Hyatt American Airlines: What Ends and What Remains
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The Hyatt American Airlines partnership ends on November 15, 2026. After that date, the two programs stop talking to each other. Members who link their accounts before the deadline keep cross-program earning until December 31, 2026 one way, and until February 28, 2027 the other way.
For a Canadian traveller, the loss stays modest. In fact, the shortest route to World of Hyatt status now runs through Aeroplan, thanks to the partnership launched on July 15, 2026. Our best credit cards page gathers the options that lead to both programs.
Account linking between American AAdvantage and World of Hyatt stays open until November 15, 2026, at 11:59:59 p.m. Central time. Members who link before the deadline keep earning in both programs during the transition. After that date, linking is no longer possible.
Hyatt American Airlines: the timeline
Accounts linked before the deadline keep their earning rights for several months. According to the joint announcement from American Airlines and Hyatt, the wind-down happens in three stages. Here is the exact schedule.
| Date | What happens | Who is affected |
|---|---|---|
| November 15, 2026 | Last day to link an AAdvantage account and a World of Hyatt account | All members of both programs |
| December 31, 2026 | End of AAdvantage rewards earned through Hyatt Milestone Rewards | World of Hyatt members with linked accounts |
| February 28, 2027 | End of World of Hyatt rewards earned through American Loyalty Point Rewards | AAdvantage members with linked accounts |
In other words, the current earning year runs to its end in both programs. Furthermore, rewards already earned stay selectable within each program's usual selection windows.
Your 500 AAdvantage miles survive
One benefit survives with no announced end date: the option of 500 AAdvantage miles per eligible Hyatt stay, instead of World of Hyatt points. You simply give your AAdvantage number at check-in. This arrangement predated the enhanced partnership, and it outlives it.
On the other hand, three mechanisms disappear after the deadlines in the table above:
- Free Hyatt nights paid with Loyalty Points: American's thresholds will no longer convert into World of Hyatt awards after February 28, 2027
- AAdvantage rewards from Hyatt thresholds: World of Hyatt Milestone Rewards stop offering American awards after December 31, 2026
- Cross-program status accelerators: the annual bridges between AAdvantage status and World of Hyatt status end with the partnership
Points and miles already posted to each account stay yours. Neither company announces any retroactive clawback.
The Hyatt shortcut runs through Aeroplan
Since July 15, 2026, Aeroplan credit cards issued in Canada serve as the gateway to World of Hyatt. That is the point that changes everything for a Canadian reader: the shortcut to hotel status already no longer depended on American Airlines.
Aeroplan Elite members and holders of a premium Aeroplan card get a 90-day challenge. That challenge leads to Globalist status in 20 nights, compared with 60 nights the standard way. Premium cards add complimentary Discoverist status and 5 qualifying night credits per year.
On the earning side, the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card pays 1.5 Aeroplan points and 1 World of Hyatt bonus point per dollar spent at Hyatt. These earnings apply to stays at participating Hyatt hotels once both accounts are linked.
Your Avion points still reach American
The RBC Avion Rewards program remains the most direct Canadian route to American Airlines AAdvantage. Avion Elite members convert their points into the American program. That bridge does not depend on the hotel partnership now ending.
That distinction matters: the Hyatt and American split touches neither AAdvantage award flights, nor the oneworld alliance, nor transfers from Canadian cards. Therefore, a reader building AAdvantage miles keeps exactly the same playbook.
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card grants Avion Elite standing, which is the condition for that conversion.
Delta takes American's place at Hyatt
Hyatt gains a new airline partner on the same day as the announcement: Delta SkyMiles. The two programs are preparing cross-program earning on Hyatt stays and eligible Delta flights, plus reciprocal benefits for elite members.
Delta and Hyatt have published no launch date, no earning rate and no detail on status benefits. Both companies say more details are coming in the next few months. Any figures circulating before that publication remain guesswork.
Delta serves several Canadian cities, and its SkyMiles program accepts Canadian members. This new partnership therefore deserves a follow-up, even though nothing in it is usable yet.
What to do before November 15
Linking the accounts is free and takes a few minutes on either program's website. It is worth doing for any member planning a Hyatt stay or an American flight before February 2027. Here is the order of priority.
- Link your accounts by November 15, 2026: this is the only action that preserves cross-program earning during the transition
- Claim your Milestone rewards before December 31, 2026: AAdvantage awards from Hyatt thresholds stop on that date
- Use your Loyalty Point Rewards by February 28, 2027: World of Hyatt awards earned at American disappear afterwards
- Link your Aeroplan and World of Hyatt accounts for the long run: this is the Canadian bridge that stays in place after the split
For those saving toward a Hyatt stay, the next question is what the points are worth. Our pick of the best World of Hyatt redemptions points to the properties where the value-per-point ratio stays favourable.
Finally, if the choice of hotel program is still open, our comparison of hotel loyalty programs places World of Hyatt against Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors and four other programs. A general-purpose travel card also keeps your options open across several chains.
The TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card fills that role. It suits a traveller who would rather pay for nights with travel points than chase one specific status.
To follow the rest of this story, including the terms of the new Delta and Hyatt partnership, sign up for our newsletter.
When does the Hyatt and American Airlines partnership end?
Linking AAdvantage and World of Hyatt accounts closes on November 15, 2026, at 11:59:59 p.m. Central time. Members already linked then keep earning AAdvantage rewards through Milestone Rewards until December 31, 2026, and World of Hyatt rewards through Loyalty Point Rewards until February 28, 2027.
Will I lose my World of Hyatt points or AAdvantage miles?
No. World of Hyatt points and AAdvantage miles already posted to your accounts stay yours and follow each program's normal rules. Only the cross-program mechanisms stop on the announced dates.
Should I link my accounts before November 15, 2026?
Yes, if you expect a Hyatt stay or an American flight before February 2027. Linking is free and remains the only way to keep cross-program earning during the transition. After November 15, 2026, the option disappears.
Can I still earn 500 AAdvantage miles per Hyatt stay?
Yes. According to American Airlines, the option of 500 AAdvantage miles per eligible stay, instead of World of Hyatt points, continues after the enhanced partnership ends. Simply give your AAdvantage number at check-in.
What does this change for a Canadian traveller?
Not much, because the Canadian bridge to World of Hyatt has run through Aeroplan since July 15, 2026. Premium Aeroplan cardholders get Discoverist status, 5 tier-qualifying night credits each year and two yearly attempts at the 90-day status challenge, which leads to Globalist status in 20 nights.
How can I earn AAdvantage miles from Canada?
RBC Avion Elite members can convert RBC Avion points to AAdvantage, and Marriott Bonvoy points also transfer to AAdvantage. Neither route is affected by the end of the hotel partnership.
What will the Delta and Hyatt partnership offer?
Delta SkyMiles and World of Hyatt are preparing dual earning for elite members of both programs. As of October 21, 2026, no launch date and no earning rate have been published. Hyatt says more details are coming in the next few months.
Is my World of Hyatt status affected?
Status already granted follows the usual World of Hyatt rules and runs until its normal expiry date. Only the cross-program rewards tied to the American Airlines partnership stop.
