The news of Small Luxury Hotels of the World ending its partnership with World of Hyatt in early February came as a shock to many loyalists of the World of Hyatt program. This partnership had allowed members to earn and use points at boutique hotels around the world, as well as take advantage of elite Hyatt benefits. However, it was announced that SLH would instead be joining forces with Hilton and the Hilton Honors program, marking the end of the partnership between SLH and World of Hyatt.
Hyatt has confirmed that the SLH partnership will officially end on May 15, 2024. Existing and new reservations with a check-in date on or before May 15 will still be honored and will earn base and bonus points, tier qualifying nights, and credit toward earning Milestone Rewards. Stays that start on or after May 16, 2024, will still be honored but without World of Hyatt elite status benefits, including free breakfast and the ability to earn points and tier-qualifying nights.
Despite the end of the partnership, World of Hyatt members still have the opportunity to book SLH properties and take advantage of elite benefits for stays between now and May 15. People who hold World of Hyatt credit cards will earn 4 bonus points for every eligible dollar spent at participating SLH properties through August 31, 2024.
The loss of SLH is just another blow to Hyatt, as it recently saw the end of its partnership with MGM Resorts, which switched to a new partnership with Marriott Bonvoy. However, Hyatt is not giving up on offering boutique hotel options to its loyalists. The hotel chain is currently in the process of integrating Mr & Mrs Smith hotels, another collection of independent, boutique hotels, into the World of Hyatt ecosystem.
On the other hand, the end of the partnership with Hyatt has proven to be a treasure for Hilton. Details about the SLH and Hilton partnership are still sparse, but it is expected to work similarly to the setup with World of Hyatt, where members can earn and use points at participating SLH hotels. Shaun Leleu, chairman of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, expressed excitement about the new partnership with Hilton, stating that it brings exciting possibilities for both brands.
As the hospitality industry continues to evolve and partnerships shift, it is essential for loyalty program members to stay informed about changes that may affect their benefits and rewards. The end of the partnership between Small Luxury Hotels of the World and World of Hyatt may be disappointing for some, but it also opens up new opportunities for members to explore and enjoy the offerings of other hotel chains like Hilton.