American Airlines, Hyatt Launch Reciprocal Rewards for Elite Members

American Airlines and Hyatt have teamed up to bring new loyalty benefits to members of their rewards programs who have elite status. Now travelers can connect their American AAdvantage and World of Hyatt accounts and earn bonus AAdvantage miles for Hyatt hotel stays and bonus World of Hyatt points for American flights.

Here’s what the expanded partnership means Hyatt and American Airlines loyalists.

For elite members

The benefits of the partnership kick in for elite members as soon as they link their American and Hyatt accounts. It’ll be easier to earn points and possibly move up in status level.

American AAdvantage members with Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro, Executive Platinum and ConciergeKey status are able to earn 1 bonus AAdvantage mile for every eligible $1 spent at Hyatt properties. The points are added to the 500 points per stay that AAdvantage participants of any status can earn at Hyatt properties.

Likewise, World of Hyatt members with Discoverist, Explorist and Globalist status can earn 1 World of Hyatt bonus point for every eligible $1 spent on American flights.

Reciprocal points and miles also mean reciprocal benefits. AAdvantage elite members can enjoy World of Hyatt elite status benefits like a dedicated check-in area, late checkout upon request, room upgrades and free premium internet. World of Hyatt elite members get AAdvantage elite status benefits such as priority boarding, free checked bags, free preferred seats and more.

American’s ConciergeKey members can receive automatic World of Hyatt Globalist status. Members of both programs can register for special opportunities to complete the requirements needed to maintain their elite status tier.

For non-elite members

Frequent travelers, with or without elite status, can still earn 500 points per eligible stay at Hyatt properties and convert their World of Hyatt points to AAdvantage miles.

» Learn More: Find the best airline credit card for you

Brand loyalists may also want to look into the World of Hyatt Credit Card if they want a piece of the new benefits. Cardholders get automatic Discoverist status with the card, and the American Airlines benefits and earning power that come along with it.

AA + Hyatt, recapped

American Airlines ConciergeKey members are the big winners here, since they're automatically eligible for Hyatt's highest status tier. But elite members in both award programs have something to gain from this partnership.

The expanded partnership is one of a few of its kind. United and Marriott have a similar partnership that gives Titanium Elite Marriott Bonvoy members complimentary United MileagePlus Premier Silver status, but they don’t have the reciprocal points-earning benefit.

AAdvantage members can log in here to get started. Read the full terms here.