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If you’ve ever opened your Hyatt account and spotted a “free night award” sitting there, you might’ve wondered: What exactly is this, and how do I use it before it expires?
Whether you’re just getting started with Hyatt or already earning points from your everyday spending, how to earn and use Hyatt free night award is something that is important to understand. Once you know how to earn them (and how to maximize them), they can turn an ordinary weekend into a nearly free family getaway.
What Is a Hyatt Free Night Award?
A Hyatt free night award is essentially a digital “pass” that lets you book a hotel night using an award instead of points or cash. It’s stored in your World of Hyatt account and automatically appears under My Awards.
Each award comes with:
- An eligible category range (like “Category 1–4” or “Category 1–7”)
- An expiration date (usually 12 months from the date it was issued)
- A few simple terms: the award must be used for a standard room on nights with award availability.
You can use these awards for yourself, or gift them through a Guest of Honor stay if you’re a Globalist.
How to Earn Hyatt Free Night Awards
There are five main ways how to earn and use Hyatt free night awards, and several can stack for families who stay a few times a year.
| How to Earn | Award Type | Details | Expiration |
|---|---|---|---|
| World of Hyatt Credit Card | Category 1–4 | 1 Free Night each year after your cardmember anniversary; earn an extra one after $15,000 spend in a calendar year. | 12 months from issue date |
| World of Hyatt Business Credit Card | Category 1–4 | Earn 1 Free Night after $50,000 spend in a calendar year. | 12 months from issue date |
| Milestone Rewards | Category 1–4 and 1–7 | Earn a Cat 1–4 at 30 nights and a Cat 1–7 at 60 nights in a calendar year. | 12 months from issue date |
| Brand Explorer | Category 1–4 | Earn after staying at 5 different Hyatt brands; only one Brand Explorer award per member lifetime (resets after redeeming). | 12 months from issue date |
| Promotions | Varies | Occasional limited-time promos may include a free night after qualifying stays. | Typically 12 months, varies by promo |
Where Can You Use Hyatt Free Night Awards?
Free night awards can be used anywhere there’s award night availability for the category level of your award.
Here’s a quick look at what that means in practice:
Hyatt Free Night Awards — At a Glance
Valid For
Standard rooms at hotels up to Category 4.
Examples
- Hyatt Place Anaheim
- Hyatt Regency Maui
- Hyatt House Naples
Valid For
Standard rooms at higher-end or luxury properties up to Category 7.
Examples
- Andaz Maui
- Alila Napa Valley
- Park Hyatt New York
💡TRM Tip: Use Hyatt’s award chart to check which category a hotel falls under before redeeming.
How to Redeem a Free Night Award
- Log in to your World of Hyatt account.
- Search for a hotel using your desired dates.
- Check “Use Points.” If a standard room is available, your award will automatically appear as an option.
- Select the award and book like a normal stay.
If you don’t see the option, it usually means the hotel doesn’t have “standard award” availability for that night.
Smart Ways to Use Your Hyatt Free Nights
Here’s how I recommend families think about a free night strategy:
- Stretch your points: Use your awards for the more expensive nights of your trip (like weekends) and use points for the cheaper nights.
- Plan early: Hyatt releases award space about a year out, and popular family resorts (like Maui or Cancun) fill fast.
- Gift strategically: If you’re a Globalist, consider using your free night award for someone else, they’ll get perks like free breakfast, upgrades, and late checkout.
- Stack benefits: Combine free nights with points + cash redemptions or promotions to stretch your stays even longer.
Common Questions
Do free night awards expire?
Yes. Most expire 12 months from the date issued. You must complete your stay before that date, not just book it.
Can you combine them for multiple nights?
Absolutely! If you have two awards, you can apply both to the same reservation (as long as each night fits the category limit).
Can you use them at all-inclusive resorts?
Some, yes, but many all-inclusive properties are Category 7 or higher, so you’ll usually need a Category 1–7 award for those.
What happens if you cancel?
If you cancel before the hotel’s deadline, the award usually returns to your account (as long as it hasn’t expired).
The Bottom Line
Hyatt free night awards are one of the simplest, and most satisfying, ways to get outsized value from the World of Hyatt program.
Whether you’re earning them from your credit card, milestone nights, or brand exploration, these awards can easily be worth $200–$500+ per night when used strategically.
If you’re just starting out, focus on earning your first Category 1–4 free night, it’s one of the easiest wins for families.
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