Source: The Points Guy
Summary
American AAdvantage and World of Hyatt ended their enhanced loyalty partnership in 2026. The reciprocal earning benefits, which allowed members to earn points or miles on each other’s services, ceased on Dec. 31, 2024. Both programs confirmed no interruption in current benefits for the remainder of their earning years. Members can still link accounts and earn rewards through specific dates in 2026 and 2027. The partnership’s end removes cross-program status fast tracks and some reward options.
Our Reading
The escape is carefully planned.
American and Hyatt members can still earn rewards through 2026 and 2027.
Free night awards and seat coupons remain available for a limited time.
Elite status can still be earned through specific milestones.
Travelers will have to navigate new rules after the partnership ends.
Author: Evan Null
American and Hyatt are ending their enhanced partnership
Press releases from both American AAdvantage and World of Hyatt on Sept. 9 state the programs “have mutually decided to not continue our enhanced relationship.” However, both programs say they are “committed to preserving the benefits members can earn through the current earning year in each program (including providing the standard time to select an award after it has been earned).” Specifically, American AAdvantage and World of Hyatt members will see “no interruption in earning, selecting and redeeming their eligible benefits” for “the remainder of each program’s current earning year.”
What happens to current American-Hyatt benefits
Nov. 15 will be the last day to link your AAdvantage and World of Hyatt accounts. But if your accounts are linked by Nov. 15, AAdvantage members can continue earning World of Hyatt awards through Loyalty Point Rewards through Feb. 28, 2027, and World of Hyatt members can continue earning AAdvantage awards through Milestone Rewards through Dec. 31, 2026. American’s Loyalty Point Rewards program offers members World of Hyatt benefits at select milestones reached within an elite-qualifying year.
Bottom line
American and Hyatt’s partnership has already become less valuable since reciprocal earnings ended at the end of 2024, and I won’t personally miss most of the current cross-program reward choices. However, I’m sad to see the status fast-track benefits disappear, as they could offer significant value to eligible members of both programs. If your AAdvantage and World of Hyatt accounts aren’t already linked, it’s worth doing so by Nov. 15.
