This article is part of the multi-part MTH (“Make Travel Happen”) series designed to provide beginners with all the information needed to reach their travel goals.
Platinum status is the “mid-tier” status for Hyatt and it’s one of the easiest to obtain out of any hotel program. Since it is so easy to achieve, however, some of the benefits offered by Hyatt Platinum status are “lite” versions of what other more difficult-to-obtain mid-tier programs offer. So when you’re comparing the benefits to other programs, just remember that Hyatt Platinum status might be offering more bang for its buck considering how easy it is to get.
How to earn Hyatt Platinum status
- 5 eligible stays or 15 eligible nights each calendar year, you will enjoy an automatic upgrade to Platinum membership that lets you experience a premium level of benefits and rewards.
15 nights or 5 stays is very obtainable, especially compared to the other mid-tier statuses of the other major programs that require anywhere from 25 to 50 stayed nights!
You can also earn Platinum status with a the Hyatt Credit Card, which provides you with Platinum status for as long as you keep your card open. It’s a great card that offers you two free nights after spending only $1,000 and one free anniversary night. The annual fee is usually waived the first year and after that, it’s only $75, so it’s definitely a card that pays for itself over time.
The benefits
Below are the benefits for Hyatt Platinum status.
Preferred Rooms
- Enjoy a preferred room including rooms on higher floors or larger rooms, based on availability upon arrival (not valid at Hyatt Place, Hyatt House or Hyatt Residence Club).
The eligibility for room upgrades is a nice perk considering that it only takes 5 stays or 15 nights to earn this benefit. Compare that to what the other major hotel rewards programs require to earn that benefit:
- Hilton: 20 stays or 40 nights
- Marriott: 50 nights
- SPG: 10 stays or 25 nights
Point Bonus
- Achieve rewards faster with a 15% point bonus when choosing points.
Check In and Check Out Benefits
- Expedite your check in at a dedicated area for elite members.
- Extend your stay until 2:00 p.m. with a late check out request (late checkout is subject to availability at hotels with a casino and Hyatt resorts.
Hyatt Diamond will get you late check out good until 4pm which is the the same offered from other hotels offer like SPG and Marriott when you earn Gold status with them. But again, those programs require you to stay many more nights to earn that perk.
Premium Wi-Fi
- Stay connected with complimentary premium Internet access where available.
This is a great benefit considering that some other programs like Hilton only offer premium internet when you reach their highest (diamond) status and others like SPG and Marriott require you to achieve Gold status. Still, it’s not uncommon for hotels to only have one speed of internet available for all guests, so I’m not sure how much value I’d put on the premium internet.
72-hour Room Guarantee
- Ensure a room is always available with our 72-hour guarantee.
This is another benefit only typically offered with the highest elite status available (although some of them (including Hyatt Platinum) offer the guarantee with as little as 48 hours notice).
Exclusive Booking
- Book your reservations through an exclusive Platinum line.
Overall, the benefits are decent for such an easily obtainable status. However, there are two major benefits missing. The first is a complimentary breakfast (you’ll have to reach Hyatt Diamond status for that) and the second is no 5th night free benefit. SPG, Hilton, and Marriott all allow you to redeem the fifth night free on a consecutive night booking but that’s a no-go for Hyatt. For those reasons, I think Hyatt Platinum offers okay benefits considering how easy it is to obtain, but I’m not too crazy about it considering how the benefits stack up to other programs.
Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and the credit card app, WalletFlo. He is a former attorney turned travel expert covering destinations along with TSA, airline, and hotel policies. Since 2014, his content has been featured in publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, and CNBC. Read my bio.