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Marriott Bonvoy and World of Hyatt are two of the most popular and rewarding hotel loyalty programs in the US. Both programs offer a variety of benefits to their members, such as free nights, room upgrades, and other perks. However, there are key differences between these two programs that set them apart from each other. In the following article, I will compare Marriott Bonvoy and World of Hyatt Rewards programs to help you decide which one is the better option for you and your travels.
Marriott Bonvoy Rewards
The Marriott Bonvoy rewards program is the loyalty program offered by Marriott International — the largest hotel chain in the world. This program allows members to earn and redeem points for stays at over 32 brands and an impressive selection of 8,785 properties spanning 139 countries. Membership benefits include the ability to earn free nights, upgrades, airline miles, and car rentals. The more you stay at Marriott hotels and associated partners, the more points you will earn based on each dollar you spend. Additionally, the number of hotel nights you accumulate in a year, the higher the tier level you can achieve, which unlocks additional benefits and points earned per dollar spent.
World of Hyatt Rewards
The World of Hyatt is the loyalty rewards program offered by Hyatt Hotels. It allows members to earn points for their stays and redeem these points for various benefits, such as free nights, room upgrades, airline miles or car rentals. Hyatt does not have the same reach Marriot offers globally, however they do offer a selection of 20 brands with 1,350 hotels spread throughout 69 countries. The World of Hyatt is a points per dollar spent loyalty rewards program. Base Points are earned when members stay at any of the participating Hyatt hotels or resorts. Bonus Points may also be earned through select promotional offers, but do not contribute to earning a higher status level or elite benefits. Bonus Points are solely used for redemption purposes. Additionally, the number of nights or base points members earn per calendar year translate to higher elite tier status, and additional benefits follow.
Comparing Bonvoy vs World of Hyatt Elite Tiers
| Marriott Bonvoy Member | World of Hyatt Member |
|---|---|
| Members are automatically enrolled in this tier upon free sign-up. | Members are automatically enrolled in this tier when signing up and no membership fee is required. |
| Earn 10 points per dollar spent on hotel stays as well as hotel purchases including golf and spa services. | Earn 5 points per dollar spent at Hyatt locations. |
| Free in room Wi-Fi. | 10% discount member rate. |
| Discounted member rates. | After your 5th stay, receive a free award night/waived resort fees. |
| Mobile check-in/services. | Ability to redeem points for free nights with no blackout dates. |
| Marriott Bonvoy points do expire if you have no activity on your account in a 24 month period. | World of Hyatt points will not expire as long as you have activity on your account in a 24 month period. |
| Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite | Hyatt Discoverist |
|---|---|
| In order to achieve Marriott’s Silver Elite status members will need to bank 10 nights per year. | Members will need to have banked 10 nights, 25,000 base points or have hosted 3 meetings/events in a calendar year to obtain Discoverist status. |
| Earn 10% more points on every eligible hotel purchase, including room rates and other incidentals that can be charged to your room, such as dining and spa services. | Earn 10% bonus points on purchases. |
| Priority late checkout. | Complimentary WiFi. |
| Room upgrades based on availability. | |
| Elite check in option – a dedicated check in area at participating locations | |
| 2PM late check out. | |
| Ability to earn bonus Hyatt points on your American Airlines bookings. |
| Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite | Hyatt Explorist |
|---|---|
| In order to achieve Gold Elite with Marriott Boney, members will need to have accumulated 25 nights per year. | World of Hyatt members will need to have banked 30 nights, 50,000 base points or host 10 meetings/events in a calendar year to achieve Explorist. |
| Earn 25% more points on every eligible hotel purchase including room rates, dining and spa services. | Earn 20% bonus points on purchases. |
| Enhanced room upgrades. | Guaranteed room availability up to 72 hours advanced notice. However blackout dates apply. |
| 2 PM late checkout option. | |
| Ultimate reservation guarantee, which means if Marriott cannot honor your reservation for any reason they will pay for your stay nearby and compensate you for the inconvenience. |
| Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite | Hyatt Globalist |
|---|---|
| In order to achieve Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status members will need to have banked 50 nights in a calendar year. | Globalist is the final elite tier offered in the World of Hyatt program. In order to reach Globalist status you need to stay 60 nights, accumulate 100,000 Base points or host 20 meetings/events in a calendar year. |
| Earn 50% more points on eligible hotel purchases including room rates and other incidentals charged to your room. | Earn 30% bonus points on purchases. |
| A welcome gift upon arrival. | Waived resort fees on eligible rates. |
| Enhanced room upgrades | Room upgrades including standard suites with club lounge access. |
| Lounge access. | Guaranteed room availability up to 48 hours notice. |
| 4 PM late checkout option. | Complimentary breakfast daily up to 2 adults and 2 children. |
| Annual choice benefit: With this benefit, you can choose from five Suite Night Awards, 40% off a mattress and box spring from your favorite hotel brand, give the gift of Silver Elite status to a family member or friend, $100 charity donation, or five Elite Night Credits. | Priority access to rooms when checking in early. |
| Marriott Titanium Elite |
|---|
| In order to earn this tier members will need to have accumulated 75 nights in a year. Benefits included: |
| Earn 75% more points on eligible hotel purchases including room rates and other additional charges to your room. |
| Enhanced room upgrades. |
| Welcome gift upon arrival. |
| Complimentary United MileagePlus Premier Silver Status: Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite members are eligible to register and enjoy complimentary United MileagePlus Premier Silver Status. |
| Annual choice benefits for members: 75 elite night credits, which is exactly the same as the 50 elite night credit option with the exception that you can gift Gold Elite status to a friend or family member. |
| Annual choice benefit option for 50 elite night credits. |
| Access to 24/7 dedicated elite support service phone number. |
| 48 hour room guarantee. |
| Marriott Ambassador Elite |
|---|
| Ambassador Elite status is the final tier offered byMarriott Bonvoy. Members will need to accumulated 100 nights per year plus $23,000 qualify spending on participating locations! Benefits include: |
| * Ambassador Service. Personal Ambassadors will be available for all your travel needs. |
| * 24 hour stay option. Check in at 8 PM check out at 8 PM the next day. |
| * 75% bonus points for every eligible hotel purchase. |
Redeeming Points For Free Nights
Marriott
On average, Marriott Bonvoy members will need to have accumulated between 35,000 and 75,000 points in order to redeem a free night. However, this number can vary depending on several factors such as the location of the hotel, its popularity, how far in advance you book your stay, and tier status level. At times, reward nights can be found as low as 11,000.
Hyatt
World of Hyatt members will need to have banked a min of 3,500 points for a hotel stay. However, hotel category (1-8), room type, and peak season bookings will affect the amount of points needed. For example a standard room at a Hyatt Place in Nashville during their peak season would start around 6,500 points, but an off-peak standard room at the Park Hyatt NYC would start at 35,000. To review the current hotel category listing check out Hyatt.com.
Hyatt Standard Room Redemption Rates – per Night
| Hotel Category | Off-Peak | Standard | Peak |
| 1 | 3,500 | 5,000 | 6,500 |
| 2 | 6,500 | 8,000 | 9,500 |
| 3 | 9,000 | 12,000 | 15,000 |
| 4 | 12,000 | 15,000 | 18,000 |
| 5 | 17,000 | 20,000 | 23,000 |
| 6 | 21,000 | 25,000 | 29,000 |
| 7 | 25,000 | 30,000 | 35,000 |
| 8 | 35,000 | 40,000 | 45,000 |
Comparing Credit Card Partners
You can also receive additional benefits using one of the Marriott or World of Hyatt branded credit cards. Click on each link to see all current promotions and benefit details.
Comparing Airline Partners
| Marriott | Hyatt |
|---|---|
| While Marriott Bonvoy members have the option to convert their points to airline miles, this may not always be the best choice. At this moment, Marriott is offering 5,000 bonus points for every 60,000 points transferred. However, the exchange rate is still not as good as that of redeeming free nights. Average transfer ratio is 3 Bonvoy points per 1 airline mile. Marriot is partnered with 38 airlines. Below is a list of a few selected airline partners: | Aside from earning points and status with World of Hyatt, members also have the option to earn airline miles instead. Hyatt is partnered with 25 airline partners and the amount of points members will earn depends on the airline carrier you select. But the American Airlines relationship allows for earning both Hyatt points and AAdvantage miles. Find out more and link your AA account here. Additionally, you may convert 2.5 Hyatt points into 1 mile with any of the 25 airline partners (exceptions apply). You must convert at least 5,000 points to start, and then in increments of 1,250. Earn an extra 5,000 Bonus Miles when converting 50,000 points or more. |
| Marriott | Hyatt |
|---|---|
| Alaskan Airlines: 3:1 conversion rate | Air France: 500 miles per stay |
| American Airlines: 3:1 conversion rate | Delta Airlines: 500 per stay |
| British Airways: 3:1 conversion rate | Qantas out side Australia: 600 per stay |
| Delta Airlines: 3:1 conversion rate | Singapore Airlines: 500 per stay |
| Frontier Airlines: 3:1 conversion rate | Southwest Airlines: 600 per stay |
| Qantas Airlines: 3:1 conversion rate | United Airlines: 500 per stay |
| Singapore Airlines: 3:1 conversion rate | Virgin Atlantic: 750 per stay |
| Virgin Atlantic: 10,000:2,000 conversion rate | American Airlines: 500, However, the rewards you can get with your linked World of Hyatt and AAdvantage accounts is appealing for elite members. On top of the miles you are already earning as a part of your AAdvantage membership, you will receive one World of Hyatt bonus point for every dollar spent on American Airlines travel purchases. |
Comparing Car Rental Partners
Marriott
Marriott is currently parented with Dollar, Hertz and Thrifty. Earning rates are low at 500 points for each Hertz rental or 250 per Thrifty or Dollar rental. Additionally, the conversion rate to book a free rental day, 40,000 Bonvoy points, is pretty steep. This conversation rate makes car rentals quite expensive and it is likely more beneficial to use your Bonvoy points towards Marriott specific rewards. For additional car partner information, view the Bonvoy car rental website.
Hyatt
World of Hyatt rewards program is only partnered Avis for car rentals. Currently, members will earn 500 bonus points per rental. Additionally, members are offered a 25% off base rates and it is possible to reserve a free Avis car rental at a rate of 6,000 points per day if members call 1-800-544-9288. For up to date information regarding Hyatt/Avis earning and redemption options, go to the Hyatt website.
Final Thoughts
Both Marriott Bonvoy and World of Hyatt are excellent rewards programs, but Marriott has a a larger global footprint, higher earning potential on points, and more diverse travel partners. This does not mean that World of Hyatt is lagging much behind Bonvoy, especially if you travel enough to realize increased points earned per dollar spent due tier status level. And if you’re a loyal American Airlines flier, the Hyatt relationship with that carrier can certainly make Hyatt stays more beneficial than Marriott.
Editorial Note: Information and opinions articulated in this article are solely those of the author’s, not those of a credit card company, bank, airline or hotel chain. This article has not been reviewed or approved by or otherwise endorsed by any of these companies or organizations.
