If you’re a frequent traveler or a Hyatt fan, the World of Hyatt Credit Card is a travel rewards credit card that could elevate your travel experience. It offers unique perks tailored for Hyatt loyalists, including bonus points on hotel stays and dining. But is this card the best option for you compared to other travel-focused cards? In this review, we’ll dive deep into the benefits of the World of Hyatt Credit Card and compare it with other similar cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the American Express Gold Card, helping you make an informed decision about which card best suits your travel needs.
Key Features of the World of Hyatt Credit Card
The World of Hyatt Credit Card by Chase is designed for those who love staying at Hyatt hotels and want to earn rewards that directly benefit their stays. Here are some standout features of this card:
1. Sign-Up Bonus
- 30,000 Bonus Points: New cardholders can earn 30,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. These points are worth approximately $500 in hotel stays, which is a great start for anyone planning a Hyatt getaway.
2. Rewards Rate
- 4x points on Hyatt hotel stays: Whether you’re staying at a Hyatt Place, Hyatt Centric, or another Hyatt property, you’ll earn 4x points per dollar spent.
- 2x points on dining and travel: This includes purchases at restaurants, cafes, airlines, and transportation services. It’s a great way to earn rewards while dining out or exploring new cities.
- 1x points on all other purchases: You’ll also earn 1 point per dollar on other purchases, which is standard for most rewards credit cards.
3. Annual Fee
- $95 annual fee: This fee is fairly typical for a co-branded hotel card and relatively low compared to other premium travel cards. The benefits offered by this card, like the ability to earn points on hotel stays and dining, can quickly offset the annual fee.
4. Additional Benefits
- Complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status: This status comes with benefits like late checkouts, complimentary room upgrades (subject to availability), and bonus points on qualifying stays. Achieving this status without the card typically requires staying multiple nights at Hyatt hotels, so this is a valuable perk.
- Additional 2x points on Hyatt purchases: When booking Hyatt stays directly through the Hyatt website or app, you’ll earn 4x points instead of the usual 2x for travel.
- Points Transfer: The card allows points to be transferred to other frequent flyer programs, which provides added flexibility for travelers who prefer using points for flights.
- No foreign transaction fees: This is a huge benefit for international travelers, as you won’t incur extra charges when making purchases outside the U.S.
Who Is the World of Hyatt Credit Card Ideal For?
This card is ideal for:
- Frequent Hyatt guests: If you stay at Hyatt properties regularly, the 4x points on Hyatt stays, combined with the automatic Discoverist status, can be very rewarding.
- Travelers looking for hotel perks: The ability to earn points for dining and travel expenses can help boost your points balance, while the Discoverist status offers various hotel benefits.
- People who want to earn points on everyday purchases: The ability to earn 2x points on dining and travel makes this card versatile, especially for those who want to earn points outside of just hotel stays.
How Does the World of Hyatt Credit Card Compare to Other Popular Cards?
To understand if the World of Hyatt Credit Card is the best travel rewards card for you, let’s compare it with some of the other top travel cards, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the American Express Gold Card.
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
- Sign-Up Bonus: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. These points are worth $750 when redeemed for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.
- Rewards Rate:
- 2x points on travel and dining
- 1x points on all other purchases
- Annual Fee: $95
- Ideal For: Those who want flexibility in earning points and redeeming them for a variety of travel options.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers a higher sign-up bonus than the World of Hyatt Credit Card, with 60,000 points worth $750 in travel. Additionally, the 2x points on dining and travel is a great option for people who spend heavily in these categories. However, the Hyatt card specifically targets people who stay at Hyatt properties, making the Chase Sapphire Preferred better for travelers who want flexible point redemptions across a wider range of hotels and airlines.
2. American Express Gold Card
- Sign-Up Bonus: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 6 months.
- Rewards Rate:
- 4x points at restaurants, including takeout and delivery
- 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com
- 1x points on all other purchases
- Annual Fee: $250
- Ideal For: Foodies and travelers who dine out frequently and spend a lot on flights.
The American Express Gold Card offers a 4x points bonus at restaurants, which is higher than the 2x points on dining offered by the World of Hyatt Credit Card. It also provides 3x points on flights, making it a solid option for frequent flyers. However, the Gold Card has a significantly higher $250 annual fee, making the Hyatt card more budget-friendly. If you’re specifically looking for a hotel card with perks and rewards focused on Hyatt properties, the World of Hyatt Credit Card will offer more specialized benefits for your stays.
Comparison Table
| Feature | World of Hyatt Credit Card | Chase Sapphire Preferred | American Express Gold Card |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sign-Up Bonus | 30,000 points (worth $500 in hotel stays) | 60,000 points (worth $750 in travel) | 60,000 points (worth $600 in travel) |
| Rewards Rate | 4x points on Hyatt stays, 2x points on dining & travel, 1x on other | 2x points on travel & dining, 1x on other | 4x points at restaurants, 3x on flights |
| Annual Fee | $95 | $95 | $250 |
| Foreign Transaction Fees | None | None | None |
| Complimentary Hotel Status | Discoverist status | No | No |
| Points Transfer | Yes (to airline partners) | Yes (to airline partners) | Yes (to airline partners) |
| Ideal For | Hyatt frequent guests, travelers who dine out | Travelers seeking flexible redemptions | Foodies and frequent travelers |
Conclusion
The World of Hyatt Credit Card is perfect for those who frequently stay at Hyatt hotels and want to earn valuable rewards while enjoying hotel perks like complimentary status and upgrades. With 4x points on Hyatt stays and a reasonable $95 annual fee, this card offers great value for those who stay loyal to the Hyatt brand.
However, if you’re someone who enjoys flexibility in your rewards and wants a higher sign-up bonus or better rewards in other categories, the Chase Sapphire Preferred or American Express Gold Card may be more suitable. The World of Hyatt Credit Card excels in rewarding Hyatt enthusiasts with its targeted rewards structure, but it’s less versatile compared to cards that offer more general travel rewards.
Ultimately, the World of Hyatt Credit Card is ideal for Hyatt loyalists who want to maximize their points on stays and earn extra benefits like status upgrades, but those seeking broader travel perks might find other cards more appealing.