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World of Hyatt Credit Card Review 2024: Pros, Cons, and Expert Analysis from Business Insider

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The information for the following product(s) has been collected independently by Business Insider: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card. The details for these products have not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.

Introduction to the Hyatt Credit Card

The World Of Hyatt Credit Card is a good choice if you stay at Hyatt hotels and can use benefits like a free night each anniversary year and automatic elite status. But if you prefer flexibility, earning Chase Ultimate Rewards points — which you can transfer to Hyatt — with a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card could be a better bet.

Business Insider's team of personal finance experts consider The World Of Hyatt Credit Card to be an industry leader amongst the best hotel credit cards. World of Hyatt points are worth 1.5 cents apiece on average, based on Business Insider's points and miles valuations — the highest of any hotel currency we evaluated. 

World of Hyatt Credit Card Overview

The World Of Hyatt Credit Card currently has a generous welcome offer of 30,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening plus up to 30,000 more bonus points by earning 2 bonus points per $1 in the first six months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 bonus point. 

The card earns 4 points per $1 spent on qualified purchases at Hyatt hotels and up to 5 points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member, 2 points per $1 spent at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airlines, on local transit and commuting, and on fitness club and gym memberships, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.

You'll also get a free award night every year on your cardmember anniversary to use at any Hyatt Category 1 through 4 hotel. This benefit alone can easily outweigh the card's $95 annual fee. There are also no foreign transaction fees, which makes this a good card to use internationally. 

The World Of Hyatt Credit Card
Insider’s Rating
A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star
4.3/5
Icon of check mark inside a promo stamp It indicates a confirmed selection.
Perks

Earn up to 9 points total for Hyatt stays (4 Bonus Points per $1 spent at Hyatt hotels and 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member). Earn 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airlines, on local transit and commuting, and on fitness club and gym memberships. Earn 1 point per $1 spent on other purchases.

Annual Fee

$95

Intro APR

N/A

Regular APR

20.99% - 27.99% Variable

Intro Offer

Earn up to 60,000 bonus points

Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent

Pros
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Valuable annual reward night
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Hyatt points are valuable, and this card earns 2x points on several bonus categories
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. If you spend a lot on this card, you can earn a second free night
Cons
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Not too many extra benefits
Insider’s Take

If you like staying at Hyatt hotels, The World Of Hyatt Credit Card is an excellent complement to Hyatt's generous and competitive loyalty program that offers free nights and a path toward higher-tier elite status. Even if you're not a hardcore Hyatt fan, the card's useful benefits can appeal to most travelers — and make the card worth keeping year after year.

World Of Hyatt credit card review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Product Details
  • Earn up to 60,000 Bonus Points. Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent.
  • Enjoy complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status for as long as your account is open.
  • Get 1 free night each year after your Cardmember anniversary at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort
  • Receive 5 tier qualifying night credits towards status after account opening, and each year after that for as long as your account is open
  • Earn an extra free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel if you spend $15,000 in a calendar year
  • Earn 2 qualifying night credits towards tier status every time you spend $5,000 on your card
  • Earn up to 9 points total for Hyatt stays – 4 Bonus Points per $1 spent on qualified purchases at Hyatt hotels & up to 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member
  • Earn 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airlines, on local transit and commuting, and on fitness club and gym memberships
  • Member FDIC

World of Hyatt Loyalty Benefits

The World Of Hyatt Credit Card has valuable benefits for Hyatt loyalists. Just for having the card, you'll get World of Hyatt Discoverist status, which gets you perks like priority check-in, 2 p.m. late checkout when available, and 10% bonus points on paid stays. 

Every time you spend $5,000 on the card, you'll earn two nights toward elite status with Hyatt. And when you spend $15,000 in a calendar year, you'll earn another award night to use at any Hyatt Category 1 through 4 hotel. These benefits work well with the current welcome offer because with $15,000 in spending you'd earn the full welcome bonus, get another free award night added to your account, and earn six night credits toward elite status — and that's on top of the five night credits you get just for having the card. These benefits can give you a big head start toward higher elite status with Hyatt.

Hyatt Credit Card Rewards

Welcome Offer

The World Of Hyatt Credit Card currently has one of the best welcome offers we've ever seen: 30,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening plus up to 30,000 more bonus points by earning 2 bonus points per $1 in the first six months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 bonus point.

Earning Points with the Hyatt Credit Card

With The World Of Hyatt Credit Card, you'll earn 4 Hyatt points per dollar on qualified purchases at Hyatt hotels, in addition to the 5 points per dollar you earn for being a World of Hyatt member. 

You'll also earn 2 points per dollar at restaurants, on flights purchased directly from the airline, and on gym membership and fitness clubs. An interesting bonus category is for commuting, which includes taxis, mass transit, tolls, and rideshare services — purchases in this category earn 2 points per dollar. All other purchases earn 1 point per dollar. 

Redeeming Points with the Hyatt Credit Card

It's easy to redeem Hyatt points and free night awards for hotel stays through Hyatt.com. On the website, you can search for a hotel by location or award category. Here's how many points you'll need for a free room in each category: 

  • Category 1 — 5,000 points
  • Category 2 — 8,000 points
  • Category 3 — 12,000 points
  • Category 4 — 15,000 points
  • Category 5 — 20,000 points
  • Category 6 — 25,000 points
  • Category 7 — 30,000 points
  • Category 8 — 40,000 points

Free nights start at just 5,000 points for standard rooms. Regency Club and Grand Club rooms, which give you access to hotel lounges, start at 7,000 points per night, and suites start at 8,000 points per night. 

Hyatt has all-inclusive resorts which cost 25,000 points per night for standard rooms and 40,000 points per night for standard suites, based on single or double occupancy. The exceptions are Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos and Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta, where standard rooms are 20,000 points per night and standard suites are 32,000 points per night for single or double occupancy. 

Miraval resorts start at 45,000 points per night and go up to 125,000 points per night based on room type and number of people. There are currently three locations: Austin, Tucson, and the Berkshires of Massachusetts. 

You can stretch your points further with Points + Cash rates, which allow you to pay 50% of the points rate and get 50% to 70% off the standard cash rate. 

It's also possible to redeem Hyatt points for room upgrades on paid rates at 3,000 points for club lounge access, 6,000 points for a standard suite, or 9,000 points for a premium suite. 

Hyatt Credit Card Benefits and Features

Annual Free Hotel Night (Category 1 Through Category 4)

Every year on your cardmember anniversary, you'll get an award night added to your account that you can use at any Hyatt Category 1 through 4 hotel.

Many hotels on the list cost more per night than the card's annual fee, so this benefit alone can make The World Of Hyatt Credit Card worth keeping year after year. 

World of Hyatt Discoverist Elite Status

The World Of Hyatt Credit Card gets you Discoverist elite status with Hyatt, which includes perks like 10% bonus points on paid stays, 2 p.m. late checkout when available, premium internet, and preferred rooms.

Hyatt has reciprocal relationships with M Life, where you'll get Pearl elite status at MGM hotels, and with American Airlines, which gets you 1 Hyatt point per dollar spent on American Airlines flights. 

Five Qualifying Night Credits Toward Elite Status 

Every year, you'll receive five qualifying night credits toward elite status automatically added to your account. This gives you a boost toward earning a higher elite status tier when you stay with Hyatt. 

Two More Qualifying Night Credits Per $5,000 Spent

Every time you spend $5,000 on The World Of Hyatt Credit Card, you'll get two additional qualifying night credits toward elite status. There's no limit to this benefit, and could be an easy way to get a boost toward the next level, depending on your spending levels. 

Earn Another Free Night After Spending $15,000

If you spend $15,000 on The World Of Hyatt Credit Card within a calendar year, you'll earn an extra award night at any Hyatt Category 1 through 4 hotel. If you use your card for everyday purchases, that's an added bonus on top of the points and other benefits you'll earn through spending with the card. 

Free DoorDash Subscription

With The World Of Hyatt Credit Card, you can activate a complimentary DoorDash DashPass subscription for 12 months which gets you no delivery fees and reduced service fees when you order from DoorDash and Caviar delivery services. Enrollment is required by December 31, 2024.

Damage and Theft Purchase Protection

New purchases made with The World Of Hyatt Credit Card are covered against damage and theft for 120 days, up to $500 per claim and $50,000 per account. 

Extended Warranty Protection

When you purchase an eligible item with The World Of Hyatt Credit Card, you qualify for an extension of the US manufacturer's warranty by an additional year on eligible warranties of three years or less. Coverage is secondary to any other service contract or warranty you purchased or received, and is up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account. 

Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver Insurance

When you pay for a rental car with your card and decline the rental company's collision insurance, you're covered for theft and collision damage. In the US, coverage is secondary to your personal insurance, but is primary abroad. 

Baggage Delay Insurance

If your baggage is delayed over six hours, you can get reimbursed for essential purchases like toiletries and clothing up to $100 a day for five days. You, your spouse, and your immediate family members are all covered when you travel together. 

Lost Luggage Reimbursement

If you or an immediate family member check or carry on luggage that gets damaged or lost, you're covered up to $3,000 per passenger per trip. 

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance

If your trip is canceled or cut short because of sickness, severe weather, or another covered situation, you can get reimbursed up to $5,000 per person and $10,000 per trip for pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses with a maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period. 

Trip Delay Reimbursement 

If your travel plans are delayed more than 12 hours or require an overnight stay, you and your family can be reimbursed for necessary expenses, such as meals and lodging, up to $500 per ticket. 

Fraud Protection and Alerts

Chase uses real-time fraud monitoring to protect your account. You can sign-up to receive a text, email, or call if there's any unusual activity. 

Zero Liability Protection

You won't be responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information. This feature protects you in the event that your card is lost or stolen. You can also temporarily lock your card if you misplace it. 

Free Credit Report and Credit Monitoring

The World Of Hyatt Credit Card gets you access to your Experian credit score — it refreshes every week and you can check it as often as you'd like. You'll also receive credit monitoring and alerts about changes to your credit, which can help you identify potential fraud. You can also simulate how your score could change when you take action like paying off debt or opening a new account. 

Hyatt Credit Card Fees 

Annual Fee

The World Of Hyatt Credit Card has a $95 annual fee.

Foreign Transaction Fees

This card does not charge foreign transaction fees, making it a great travel companion on your adventures abroad.

Like most other cards, The World Of Hyatt Credit Card charges fees for cash advances, late payments, and returned payments. 

Hyatt Credit Card Comparison

The World Of Hyatt Credit Card is great for Hyatt loyalists. But there are other good alternatives to consider, especially if you don't stay exclusively at Hyatt hotels. Below, we've compared three popular credit cards that may suit your needs just as well. 

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card vs. The World Of Hyatt Credit Card

If you're primarily focused on accumulating Hyatt points, consider getting the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, which is Business Insider's top pick for best travel rewards credit card. The card has a $95 annual fee and a welcome offer of 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening and get up to $300 in statement credits on Chase Travel purchases within your first year, worth $1,080.

Cardholders can transfer Chase points at a 1:1 ratio to 14 different Ultimate Rewards points travel transfer partners, including Hyatt — and the card comes with lots of opportunities to earn bonus points for your spending.

This card is ideal for people who stay in hotels often enough to warrant getting a travel-focused credit card, but who may not want to lock themselves down to a single chain. 

Learn more about the other airlines and hotels you can book through this card in our in-depth Chase Sapphire Preferred card review

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card vs. The World Of Hyatt Credit Card

If you need a hotel chain that will take you anywhere in the world, look no farther than a credit card offered by the world's largest hotel chain, with nearly 10,000 hotels compared to Hyatt's footprint of just over 1,300 hotels.

The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card has a comparable $95 annual fee and a solid welcome offer as well: 125,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 in purchases in your first three months from your account opening.

If you're willing to pay more for better benefits, you may want to consider the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card or even the premium-tier Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. You'll pay more in annual fees on each of these cards, but they come with benefits such as automatic elite status that grants early check-in and late check-out privileges where available. 

Learn more about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card in our Marriott Bonvoy Boundless credit card review, and compare your options for Marriott hotel credit cards in our guide to the best Marriott Bonvoy credit cards right now

Other Chase Credit Card Alternatives

There's also the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, which has a welcome offer of 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. This card has a $550 annual fee, but you'll get up to a $300 annual travel credit and benefits like airport lounge access and top-notch travel protections. If you spend a lot in the card's bonus categories, you could potentially earn more points per dollar and send them to Hyatt (or any other transfer partner), to get more award travel than you could earn with The World Of Hyatt Credit Card. 

If you have a small business, take a look at the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, which has a $95 annual fee and a welcome bonus of 90,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. This card earns 3x points on the first $150,000 you spend across travel and select business categories each account year. Like other premium Chase Ultimate Rewards cards, this card allows you to transfer your points to travel partners, including Hyatt.

Hyatt Credit Card Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main benefits of the World of Hyatt Credit Card? Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

The World Of Hyatt Credit Card comes with a generous welcome offer, especially considering its low annual fee of just $95. The card also offers a free night certificate each anniversary year, and another free night when you spend $15,000 in a calendar year. Additional perks include automatic Hyatt elite status, no foreign transaction fees, and travel insurance benefits.

How does the World of Hyatt Credit Card compare to other hotel rewards cards? Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

The World Of Hyatt Credit Card offers plenty of value to offset its annual fee. However, this card is best for Hyatt loyalists, since the brand only has approximately 1,300 hotels worldwide. Travelers who need a larger global footprint may want to consider a Marriott or Hilton credit card. 

Are there any downsides to the World of Hyatt Credit Card? Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

The World Of Hyatt Credit Card only earns Hyatt points, so travelers who want to branch out beyond this chain may need to consider a travel rewards credit card that earns brand-agnostic points. 

How can I maximize the benefits of the World of Hyatt Credit Card? Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

To maximize benefits, use your card for all Hyatt purchases to earn the highest rewards rates. Utilize the free night certificates by booking stays at higher-end properties for maximum value. Take advantage of the automatic elite status and its associated perks during your stays. Pay your balance in full each month to avoid interest charges.

What is the current introductory offer for the World of Hyatt Credit Card? Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

The World Of Hyatt Credit Card currently offers a generous welcome bonus: 30,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening plus up to 30,000 more bonus points by earning 2 bonus points per $1 in the first six months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 bonus point.

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed the Hyatt Credit Card

Business Insider's credit cards experts reviewed The World Of Hyatt Credit Card by comparing it to other hotel co-branded credit cards with similar annual fees and generic travel rewards credit cards available on the. market.

Our top criteria include:

  • Ease of use — Is it easy to earn and use rewards from the card without jumping through hoops or memorizing complex award charts and restrictions? Are there a lot of hotels available for the cardholder to book, both worldwide and within the U.S.?
  • Rewards potential — We considered the value of the welcome offer as well as the ongoing earn rate for daily and brand-related spend
  • Fees — Do the card's benefits, such as elite status or annual free nights, outweigh the cost of the annual fee? Will you have to pay foreign transaction fees if you use this card on international stays?
  • Benefits — Will holding the card save you money or simplify your travel experience easier? How well do these benefits hold up against other top credit cards on the market? 

Read about how we rate credit cards at Business Insider for more details on our methodology.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards.

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

**Enrollment required.

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Trip Delay Insurance, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance, and Cell Phone Protection Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. Global Assist Hotline Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, and Baggage Insurance Plan Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

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