New World of Hyatt Member Experiences Launch Today

During the initial announcements surrounding Hyatt’s new loyalty program, World of Hyatt, an interesting benefit was brought to the table for World of Hyatt members that had everyone curious (myself included).

Starting today, you can book two curated-Hyatt Member Experiences using points:

1. AFAR Experiences Tokyo – a curated trip to Tokyo exclusively for World of Hyatt members (Bookable now through September) 

This is the first time AFAR Experiences has partnered with a hotel brand to offer a trip just for its loyalty group members, plus it’s the first time AFAR Experiences will visit Tokyo. This exclusive opportunity will include dining with innovative chefs, discussing art with curators, and learning from local experts who are engrained in the fabric of Tokyo.

The 4-night, 3-day trip to Tokyo will run from November 10-13, 2017, and there are 75 spots available, which will available on a first-come, first-serve basis through September.

World of Hyatt members can register in one of two ways:

Redeem World of Hyatt points (airfare and transportation to and from airport not included)

• 200,000 World of Hyatt points includes one AFAR Experiences Tokyo registration and one standard room at Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills (single occupancy) for four nights
• 300,000 World of Hyatt points includes two AFAR Experiences Tokyo registrations and one standard room at Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills (double occupancy) for four nights

Pay with credit card

• The cost for the trip is $3,900 USD (airfare, transportation and accommodations not included). If members who book via credit card would like to stay at Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills, there will be a discounted rate available (website will take you to page to make reservations)

My Take:

First of all, without a blink of an eye, if deciding between redeeming points or paying for this AFAR Experience in Tokyo, I’d choose the points. The cash option seems astronomically out of my typical travel budget ($3,900 per person), and that does not even include accommodations.

Considering that the Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills is a category 6 property, which costs 25,000 Hyatt points per night, 100,000 of the 200,000 points required for this redemption goes to hotel accommodations, leaving an additional 100,000 points to cover a $3,900 curated-trip experience (which is a great value at 3.9 cents per point).

While I am not entirely familiar with what the AFAR Experience in Tokyo would entail (aka is it worth paying close to $4,000 for) since the information available to the public at the moment seems very vague, I can’t really comment about if this is a redemption I would consider right at the moment.

Aside from the AFAR Tokyo trip, there’s also a philanthropic way to use your Hyatt points:

2. Non-Profit Learning AFAR – an opportunity for World of Hyatt members to create meaningful travel experiences for others

In collaboration with AFAR and No Barriers (a non-profit that organizes life-changing experiences for youth, veterans and people with disabilities), World of Hyatt will send 10 underserved high school students and two educators from a Chicago-area school on an immersive, once-in-a-lifetime trip to Costa Rica. Students will participate in service projects, build leadership skills, learn about a new culture and connect with local residents. Upon returning, students will turn their insights into meaningful action via a project that will inspire their own local communities.

World of Hyatt members will have the opportunity to send additional students on this transformative trip. Members can contribute points in 1,000-point increments. For every 500,000 points contributed, an additional student will be able to participate.

If you’re interested in supporting this effort by contributing your World of Hyatt points by April 30, please call the Hyatt Global Contact Center toll free at 800.323.7249 in the US or Canada or contact Hyatt in your region.

Bottom Line

I think it’s interesting that Hyatt is creating more ways for members to redeem their points, including a way to give back to others. The AFAR Experience in Tokyo could be an interesting redemption, but there is not enough information available yet for me to truly make an informed decision to see if it’s something I’d be interested in.

What are your thoughts? Do you plan on redeeming any of your points for these new member experiences?