It’s no secret that World of Hyatt’s top globalist status is loaded with perks. Popular benefits include standard suite upgrades (upon availability), full breakfast for registered room guests (up to two adults and two children), resort fee waivers and late checkout at 4 p.m.
But here’s one of my favorite Globalist perks you might not know about: free parking on award stays.
Today, we’ll review what you need to know about this benefit so you can bring your car along for free on your next stay.
Related: World Elite Status: What It Is and How to Earn It
Free parking at Award Stages
According to World of Hyatt Terms and Conditions“Globalists receive free parking for nights at participating Hyatt hotels or resorts during which they stay on the Globalist Free Night award.”
This means that the free parking benefit is valid only when points are redeemed for a room or free night certificate at participating properties in Category 1-4 or Category 1-7. If you book a cash room rate you are responsible for parking charges.
The terms and conditions state, “The benefit of free parking is valid at Hyatt hotels or resorts that offer parking, provided that parking charges at such hotels or resorts may be billed to the guest room/folio.”
This is an important point. If the hotel does not place a parking charge on your folio (ie, you must pay directly with the parking lot or valet), Hyatt will not cover your parking. I recommend calling your hotel before arriving to confirm if Globalists receive free parking on award stays.
The terms and conditions also specify that the benefit is valid for both valet and self-parking if the hotel offers both.
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Finally, the free parking benefit does not apply to vacation ownership properties.
How to maximize this benefit
Free parking can be a significant savings, especially in expensive cities. Overnight parking at Grand Hyatt San Francisco Self-parking costs $62.70 or valet parking costs $90.06, while at the Park Hyatt New York, you’ll pay $90 to valet or self-park your ride.
I redeemed 17,000 points (off-peak Category 5 rate) for a stay at the Park Hyatt Washington DC, a room bill that would total $422.17. I was already happy with my World of Hyatt points redemption rate of 2.5 cents, nearly 40% higher than TPG’s October 2024 valuation of 1.7 cents.
But I rented a car at Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Washington. Parking rates at this property were $59 per night, so the free parking benefit stretched my points even further – at 2.8 cents per point.
Guests who park at the Park Hyatt Washington DC are also entitled to free electric vehicle charging.
Since I got a plug-in hybrid in the National Car Rental executive wing at Dulles, the hotel happily charged my rental car between outings—a greener way to drive, convenience, and savings at the pump.
How to Qualify for Globalist Status
You must have Globalist status to enjoy free parking benefits on award stays. Here’s a look at how to do it Qualifying for Globalist status this year:
- Stay 60 qualifying nights or
- Earn 100,000 base points
If you have the World of Hyatt credit card, you earn five elite nights toward Hyatt status. World of Hyatt cardholders earn two elite nights for every $5,000 spent on qualifying purchases.
The card currently offers new applicants 30,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first month of account opening. Plus, account opening typically earns 1 bonus point on purchases up to $15,000 in the first six months, earning a total of 2 bonus points per $1 spent in the first six months, up to 30,000 more bonus points, making it a great product even if you don’t. A plan to aim for globalist status.
You’ll also receive one free night certificate valid at any Category 1-4 property (for spending $15,000 in a calendar year) and one free night certificate you earn for keeping your account open. And yes, Globalists are entitled to free parking at qualifying properties while holding these certificates.
Related: Comparing the best hotel elite status levels and how to earn them
The bottom line
Parking charges are on the rise, but as a globalist, both you and your car can sleep for free. Confirm that your hotel offers free parking to Globalists on award stays. So far, I have yet to find a hotel that does not participate in this benefit.
Next time you redeem Hyatt points, factor the parking charge into your redemption. In my case, this perk made a sweet deal even sweeter.