American Airlines and Hyatt said on September 9, 2026 that they won't continue their enhanced loyalty relationship. What's left is a short wind-down for members who linked their AAdvantage and World of Hyatt accounts by November 15, 2026, plus one option that stays for good: earning 500 AAdvantage miles instead of Hyatt points on eligible stays.
This breakdown covers what the partnership paid, which benefits end and when, and what takes its place. If you only need the linking steps, our news report on the split walks through them.
What the Partnership Paid
The relationship rewarded each program's members in the other program's currency, in two ways.
AAdvantage members earned World of Hyatt awards through Loyalty Point Rewards. Depending on how many Loyalty Points you had earned, the award was Hyatt status or a free night.
World of Hyatt members earned AAdvantage awards through Milestone Rewards, based on qualifying Hyatt nights:
- 20 nights: two preferred seat coupons on American
- 40 nights: two Main Cabin Extra seat coupons
- 70 nights: AAdvantage Gold status
You had to link the two accounts to earn either one. If you never linked them, you weren't earning these awards.
What Ends and When
American and Hyatt said members who link by 11:59:59 p.m. CT on November 15, 2026 can keep earning. Each side winds down on its own schedule.
World of Hyatt members who linked can keep earning AAdvantage awards through Milestone Rewards until December 31, 2026. AAdvantage members who linked can keep earning World of Hyatt awards through Loyalty Point Rewards until February 28, 2027.
For the rest of each program's current earning year, the companies say members face no interruption in earning, selecting or redeeming eligible benefits. Benefits you've already earned are preserved, including the standard time to select an award.
What Stays
On eligible Hyatt stays, AAdvantage members can still choose to earn 500 AAdvantage miles instead of World of Hyatt points by giving their AAdvantage number at check-in. American and Hyatt say this continues after the broader relationship ends.
Whether 500 miles beats the Hyatt points depends on the stay. It's worth choosing when you're close to an award on American and the Hyatt points wouldn't change your plans.
What Replaces It
On the same day, Hyatt announced a long-term loyalty collaboration with Delta. Eligible World of Hyatt elite members will be able to earn Hyatt points on qualifying Delta airfare, and Delta SkyMiles Medallion members will be able to earn Delta miles on qualifying stays at participating Hyatt hotels.
Hyatt says the program launches in the coming months, starting with elite members, and detailed eligibility will come later. Our Delta and Hyatt report has what we know so far.
For American flyers who stay at Hyatt, the practical change is that hotel stays will stop feeding AAdvantage awards once the wind-down ends. If you were counting on Milestone Rewards for seat coupons or AAdvantage Gold, use or select those awards before the dates above rather than waiting for the last week.
Updated October 17, 2026: partnership ending.
