Link: Learn more about the World of Hyatt Credit Card
The World of Hyatt Credit Card is one of the most lucrative hotel credit cards out there, and is a favorite of mine. We recently saw a new welcome offer introduced on the card, which has the potential to be lucrative, especially in comparison to the standard offer.
In this post:
Improved World of Hyatt Card bonus offer details
The World of Hyatt Credit Card is offering a two-part welcome bonus where you can earn up to five free night awards, and it’s broken down as follows:
- Earn three free night awards after spending $5,000 within the first three months
- Earn an additional two free night awards after spending a total of $15,000 within the first six months
Free night awards can be redeemed at any Category 1-4 World of Hyatt property worldwide, and are valid for one year from when they’re issued.
Personally, I value World of Hyatt points at 1.5 cents each. Each free night can be used for a property costing up to 12,000, 15,000, or 18,000 points, based on when you redeem (off-peak, standard, or peak). So at most, this welcome offer will be worth 90,000 points, though of course I wouldn’t value it that high, since you don’t get as much flexibility as just having points.
World of Hyatt Card eligibility requirements
If you’re interested in applying for the World of Hyatt Credit Card, the typical Chase credit card application restrictions apply.
Fortunately beyond that, the rules are pretty simple. You’re not eligible for the bonus on the card if you currently have this card, or if you’ve received a new cardmember bonus on the card in the past 24 months. Eligibility for this card is unrelated to whether you have the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card (review), which is the business version of the card, and which typically has a superior welcome bonus.
Why the World of Hyatt Card is worth it
The World of Hyatt Credit Card has a $95 annual fee, and offers a variety of perks that could make it worthwhile:
- The card offers World of Hyatt Discoverist status for as long as you’re a cardmember
- The card offers five elite nights toward status annually just for having the card, with no spending requirement
- The card offers two elite nights toward status for every $5,000 spent on the card, so spending on the card can help you earn World of Hyatt Globalist status and can count toward Milestone Rewards
- The card offers a Category 1-4 free night award on the account anniversary every year
- The card offers a second Category 1-4 free night award when you spend $15,000 on the card in a calendar year
- The card offers 4x points on Hyatt spending, and 2x points on dining at restaurants, airline tickets purchased directly from airlines, on fitness club and gym memberships, and on local transit and commuting, including ridesharing services
There’s merit to spending $15,000 on this card per year, as that’s very much a sweet spot. This way you earn an incremental six elite nights toward status (in addition to the five you get just for having the card), plus a second Category 1-4 free night award (in addition to the anniversary one you usually get).
Spending that amount would also unlock the full welcome offer, which is pretty great in terms of maximizing value.
Read a detailed review of the World of Hyatt Card.
Bottom line
The World of Hyatt Credit Card has an improved welcome bonus at the moment. With this, you can earn five Category 1-4 free night awards upon completing minimum spending. Fortunately the minimum spending requirement is also a sweet spot, which unlocks additional perks.
However, ultimately this isn’t a card you get just for the bonus, but instead, it’s a card you get because of the long term value that it offers, as the card earns free night awards on an ongoing basis, and can help you earn status.
This is a card I’ve had for years, and one that I spend at least $15,000 on annually. If you stay at Hyatts with any frequency, then having this card should be a no-brainer. If nothing else, getting an anniversary free night award just for paying a $95 annual fee is a great deal.
Anyone plan to pick up the World of Hyatt Credit Card?
Cat 1-4 awards are nothing to get excited about. There used to be some excellent Cat 4 properties - Andaz Mayakoba, Andaz Peninsula Papagayo - and now even some Hyatt Places are beyond this category. I find these nearly impossible to use.
Hard pass.
These category 1-4 awards USED TO BE useable at many decent-to-nice properties. Hyatt accountants changed that; they have been aggressively increasing hotel categories since Covid. They even added a Cat 8. They did all of this while keeping the “award” the same.
These awards should now be Cat 1-6.
Spend $15k to get five nights…at a not very impressive property. Lmao. Hard pass.
I'd rather just have the points. Going to continue holding off on getting this card now I can get 4x points on Hyatt spend with CSR anyway