In late November 2023, World of Hyatt announced several changes to its loyalty program. One of these changes was the upcoming ability to gift most award types to another member through the World of Hyatt app or website. This new feature allows members to share their benefits with friends and family, making it easier for everyone to enjoy the perks of the program.
In January, World of Hyatt officially launched the ability to gift select awards to other members. This means that members can now transfer certain award types, including suite upgrade awards, club access awards, free night awards, and Guest of Honor awards, to another member. Additionally, members can also transfer Hyatt points to another member, providing even more flexibility in using and sharing rewards.
However, there are a few types of awards that cannot be gifted to another member. These include My Hyatt Concierge and the 2K Next Stay award, which can be earned through Hyatt’s Milestone Rewards program. Aside from these exceptions, most other types of awards can be gifted to another member, allowing members to share the benefits of their loyalty.
So, how exactly can you gift a World of Hyatt award? The process is quite simple and can be done through the Hyatt website or app. To gift an award on the Hyatt website, log in to your account and click on your name in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. From there, click on “My Awards” to view a list of your current awards and their expiration dates.
Next, locate the award you want to gift and click on the three dots to the right of it. Select “Gift Your Award” from the options that appear. In some cases, you may need to verify your account by entering a one-time passcode sent to you by email. Once you have completed the security protocol, you can fill out the form to gift your award. The only information you need about the recipient is their World of Hyatt membership number and last name.
Once you have gifted an award, it will show up in the recipient’s account. They can then redeem the award in a similar manner to how you would have redeemed it. Some awards, like most free night awards, can be redeemed online. However, other awards, such as club access awards and suite upgrade awards, may require calling Hyatt to redeem.
It’s important to note that once you gift an award, you lose control over its use and cannot get it back. Therefore, it’s crucial to consider the recipient’s plans and preferences before gifting an award. For example, if you are gifting a Guest of Honor award, you may want to book the stay for the recipient instead, as this allows you to retain control over the award in case the recipient cancels their stay.
In conclusion, the ability to gift World of Hyatt awards is a welcome addition to the loyalty program. It allows members to share their benefits with others and enhance their overall travel experiences. While some awards may be more valuable when used personally, there are certain types of awards, like club access awards, that can be easily gifted to friends and family. Ultimately, the ability to gift awards adds another layer of flexibility and enjoyment to the World of Hyatt program.