The Smartest Globalist Move You’re (Probably) Not Making: Rio Las Vegas
- perksandpassports
- Jul 22
- 6 min read
Updated: Sep 12
Off-strip. Mid-tier. Often overlooked. And yet—one of the most strategic, high-value ways to earn or maintain Hyatt Globalist status AND earn cheap points.
If you’re working toward elite status with World of Hyatt—or simply want to maximize your benefits without overspending—the recently renovated Rio Las Vegas is a compelling option. I stayed for two nights and walked away genuinely impressed by how much value it delivers for such a modest price.
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The Math Is Hard to Beat
We stayed from Sunday to Tuesday in mid-July. The cheapest rate was ~$81/night (including taxes and fees). However, after some quick math, we decided to book the 3,000 Bonus Points Rate which was ~$95/night. Globalist status allowed for the ~$57 nightly resort fee ($50 Resort Fee + $6.69 Resort Fee Tax) to be waived — bringing our effective cost down to just ~$38/night—or $76.19 total for two nights. Yes! This is after taxes and fees!
Add in full daily breakfast for two at Hash House A Go Go (easily worth over $50/day), free covered parking, and the 1,000 bonus points we earned from using the Peloton exercise bike... suddenly this budget stay looks like a top-tier strategy.
For all you out there who are not fans of big blocks of text, here are charts breaking down everything:
Total Savings as a Globalist (2-night stay)
Non-Globalist Cost | Globalist Cost | Globalist Savings | |
Room Rate incl. County Tax (2 nights) | $76.19 | $76.19 | $0.00 |
Resort Fees + Tax 💙 Waived as a Globalist | $113.38 | $0.00 | $113.38 |
Breakfast at Hash House A Go Go 💙Complimentary as a Globalist | $100 | $0.00 | $100 |
Total Cost | $289.57 | $76.19 | $213.38 |
Let's Talk Points – Why the Cheapest Rate Is Not Always the Best
💡Tip: Sometimes paying a little more upfront can unlock way more value. Here's a comparison showing how a slightly higher nightly rate earned me thousands of Hyatt points—at a fraction of their usual cost.
Cheapest Rate | 3,000 Bonus Points Rate | |
Average Nightly Rate | $21.38 | $33.60 |
Total Taxes and Fees | $59.55 | $61.19 |
Total Average Nightly Rate | $80.93 | $94.79 |
Total Cost of 2-night stay | $161.85 | $189.57 |
I spent only an additional $27.72 to score an extra 6,000 points — that’s like buying points at 0.462¢ per point. For the points pros out there, that’s an insane value when you consider that Hyatt currently sells them at 2.17¢ per point. That’s like getting an 80% discount!
Current Promotions That Supercharge Your Points
In addition to the 6,000 bonus points from the special rate, I also took advantage of two limited-time promotions to boost my earnings even more:
🎰 Casino Hotel Bonus – 777 extra points just for staying at a participating hotel during the promo window (valid through September 30, 2025).
🚴♀️ Peloton 5X Bonus – 1,000 points instead of 200 points earned from just two quick workouts (ends August 5, 2025)
Timing your stay around promos like these can turn a decent points haul into a points jackpot. Stack them right, and a short getaway can earn thousands more points than you’d normally expect.
Total Points Earned (2-night stay)
Eligible Spending | $67.20 |
Base Points (5 points per $1) | 336 |
Globalist Bonus (1.5 points per $1) | 101 |
Hyatt Credit Card Bonus (4 points per $1) | 269 |
3,000 Bonus Points Rates (3,000 points per night) | 6,000 |
Casino Hotel Bonus (777 points per night, only one night was in the promotional period) | 777 |
Peloton 5X Bonus Promotion (500 points per 20-min workout) | 1,000 |
Total Points Earned | 8,483 |
If you’re looking to squeeze maximum return out of a low-cost stay—especially toward elite night credits—this is a steal.
Navigating the VIP Check-In at Rio
Entering from the side entrance near the parking garage, we saw no signs pointing to the VIP or Globalist check-in area. The main check-in line was overflowing, so we started exploring.
At the Rio Rewards counter, we were told the VIP desk was closed—but after wandering further, we discovered it was, in fact, open. From the outside it looked empty, but inside it was bustling with guests. The wait was about 30 minutes, which felt long, but according to a frequent Rio guest we spoke with, it was unusually crowded that day.
💡Tip: If you enter through the main entrance, there’s a visible sign directing you to the VIP Registration on the right—much easier to find. Despite the initial confusion, the check-in agent was friendly and efficient.
Renovated Rooms: Clean, Spacious, and Cool
Our room on the 14th floor was part of the hotel’s recent renovation, and it exceeded expectations: spacious, somewhat modern, and clean.
There wasn’t much of a view—but we didn’t mind. What really mattered was the excellent air conditioning, which kept us cool despite the 100°F heat outside. The room also includes a Smart TV, great for streaming your favorite shows while relaxing at the end of the day.
Two small caveats: the water pressure in the shower was weak, and complimentary bottled water is handed out at check-in, not pre-stocked in the room. Minor inconveniences, but worth noting.
Full Breakfast Included
One of the standout perks: daily breakfast for two at Hash House A Go Go, included with Globalist status. No need for vouchers—just provide your room number and ID.
We were informed that each guest is entitled to one dish from the menu, one cold beverage, and one hot beverage. A small letter on the table outlined the full Globalist breakfast policy:
Complimentary daily breakfast for up to 2 adults and 2 children registered to your room
All guests must dine together to receive the benefit
Breakfast is available from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Dine-in only — takeout orders are not eligible
No substitutions, add-ons, or alcoholic beverages included
Valued at $50+ per day (even more for families), the complimentary breakfast can singlehandedly offset your nightly rate—turning a modest spend into serious value.
Peloton = 5X Points
The gym features two Peloton bikes. While Hyatt’s Wellness Bonus program usually earns 100 bonus points per each 20+ minute workout per day, the current Peloton 5X bonus let us earn a total of 1,000 points during our stay with just two 20-minute workout sessions. Keep in mind that there's a cap of 1,000 points that can be earned per month.
💡Tip: Before you hop on that Peloton and start your workout, make sure you’ve set up your Peloton account, linked it to your Hyatt account, and logged into it on the bike. We saw the points hit our Hyatt account in under 24 hours — and some people have reported seeing them show up in less than an hour.
Finding the gym, however, was a bit tricky—we initially walked right past it due to unclear or outdated signage. For reference, it’s located directly across from Hash House A Go Go, so keep an eye out.
Only one bike was functioning during our visit, but the gym wasn’t crowded, so access wasn’t a problem.
Casino Vibe: Modest but Convenient
Yes, the casino is a bit dated, but it’s functional and has a few useful amenities—including a Starbucks and several food outlets for quick bites or caffeine fixes.
If your Vegas plans involve long nights at the tables or showy hotel bars, this won’t compete with Strip icons. But for Globalists on a value mission, it gets the job done.
Parking That Actually Makes Sense
Parking is free, and the covered garage is a 2-minute walk from the side entrance—a huge plus in the Vegas heat. No massive treks across a packed resort just to reach your car. It’s a small luxury that matters.
Is the Rio Right for You?
The Rio is not a luxury hotel. It doesn’t offer high-end Globalist treatment or cutting-edge amenities—and it’s not trying to. But that’s exactly what makes it such a smart play for certain travelers.
The Rio might be perfect if you’re:
Earning or requalifying for Globalist status on a budget
Traveling mid-week to avoid crowds and high prices
Looking to maximize Hyatt perks like free breakfast, bonus points, and waived fees while enjoying a simple, practical stay
You might want to look elsewhere if:
You’re expecting a luxurious or curated elite experience
Your priority is a central Strip location and nightlife access
You want high-end amenities and service levels
Final Takeaway
The Rio Las Vegas is not glamorous—but it is incredibly smart.
For Hyatt Globalists or anyone on the path to status, it delivers unbeatable value through free breakfast, waived fees, bonus points, and a low nightly rate—all wrapped in a renovated, functional package.
If you’re planning a Vegas stay (maybe to check out BSB at the Sphere?) and want to make every dollar count, this might be your smartest booking all year.
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