The World of Hyatt and Aeroplan loyalty programs now offer cross-benefits between hotels and flights. The partnership announced by Hyatt and Air Canada allows members to convert certain points, redeem Hyatt hotel nights with Aeroplan points, and accelerate their access to various status levels. However, the actual terms and conditions are more restrictive than the announcement suggests.
Hyatt and Air Canada formalized their collaboration on July 15, 2026. It covers a combined network of more than 1,500 Hyatt hotels and more than 1,300 destinations accessible with Air Canada and Aeroplan partner airlines.
According to the trade press, this collaboration has sometimes been described as a merger of the two loyalty programs. This term is inaccurate. World of Hyatt and Aeroplan remain two separate programs, with their own points, statuses, and terms of use.
Summary
World of Hyatt and Aeroplan accounts must be linked
To benefit from the main advantages, the traveler must be enrolled in both programs and link their World of Hyatt and Aeroplan accounts.
Both accounts must be in good standing and registered under the same first and last name. An Aeroplan or World of Hyatt account cannot be linked to multiple accounts in the other program simultaneously.
In the event of a separation, Hyatt and Air Canada reserve the right to impose a period of at least 30 days before a new connection.
Hyatt hotel stays available starting from 25,000 Aeroplan points
Aeroplan members can now redeem their points for rewards in the form of a free World of Hyatt night at participating properties.
Two categories of certificates are offered: one night in a category 1-4 Hyatt establishment and one night in a category 1-7 establishment. The first level starts at 25,000 Aeroplan points.
The certificate covers the price of the room for one night. Depending on the establishment's terms and conditions, taxes, resort fees, or additional expenses may remain the responsibility of the guest.
These rewards must be used for a new booking made directly with Hyatt. They cannot be added retroactively to a previously confirmed stay.
The conversion of Hyatt points to Aeroplan is done at a ratio of two to one
World of Hyatt members who have linked their accounts can convert their points into Aeroplan points at a ratio of two to one.
A conversion of 5,000 World of Hyatt points yields 2,500 Aeroplan points. The minimum conversion threshold is 5,000 Hyatt points. Subsequent conversions can be made in increments of 1,000 points.
The partnership therefore does not create a direct equivalence between the two loyalty currencies. A World of Hyatt point does not automatically become an Aeroplan point.
Before any conversion, the member must compare the value they could obtain using their points in their original program. A validated conversion remains subject to the conditions of both programs.
A 30,000-point flight certificate with specific limits
Members can also redeem World of Hyatt points for an Aeroplan flight reward certificate worth up to 30,000 points.
The official terms and conditions state that up to 50,000 World of Hyatt points can be used to obtain this certificate. This certificate reduces the base fare in points for an airline award booked with Air Canada or an eligible partner airline.
The certificate does not cover taxes, fees charged by partner carriers, or other incidental charges. It is valid for 365 days from the date it is credited to your Aeroplan account and can only be applied to a new booking.
When a ticket requires more than 30,000 points, the member can complete the payment with Aeroplan points or another authorized payment method. When a ticket requires fewer points, the difference is neither refunded nor credited.
The certificate cannot be transferred to another account. However, its holder can use it to book an airline award on behalf of another person listed on the booking.
Aeroplan to Hyatt conversion is reserved for Elite members
Direct conversion in the other direction is not open to all Aeroplan members.
Only members with Aeroplan Elite status who have linked their accounts can convert Aeroplan points into World of Hyatt bonus points.
The ratio is also two to one. The minimum is set at 500 Aeroplan points per transaction, with a limit of 100,000 points per day and 250,000 points per week.
Presenting a free two-way exchange would therefore be misleading. Converting from Aeroplan to World of Hyatt requires Elite status, while converting from World of Hyatt to Aeroplan is more widely available to members who have linked their accounts.
The 500 Aeroplan points replace the World of Hyatt points
During an eligible stay at a participating Hyatt hotel or resort, a member may choose to receive 500 Aeroplan points.
These 500 points are awarded per stay, not per night. They are obtained in place of the World of Hyatt points normally awarded for the stay.
The choice must be made before or at the time of payment, with the addition of the Aeroplan number. Therefore, the member does not automatically accumulate the 500 Aeroplan points and the usual World of Hyatt points on the same booking.
An exception applies to certain Aeroplan credit card holders issued in Canada, who may benefit from accelerated accrual in both programs on eligible Hyatt spending.
Bonuses reserved for Canadian Aeroplan cards
Eligible Aeroplan cardholders issued in Canada can earn additional Aeroplan points as well as World of Hyatt bonus points on certain spending made directly at participating Hyatt properties.
The rate depends on the card type. Primary cards, for example, allow you to earn up to 1.5 Aeroplan points and one World of Hyatt bonus point per eligible Canadian dollar. Prestige cards can earn up to two Aeroplan points and two World of Hyatt bonus points.
Some business cards offer different rates. Annual spending limits may also apply depending on the issuer.
World of Hyatt bonus points earned this way do not count towards higher status levels. Benefits may take up to 72 hours to activate after account linking, while point payouts may take several weeks.
World of Hyatt statuses available in 90 days
Aeroplan Elite members and certain prestige cardholders can participate in an annual 90-day challenge to achieve World of Hyatt status faster.
Discoverist status is attainable after four qualifying nights. Ten nights are required to obtain Explorist status and twenty nights to reach Globalist status.
Eligible Aeroplan Prestige cardholders also receive Discoverist status, subject to account linking. They are entitled to five qualifying night credits per calendar year and can attempt the 90-day challenge twice a year.
These measures expedite the granting of status, but do not eliminate the eligibility requirements for stays. Not all bookings or fares are necessarily considered qualifying.
An Air Canada credit for Hyatt Elite members
World of Hyatt Discoverist, Explorist and Globalist members who have linked their accounts receive an annual Air Canada flight credit.
Its value is CAD 20 for a round-trip booking and CAD 10 for a one-way booking. The credit applies to each passenger listed on the booking, according to the program's terms and conditions.
Later in 2026, World of Hyatt Explorist and Globalist members will also be able to participate in a 90-day challenge to accelerate their access to Aeroplan Elite status. Air Canada's official website announces this program for fall 2026.
What professionals should check before presenting these loyalty programs
The partnership expands the possibilities for using points, but it does not transform World of Hyatt and Aeroplan into a single program.
For travel agencies and travel managers, several checks are necessary before presenting a benefit to the customer: the effective linking of accounts, the status of the traveler, the eligibility of the hotel, the type of bank card held and the conditions specific to the reserved rate.
The value of the conversions should also be considered. A two-for-one ratio might be useful for topping up an Aeroplan balance, but it doesn't guarantee that the transfer will be more advantageous than using the points directly at a Hyatt hotel.
The combined network of 1,300 destinations and 1,500 hotels describes the overall reach of the two partners. It does not mean that every flight, every partner airline, or every Hyatt property is accessible with all the new benefits.
Loyalty programs are becoming more connected, but also more complex to explain. The true value of the partnership will depend on the member's profile, status, travel habits, and how they choose to use their points.
Article published on July 20, 2026, based on the official terms and conditions available at that date. Thresholds, ratios, participating institutions, and benefits are subject to change.
Sources
- https://www.aircanada.com/medias/les-programmes-a%C3%A9roplan-dair-canada-et-world-of-hyatt-unissent-leurs-forces-pour-offrir-plus-dans-leurs-deux-mondes-%C3%A0-leurs-membres-et-davantage-de-moyens-daccumuler-et-d%C3%A9changer-des-points/
- https://www.aircanada.com/ca/fr/aco/home/aeroplan/partners/hyatt.html
- https://newsroom.hyatt.com/aeroplan
- https://www.deplacementspros.com/travel-experience/hyatt-et-air-canada-rapprochent-leurs-programmes-de-fidelite
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