Rental Partners:
- Earn elite-qualifying points when booking car rentals with partners like Avis through the Hyatt program.
- Special Offers:
- Participate in Hyatt promotions offering bonus elite night credits or challenges for elite status after a reduced number of nights. You can typically learn about these by signing up for Hyatt’s emails.
Hyatt’s Other Point Redemption Options
Hyatt hotels offers more ways to use your points beyond free nights at Hyatt properties. For families, this means more flexibility and options for your trip.
- Room upgrades: Use points to secure a room upgrade, ensuring a more comfortable stay for the whole family.
- Dining and Spa Credits: Enjoy extra perks like dining credits at Hyatt restaurants or spa treatments to unwind after a day of family adventures.
- Hyatt FIND Program: Use your points to book unique experiences, such as tickets to Broadway shows, guided tours, and more.
Why Hyatt Is the Best Choice for Families
Hyatt hotels combines value, flexibility, and amazing family-friendly benefits, making it the top choice for families looking to maximize their travel rewards. From spacious rooms and discounted family rates to easy point transfers and exclusive perks, Hyatt ensures a stress-free, enjoyable stay for families around the world. Whether you’re booking a quick weekend getaway or planning a long vacation, Hyatt is the perfect brand to make your family’s trip unforgettable.
Plan your next family vacation with Hyatt hotels and experience the difference for yourself!
If you have any questions or need further advice feel free to email me or send me a message on Instagram. I’m always happy to share more tips and insights to help you.
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