Delta Air Lines and Hyatt Hotels Corp. announced on Sept. 9 a long-term strategic relationship that brings together two of travel’s most trusted loyalty programs—Delta SkyMiles and World of Hyatt—with a shared ambition to create additional value, recognition, and engagement opportunities across more of the travel journey. The new, exclusive collaboration will launch in the coming months and reflects a shared commitment to closing a critical gap in premium travel: delivering a connected, high-quality experience where both brands know who you are, recognize what you have earned, and make it easier to move between air and stay.
“At Delta, premium has never been about just a seat—it’s a standard of care that shows up throughout the journey,” says Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines, in a prepared statement. “Flying Delta creates experiences and opportunities that can’t be found anywhere else. Hyatt shares that same premium approach to everything from travel and dining to entertainment and accommodations, and it’s what makes them such a natural fit.”
At launch, elite members of both loyalty programs will earn simultaneously with the new Dual Earn benefit—Delta Medallions earn miles for spend on qualifying Hyatt stays (in addition to earning certain other World of Hyatt benefits) and World of Hyatt elites earn points on qualifying fare classes in addition to earning certain other SkyMiles benefits. Beyond these initial benefits, members can look forward to additional ways to earn and engage—including opportunities for exclusive access to personalized moments and once-in-a-lifetime experiences available only to members of both programs.
“Exceptional travel extends far beyond a hotel stay—it’s about creating memorable experiences throughout the full travel journey,” says Mark Hoplamazian, chair, president, and CEO of Hyatt Hotels Corp. “That’s what makes our alliance with Delta so exciting. We share a vision for delivering thoughtful, premium experiences that put our members first and create even more value wherever their travels take them. By bringing together two brands with a shared commitment to care and exceptional hospitality, we’re making it easier for our members to enjoy a more connected and rewarding experience, from takeoff to check out.”
Today’s traveler moves fluidly between business and leisure, between cities and destinations—choosing experiences intentionally; engaging deeply with brands they trust; and expecting comfort, reliability, and recognition across every stage of a trip. Those travelers increasingly need brands that can serve both sides of the same journey. Delta and Hyatt are built to do exactly that. Hyatt’s 36 brands across five distinct portfolios spanning Luxury, Lifestyle, Inclusive, Classics, and Essentials categories serve every kind of traveler across 83 countries, while holding the No. 1 position globally for luxury branded guest rooms in resort locations. Delta serves more than 200 million customers per year across more than 300 destinations on six continents and has long been recognized as a leader in premium travel, becoming the first U.S. airline to introduce business class suites a decade ago and today offering more business class suites in service than any other U.S. airline. Together, both brands are committed to delivering the same premium standard to every member, at every stage of their journey.
For SkyMiles Members, it also builds on a growing loyalty ecosystem designed to serve every part of the travel journey—adding a dedicated premium hotel loyalty program to complement the range of ways members can already plan, book, and experience their trips.
“Delta’s relationship with Hyatt is being built with a different level of ambition—and it deepens over time,” Bastian says. “For Delta, it’s also a meaningful step toward the broader vision of making SkyMiles the most loved loyalty ecosystem in travel—not just for flying, but for the entire journey.”
Hyatt Website
