How to Stack Hyatt Perks for the Best Stay: Guest of Honor, Suite Upgrade Awards, & Free Night Awards

Advertiser Disclosure: The Rewards Mom has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. The Rewards Mom and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

There’s a reason you hear people rave about Hyatt: it’s not just the points, it’s the perks. And the real secret isn’t using them individually—it’s knowing how to stack them so they work harder for you. Globalists use them like ingredients in a recipe. So let’s learn how to stack Hyatt perks for the best stay.

Most families redeem a free night here, maybe grab an upgrade there, and call it good. But Hyatt’s system is built so you can combine perks in a way that gets you outsized value- things like Guest of Honor awards , Suite Upgrade Awards, Free Night Awards, or points stays that would normally cost thousands.

If you’ve ever looked at someone’s massive suite and thought, “How did they pull that off?”—this is exactly how.

Let’s break down how to stack Hyatt perks intentionally so every stay feels elevated, not expensive. Here are some of my favorite cards to get you started.



First: Know Your Three Ingredients

Hyatt Perks at a Glance
Hyatt Perk What It Does Best Use
Guest of Honor (GOH) Gives someone Globalist-style perks when you book with your points Great when gifting a stay or booking multiple rooms
Suite Upgrade Award (SUA) Instantly confirms a standard suite for up to 7 nights Best for your own trips when you need space
Free Night Awards / Points Stay Reduces or eliminates cash cost Easiest way to make the rest of the stack free(ish)

Now let’s figure out how to layer them.


Your Hyatt Stacking Flowchart (Save or Screenshot)

How to Decide Which Hyatt Perks to Combine

Step 1: Are you actually going on this trip?

  • 👉 Yes → You can use Guest of Honor OR just stay as Globalist + add a Suite Upgrade Award if you want guaranteed space.
  • 👉 No → You’re just treating someone? Use Guest of Honor only, don’t waste a Suite Upgrade on a stay you’re not even in.

Step 2: Is this stay 3+ nights, peak season, or somewhere you really want space?

  • 👉 YesAdd a Suite Upgrade Award. Long stays = huge value.
  • 👉 No → Skip the SUA. Save it for a bigger trip.

Step 3: Do you have a Free Night Award or enough points to cover it?

  • 👉 Yes → Stack it and enjoy your “I can’t believe this is free” moment.
  • 👉 No → Consider paying cash but keep Suite Upgrade for another date.

Real Stacking Scenarios (So You Can Visualize It)

Hyatt Trip Type Strategy Stacks
Trip Type Suggested Stack Why It Works
Family Beach Week Points Stay + Suite Upgrade You’re there, you need space. Lock it in for all 5–7 nights.
Parents’ Anniversary Trip (You’re Gifting It) Guest of Honor + Free Night Award They get treated like VIPs without knowing how.
Adults-Only Getaway Guest of Honor + Suite Upgrade (if you’re staying) Confirm a bigger suite before you even pack.
Holiday / Spring Break Guest of Honor + Suite Upgrade + Points Peak season = don’t leave upgrades to chance.
TRM Tip If you have free night awards expiring soon, use them first for weekend getaways or quick staycations, especially for Category 4 properties that would normally cost 15k–18k points per night. Then, layer on a Suite Upgrade Award to make it feel like a mini family vacation without the airfare.

Quick Reminders So You Don’t Misplay It

  • Suite Upgrade Awards are for YOU, not random friends. Only attach one when you’ll personally be staying. You can’t gift these.
  • Guest of Honor is for gifting perks, without having to explain anything. Just book it, tell them to check in normally.
  • Free Night Awards expire faster than you think. Don’t “save it for somewhere special” forever, use it with the stack.

Join Us!


Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
Advertiser Disclosure: The Rewards Mom has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. The Rewards Mom and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

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more about me

I’m a former travel agent and airline employee turned points and miles enthusiast, here to help families travel more—for way less. With four kids of my own, I know how hard (and pricey!) it can be to plan a trip that actually works. That’s where points come in.

We’ve used them to visit 24 countries (Hawaii’s still my favorite), and I love showing other families how to do the same. On this site, you’ll find simple guides, smart tips, and one-on-one help if you want it. Whether you're just starting or ready to dive deeper, I'm here to make it easier—and more fun.

Let’s start checking off that bucket list.

Meet Kristin.
Former Travel Pro Turned Mom & Points Aficionado