Travelers trying to squeeze extra perks out of their hotel stays will soon have to switch up their reward strategies, as the Hyatt loyalty program is cutting ties with American Airlines to launch a new arrangement with Delta.
The sudden realignment ends a longstanding relationship between Hyatt and American Airlines that began all the way back in 2019.
In a joint press release issued last week, officials from both companies said they mutually decided to not continue their relationship after careful consideration.
For current members, the breakup will happen in stages. Customers who linked their accounts prior to 11:59 p.m. Central time on Nov. 15 will see a gradual wind-down, with American AAdvantage members able to earn hotel awards through Feb. 28, 2027, and World of Hyatt members earning airline awards through Dec. 31.
AAdvantage members can also continue electing to receive 500 airline miles per eligible hotel stay by providing their loyalty number at check-in, company officials said.
While both brands have framed the transition as an effort to preserve member benefits through the current earning year, the split leaves frequent flyers navigating another potentially confusing travel rewards ecosystem.
Read More: Record 16,000 new hotel projects are in the works, led by U.S. and China
Neither company disclosed the thinking behind the decision to part ways, offering only standardized assurances that they remain pleased with the value the relationship has delivered throughout the years.
Hyatt loyalty program shifts to Delta partnership
Almost immediately after confirming the departure from American Airlines, the hotel chain announced a long-term loyalty arrangement with Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines.
According to a press release from the hotel chain, the new partnership will allow eligible elite members of both programs to earn both World of Hyatt points and Delta miles on qualifying flights and hotel stays.
The companies have promised a connected and personalized experience, though they weren’t overly specific.
Hyatt says the companies have a shared vision for delivering “thoughtful, premium experiences that put our members first and create tremendous value wherever their travels take them.”
“Exceptional travel extends far beyond a hotel stay, it’s about creating memorable experiences throughout the full travel journey,” Hyatt CEO Mark Hoplamazian said in a press release. “That’s what will make our collaboration with Delta so exciting.”
Delta’s SkyMiles program is one of the most powerful loyalty programs in the U.S., according to the Points Guy, who said it benefits heavily from a lucrative credit card deal with American Express.
Hyatt, meanwhile, is considered one of the better value loyalty programs, with its loyalty points valued higher than competitors Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors, according to the website’s September valuations.
It’s currently a volatile and confusing time in the world of airline loyalty programs as companies are adjusting their redemption values seemingly on the fly—in large part because of rising costs across the airline industry.
For now, members of Hyatt and Delta SkyMiles will have to wait and see if the promised perks outweigh the loss of American Airlines benefits.
Katie Genter of The Points Guy says the American-Hyatt partnership had already become less valuable in recent years after the company’s ended reciprocal earnings that allowed members to “double dip” when earning points.
Meanwhile, Delta and Hyatt will be resuming that perk, allowing for Delta flyers and Hyatt travelers to stack their earnings on future flights and hotel stays.
While we wait for the transition to complete, the companies are already promoting several travel itineraries featuring Delta flights paired with luxury Hyatt properties in destinations like Hong Kong, Rome and Paris.
For more stories like this, follow Rabble News on Instagram and Facebook.
