New Travel Loyalty Partnership
Delta Air Lines and Hyatt Launch Loyalty Partnership as American Airlines Agreement Ends
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Key Points
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The American–Hyatt partnership originally launched in 2019 and was once substantially more lucrative: members could earn one American mile per dollar spent with Hyatt and one Hyatt point per dollar spent with American, in addition to their normal program earnings. Those reciprocal earning benefits ended on December 31, 2024, before the enhanced partnership was terminated.
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American and Hyatt said the decision was mutual, describing it as a choice to “not continue our enhanced relationship” after “careful consideration.”
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The Delta–Hyatt collaboration is intended to extend beyond points and status: the companies say members may receive personalized access and “once-in-a-lifetime experiences” available exclusively to members of both programs.
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The American–Hyatt breakup will phase out specific award options, including the ability for eligible American members to redeem 25,000 miles for a Category 1–4 Hyatt certificate after reaching 40,000 Loyalty Points or Gold status, and 65,000 miles for a Category 1–7 certificate after reaching 125,000 Loyalty Points or Platinum Pro status.
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Delta described the Hyatt relationship as part of a broader effort to make SkyMiles a loyalty ecosystem covering the entire travel journey, rather than a program centered only on flying; Hyatt CEO Mark Hoplamazian likewise characterized the partnership as a way to connect travel, dining, entertainment and accommodations.
Delta Air Lines and World of Hyatt are launching a long-term loyalty partnership in the coming months, The Points Guy reported. Members will earn Delta SkyMiles on qualifying Hyatt stays and World of Hyatt points on qualifying Delta flights, with additional elite benefits and exclusive experiences coming later. The move replaces American Airlines' enhanced partnership with Hyatt, which is ending after seven years.
American and Hyatt members who want to preserve existing benefits must link their accounts by November 15, 2026. Linked accounts can continue earning awards through different deadlines: Hyatt awards through February 28, 2027, and American awards through December 31, 2026. The Points Guy noted the original American-Hyatt partnership, launched in 2019, offered far richer rewards — members earned one mile per dollar and one point per dollar in bonus earning that ended December 31, 2024.
Why American and Hyatt Split After Seven Years
American Airlines and Hyatt announced the partnership breakup as a mutual decision after careful consideration. The split follows a dramatic reduction in reciprocal earning benefits that ended on December 31, 2024. The Points Guy reported that elite Hyatt members once earned one bonus point per dollar spent on American flights, while elite American members earned one bonus mile per dollar on Hyatt stays — benefits that disappeared at the start of 2025.
Phased Loss of High-Value Award Options
American members lose access to some of their most valuable Hyatt certificates. Gold-status members can no longer redeem 25,000 AAdvantage miles for a free night at Category 1–4 Hyatt properties after reaching 40,000 Loyalty Points. Platinum Pro members lose the option to redeem 65,000 miles for a Category 1–7 certificate after reaching 125,000 Loyalty Points. These awards will phase out as program deadlines pass for linked members through early 2027.
Delta Pitching Hyatt as Part of a Wider Travel Ecosystem
Delta positioned the Hyatt partnership as central to its strategy of making SkyMiles cover the entire travel journey, not just flights. The Points Guy reported that Hyatt CEO Mark Hoplamazian described the deal the same way: connecting travel, dining, entertainment, and accommodations into one rewards experience. Both brands are emphasizing personalized access and exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime experiences available only to members of both programs — a shift from simple points earning.
Travelers Must Act Fast to Preserve American Benefits
American-Hyatt members have less than five months to decide whether to link accounts and keep existing benefits. The Points Guy noted that linked AAdvantage members retain eligible earning, selection, and redemption opportunities through their current program years — but only if they connect accounts by the November 15, 2026 deadline. Members can also still choose to earn 500 American miles instead of Hyatt points on eligible Hyatt stays. ConciergeKey members who link accounts retain Hyatt Globalist status through February 2028.
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