19 Best Ways To Use a Hyatt Category 1-7 Free Night Certificate

Although it has a smaller footprint than its rivals, Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors, the World of Hyatt loyalty program is unequivocally the best for many award travelers. The program offers plenty of value to its members with top-tier elite perks, an award chart with excellent redemption rates, and highly valuable hotel points that are relatively easy to accumulate.

The program also makes it easy to earn free night certificates by staying at Hyatt hotels and spending on cobranded credit cards. However, arguably the most valuable perk World of Hyatt members can get is the coveted Hyatt Category 1-7 free night certificate.

Here’s an in-depth look at the World of Hyatt program, how to earn a Category 1-7 free night certificate, and some of the best hotels worldwide where you can redeem a Category 1-7 free night certificate.

How To Earn a Hyatt Category 1-7 Free Night Certificate

Unlike a Hyatt Category 1-4 free night certificate, which you can earn simply by holding The World of Hyatt Credit Card or via Brand Explorer (staying at different brands in the Hyatt portfolio), earning a Hyatt Category 1-7 free night certificate requires a lot more work.

To earn a Hyatt Category 1-7 free night certificate, World of Hyatt members must have 60 qualifying nights or earn 100,000 base points in a calendar year, the same metric members need to attain World of Hyatt Globalist status.

You earn Qualifying Nights anytime you stay at a Hyatt property and pay an eligible rate. Meanwhile, you earn Base Points when paying for eligible charges for hotel stays and related Hyatt charges. Base Points are the only points that count toward tier status.

As a Milestone Reward, World of Hyatt members also receive another Hyatt Category 1-7 free night certificate upon reaching 100 qualifying nights.

Although it’s a status that can be difficult to earn, World of Hyatt Lifetime Globalist members receive a Category 1-7 free night certificate annually.

Hot Tip:

Holding the World of Hyatt card is an excellent way to earn elite status with Hyatt. World of Hyatt members earn 2 qualifying night credits toward tier status for every $5,000 spent on the World of Hyatt card and a Category 1-4 free night certificate after spending $15,000 within a calendar year.

World of Hyatt Award Chart

Unlike nearly every other hotel program today, the World of Hyatt loyalty program still has a published award chart. For award redemptions, Hyatt uses off-peak, standard, and peak pricing:

As the name suggests, a Category 1-7 free-night certificate can be used at any World of Hyatt hotel up to Category 7. This means that, during the peak season, the certificate is worth up to 35,000 World of Hyatt points.

We value World of Hyatt points at 1.5 cents making this certificate worth $525. However, it’s quite easy to get even more value than this — if you redeem the free night certificate at the right hotels.

Here’s a look at some of the best World of Hyatt hotels worldwide where you can redeem a Category 1-7 free night certificate.

Hot Tip:

Check out our detailed guide on the best ways to earn lots of World of Hyatt points.

The 4 Best Category 1-7 Hotels To Book in the U.S. and Canada

1. Andaz 5th Avenue (New York)

The Andaz 5th Avenue is a luxury property in New York City. It is just steps away from many iconic landmarks, including Bryant Park, Grand Central Terminal, the Empire State Building, and the New York Public Library.

The property boasts large guest rooms and many amenities, including on-site dining, a 24-hour-a-day fitness center, and multiple meeting spaces. The hotel also offers a daily complimentary wine hour.

The Andaz 5th Avenue is a Category 7 Hyatt hotel that typically costs about $530 per night.

2. Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa (Hawaii)

The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa is an eco-friendly, 5-star beachfront resort on the island of Kauai. The property is less than a mile from Poipu Beach Park and Poipu Bay Golf Course.

The hotel boasts several on-site restaurants, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, outdoor spaces, and a 45,000-square-foot spa. The spa features a 24-hour-a-day fitness center, a yoga studio, a dry and steam sauna, and several relaxation rooms.

The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa is a Category 7 Hyatt hotel that averages $729 per night.

3. Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa (California)

The Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa is another 5-star hotel on the coast of Carlsbad, near San Diego, California. The property boasts over 250 acres near many attractions, including Legoland California, Carlsbad State Beach, and San Elijo Beach.

The property has many amenities, including on-site dining ranging from casual to fine dining. There is also a Topgolf Swing Suite, tennis courts, a game room, a 15,000-square-foot spa, event and meeting spaces, and an Arnold Palmer-designed 18-hole golf course.

The Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa is a Category 7 Hyatt hotel, and cash prices are upward of $700 per night throughout the year.

4. Park Hyatt Toronto (Canada)

The newly renovated Park Hyatt Toronto is one of the city’s best hotels. It’s in Toronto’s Yorkville neighborhood, close to downtown.

The property is within walking distance of the Royal Ontario Museum, Queen’s Park, and the Toronto Public Library and less than a 10-minute drive from many of Toronto’s landmarks, including the CN Tower, Art Gallery of Ontario, Yonge-Dundas Square, and the CF Toronto Eaton Center.

The hotel features more than 215 renovated luxury rooms and suites, all larger than 400 square feet. Several on-site restaurants are available, including fine dining at Joni Restaurant, one of the best in Toronto.

The Park Hyatt Toronto is a Category 6 Hyatt hotel that can be booked for as few as 21,000 points during off-peak dates. Property cash rates often exceed $400 per night, providing plenty of value.

The 4 Best Category 1-7 Hotels To Book in the Caribbean and Latin America

1. Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour

The Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour is a resort property set on Banana Beach in Christophe Harbor on the island of St. Kitts in the Caribbean. The hotel is near the Great Salt Pond, Banana Bay, and many of the island’s best and most secluded beaches.

The hotel has more than 120 guest rooms and suites, many of which offer individual pools with private sundecks, lounging areas, and unobstructed views of the Caribbean Sea and Nevis Island.

Amenities include a full-service spa with yoga and meditation classes, direct beach access, swimming pools, basketball courts, private cabanas, a kids club, and meeting and event spaces. The hotel also offers guided aquatic tours, including snorkeling, paddle boarding, and kayaking.

The Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour is a Category 7 Hyatt hotel that averages $739 per night.

2. Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort, Costa Rica

The Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort, Costa Rica, is a luxury resort in the Papagayo Peninsula in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. The property overlooks the waters of Culebra Bay with the Costa Rican jungle nearby.

The property offers a serene getaway with large and luxurious rooms, many offering views of the jungle and the Pacific Ocean. The hotel boasts several amenities, including 3 private beaches, a swimming pool, a full-service spa, a fitness center, a tennis court, and multiple restaurants.

The property also offers a comprehensive wellness program with yoga, fitness classes, and outdoor experiences and can arrange outdoor activities, like zip-lining, hiking, wildlife tours, and even volcanic excursions.

The Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort, Costa Rica, is a Category 7 Hyatt property and averages $839 per night.

3. Grand Hyatt Baha Mar (Bahamas)

The Grand Hyatt Baha Mar is a luxury resort in Nassau, Bahamas. The beachfront property is part of the famous Baha Mar Resort Complex, which features some of the best resorts in the Caribbean.

The hotel is on Cable Beach and offers direct access to the beach. It has more than 1,800 guest rooms and several different room types, including suites and private villas. Many rooms offer incredible ocean views, and all have a private balcony.

The hotel has an exclusive section, the Reserve, which features several luxury poolside villas, a dedicated check-in desk, butler service, and a private lounge. The property boasts 8 swimming pools, a full-service spa, private cabanas, a kids club, and a long list of resort activities.

The Grand Hyatt Baha Mar is a Category 6 Hyatt property, where average cash rates are $379 per night.

4. Palacio Duhau – Park Hyatt Buenos Aires (Argentina)

In the Recoleta neighborhood of Buenos Aires, the Palacio Duhau – Park Hyatt Buenos Aires is a 5-star hotel in a historic neoclassical building. Recoleta has many cafes, boutiques, art galleries, and beautiful parks and is considered among the city’s best areas.

The property is a short walk from Buenos Aires’ most prominent tourist attractions, including Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (National Museum of Fine Arts) and Plaza Francia. Many other major landmarks, including Teatro Colón and Plaza de Mayo, are a short ride away.

The property boasts 165 guest rooms and suites featuring historic charm and modern luxuries. The hotel has several restaurants, a spa and wellness facility, a heated indoor pool, and outdoor gardens.

The Palacio Duhau – Park Hyatt Buenos Aires is a Category 6 Hyatt property that averages $419 per night.

The 3 Best Category 1-7 Hotels To Book in Europe

1. Park Hyatt Vienna (Austria)

The Park Hyatt Vienna is a 5-star hotel in the heart of the Austrian capital. It is in a historic building in Vienna’s Innere Stadt district.

The property is near many of Vienna’s most iconic landmarks, including the Hofburg Palace, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Austrian National Library, the Austrian Arts Museum, and the State Opera House. The famous Kärntnertorstrasse shopping street, lined with shops, cafes, and restaurants, is also near the hotel.

The hotel has 146 guest rooms and suites covered in marble and mother-of-pearl. The rooms also feature spacious marble bathrooms with separate bathtubs and rainfall showers. The property features several restaurants, a business center, and a spa, complete with a heated indoor pool and a fitness center.

The Park Hyatt Vienna is a Category 7 Hyatt property with average cash rates of around $520 per night throughout the year. However, cash prices routinely exceed $1,000 per night in peak holiday season.

2. 7Pines Resort Ibiza (Spain)

The 7Pines Resort Ibiza is a luxury beachfront property on the west coast of Ibiza, Spain, between Cala Conta and Cala Codolar. Ibiza’s world-famous nightlife is less than a half-hour from the resort property.

The massive hotel resort has 185 suites and a pair of 4-bedroom Grand Villas. Each suite features a balcony or terrace with views of the garden, the resort, or the Mediterranean Sea.

On-site amenities include a fully equipped fitness center, 3 swimming pools (including a 177-foot infinity pool), meeting facilities, and a kids club. The resort also has 2 Pershing yachts for charter. There are several places to eat and a spa and wellness center with 2 saunas, a steam room, and many body treatments.

The 7Pines Resort Ibiza is a Category 7 Hyatt property. Cash rates are around $540 per night.

3. Hotel Flüela Davos (Switzerland)

The Hotel Flüela Davos, part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, is a traditional luxury hotel in the alpine resort town of Davos, Switzerland. The property is at the entrance of Davos Dorf — the highest town in Europe. It provides a perfect combination of luxury and comfort in the heart of the Swiss Alps and is near many of Switzerland’s most iconic ski slopes.

The hotel features just 51 rooms and suites, providing ample space and comfort. There are 4 places to eat or drink, a fitness center, and the Flüela Spa, which features a sauna, steam room, hot tubs, and treatment rooms.

Hotel Flüela Davos is a Category 7 Hyatt hotel that averages $489 per night.

The 3 Best Category 1-7 Hotels To Book in Africa and the Middle East

1. Park Hyatt Marrakech (Morocco)

The Park Hyatt Marrakech is a 5-star resort in the Palmeraie District, the heart of Marrakech, Morocco. The property is a short drive from the city’s main attractions, such as the Jemaa el-Fnaa Square, Koutoubia Mosque, and the Majorelle Garden.

The property is also less than 20 miles from the Agafay Desert, where guests can enjoy different activities, including hot-air balloon rides and paragliding.

The property has 130 guest rooms that offer views of the nearby Atlas Mountains. It also boasts several dining venues serving Mediterranean cuisine, a meeting house, a full-service spa and hammam, a kids club, and multiple swimming pools.

The Park Hyatt Marrakech is a Category 7 Hyatt property, and cash rates hover around $570 per night throughout the year.

2. Alila Jabal Akhdar (Oman)

In the heart of the Al Hajar Mountains, the Alila Jabal Akhdar is a luxury resort hotel inspired by the region’s ancient forts. The Jabal Akhdar features many historical forts, villages, and traditional markets.

The hotel features traditional design and building techniques and blends modern luxury with traditional Omani heritage. It boasts contemporary villas and suites that combine modern luxury with traditional Omani architecture. The rooms feature balconies and open spaces that perfectly balance indoor and outdoor living.

The Alila Jabal Akhdar is a Category 7 Hyatt hotel, and cash prices are around $490 throughout the year.

3. Park Hyatt Zanzibar (Tanzania)

On the idyllic island destination of Zanzibar, the Park Hyatt Zanzibar is a luxury hotel on the coast of Stone Town on the Indian Ocean. It’s within walking distance of major attractions such as the House of Wonders, Forodhani Gardens, the Old Fort, Darajani Bazaar, the Peace Memorial Museum, the Palace Museum, and the Zanzibar National Museum.

The hotel boasts 67 guest rooms and suites, which feature traditional architecture, Swahili culture, and modern design elements. The spacious suites feature private balconies with views overlooking the Indian Ocean.

The Park Hyatt Zanzibar is a Category 6 Hyatt hotel that averages $489 per night.

The 3 Best Category 1-7 Hotels To Book in Asia

1. Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills (Japan)

The Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills is a luxury property inside a skyscraper in the Toranomon District of Minato City, Tokyo. The hotel provides easy access to 2 of Tokyo’s major subway lines and is close to some of Tokyo’s major areas, including Roppongi, Akasaka, and Shibuya.

The property boasts spacious and modern rooms and suites that feature Japanese architecture and artwork. Amenities include multiple restaurants, meeting and event spaces, the AO Spa & Club, which features a 65-foot indoor pool and fitness center, and the 24-hour-a-day Andaz Lounge.

The Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills is a Category 7 Hyatt property with average nightly cash rates of $529.

2. Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa

The Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa is regarded as one of the best luxury hotels in the world. On a private island in the Huvadhoo Atoll in the Maldives, the hotel offers a completely luxurious and private experience.

The property has 51 villas, ensuring the utmost privacy and comfort. It also has several places to eat and drink, including fine dining. Amenities include multiple swimming pools, a fitness center, and a full-service spa.

The Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa is a Category 7 Hyatt hotel, and cash prices vary significantly depending on the season. During the rainy seasons, rooms can be booked for as low as $650 per night — however, prices during the peak season can be upward of $2,000 per night.

3. Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay Resort (China)

The Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay Resort is a resort in the Sanya region on the southern tip of Hainan Island, China. The 70,000-square-foot Yalong Bay beachfront property combines contemporary luxury with traditional Chinese elegance.

The property is in a fantastic location near many of Sanya’s biggest attractions, including Nanshan Temple, the Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park, and the Sanya duty-free shopping complex.

The property boasts 205 guest rooms and villas, all offering panoramic views of the South China Sea. It also offers several places to eat and drink, including a traditional Chinese tea room. Amenities include a full-service spa, a fitness center, a library, 8 meeting and event spaces, and 4 swimming pools, including a 425-foot pool.

The Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay Resort is a Category 7 Hyatt hotel with average cash rates of $329 throughout the year — although prices are closer to $439 per night in the summer travel season.

The 2 Best Category 1-7 Hotels To Book in Australia and the Pacific

1. Park Hyatt Auckland (New Zealand)

The Park Hyatt Auckland is a waterfront property in a prime location near Viaduct Harbour. It is near much of Auckland’s best dining and entertainment, including the famous fish market.

Of course, it is also near many of Auckland’s biggest tourist attractions, including Albert Park, the Auckland Art Gallery, Silo Park Wynyard Quarter, and Waitematā Harbour.

The hotel features 195 guest rooms, several restaurants and bars, a spa, a fully equipped fitness center, several event and meeting spaces, and a 115-foot infinity pool.

The Park Hyatt Auckland is a Category 6 Hyatt hotel with average nightly cash rates of $379.

2. Park Hyatt Melbourne (Australia)

The 5-star Park Hyatt Melbourne is in the heart of Melbourne’s Central Business District near many of Melbourne’s biggest attractions, including Federation Square, the National Gallery of Victoria, the Royal Botanic Gardens, the Melbourne Museum, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and the Fitzroy Gardens.

The hotel features 245 spacious guest rooms and suites, some of which offer incredible views over the city. Amenities include a fitness center, spa, meeting facilities, and an 82-foot heated indoor swimming pool.

The Park Hyatt Melbourne is a Category 6 Hyatt hotel with average nightly cash rates of $289.

Final Thoughts

The World of Hyatt loyalty program offers members plenty of value — arguably more than any other hotel program. With an excellent award chart, top-tier elite perks, and different ways to earn Hyatt points, Hyatt has much to offer.

The Category 1-7 free night certificate you earn after 60 qualifying nights or 100,000 base points in a calendar year is incredibly valuable. If redeemed during peak travel season at the right Hyatt properties, it can be worth over $1,000.

To get the most out of the certificate, it is best to use it at top-end hotels, mainly Category 6 and 7 properties. Alternatively, you can also use the free night certificate when cash rates are high, regardless of the World of Hyatt hotel category.

So, when the time comes to redeem your Category 1-7 free night certificate, refer to this list to get the most out of it.