Aeroplan and World of Hyatt Partnership: Globalist Status in 20 Nights, up to 4.5 Points per Dollar and Free Nights from 25,000 Points
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Air Canada’s Aeroplan program and World of Hyatt announced on July 15, 2026, a partnership that reshapes the options available to Canadian travellers. By linking your Aeroplan and World of Hyatt accounts, you get access to a combined network of more than 1,300 destinations and 1,500 hotels, with new ways to earn, convert and redeem points across both programs.
The most interesting part for us: Hyatt has never offered a credit card in Canada. From now on, Aeroplan credit cards become the gateway to World of Hyatt, with earning in both programs on your stays, complimentary Discoverist status and faster status challenges. Here are all the details of the announcement, effective today.
Our contributor Jean-François Léveillé attended the launch for Milesopedia, held in Toronto under the « Better in Both Worlds » banner. Scott O’Leary, Vice President of Loyalty and Product at Air Canada, and TJ Abrams, Vice President of Global Partnerships and Wellbeing at Hyatt, presented the highlights of the agreement. Air Canada also displayed the mockup of its new Signature Class seat planned for its A321XLR aircraft.
The launch of the Aeroplan and World of Hyatt partnership in Toronto, July 15, 2026. Photos: Jean-François Léveillé, for Milesopedia.
The announcement at a glance
- Double earning at Hyatt: Aeroplan credit cardholders who link their accounts earn accelerated Aeroplan points AND World of Hyatt Bonus Points on eligible spending at participating Hyatt hotels
- Hyatt free nights with Aeroplan points: redeem 25,000 Aeroplan points for a free night at a Category 1-4 hotel, or 75,000 points for a Category 1-7 hotel
- Air Canada flights with World of Hyatt points: 50,000 World of Hyatt points can be redeemed for a 30,000-point Aeroplan Flight Reward certificate
- Two-way conversions: World of Hyatt to Aeroplan for everyone (2:1), Aeroplan to World of Hyatt for Elite Status members (2:1)
- Status challenges: Aeroplan Elite members and premium cardholders can reach Globalist status in 20 nights through a 90-day challenge
- Complimentary Discoverist status: premium Aeroplan cardholders receive World of Hyatt Discoverist status, plus 5 Tier-Qualifying Night credits per year
Bringing together two of the travel industry’s most appreciated loyalty programs, the agreement covers more than 10 million Aeroplan members and 66 million World of Hyatt members. Most benefits require linking your Aeroplan and World of Hyatt accounts, a free process available now on both programs’ websites.
Scott O’Leary, Air Canada’s Vice President of Loyalty and Product, said the collaboration adds real value throughout the journey, with new ways to earn and use points in both programs. According to him, the double earning on Hyatt purchases for eligible Aeroplan credit cardholders is a feature unique in the industry.
Earn in both programs at Hyatt
First concrete change: Aeroplan members can now earn points on eligible stays at participating Hyatt hotels and resorts. Members of both programs can choose to receive 500 Aeroplan points per stay, instead of World of Hyatt points.
Keep in mind: if you choose Aeroplan points for a stay, you give up the bonus from the World of Hyatt new hotel offer, which doubles your base points.
Aeroplan cards: up to 2.5 points per dollar at Hyatt
This is where the announcement delivers the most value for Canadian cardholders. Once your accounts are linked, your Canadian-issued Aeroplan credit card earns accelerated Aeroplan points AND World of Hyatt Bonus Points for every dollar of eligible spending at participating Hyatt hotels. Here is the exact chart for the 10 eligible cards:
| Card | Aeroplan points/$ (before) | Aeroplan points/$ (now) | World of Hyatt Bonus Points/$ |
|---|---|---|---|
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card | 1.5 | 2 | 2 |
| American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card | 1.25 | 2 | 2 |
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card | 1.5 | 2 | 2 |
| American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve Card | 2 | 2.5 | 2 |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Business Card | 1.5 | 2 | 1 |
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa Business Card | 1.5 | 2 | 1 |
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa Business Plus Card | 1.5 | 2 | 1 |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card | 1 | 1.5 | 1 |
| American Express Aeroplan Card | 1 | 1.5 | 1 |
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card | 1 | 1.5 | 1 |
The biggest jump goes to the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card, which moves from 1.25 to 2 Aeroplan points per dollar at Hyatt, on top of 2 World of Hyatt Bonus Points. Meanwhile, the American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve Card offers the highest combined rate: 2.5 Aeroplan points and 2 World of Hyatt Bonus Points per dollar, for a total of 4.5 points per dollar on your Hyatt stays.
This card also comes with a strong welcome bonus: see the details of the offer of up to 85,000 Aeroplan points with the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card.
How much are Aeroplan and World of Hyatt points worth?
Before talking about conversions, let’s establish the values. At Milesopedia, we estimate that one Aeroplan point is worth between 1.5 and 3 Canadian cents, depending on whether you redeem it for an economy or a business class flight. One World of Hyatt point is worth between 2 and 3 Canadian cents.
| Program | Estimated value per point (Milesopedia) | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Aeroplan | 1.5¢ to 3¢ CAD | Economy class flight to business class flight |
| World of Hyatt | 2¢ to 3¢ CAD | Depending on the hotel, category and dates of the stay |
Scarcity explains part of this gap. In Canada, Aeroplan points are easy to earn: a lineup of 10 co-branded credit cards from TD, CIBC and American Express, plus 1:1 transfers from American Express Membership Rewards points. In contrast, it was nearly impossible to earn World of Hyatt points in Canada outside of hotel stays, other than by buying points. For a Canadian traveller, a World of Hyatt point is therefore worth even more because it is hard to get.
Keep this in mind when reading about the 2:1 conversions below: losing half the number of points does not mean losing half the value, depending on the direction of the conversion.
Convert your points between the two programs
World of Hyatt to Aeroplan: open to everyone
All members can convert World of Hyatt points into Aeroplan points at a 2:1 ratio, starting at 5,000 points. Additional conversions are then processed in increments of 1,000 points. Worth noting: this conversion does not require linking your accounts.
Aeroplan to World of Hyatt: Elite members only
Aeroplan Elite Status members who have linked their accounts get an exclusive option: converting Aeroplan points into World of Hyatt Bonus Points at a 2:1 ratio. The minimum is 500 Aeroplan points per conversion, with a cap of 100,000 Aeroplan points per day and 250,000 Aeroplan points per week.
Redeem points between Hyatt and Air Canada
Beyond conversions, the two programs are launching direct redemptions at fixed rates. Aeroplan members can now redeem their points for World of Hyatt free nights, while World of Hyatt members can get an Aeroplan Flight Reward certificate.
| Redemption | Cost | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Aeroplan points → Hyatt free night | 25,000 Aeroplan points | Free night at a Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel |
| Aeroplan points → Hyatt free night | 75,000 Aeroplan points | Free night at a Category 1-7 Hyatt hotel |
| World of Hyatt points → Air Canada flight | 50,000 World of Hyatt points | 30,000-point Aeroplan Flight Reward certificate, valid with Air Canada and its partner airlines |
Keep in mind that World of Hyatt reworked its award chart in May 2026, moving from three to five price levels per category. Before redeeming 25,000 or 75,000 Aeroplan points, check the category of the hotel you want and the equivalent World of Hyatt points rate: the value varies a lot from one property to another.
To target the best redemptions, see our roundup of the best World of Hyatt sweet spots for your points, which highlights hotels where the value-per-point still holds up under the new chart.
Status challenges both ways
For Aeroplan Elite members and premium cardholders
Starting today, Aeroplan Elite Status members and eligible premium cardholders can earn World of Hyatt status faster through an annual 90-day challenge:
- Discoverist: after 4 nights
- Explorist: after 10 nights
- Globalist: after 20 nights, with free breakfast for up to four people and, subject to availability, room upgrades and 4 p.m. late checkout
According to World of Hyatt’s official terms, status earned through the challenge remains valid through the end of the calendar year in which you register, plus the following 14 months. In other words, your registration date, not the date of your last night, sets the expiry. For comparison, Globalist normally requires 60 nights per year: this is a major shortcut for frequent travellers.
The extras for premium Aeroplan cards
Holders of a premium Aeroplan credit card, namely the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card, the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card, the American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve Card and the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card, also receive:
- Complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status: 2 p.m. late checkout subject to availability, priority check-in and more
- 5 Tier-Qualifying Night credits: granted at card acquisition or account linking, then at the beginning of each calendar year, to reach a higher status faster
- Two status challenges per year: a second chance to register for the annual 90-day challenge within the same calendar year
- Earning in both programs: Aeroplan and World of Hyatt points on eligible Hyatt stays
For World of Hyatt members
World of Hyatt Discoverist, Explorist and Globalist members receive a CA$20 Air Canada flight credit every year after linking their accounts. Since October 14, 2026, Explorist and Globalist members can register for a 90-day challenge to earn Aeroplan Elite Status, from 25K (8,000 SQC) up to 75K (25,000 SQC). See all the details of the Aeroplan Elite Status challenge and the current Hyatt promotion.
The full terms and conditions for each of these offers are available on the dedicated World of Hyatt page.
One more option next to Marriott Bonvoy
Until now, Marriott Bonvoy was the only major hotel program with credit cards in Canada, through the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card and its Business version. Hilton Honors does not offer any card in the country, and Best Western Rewards no longer does. To earn hotel points with a Canadian credit card, the options were limited.
This partnership changes the equation. Without launching a co-branded card, World of Hyatt relies on the 10 existing Aeroplan cards from TD, CIBC and American Express to offer hotel earning, entry-level status and status challenges. For a traveller who already holds a premium Aeroplan card, the math becomes interesting: effortless Discoverist status, 5 qualifying nights offered every year and up to 4.5 points per dollar on Hyatt stays.
Check out our page of the best credit cards for hotels and our page of the best credit cards to compare all the options.
To see how World of Hyatt compares with the six other major hotel loyalty programs after the 2026 devaluations, check out our complete hotel loyalty program comparison.
Our take on the Aeroplan and World of Hyatt partnership
This Aeroplan and World of Hyatt partnership benefits premium Aeroplan cardholders first: complimentary Discoverist status, 5 Tier-Qualifying Night credits per year, two status challenges and double earning at Hyatt. Frequent travellers also gain a shortcut to Globalist in 20 nights, one of the most generous hotel statuses in the industry.
For conversions, follow the value: transferring Aeroplan points to World of Hyatt can make sense as a top-up for Elite members, since Hyatt points are rare and valuable in Canada. On the other hand, we advise against the reverse direction, from World of Hyatt to Aeroplan. For free night redemptions, always compare the cost in Aeroplan points with the World of Hyatt rate of the hotel before confirming. To follow the next developments of this partnership, including the Aeroplan Elite Status challenge launched on October 14, 2026, sign up for our newsletter.
Aeroplan and World of Hyatt Partnership – Frequently Asked Questions
How do you link your Aeroplan and World of Hyatt accounts?
Account linking is free and available online through the Aeroplan and World of Hyatt websites as of July 15, 2026. It is required for most benefits, including double earning with Aeroplan credit cards and complimentary Discoverist status.
How many Aeroplan points do you need for a free Hyatt night?
You need 25,000 Aeroplan points for a free night at a Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel, and 75,000 points for a free night at a Category 1-7 hotel.
Can you convert World of Hyatt points into Aeroplan points?
Yes, at a 2:1 ratio, starting at 5,000 points, then in increments of 1,000 points, without linking your accounts. However, we advise against this conversion: you give up at least half the value of your World of Hyatt points, while Aeroplan points are easy to earn in Canada.
Who can convert Aeroplan points into World of Hyatt points?
Only Aeroplan Elite Status members who have linked their accounts can convert Aeroplan points into World of Hyatt Bonus Points, at a 2:1 ratio. The minimum is 500 points, with a cap of 100,000 points per day and 250,000 points per week.
Which credit cards include World of Hyatt Discoverist status?
Premium Aeroplan cards include complimentary Discoverist status after account linking: the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card, the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card, the American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve Card and the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card.
Are the 500 Aeroplan points per stay added to World of Hyatt points?
No. The 500 Aeroplan points per eligible stay replace World of Hyatt points: you choose which program you earn in. The World of Hyatt Bonus Points from Aeroplan credit cards, however, are earned on top of the card’s Aeroplan points.
What do World of Hyatt members get from this partnership?
Discoverist, Explorist and Globalist members receive a CA$20 Air Canada flight credit every year after linking their accounts. They can also convert their points to Aeroplan and, since October 14, 2026, register for a 90-day challenge to earn Aeroplan Elite Status, starting at 8,000 SQC for 25K status.
