The World of Hyatt Credit Card is a good option for Hyatt loyalists, those looking for a good once-a-year vacation card, and everything in-between. The card comes with a $95 annual fee that is not waived the first year.
Points: We’ll start off with the goods: Hyatt points are extremely valuable—much more so than other types of hotel points. This is because Hyatt’s most expensive hotels cost only 40,000 points per night while other hotel chains charge 80,000 or more points per night for their top hotels. Hyatt also offers an option where you can redeem a lower number of points and some cash that can help stretch your points even further while still offering a high-value redemption.
Hyatt hotels have relatively low hotel prices, so you should be able to rack up enough points pretty quickly and start redeeming for free nights. The Hyatt Card earns 4 Hyatt points per dollar spent at Hyatt hotels and 2 Hyatt points per dollar on local transit, commuting, restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, airline tickets purchased directly from the airline, and fitness club and gym memberships. All other purchases earn 1 Hyatt point per dollar spent.
Perks: Every year when you renew your card, you’ll automatically be given a free hotel night that is valid at low to mid-tier Hyatt properties. Keep in mind that this doesn’t include Hyatt’s best properties, so it might not be as useful if you want to splurge on your vacation. Plus you’ll get automatic Hyatt Discoverist status earning you a 10% bonus on points earned at Hyatt hotels and access to faster premium internet at no additional cost when you stay with Hyatt.
If you’re loyal to Hyatt brands, which include chains with the Hyatt name like Hyatt Regency as well as luxury brands Andaz and Miraval, you’ll be happy to know that having and spending on your Hyatt card can also help you earn status beyond the Discoverist status that comes with the card.
Every year, you will automatically be given five nights toward qualifying for a higher level of elite status with Hyatt and you can earn two additional night credits toward status for every $5,000 you spend on your card. Higher levels of elite status offer additional benefits like free breakfast, more points earning at hotels, and better room upgrades.