Delta and Hyatt to launch reciprocal loyalty partnership

Delta and Hyatt will launch a loyalty partnership letting elite members of each programme earn reciprocal miles and points, the two companies said in a joint statement. They called it a long-term strategic relationship.

Once it is running, travellers with Delta Medallion status, the top tier of SkyMiles, will earn miles on qualifying Hyatt stays. World of Hyatt elite members will earn points on qualifying Delta fare classes and get access to some SkyMiles benefits. Delta and Hyatt said more benefits will be added as the partnership is introduced, including access to what they called once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

No start date has been given. Delta said the partnership will launch in the coming months.

Delta chief executive Ed Bastian said in a news release that Hyatt takes a similar approach to travel, dining, entertainment and accommodation, making the two companies a natural fit.

The announcement came the same day American Airlines confirmed it is ending its alliance with Hyatt, which also centred on reciprocal loyalty benefits. American said customers can still earn and redeem miles and points for the remainder of the AAdvantage and World of Hyatt programmes' respective earning periods.