How I Earned a Free Hyatt Night with the Brand Explorer Program (and How You Can Too!)

If you love traveling and staying with Hyatt, you might not know there’s a hidden gem tucked into the World of Hyatt loyalty program: the Hyatt Brand Explorer Award. It’s a simple, rewarding way to earn free nights — just by trying out different Hyatt brands.

I recently earned a free Category 1-4 Hyatt night after staying at five different Hyatt brands, and today I’m breaking down exactly how it works (and how you can easily start earning yours).

What Is the Hyatt Brand Explorer Program?

The Hyatt Brand Explorer is a built-in perk of the World of Hyatt loyalty program. Every time you stay at five unique Hyatt brands, you earn a Category 1–4 free night certificate — no extra sign-up required!

With over 25 Hyatt brands available worldwide (and more added each year), there are plenty of options to mix and match stays whether you’re traveling for business, family trips, or quick getaways.

Key Highlights:

No registration required — you’re automatically enrolled.
Earn a free night every time you hit five new brands.
Free night is valid at Category 1–4 hotels (which include amazing properties globally).
Stays can be paid with cash, points, or free night certificates to qualify.

How I Completed My First Brand Explorer Milestone

Over the past year, I made it a goal to vary my stays a little more intentionally — and it paid off! Here are the five Hyatt brands I stayed at to earn my first free night:

Brands I Stayed At:

Hyatt Regency
Andaz
Hyatt Place
Thompson Hotels
Hyatt Centric

By mixing quick trips, weekend getaways, and points redemptions, I was able to complete five brands without spending extra just for the sake of earning the certificate.

Here’s a look at the free night certificate in my account:

Tips for Earning Your Hyatt Brand Explorer Award Faster

If you want to start working toward your own free night, here are a few tips:

Mix Brands on Road Trips: If you’re driving through different cities, book different Hyatt brands along the way.
Use Points: Stays booked with points still count toward Brand Explorer — a great way to save cash and rack up brands!
Weekend Getaways: Many affordable Category 1-3 Hyatt brands are perfect for quick trips (especially Hyatt Place and Hyatt House).
Plan Ahead: Look at the Hyatt brand map when planning travel to intentionally select a different brand when possible.

Pro Tip: You can even earn multiple free nights over time — one for every five unique brands!

Why This Free Night Is So Valuable

A Category 1–4 free night can be worth $200–$400+ depending on the hotel and dates. And because Hyatt has so many great properties in Category 1–4 (like Park Hyatt Saigon, Andaz San Diego, and Hyatt Regency Kyoto), your certificate can go a long way toward an elevated stay for minimal out-of-pocket cost.

Plus, it’s a fun challenge that rewards variety — not just loyalty to one single brand.

Ready to Start Your Brand Explorer Journey?

If you’re already a World of Hyatt member (or thinking about joining), this is one of the easiest and most rewarding perks to take advantage of. Many of us have probably stayed at Hyatt’s and haven’t even thought too much of it. When I realized I only had two nights left and if anything it encouraged me to try a new property which was always a pleasant surprise.