When I became a nomad at the start of the year, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to go for Globalist status with World of Hyatt. Earning top-tier status requires 60 elite nights in a calendar year — and with no fixed address, I could shape my travel plans around that goal.
Now, halfway through the year, I've gotten more creative in how I earn and redeem my points.
And soon, I'll pull off one of my most satisfying redemptions yet: a weeklong stay in Europe for an effective rate of just 2,000 Hyatt points per night. This is an outstanding value for a modern hotel with a great location, gym and breakfast.
Here's how I made it happen and how you can do something similar, especially if you recently earned the 100,000-point bonus on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (offer no longer available) or are considering applying for the recently refreshed Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees).
Combining status goals with points strategy
Because I hold the World of Hyatt Credit Card (see rates and fees), I started the year with five elite nights. I've since earned six more by spending $15,000 on the card — a sweet spot worth targeting if you're working toward status.
By mid-July, I was sitting at 54 elite nights — 11 from my credit card and the other 43 from staying at hotels in Asia, Europe and South America. At just six nights shy of Globalist status, I started looking for an affordable way to cross the finish line.
Related: World of Hyatt Credit Card review
Booking a Category 1 property in Europe
I turned my attention to Category 1 Hyatt properties, which cost:
- 3,500 points per night on off-peak dates
- 5,000 points on standard dates
- 6,500 points on peak dates
Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts
By signing up, you will receive newsletters and promotional content and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Last summer, I stayed at the Hyatt Place Krakow in Poland and loved it. It's just outside the bustling Old Town, with a modern design, great gym and delicious breakfast (for about an additional $25 daily).
So, I booked an eight-night stay for next month for:
- 3,500 points per night for four nights
- 5,000 points per night for the other four
That's a total of 34,000 points — a solid redemption on its own. But I was just getting started.
Related: Hyatt just launched a convenient new award availability feature
Stacking promotions for even more value
Hyatt launched a summer promotion offering bonus points when you stay at select budget brands like Hyatt Place.
I registered and booked in time to qualify for a 16,000-point bonus for my eight-night stay. You can still book stays through Sept. 7 — just make sure you register for the promotion first.
This promotion will bring my out-of-pocket cost down to 18,000 points, but thanks to Hyatt's Milestone Rewards, I will save a smidge more.
Unlocking Milestone Rewards
World of Hyatt offers valuable perks for every 10 nights you stay (from 20 nights), including club access and suite upgrades. At 30 nights, I earned:
- A Category 1–4 free night (which I'll use for a stay in Cologne, Germany, to visit the Christmas markets)
- A 2,000-point bonus on my next stay at a Hyatt Place (or similar brand)
That bonus applies to my stay in Krakow, bringing my total cost down once more — from 18,000 to just 16,000 points.
That's 2,000 points per night for eight nights, which is equivalent to just $34 per night based on TPG's July 2025 valuation of World of Hyatt points. Or, it's about $41 per night if you're transferring points from Chase, like I did.
Given that cash rates in the summer start at around $105, I'm getting at least a 60% discount by using points.
Related: How to maximize World of Hyatt award redemption
Adding status perks to the mix
I'll also apply a Guest of Honor award, which I unlocked at 40 nights as another Milestone Reward.
That gives me top-tier Globalist benefits on this stay, including free breakfast for seven of the eight nights, saving me $175. (For the final breakfast, I'll pay out of pocket or grab something from the convenience store next door.)
Related: 3 ways to earn Hyatt Globalist status
Bottom line
This weeklong stay is bringing me closer to Globalist status and has reminded me why I love the travel rewards game.
By stacking Hyatt promotions, off-peak rates, Milestone Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards points, I'm unlocking a stylish European hotel stay for just 2,000 points per night.
Want to do the same?
- Register for promotions in My Offers (check both the 'Enrolled' and 'Available' tabs).
- Look for low-category Hyatt properties, especially on off-peak and standard dates.
- Stack Milestone Rewards earned at every 10 elite nights.
- Transfer Chase points to Hyatt.
The path to outsize value is there — you just have to piece it together.
Related: Why the World of Hyatt card has become one of my top 2 cards when traveling abroad