Hotel credit cards can be an interesting addition to your wallet, as they often come with a range of benefits and rewards specific to the hotel brand associated with the card. However, they may not be the best option for your everyday spending. Just because a card is popular among some, that doesn’t automatically make it a good fit for your financial needs.
One hotel credit card that has gained a lot of fans is the World of Hyatt Credit Card. With a modest $95 annual fee, it offers several perks and rewards. But is it worth it? Let’s take a closer look at what you get from the World of Hyatt card each year to help you make an informed decision.
First, let’s talk about the welcome offer. New applicants for the World of Hyatt card can earn up to 65,000 bonus World of Hyatt points. You’ll earn 35,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. You’ll also earn up to 30,000 more points by earning 2 points per dollar on purchases that normally earn 1 point per dollar — on up to $15,000 of these purchases in the first six months from account opening. If you maximize this spending, you’ll receive 65,000 bonus points, which TPG values at $1,105.
The most obvious way to redeem Hyatt points is for hotel stays with World of Hyatt. This includes not just hotels with “Hyatt” in the name but also Small Luxury Hotels of the World. Hotel redemptions can 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.
World of Hyatt uses a peak and off-peak award chart, meaning you’ll pay more points for hotel stays around holidays and during busy travel seasons. Conversely, if you can travel at less-popular times, you can shell out fewer points. Off-peak pricing at Category 1 properties starts at just 3,500 points per night. Hyatt properties are listed in eight different categories, with peak pricing at Category 8 properties topping out at 45,000 points per night.
In addition to the welcome offer, the World of Hyatt card also offers an 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 for one free night. This benefit alone can justify the Hyatt card’s $95 annual fee since you can redeem your free night for $200 or more in value with minimal effort.
Furthermore, if you spend $15,000 on purchases within a calendar year on the World of Hyatt card, you can earn another free night award valid at Category 1-4 properties. This means you have the potential to earn two free nights each year.
As a cardholder, you’ll also receive complimentary Discoverist status each year. This is the second-lowest status tier in World of Hyatt and offers benefits such as discounted hotel rates, complimentary bottled water during your stay, late checkout (when available), and preferred room upgrades within the same room category. Discoverists also enjoy a status match to MGM Rewards (to the Pearl status tier) and benefits from the Hyatt-American Airlines partnership.
In addition to these perks, you’ll earn 4 points per dollar at Hyatt hotels and participating Small Luxury Hotels of the World locations, 2 points per dollar at restaurants, on transit, commuting, fitness club and gym memberships, and on flights purchased directly from airlines, and 1 point per dollar on other purchases. These points can be valuable when helping you earn the Category 1-4 free night award and tier-qualifying nights toward status each year.
The World of Hyatt card also comes with various travel protections, including trip delay reimbursement, baggage delay insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, lost luggage reimbursement, and trip interruption and cancellation insurance.
In conclusion, the World of Hyatt Credit Card offers a range of benefits and rewards that can make it worth the $95 annual fee for some individuals. The welcome offer, annual free night award, complimentary elite status, and points-earning structure can all add value to your travels. However, it’s essential to consider your own spending habits and travel preferences to determine if this card is the right fit for your wallet.