Hotel credit cards can be an interesting option for frequent travelers who often stay at a particular hotel brand. These cards offer a variety of benefits and rewards that can enhance your hotel experience, but they may not be the best choice for your everyday spending. It’s important to carefully evaluate the benefits and determine if they align with your travel habits and financial goals.
One popular hotel credit card is the World of Hyatt Credit Card. This card has a modest annual fee of $95 and has gained a loyal following among travelers. However, popularity doesn’t automatically make it the right choice for everyone. Let’s take a closer look at what the World of Hyatt card offers and whether it’s worth the annual fee.
One of the key benefits of the World of Hyatt card is the welcome offer for new applicants. You can earn up to 65,000 bonus World of Hyatt points, with 35,000 points earned after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months. You can earn an additional 30,000 points by earning 2 points per dollar on purchases that normally earn 1 point per dollar, up to $15,000 in the first six months. If you maximize this offer, the bonus points are valued at $1,105 according to The Points Guy.
These points can be redeemed for hotel stays at World of Hyatt properties, including Small Luxury Hotels of the World. The redemption options include free night awards and Points + Cash payments. You can also redeem points for dining, spa or meeting credits, Find Experiences, rental cars, and room upgrades. The redemption rates vary depending on the hotel category and whether it’s peak or off-peak season. For example, Category 1 properties start at just 3,500 points per night, while Category 8 properties can go up to 45,000 points per night.
One advantage of the World of Hyatt card is that you can transfer points from Chase Ultimate Rewards at a 1:1 ratio. This allows you to top up your World of Hyatt account and have more flexibility in redeeming your points.
Another valuable benefit of the World of Hyatt card is the annual free night award. Each year on your cardholder anniversary, you’ll receive a free night award that can be used at Category 1-4 hotels worldwide. This benefit alone can justify the $95 annual fee, as you can easily redeem the free night for a value of $200 or more.
In addition to the annual free night award, you can earn a second free night award by spending $15,000 on purchases within a calendar year on the World of Hyatt card. This provides an opportunity to earn even more value from the card if you’re able to meet the spending requirement.
As a World of Hyatt cardholder, you’ll also receive complimentary Discoverist status each year. This is the second-lowest status tier in World of Hyatt and comes with benefits such as discounted hotel rates, complimentary bottled water, late checkout, and preferred room upgrades. Discoverists can also enjoy a status match to MGM Rewards and benefits from the Hyatt-American Airlines partnership.
The World of Hyatt card also offers various travel protections, including trip delay reimbursement, baggage delay insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, lost luggage reimbursement, and trip interruption and cancellation insurance. These protections can provide peace of mind when traveling.
In terms of earning points, the World of Hyatt card offers a decent return on spending. You’ll earn 4 points per dollar at Hyatt hotels and participating Small Luxury Hotels of the World locations. You’ll also earn 2 points per dollar at restaurants, on transit, commuting, fitness club and gym memberships, and on flights purchased directly from airlines. All other purchases earn 1 point per dollar. While these rates may not be the highest among credit cards, they can still provide value when used strategically.
In conclusion, the World of Hyatt Credit Card can be a worthwhile option for frequent travelers who often stay at Hyatt properties. The welcome offer, annual free night award, and complimentary elite status can provide significant value that outweighs the $95 annual fee. However, it’s important to evaluate your travel habits and financial goals to determine if this card is the right fit for you. If the benefits align with your needs, the World of Hyatt card can be a valuable addition to your wallet.