Ep 046 – World of Hyatt & Aeroplan Partnership
In episode 46 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Daniel, Jeff, and Josh from FrugalFlyer.ca take a deep dive into the recently announced World of Hyatt and Air Canada Aeroplan partnership.
The hosts outline enhanced earning on Hyatt stays when paying with Aeroplan credit cards. Premium Aeroplan cardholders can access a 90-day Hyatt status challenge that requires staying a heavily reduced number of nights to earn status, in addition to complimentary cardholder benefits such as Discoverist status and five annual tier qualifying nights.
They explore new redemption opportunities, which include transferring points between the two programs and redeeming Aeroplan points for World of Hyatt Free Night Certificates. They also discuss a $20 annual Air Canada credit for Hyatt elites and a planned but yet-to-be-finalized World of Hyatt to Aeroplan elite status challenge.
Wrapping up the episode, the hosts compare World of Hyatt points to Marriott Bonvoy value, a possible “status merry-go-round” between loyalty programs, and an indirect path from Amex Membership Rewards US to Hyatt via Aeroplan.
(01:49) Linking World of Hyatt & Air Canada Aeroplan Accounts
The first step to participating in this partnership is to link your World of Hyatt and Air Canada Aeroplan accounts, which takes less than a minute.
(02:17) Double Dipping on Earning Rates
Aeroplan cardholders will now receive bonus earning rates for both Aeroplan and World of Hyatt points when spending at eligible Hyatt Hotels & Resorts. As expected, the premium Aeroplan credit cards offer the best earning rates.
(05:39) World of Hyatt Fast-Track Status Challenge
Aeroplan premium credit card holders or Aeroplan members with elite status can access a fast-track status challenge which allows them to earn Discoverist status with 4 nights, Explorist status with 10 nights, or Globalist status with 10 nights. More information will be coming in late 2026 about a World of Hyatt to Aeroplan status challenge.
(10:17) Complimentary Discoverist Status & Five Tier Qualifying Night Credits
Premium Aeroplan cardholders will also receive complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status and five tier qualifying credits towards status upon linking and at the start of every calendar year.
(12:11) Transferring Points Between World of Hyatt & Aeroplan
World of Hyatt and Aeroplan points can now be transferred between programs, at a ratio of 2:1 no matter which direction you are transferring. There is no requirement to transfer points from World of Hyatt to Aeroplan, but in order to move points from Aeroplan to World of Hyatt, Aeroplan members must hold at least 25K status.
(18:13) Redeeming Aeroplan Points for Hyatt Free Night Certificates
Aeroplan members can redeem points for Hyatt Free Night Certificates, with a category 1-4 free night certificate costing 25,000 Aeroplan points and a category 1-7 free night certificate costing 75,000 Aeroplan points.
(21:31) Aeroplan Benefits for World of Hyatt Elite Status Members
World of Hyatt Elite status members will receive an annual $20 Air Canada flight credit in addition to a future status challenge opportunity that will be announced later this year.
(29:37) Aeroplan eStore: A Good Way to Earn World of Hyatt Points?
With the new ability to move Aeroplan points to World of Hyatt, is the Aeroplan eStore a unique opportunity to earn a new (and much needed) hotel loyalty program currency in Canada?
(31:37) World of Hyatt vs Marriott Bonvoy Value
With World of Hyatt points and Marriott Bonvoy points now being the two most accessible hotel currencies for Canadians, the hosts compare the value they offer and what they would prefer to use.
(38:05) Marriott to Aeroplan to Hyatt: Status Merry-Go-Round
In a roundabout way, you can utilize Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite status to gain Aeroplan 25k status, to then take advantage of the World of Hyatt status challenge.
(39:24) Future of Hyatt in Canada
Hyatt “coming to Canada” was a development we didn’t expect, so what does the future of Hyatt in Canada look like?
(43:43) American Express Membership Rewards (US) to Hyatt Path
Through transfer partners, Membership Rewards in the United States can now effectively be converted to World of Hyatt points by first transferring to Aeroplan and then transferring those Aeroplan points to World of Hyatt.
(45:30) Conclusion
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