When picking a travel credit card, one way to narrow down your options is to ask yourself what hotel chain or airline you most often use. Cards that reward you for staying or flying with a particular brand can offer some valuable perks.
The World of Hyatt Credit Card, for example, is ideal for those who frequent Hyatt properties, who want to climb the elite status ranks more quickly, and who are looking for plenty of options to earn bonus rewards.
If you’re considering the World of Hyatt Credit Card, answer the following questions first.
If you frequently stay at World of Hyatt properties, this card might be a good choice, as you'll earn up to 9 points total per $1 spent at Hyatt hotels: 4 bonus points per $1 spent at Hyatt hotels and 5 base points per $1 spent as a World of Hyatt member. Hyatt has more than 1,150 properties in its portfolio, which is a relatively small footprint compared to larger hotel chains such as Marriott or Hilton, so finding a Hyatt hotel at your destination may be slightly more difficult than with other brands.
Hyatt's rewards program offers something for just about everyone: Free nights are as low as 3,500 points for a Category 1 hotel and up to 45,000 points for a Category 8 hotel. Premium suites run between 7,000 points per night and 90,000 points per night, depending on the category.
Becoming a World of Hyatt cardholder helps you gain elite status faster. Cardholders get automatic World of Hyatt Discoverist status for as long as the account is open and 5 qualifying night credits toward next-tier status every year. Cardholders also earn 2 qualifying night credits toward the next status tier for every $5,000 spent on the card.
Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent.. That’s enough for six award nights at a Category 1 property — or one at a higher-end Category 7 property.
If you’re prepared to spend $3,000 — and pay it off — the sign-up bonus can make a significant dent in the hotel costs for your next trip.
The card's free annual one-night stay should more than make up for its $95 annual fee, but it's also worth considering whether you’ll make purchases that will earn you bonus points.
In addition to extra rewards for Hyatt purchases, cardholders earn 2 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants, cafes and coffee shops; airline tickets purchased through the airline; fitness club and gym memberships; and local transit and commuting including rideshare services. All other spending earns 1 point per $1.
This card's rich rewards and perks, including a free night each anniversary year, make it well worth the annual fee for Hyatt loyalists.