Hyatt Guest of Honor Bookings Explained: How to Maximize Elite Benefits
Overview
How to Make a Guest of Honor Reservation
Booking a Guest of Honor award online is a simple process for those with eligible Milestone Rewards in their World of Hyatt account. Members can access the awards section under their profile, choose the Guest of Honor option, and then enter the recipient’s World of Hyatt membership number to assign the award. These awards are non-transferable once issued. It is important to plan carefully before assigning the award, as reversing the action is not possible.
A clear list of steps can help:
- Log in to the Hyatt website.
- Select your profile and go to “My Awards.”
- Find the Guest of Honor award.
- Enter the recipient’s member number and assign the award.
Members should note that the award grants full Globalist-level benefits for the recipient during their stay, regardless of the recipient’s own elite status. This system makes it easy to share elite perks with friends or family.
Key Details About the Guest of Honor Perk
Guest of Honor awards belong to the suite of Milestone Rewards that recognize loyal guests who frequently stay at Hyatt brands like Park Hyatt, Grand Hyatt, Andaz, and others. These awards can be earned after meeting stay thresholds or reaching a certain number of base points. For instance, members who complete 40 qualifying nights or gather 65,000 base points in a year can unlock the first Guest of Honor award, with additional awards at higher milestones such as 60, 70, 80, and 90 nights.
Some main features include:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Eligible Bookings | Valid on both cash and points stays |
| Restrictions | Cannot be combined with other awards such as free night certificates or suite upgrades |
| Room Upgrades | May receive standard suite if available, but not guaranteed suite upgrades |
| Elite Night Credits | Credited to the award owner, not the guest redeeming the award |
| Non-Transferable Once Given | Awards cannot be reclaimed after assignment |
During a Guest of Honor stay, standard Globalist benefits apply. These include late check-out (usually until 4:00pm), waived resort fees, complimentary breakfast or club access, and possible room upgrades at check-in. Parking fees are also often waived. However, these bookings cannot overlap with other promotional certificates or suite upgrade awards.
Personal Perspective on Hyatt’s Top-Tier Status
Experiencing Globalist treatment at a flagship Hyatt property, such as Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach, can be remarkably pleasant. Complimentary breakfast for all guests in the room, not just the primary guest, is one highlight. In some cases, properties add special touches, like market vouchers for drinks or snacks, making the experience even more rewarding.
Upgrades are prioritized for Globalist stays, so guests may find themselves in a room with a premium view or near the club lounge. Housekeeping and concierge attention are usually a notch above, and even little gestures (like apology notes if a suite is not available) show the difference in service. These perks reinforce the value of both earning and gifting elite status through the Guest of Honor feature.
Giving a Guest of Honor award lets members extend these benefits to others, making it easy to treat loved ones or friends to a high-end experience—even when they do not hold top-tier membership themselves.
A Quick Summary of the Benefit’s Value
The Guest of Honor benefit stands out as a powerful tool for Hyatt members on the path to frequent-stay elite status. Even if a member does not reach the Globalist milestone, access to these awards through the Milestone Reward system makes it possible to enjoy top-level perks like late checkout, club access, and waived fees at many Hyatt hotels and resorts. Some travelers may even find that the taste of Globalist life, thanks to a Guest of Honor stay, encourages them to pursue more nights for further rewards.
Below is a list of key perks typically available through Guest of Honor stays:
- Guaranteed late checkout (most hotels)
- Complimentary breakfast or Club lounge access
- No resort or parking fees
- Upgrade to the best available room, including standard suites when possible
These benefits apply at most World of Hyatt brands, from Hyatt Regency and Hyatt House to luxury options like Andaz, Alila, and The Unbound Collection by Hyatt. The award also helps the award giver by adding qualifying nights toward their own elite status.
Explore Additional Information
Those seeking more details on maximizing their Hyatt awards or qualifying for elite status will find useful tips in resources such as guides to the Guest of Honor process. Other helpful articles explore topics like activating suite upgrades, reviewing if Globalist status matches your travel patterns, or understanding how to earn Globalist without meeting the standard 60-night requirement.
Some topics readers may wish to explore:
- Using Guest of Honor with suite upgrade awards
- Strategies for earning Globalist status efficiently
- Deciding if Hyatt’s top elite tier aligns with personal travel goals
For deeper insight, refer to guides covering how World of Hyatt's Guest of Honor award works, the step-by-step booking procedure, and the pros and cons of sharing elite-level perks through this flexible milestone reward.