The World of Hyatt Credit Card is one of my all-around favorite hotel credit cards. The card offers an anniversary free night on your account anniversary each year, which is valid at category 1-4 properties. The card has a $95 annual fee, and almost anyone should be able to get more than $95 worth of value out of that anniversary night certificate.
While the limitation of only being able to redeem at category 1-4 properties does exclude some properties, there are many awesome hotels that belong in those categories. This by no means limits you to Hyatt Place properties in third rate cities.
For those based in the US (which I assume is most people with the World of Hyatt Credit Card, since the card is only issued here), I wanted to share 10 great hotels where you can redeem your free category 1-4 annual night for a weekend getaway. I’ll have a separate post about properties in Asia and Europe where you can redeem these, as there are even better properties there, in many cases.
In no particular order:
Hyatt at Olive 8 Seattle
For a while this was my home hotel, and I absolutely love it. The hotel has a great saltwater pool, Globalists get breakfast in the restaurant, and this hotel has very nice suites that Globalist members are eligible to be upgraded to (however, even the base rooms here are nice). Most importantly, hotels in the Pacific Northwest can be outrageously expensive in summer, so you can easily use this certificates on dates where the rate would be $450+ per night.
Alternatively, the Grand Hyatt Seattle is right across the street, and you can also redeem your certificate there.
Park Hyatt Toronto
This is the only Park Hyatt in North America that’s a category 4 or below. Toronto is a great city, and the Park Hyatt is presently undergoing a renovation, and the new guest rooms look great.
Grand Hyatt Washington DC
If you’re looking to visit DC, the Grand Hyatt is a great option. The hotel has a convenient location, the rooms are nice, and for those who are Globalist members, the Grand Club is one of the better ones in the US as well.
Hyatt Regency Vancouver
Much like Seattle, hotel rates in high season can be outrageous. I’m seeing rates of 500CAD+ on some nights, so being able to redeem a certificate there is a great option.
Andaz Savannah
I’ve visited Savannah once, maybe 15 years ago, and remember loving it. There’s now an Andaz there, which seems like one of the best hotels in town. I love the Andaz brand, so hope to visit this hotel (and return to Savannah) soon.
Hyatt Centric Fisherman’s Wharf San Francisco
San Francisco is one of the most expensive hotel markets in the US, especially when there’s a conference in town. While I haven’t yet stayed at the Hyatt Centric, being able to redeem a free night certificate there is a good option based on the city alone. Since the annual fee on the card is $75 per year, that’s like paying $75 for the hotel night, which is cheaper than just about anything else in the city.
Hyatt Centric Santa Barbara
If you live on the California coast (or are visiting), there’s nothing like a road trip up or down the Pacific Coast Highway. Santa Barbara is a cute town. I did this road trip from LA last year, and had a great time. It’s worth it for the beauty of the drive alone, and the town itself is a nice added bonus.
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
When I was a little kid I loved the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress. Heck, I loved everything about Orlando. For a family getaway this is an excellent hotel, especially since rates here can be high in peak season.
Hyatt Centric New Orleans
I’m somewhat selfishly putting this hotel on my list, since I haven’t visited New Orleans as an adult. It’s definitely on my top five list of US cities I want to visit. Overall New Orleans doesn’t seem to be an amazing hotel market, so the Hyatt Centric seems like a solid option.
Andaz Peninsula Papagayo
If you’re willing to take a flight to Central America for the weekend, the Andaz Peninsula Papagayo looks great, and is only a category 4 property. I’m planning on visiting this hotel soon, and can’t wait. I’ve heard great things about it, and the points value here is a bargain.
Bottom line
The World of Hyatt Credit Card is a card that’s worth holding onto long term for the annual free night that it offers. Almost anyone should be able to get outsized value out of the free night, given that the card’s annual fee is only $95.
The above are just a few examples of the weekend getaways you can get with this card using the anniversary certificate. To get even more value out of it, have your spouse or friend sign up for the card as well, and then you get two free nights per year, which you can use for a back-to-back stay.
What’s your favorite hotel for redeeming the World of Hyatt Credit Card annual free night certificate?
Hyatt Centric Santa Barbara is an awful place. Old, dirty, and rundown. Does not belong on this list at all.
Hyatt Regency Grand Cyprus lol
I beg to differ on your comment about New Orleans not having a great hotel market. Sure, the best ones are concentrated in the French Quarter and CBD area, but it's worth another look.
Hyatt Centric Fisherman's Wharf was a fun place, great location. Stayed as a Diamond last year and scored an upgrade to the only suite in the hotel (yup, only one). Breakfast in the restaurant was OK, if it hadn't been free for Diamond we would have gone outside the hotel for sure. I enjoyed this location much better than another weekend trip at Le Meridien...
What about the Park Hyatt Aviara? It's not a beach location but San Diego is a lot of fun.
Hyatt Centric NOLA is our favorite hotel in New Orleans. If you can get them to give you a courtyard poolside room at check in, then do it! You'll open your door right out onto the pool deck. When you go to NOLA I would take a plantation tour of Oak Alley - half a day. Well worth the trip.
@ Brian -- Agreed! Surprised that the HR Grand Cypress is on this list over Coconut Point.
Also, I'm not sure all of us would consider a "weekend getaway" to be limited merely to US/Canadian destinations. :)
Hyatt Centric Long Beach is a great property with an amazing roof pool deck and bar in a great location.
@DizzyRas he has been posting a lot on the negatives of the new program. Take a look back...
Bonita Springs (especially with new water slides) should be on this list!
If you get $10 for every clearly promo induced Hyatt post you would pull in 10+ million this year alone!!
You used to be a bit more informational and a lot less paid off.
I love your blog but please PLEASE please be true to yourself and not the checkbook paying you off. It is so beyond obvious at this point. I bet you won't even post this due to my truth exposing yours but I hope just reading this helps...
Lucky - minor change, it's the Grand Cypress, not the Grand Cyprus :)
Lucky, how many of these hotels have you actually stayed at? For example, Hyatt Santa Barbara is in a good location but rooms are old and junky
Sounds like you need to make some more domestic trips, Lucky!
Unfortunately we are not allowed to use our club upgrades with the anniversary night. At least thats what the phone supervisor just told me.
Will be at the Hyatt Centric NOLA this weekend! Don't think it will be super impressive, but definitely better than most of the SPG/Marriott options.
I've stayed at Park Hyatt Toronto 20+ times, and it's hit or miss. Front desk staff and concierge are usually very good, but food is pretty poor. Location is nice for tourists but not for people heading downtown.
@ Lucky - The Andaz in Savannah is pretty fantastic. I've stayed there a handful of times and outside of the first time I stayed there, I've had nothing but great experiences. Great location to explore Savannah as well and the breakfast spread there is pretty good.