Aeroplan, World of Hyatt unveil major loyalty partnership with new rewards, elite perks

Air Canada's Aeroplan and World of Hyatt have launched a first-of-its-kind partnership that will allow members to earn and redeem rewards across both loyalty programs, expanding benefits for travellers through reciprocal points, elite-status opportunities and enhanced travel perks.

The collaboration was unveiled – under embargo – to media and industry partners at an invitation-only reception in the Terrace Room at the Park Hyatt Toronto hotel on Tuesday (July 14), where the details of the announcement were kept hush-hush until the official presentation, adding an element of mystery for guests.

The event, called “Best of Both Worlds,” celebrated the coming together of two leading loyalty programs, with executives describing the partnership as a way to create a more seamless travel experience spanning both flights and hotels.

Addressing the crowd, Scott O'Leary, Air Canada's vice-president of loyalty and product, explained the meaning behind the partnership's theme, highlighting one of many benefits the new partnership will deliver.

“When you use your Aeroplan credit card at any Hyatt hotel and resort, you will earn Aeroplan bonus points and World of Hyatt points. Not one or the other – both,” O'Leary said, calling this an “industry first.”

“That is the inspiration behind the phrase ‘Better In Both Worlds.’”

The partnership connects Aeroplan's extensive airline network with Hyatt's portfolio of more than 1,500 hotels and resorts across a combined network of more than 1,300 destinations.

It also comes as World of Hyatt strengthens its presence in Canada, where its loyalty program has grown by more than 16 per cent over the past five years to reach two million members.

“As we think about growth, we’re constantly connecting with our members, asking them what's most important to them, thinking about how to create really rewarding experiences. This partnership is going to allow us to deliver on just that,” said TJ Abrams, vice-president, global partnerships and wellbeing at Hyatt, at the launch.

New ways to earn & redeem

Effective immediately, Aeroplan members can redeem their points for World of Hyatt Free Night Awards at eligable Hyatt properties, with awards starting at 25,000 Aeroplan points for Category 1-4 hotels and extending to Category 1-7 properties.

Conversely, World of Hyatt members can redeem Hyatt points for a 30,000-point Aeroplan flight reward certificate that can be applied toward flights operated by Air Canada and its airline partners.

Unlocking more

The partnership is aimed at making it easier for travellers to maximize value across both programs, whether they're flying with Air Canada or staying at participating Hyatt hotels and resorts worldwide.

Members who belong to both loyalty programs can choose to earn 500 Aeroplan points per eligible stay instead of earning World of Hyatt points, providing greater flexibility for travellers who prefer to build their Aeroplan balance.

Members who link their Aeroplan and World of Hyatt accounts and hold an eligible Aeroplan credit card issued in Canada can stack additional rewards on qualifying Hyatt stays.

The earning rates vary depending on the card:

• Aeroplan Premium Credit Cardholders earn 2 World of Hyatt Bonus Points and 2 Aeroplan points for every eligible CAD $1 spent at participating Hyatt hotels and resorts.
• Aeroplan Premium Business Credit Cardholders earn 2 World of Hyatt Bonus Points and 2.5 Aeroplan points per eligible CAD $1 spent.
• Aeroplan Core Business Cardholders receive 1 World of Hyatt Bonus Point and 2 Aeroplan points per eligible CAD $1 spent.
• Aeroplan Core Cardholders earn 1 World of Hyatt Bonus Point and 1.5 Aeroplan points for every eligible CAD $1 spent.

The partnership also introduces ways for members to move rewards between the two loyalty programs.

World of Hyatt members can convert their points to Aeroplan points at a 2:1 ratio, beginning with a minimum conversion of 5,000 World of Hyatt points. Additional transfers can be made in increments of 1,000 points.

Aeroplan Elite Status members who have linked their accounts receive an exclusive reciprocal benefit.

They can convert Aeroplan points into World of Hyatt Bonus Points at a 2:1 ratio, with transfers starting at 500 Aeroplan points. Members can convert up to 100,000 Aeroplan points per day or 250,000 points per week.

Elite status perks

The agreement also introduces reciprocal elite benefits.

Aeroplan Elite Status members and eligible Aeroplan premium credit cardholders can now participate in a 90-day World of Hyatt status challenge, allowing them to earn Hyatt Discoverist, Explorist or top-tier Globalist status after completing a required number of qualifying nights.

Globalist status includes perks such as complimentary breakfast for up to four guests, room upgrades when available and late checkout.

Aeroplan premium credit cardholders will also receive complimentary Hyatt Discoverist status, annual tier-qualifying night credits and two opportunities each year to complete the accelerated status challenge. Visit here for more. 

Meanwhile, Hyatt Discoverist, Explorist and Globalist members who link their accounts will receive an annual $20 CAD Air Canada flight credit.

Later this year, Explorist and Globalist members will also gain access to annual challenges that offer a faster path to Aeroplan Elite Status. Click here for more. 

“Hyatt is one of the world’s most admired hospitality brands, and we’re thrilled to bring World of Hyatt closer to Aeroplan Members,” said O’Leary in a press release that was later issued. “This collaboration creates meaningful value across the full travel journey—including new ways to earn, redeem and access benefits across both programs. It’s especially exciting for eligible Aeroplan Credit Cardholders, who will have the ability to earn accelerated Aeroplan points and World of Hyatt points on their Hyatt purchases – a truly unique feature.”

Interactive showcase

The Toronto launch on Tuesday reflected the travel-focused nature of the new partnership through a series of destination-inspired activations.

Throughout the venue, which offered soaring views of downtown Toronto, Hyatt and Air Canada transformed the space into an interactive showcase of global travel experiences.

One highlight was a menu of destination-inspired Signature Sips, each themed around a Hyatt property.

Cocktails included the Bangkok After Dark — a blend of vodka, Thai basil, cucumber and lemongrass inspired by Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit; the Sydney Botanical Martini, featuring gin, pear and elderflower in homage to Park Hyatt Sydney; and the Rose Hall Bloom, made with white rum, hibiscus, lime and sparkling wine and inspired by Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall in Jamaica.

Air Canada's Geneviève Piché, product manager, culinary strategy, premium lounges, also hosted curated wine and decadent chocolate dessert pairings, also inspired by Hyatt resort destinations.

Another crowd favourite was Air Canada's display of its new lie-flat Signature Class seats from the airline's brand-new Airbus A321XLR aircraft.

Guests had the opportunity to sit in the full-size seats that will serve long-haul routes such as Toulouse, Berlin, Nantes and more.

Adding a wellness element to the night, attendees could visit an “aura portrait station,” where photographers captured colourful images representing each guest's "energy."

The activation tied into World of Hyatt's broader emphasis on wellness and transformative travel experiences.

A "win-win" situation 

Speaking with PAX at the party, Scott O'Leary elaborated more on Aeroplan’s decision to partner with World of Hyatt.

“Hyatt is the most well-regarded loyalty program in the hotel space right now, bar none,” he said.

He called it a “win-win” partnership, noting how Hyatt’s growth, in Canada, has been “quite incredible.”

“There's a lot of benefit in them acquainting our members with their properties,” O'Leary said. “And just the same, there are many World of Hyatt members in Canada, and across North America, that could be acquainted with Air Canada as well.”

Aeroplan, notably, already partners with other hotel loyalty programs, including Marriott Bonvoy. However, none offer the level of reciprocal benefits introduced through the new Hyatt partnership, O'Leary explained, noting that there will be no changes to Aeroplan’s pre-existing hotel partners.

“The [World of Hyatt] partnership is where we’re going the deepest, and furthest, in terms of integration. We’re challenging ourselves to unlock the most benefits for our respective members,” he said.

The strategy, he said, is about unlocking more value for Aeroplan members.

“We're very fortunate to have over 10 million active members, which is almost triple the size compared to about nine years ago,” said O'Leary.

The Hyatt collaboration is less about expanding Aeroplan’s membership base and more about deepening engagement among existing members, he said. 

“We continue to invest in making Aeroplan a program that is more relevant – not just for flights, but also for earning and redeeming rewards across the broader travel experience and everyday life,” he said.

“The more engaged our members are, the harder we'll work to earn their business.”

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