World of Hyatt is my favorite hotel loyalty program, and Globalist status comes with some phenomenal benefits. What many people don’t realize is that there’s a secret status above Globalist, known as Courtesy Card.
Think of it as being along the lines of how American Airlines has Concierge Key, Delta Air Lines has Delta 360, and United Airlines has Global Services, except this Hyatt status is significantly more exclusive, and also talked about a lot less.
In this post:
What is Hyatt Courtesy Card?
Hyatt Courtesy Card is an invitation-only status level. Hyatt is tight-lipped about this status, both in terms of the requirements to earn it, as well as the benefits associated with it.
With that in mind, I’d like to share what I know about Courtesy Card, which is based on anecdotal reports from readers, and some sources who are in the know.
How do you earn Hyatt Courtesy Card?
As far as I know, there are four ways to earn Courtesy Card (in order of the likelihood of earning it):
- Own a Hyatt hotel (and we’re not just talking about having a 1% stake in a limited service property)
- Be nominated by the general manager of a Hyatt property, and then the request will be reviewed by World of Hyatt
- Spend a lot of money at Hyatt properties, and stay at a large number of Hyatt properties
- Be responsible for large corporate travel accounts that bring a lot of business to Hyatt, ideally also mixed with one of the above
Again, this is purely based on anecdotal reports I’ve seen, so I can’t personally vouch for any of the above being a sure thing. In case you’re wondering how much spending is required to earn Courtesy Card through the third method above, think $50,000+ per year. To be clear, even $50,000 is far from a guarantee to get Courtesy Card, but if you don’t spend at least that much, expect that you have almost no shot.
What are the benefits of Hyatt Courtesy Card?
As you might expect, for such a “secret” status level, there aren’t that many published benefits beyond World of Hyatt Globalist status. Rather, Courtesy Card seems to be primarily about “soft” treatment and recognition at properties.
As I understand it, Courtesy Card perks include the following:
- The best available suite at hotels, and overall priority for everything (including upgrades) ahead of other members
- A welcome amenity
- Special recognition throughout your stay, though the quality of that recognition varies by property
For what it’s worth, if a Courtesy Card member gifts you a Guest of Honor award, you get standard Globalist perks, and not Courtesy Card perks.
When does Hyatt send out Courtesy Card nominations?
Based on what I’ve heard, Hyatt historically sends our Courtesy Card nominations around late February or early March, around the same time that the previous year’s status ends.
How many Hyatt Courtesy Card members are there?
This is anyone’s guess, really. Hyatt has over 1,400 hotels, and many hotels have the same owners. So I’d guess that there are under 1,400 people who have Courtesy Card through ownership of a Hyatt property.
As far as people invited to Courtesy Card through their own stay activity goes, I’ve heard that number is in the hundreds, or very low thousands at most.
If I had to guess, I’d say there are at most several thousand Courtesy Card members out there, if that. We’re not talking about tens of thousands of members, as you might find with some other invitation-only elite tiers. In all my years of staying at Hyatts (I’m a lifetime Globalist member), I’m not sure I’ve ever overheard any employee at a Hyatt mention Courtesy Card (in reference to there being such a guest), so it’s very rare.
Bottom line
Courtesy Card is Hyatt’s invitation-only status for hotel owners and other “important” guests, including those who spend a lot and those who control a lot of travel for others. Perks include upgrades to the best available rooms and overall great recognition. While most of us will never qualify for this elite tier, it’s always fun to know what’s out there.
Are any OMAAT readers Courtesy Card members? If so, what has your experience been, are there any benefits I missed, and how did you earn it (if you don’t mind sharing)?
I’ve been spending $50K + a year at Hyatts for the past 5 years and am still a lowly Lifetime Globalist :(
Lucky: on your homepage is a picture of a hotel room with a tower visible in window, and a Japanese tea set on a wood table in the foreground. Which hotel is this please?
Park Hyatt Guangzhou
I was the GSM at the former Park Hyatt San Francisco. Back then, Courtesy Card members were rare and always treated like royalty. They were always upgraded to top/presidential suites with floral arrangements, personal GM curb greeting and escort to in-room registration, house car privileges (on stand by for guest), high-end custom amenities and dining, etc. Every guest facing employee would be briefed and greet the VIP by name on every encounter. It was truly...
I was the GSM at the former Park Hyatt San Francisco. Back then, Courtesy Card members were rare and always treated like royalty. They were always upgraded to top/presidential suites with floral arrangements, personal GM curb greeting and escort to in-room registration, house car privileges (on stand by for guest), high-end custom amenities and dining, etc. Every guest facing employee would be briefed and greet the VIP by name on every encounter. It was truly a bespoke and luxurious level of hospitality rarely seen today.
I have always found it very weird that airlines (or in this case hotel groups) offer individuals that are responsible for large corporate travel accounts these "top tier/secret" status benefits... Seems like a very tempting and excessive gift to an individual belonging to another company.
A vast majority of companies have strict and clearly defined rules and thresholds regarding corporate gifts (such as this) employees may receive and while there may not be a...
I have always found it very weird that airlines (or in this case hotel groups) offer individuals that are responsible for large corporate travel accounts these "top tier/secret" status benefits... Seems like a very tempting and excessive gift to an individual belonging to another company.
A vast majority of companies have strict and clearly defined rules and thresholds regarding corporate gifts (such as this) employees may receive and while there may not be a predefined value for it, the benefits you can get from using such as status even once could well be into the 100s of dollars.
@Ben don't you find this practice is ethically questionable at least?
Let me emphasize one thing: I understand why a vendor would *want* to offer such a perk, what I don't understand is how the individual responsible for travel accounts is allowed to accept it without breaching these common corporate guidelines.
In your scenario, Hyatt would already have a corporate-level rate agreements and more than likely offer elite status for all of that corporation's travelers. While I agree that Courtesy Card could still be considered a personal gift, the entire arrangement is a business benefit so would be more easily able to pass compliance audits because the intent & optics are not as heavily pay-to-play or providing an unfair advantage as just outright offering status to...
In your scenario, Hyatt would already have a corporate-level rate agreements and more than likely offer elite status for all of that corporation's travelers. While I agree that Courtesy Card could still be considered a personal gift, the entire arrangement is a business benefit so would be more easily able to pass compliance audits because the intent & optics are not as heavily pay-to-play or providing an unfair advantage as just outright offering status to one individual. That being said, it's not a slam dunk case and I'd bet that some corporations have turned it down for the reasons you stated.
Indeed. It is not uncommon that in a contract arrangement, the hotel program or the airline program include X number of gratis tier status slots that can be assigned to whomever the company wishes. For example, if a company does $A million a year with Hyatt, the company might receive X Globalist slots, Y Explorist slots, and Z Discoverist slots. Same concept with an airline.
I have had Courtesy Card for around 15 years now—all based on hotel spend. One day a large, dark green envelope showed up in the mail. (Prior to that they apparently included a bathrobe and these days everything is electronic). Your description is generally correct. However, upgrades to the very top suites are a little less common than they used to be unless you have a specific relationship with the hotel. But at the nicer...
I have had Courtesy Card for around 15 years now—all based on hotel spend. One day a large, dark green envelope showed up in the mail. (Prior to that they apparently included a bathrobe and these days everything is electronic). Your description is generally correct. However, upgrades to the very top suites are a little less common than they used to be unless you have a specific relationship with the hotel. But at the nicer hotels it is almost always a category above the standard suite. They have cut a few benefits over the years (you used to be able to gift Diamond to 1 person once a year and they had a GOH-type thing years ago that didn’t require any sort of certificates). At franchised hotels there is often no recognition beyond Globalist and staff can be a bit perplexed because of how the tier is referred to in their system. It is a very nice program and I appreciate the long-time relationship.
Just curious: what is the blend of your average stay? Many nights at moderately priced low to mid range Hyatts, or less quantity but higher priced premium Hyatts? And, if you feel comfortable answering, what is your profession?
Curious if you'd share the approx spend you hit?
I am curious of this too. I have spent over $60,000 per year with hyatt for the last 4 years. I am guessing it takes spend and time/nber of years at that spend level consistently.
With Marriott's Cobalt, a GM greeting at reception as well. An upgrade *from* a booked suite can depend on the specific property -- ranging from "sorry" all the way to a presidential suite. But, supposedly, Marriott corporate has pulled upgrades from the properties (and uses an algorithm).
I'm curious what the locations are in your pics! Perhaps small text for each one; I'm sure many other readers would like to know too. Not as well travelled as you, so don't immediately recognise them, but some are like wow, I'd like to go there if I knew where it was!
First pic is Park Hyatt Ningbo, second pic is Park Hyatt Sydney, third pic is Park Hyatt Kyoto. Unsure of the last one.
Last one is Alila Ubud
Hi Ben, have you ever heard of Cathay Pacific’s invitation only Diamond Plus FF status? I’m curious of their unpublished benefits and guess quite a few of your readers would be interested as well.
Would CX allow Diamond Plus members to add their membership on a ticket after booking?
Ben should cover this CX issue of not being able to modify FFP due to 'security' excuse.
The primary benefit of these invite-only programs is service level. Tangible perks are not huge compared to "regular" top tier benefits. With Marriott Cobalt, it's like Ambassador with a cherry on top. As an AA CK, when flying long-haul F and my seat was identified as broken just prior to boarding, they bumped another F passenger back to J and gave me his seat. To be honest, I would have been happy in J.
It seems like unless you earn this status as an owner of a property, these secret hotel status becomes a very good example of diminishing returns
@Former - I'd have felt more guilty if it was J to MC/MCE, as that gulf is much bigger than F to J.
@Eve - I'd argue the opposite: if you're spending $50k+ a year you're more than likely staying at full service properties, so that extra level of service + suites will be more meaningful and noticeable. Whereas if you're a hotel owner, then getting the best suite and special service is moreso professional...
@Former - I'd have felt more guilty if it was J to MC/MCE, as that gulf is much bigger than F to J.
@Eve - I'd argue the opposite: if you're spending $50k+ a year you're more than likely staying at full service properties, so that extra level of service + suites will be more meaningful and noticeable. Whereas if you're a hotel owner, then getting the best suite and special service is moreso professional courtesy from one business owner to the other, and just a good networking opportunity. Just like Chefs / Restaurateurs will often go out of their way to talk to others in their line of work, give them items on the house, best table, etc. when they're at each other's restaurants.
Those who are invited don't try to obtain such status. They have financial resources. They just do their thing and it just happens. They're not looking for "returns" or perks -- for example, an upgrade to a suite because they're already booking a suite. And, a single stay might cost the same dollar amount necessary to annually qualify for Ambassador ($23k). They're simply looking to be treated well. That's it.