Hyatt Discoverist status is the lowest tier of elite status with the World of Hyatt loyalty program. There’s not a whole lot to the perks and benefits of Discoverist status but there are some nice benefits that can come in handy and that you should be aware of. Here’s a rundown of the benefits of Hyatt Discoverist status and be sure to check out the YouTube video at the bottom for more!
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Table of Contents
What are the Hyatt Discoverist status benefits?
There are quite a few benefits but here are some of the key perks:
- 10% bonus points earning
- Upgrades to preferred rooms
- Premium internet access
- Dedicated check-in area
- Late check-out
- Special reservations line
- Resort fees waived
Tip: Use the free app WalletFlo to help you travel the world for free by finding the best travel credit cards and promotions!
World of Hyatt Card
The World of Hyatt Card is one of the best hotel credit cards available since it comes with a great sign-up bonus, strong bonus category earning, and the opportunity for free nights. It’s also one of the best hotel cards for climbing your way up the elite status tiers for Hyatt. You can read our full detailed review here.
- Welcome Bonus
- 30,000 Bonus Points after $3,000 in purchases within 3 months of account opening
- Plus, 2 points total per $1 spent on purchases that earn 1 point, up to $15,000 in spend in the first 6 months of account opening
- Bonus earning:
- 4X spent with your card at Hyatt hotels, including participating restaurants and spas
- 2X on local transit and commuting, including taxis, mass transit, tolls and ride-share services
- 2X at restaurants, cafes and coffee shops
- 2X on airline tickets purchased directly from the airline
- 2X spent on fitness club and gym memberships
- Free nights:
- Receive one free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort every year after your cardmember anniversary
- Earn an extra free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort if you spend $15,000 during your cardmember anniversary year
- Elite status:
- Comes with Hyatt Discoverist status
- Receive 5 qualifying night credits toward your next tier status every year
- Earn 2 additional qualifying night credits toward your next tier status every time you spend $5,000 on your card
- $95 Annual Fee
Hyatt elite levels
Here’s how Discoverist stacks up to the other Hyatt tiers.
- Discoverist (10 qualifying nights, 25,000 Base Points, or holding 3 qualifying events per year.)
- Explorist (30 qualifying nights, 50,000 Base Points, or holding 10 qualifying events per year.)
- Globalist (60 qualifying nights, 100,000 Base Points, or holding 20 qualifying events per year.)
- Lifetime Globalist status (Earn 1,000,000 Base Points over the course of your membership)
As you can see, it’s a very obtainable elite status requiring only 10 qualifying nights.
How do you earn Hyatt Discoverist status?
Earn via stays
You can earn Hyatt Discoverist status by getting a minimum of:
- 10 Tier Qualifying Nights OR
- 25,000 Base Points in a calendar year.
Note that Hyatt goes by nights and not stays for elite qualification.
Your status will be good through February of the second calendar year following qualification. So if you finish 10 stays in May of 2021 you will retain Discoverist status through February of 2023 (the second calendar year).
World of Hyatt card
The World of Hyatt card comes with automatic Discoverist status and allows you to receive 5 qualifying night credits towards elite status and allows you to earn 2 qualifying night credits every time you spend $5,000.
This spend bonus is huge because it means that you can climb up elite levels based on your credit card spend alone. I’m a huge fan of the card because of that perk, and because of all of the benefits above the World of Hyatt card definitely is one of my favorite hotel credit cards.
Bonus points
Discoverists will receive a 10% point bonus on their Base Points.
Keep in mind that Point bonuses are Bonus Points, not Base Points, and do not count towards elite status qualification. The base rate is five points per dollar spent so a 10% bonus comes out to a total of 5.5 points per dollar spent.
A 10% bonus rate for bottom tier status is not the best as Marriott and Hilton both offer higher bonus rates.
However, Hyatt points are worth more than other programs.
If you value Hyatt points at 1.57 cents per point (which is the WalletFlo valuation) that’s a return of 8.6% back, which is actually a very competitive earning rate for bottom tier status.
So for a bottom tier status, Discoverist gives you a very decent return on spending when compared to other major hotel programs.
- Related Reading: When Should You Buy Hyatt Points?
Preferred room
Even though it’s bottom tier status, Discoverist status can still get you upgrades. The terms and conditions make clear that these upgrades are limited, however.
The official World of Hyatt Terms And Conditions state:
Subject to availability, Discoverists will be offered a preferred room at time of check-in at Hyatt hotels and resorts. Preferred rooms are determined by each hotel or resort (in its sole discretion) and include rooms on higher floors, corner rooms, or rooms with more appealing views.
Preferred rooms are particular rooms that may be more desirable, but are within the same room type/category booked by the Member; they are not a “price point” upgrade in room type or category. Not offered at Hyatt Place, Hyatt House, or Hyatt Residence Club hotels and resorts, or at M life Resorts.
This means that you probably shouldn’t expect an upgrade to a suite or club level room (though that could still happen). Instead, you’ll more likely receive a room with a better view or perhaps a little more real estate.
Still, while the upgrades might be limited, this is still one of the most notable perks of Discoverist status and I enjoyed an upgrade at the Park Hyatt Milan as a Discoverist member so I know you can get upgraded at even some of the top luxury properties.
Premium internet access
At Hyatt hotels and resorts offering premium in-room internet access, Discoverists will be offered complimentary access during all stays.
Not all properties offer premium in-room internet access. Premium internet access may be wired or wireless and varies by hotel or resort. Complimentary premium internet access is not offered at Hyatt Residence Club resorts or at M life Resorts.
A lot of Hyatt properties will already offer Hyatt members complimentary internet but it’s the enhanced “premium internet” that’s the real perk here.
An issue with this perk is that not all properties will offer both a standard speed and a premium speed internet option so you might not be able to take advantage of this perk.
Dedicated Check-In Area
At participating Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt, Hyatt Centric, Hyatt Zilara, and Hyatt Ziva hotels and resorts, Discoverists will have access to a dedicated check-in area for elite Members.
In practice, I find these lines are only in operation half the time and at other times they’re not needed because the lines are so short. Every now and again the lines are really bad and the dedicated check-in line for elites can come in handy.
2pm Late Checkout
Upon request, Discoverists will receive 2pm late checkout on the day of their departure.
Late check out is subject to availability at hotels with a casino and at Hyatt resorts. Also, late checkout is not offered at Hyatt Residence Club resorts or M life Resorts.
Along with preferred room upgrades, late check out is a pretty solid perk. Being able to relax in your room the final morning of your stay feels great and it’s pretty normal to see restrictions for it at resorts.
On a couple of occasions, I was able to score an even later check out than 2pm as a Discoverist member. So just remember it never hurts to ask!
Tip: Use WalletFlo for all your credit card needs. It’s free and will help you optimize your rewards and savings!
Special Reservation Phone Line
Discoverists have access to a Hyatt reservation telephone line exclusively for use by Discoverists.
I haven’t been able to use this service yet so I can’t personally comment on the quality of the service but it’s nice to have a line to call when there are any questions you have regarding your booking.
Bottled Water
It’s not the most glorious perk in the world, but Discoverists receive a complimentary bottle of water each day of their stay at participating Park Hyatt, Miraval, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt, Andaz, Hyatt Centric, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, Hyatt Place, Hyatt House, Hyatt Zilara, or Hyatt Ziva hotels and resorts.
Select Hyatt hotels and resorts may (at the hotel’s or resort’s discretion) provide guests with a reusable water bottle and access to filtered water filling stations.
This benefit is not offered at Hyatt Residence Club resorts or M life Resorts.
Small Luxury Hotels of the World
When you stay at a property in the Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) network, you’ll receive:
- Complimentary continental breakfast for two
- Complimentary WiFi
- Early check-in at 12PM (based on availability)
- Late checkout at 2PM (based on availability)
- One category room upgrade (based on availability)
These benefits aren’t quite as valuable as you typically see with a luxury hotel network. For example, you usually see guaranteed play check out, a property credit, and a breakfast beyond continental offered. But still these are pretty decent perks.
American Airlines bonus
You’ll earn 1 World of Hyatt Bonus Point for every $1 spent on qualifying American Airlines flights.
Additional perks
- Save up to 10% with the Member Discount rate
- Special discounts on things like breakfast at certain Hyatt hotels
- Receive Pearl status with M life Rewards, the loyalty program of MGM Resorts International (think Las Vegas)
- Enjoy waived resort fees on free night awards
- Earn 10 Base Points per eligible U.S. dollar spent at more than 15 participating Exhale locations
Hyatt Discoverist FAQ
The World of Hyatt card comes with automatic Discoverist status.
The main benefits are:
10% bonus points earning
Upgrades to preferred rooms
Premium internet access
Dedicated check-in area
Late check-out
Special reservations line
Resort fees waived
Yes, you can get upgrades. Typically, these are limited to preferred rooms, which include rooms on higher floors, corner rooms, and rooms with better views.
No, you do not get a free breakfast.
You will earn a 10% bonus on your base points. This means that you will earn 5.5 points per dollar spent.
You need a minimum of 10 qualifying nights.
You can also earn the status by earning 25,000 base points.
Yes, you get free Wi-Fi and also premium internet access when available.
At some properties you will have a dedicated check-in area.
Late checkout is normally at 2pm. However, sometimes you can request to get it later.
Final word
I honestly don’t see enough value in Hyatt Discoverist status to go chasing it even though hitting 10 nights can be a very obtainable goal.
However, I think that getting Discoverist status while picking up a nice sign-up bonus with the Chase World of Hyatt Card (along with annual free night) is a nice added plus.
It might only mean a better hotel room here and there but it also means late check out at 2pm and free premium internet when available. For me those perks along with (mostly) the annual free night certificate are enough to make me hold on to the Hyatt Card and to appreciate Discoverist status for what it is.
YouTube
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.
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