Hyatt adds online redemption for suite, club upgrade awards

World of Hyatt members can now apply earned or gifted suite upgrade awards and club access award certificates to new bookings online or in the Hyatt app. This adds valuable flexibility for high-tier elite members, who previously needed to call to utilize these benefits.

If you want to add one of these certificates next time you book as a World of Hyatt elite member, here is everything you need to know.

Related: Is Hyatt Globalist status worth it?

How to apply Hyatt suite upgrade awards and club access awards online

When searching for rooms at hyatt.com, look for new buttons under “Eligible Awards” at the top of the search results, next to any Guest of Honor awards you may have in your account.

These buttons allow you to apply suite upgrade awards or club access awards as you search.

Applying either award will show the upgraded room with the award applied for the original price, whether you are paying in cash or World of Hyatt points.

When these awards are unavailable for your selected property on your selected dates, the new buttons will be grayed out. Remember that many brands do not offer club rooms, while standard suites may be sold out for your preferred dates.

If you’re booking through the Hyatt app, expand the “Available Awards” section by clicking on the blue plus symbol and selecting the award you want. We always recommend redeeming the award that is expiring soonest.

This new functionality not only makes it easier to use these awards but also clarifies the exact room types eligible for upgrades. Many properties specify the suite (or suites) to which a traveler can upgrade with the verbiage, “This is a standard suite.” However, some do not, forcing members to call and inquire about eligible rooms before booking.

Now, it should be clear which accommodations can be booked using suite upgrade awards.

Unfortunately, World of Hyatt members cannot combine multiple awards on the same stay, so if you have a free night certificate and a suite or club certificate to redeem, you must choose one or the other.

In our testing of the new upgrade options, we could not add a suite upgrade award or club access award to an existing reservation, so World of Hyatt members may need to call Hyatt to manually add these.

Related: How to earn up to 6 free nights with Hyatt Brand Explorer

How to earn Hyatt suite upgrade awards and club access awards

The World of Hyatt program is among the most generous regarding upgrades for its elite members. Suite upgrade awards allow members to confirm an upgrade — in advance — to a standard suite for a stay of up to seven consecutive nights (subject to availability). While top-tier Globalist members can receive complimentary space-available upgrades to suites when checking in, this is not guaranteed, so Globalist members can opt to apply for an award to ensure they can enjoy a suite for their chosen stay.

Globalist members receive two suite upgrade awards when reaching 60 elite-qualifying nights or 100,000 base points in a calendar year. However, they can earn more as part of Hyatt’s Milestone Rewards program, as they can choose them at the following thresholds:

• 40 elite-qualifying nights or 65,000 base points in a calendar year: One suite upgrade, 5,000 bonus points or a $150 Find Experience credit
• 50 elite-qualifying nights or 80,000 base points: Two additional certificates, 5,000 bonus points or a $150 Find Experience credit
• 70, 80 and 90 elite-qualifying nights: One additional certificate, 10,000 bonus points or a $300 Find Experience credit
• 100, 110, 120, 130, 140 and 150 elite-qualifying nights: One additional certificate, 10,000 bonus points or a Miraval extra night award

Related: How and when to use Hyatt upgrade certificates

Club access awards allow members access to hotel club lounges where available for a stay of up to seven consecutive nights, with continental breakfast served in the lounge and evening hors d’oeuvres daily.

These are also awarded as Milestone Rewards:

• 20 elite-qualifying nights or 35,000 base points: Two club access award certificates, 2,000 bonus points or a $25 Find Experience credit
• 30 elite-qualifying nights or 50,000 base points: Two additional award certificates, 2,000 bonus points or a $25 Find Experience credit

Related: Guide to World of Hyatt club lounge access awards, including how to use them for someone else

Bottom line

World of Hyatt continues to reward members for their loyalty with benefits awarded not just for reaching new elite status levels but perks for additional elite nights or points earned between these status levels. It’s also great for super-frequent guests to be awarded a choice of perks for stays beyond top-tier Globalist status.

Another positive innovation is the new ability to apply suite upgrade awards and club access award certificates online at hyatt.com or through the Hyatt app. We hope that the ability to add these to existing reservations will be available online soon.