Taking the time to find the perfect travel credit card is a good idea. If you like to travel, then you probably want to be able to earn rewards for doing so. If you have the right rewards card in your wallet, then you can benefit in several different ways. It is possible to earn rewards points for spending money in certain categories and these points can be used to help take care of some of your expenses.
The problem is that the market is full of credit cards that offer travel rewards right now. It can actually be somewhat difficult to figure out which cards are going to be worthwhile and which ones are better off being ignored. Today we are going to be taking a look at the [earnist_link ref=”the-world-of-hyatt-credit-card-apply” id=”6276″]World of Hyatt Credit Card[/earnist_link]. This card has been gaining some traction as of late and many people have been very happy with the benefits that it has to offer.
We are going to review this credit card thoroughly for you so that you can see what it brings to the table. If you want a travel rewards credit card that will make your Hyatt stays much nicer, then this credit card just may fit the bill. Read on as we look at all of the particulars to see just how good this card really is. You will be able to learn everything that you need to know to make the best decision for your wallet.
World of Hyatt Credit Card [earnist_link ref="the-world-of-hyatt-credit-card-apply" id="6276"] |
|---|
| INTRODUCTORY OFFER Earn up to 30,000 points after you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months. |
| REWARDS You’ll earn 9X points per dollar spent at Hyatt hotels, and 2X points on restaurants, airline tickets, local transit, and fitness clubs. |
| BENEFITS One free night award (up to category 4) every account anniversary. Another free night award when you spend $15,000 in a calendar year. Automatic Discoverist elite status with World of Hyatt 5 qualifying night credits each calendar year, plus 2 more bonus night credits each $5,000 in spend. |
| FEES $95 annual fee. |
| TRAVEL FREEDOM THOUGHTS The introductory offer is decent, but has a high spending limit to earn both tiers. If both tiers are met, it will earn you enough points for up to 10 free nights (category 1). The free night award each year for $95 is well worth it, if you can use it on an otherwise expensive night. |
| [earnist_link ref="the-world-of-hyatt-credit-card-apply" id="6276"]LEARN HOW TO APPLY NOW >>[/earnist_link] |
World of Hyatt Credit Card Fees
The annual fee that is associated with this credit card is not too bad overall. You will need to pay $95.00 every year to keep this credit card in your wallet. This is not overly high so it is not going to scare away most people. If you want to gain access to a good rewards credit card, then you will find that fees such as this are commonplace.
One negative aspect of this credit card is that the APR is somewhat high. If you are planning on carrying a balance on this credit card, then it may wind up turning into a somewhat negative experience. The best way to use this card is to ensure that you pay it off each month to avoid the negatives of the high APR. This may limit the usefulness of the card for some people, but it is pretty standard for many rewards credit cards to be used this way.
On a positive note, this credit card does not have any foreign transaction fees. If you are planning on using this card while you are traveling abroad, then you will be able to do so without worries. Not having to worry about foreign transaction fees makes it more practical to use the credit card how you see fit. This will help you to be able to use the card outside of the country whenever it is going to be beneficial for you to do so.
Features and Benefits of the World of Hyatt Card
This card does offer a nice little introductory offer for those who want to make sure that they qualify. To earn the offer, you are going to need to spend enough money on purchases within the first three months of having the credit card. Once you meet the spending threshold, you will be able to receive a tidy sum of bonus points. Interestingly, there is also a second spending threshold at the six-month mark that will allow you to earn another set of bonus points. If you can take advantage of both, then it easily turns into a very lucrative offer.
One of the best reasons to sign up for this credit card is due to the great benefits that it offers. Right away you should note that signing up for the credit card gives you automatic Discoverist elite status with Hyatt. This is going to help you to earn more bonus points than usual and it will also give you access to many useful perks. You will be able to enjoy things such as late checkout, priority check-ins, potential room upgrades, and more.
This also puts you on the fast track toward earning the next elite tier status with Hyatt. You will receive five night credits that qualify toward your next tier status every single year. When you spend $5,000 on your card each year, you will also receive two more night credits that qualify toward your next tier status. This is perfect for customers who are loyal to the Hyatt brand and want to make the most of their experience.
There are other standard perks that are quite helpful, too. For instance, you will be able to earn one free night for every card anniversary. This free night will be redeemable at up to category 4 Hyatt hotels or resorts, giving you plenty of redemption options. It is even possible to earn another free night for spending $15,000 in one calendar year.
Being able to earn so many free nights will more than makeup for the annual fee of this credit card. Those who spend a lot of money on hotels or resorts will be able to meet the spending thresholds for free nights every year without fail. If you travel often enough, then this credit card is going to be particularly practical for you. It has a lot of potential for the right type of cardholder.
World of Hyatt Rewards Program Info
The rewards program of this credit card has a lot to offer as well. Your credit card is going to earn you 4X points for every $1.00 spent at Hyatt hotels. The effective rewards rate is actually going to be much higher than that, though. Due to being able to earn five base points from the Hyatt program per $1.00 spent, you will effectively be earning points at a 9X rate. This helps you to earn rewards very fast and the points are going to come in handy.
You can also earn 2X rewards points per $1.00 spent on various other categories. It is possible to earn the 2X rate from dining purchases at restaurants, coffee shops, and cafes. You will also earn this increased bonus points total for airline tickets purchased directly from an airline, ride-sharing services, local transportation services, gym memberships, and fitness clubs. It gives you many options for earning bonus points.
All of your other purchases made with the credit card will simply earn you points at a 1X rate. The value of these Hyatt points is very good overall, making this a really solid rewards program. If you are able to use the card to its full potential, then you will likely have many points to use throughout the year. It can definitely alleviate some of your expenses while traveling if you use the card right.
| Hotel Category | Standard Room | Regency/Grand Club | Suite |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5,000 | 7,000 | 8,000 |
| 2 | 8,000 | 12,000 | 13,000 |
| 3 | 12,000 | 17,000 | 20,000 |
| 4 | 15,000 | 21,000 | 24,000 |
| 5 | 20,000 | 27,000 | 32,000 |
| 6 | 25,000 | 33,000 | 40,000 |
| 7 | 30,000 | 39,000 | 48,000 |
Redeeming your points is going to be pretty simple overall, too. You will be able to redeem your earned rewards points to pay for hotel stays and room upgrades. There are a large number of Hyatt hotels around the world, giving you many options for redeeming your rewards. Do note that Hyatt hotels are not located everywhere though, so they may not be in as many places as some of the most famous hotel brands around.
Also, it is not going to be as lucrative for you to transfer your earned Hyatt points to their transfer partners. You can transfer your points to airlines to use them in the form of miles to pay for airfare. The problem is that the transfer rate is not stellar, meaning that you will lose out on a little bit of value if you decide to do this. It is good that the option is there, but it may not work out great for you if you like to maximize the value of your earned points.
The Pros
- Good rewards potential
- Has transfer partners
- Automatic elite status
- No foreign transaction fees
The good rewards potential of this credit card is what will make most people want to sign up. You will be able to earn a lot of points if you stay at Hyatt hotels often. Being able to earn the base points on top of the points you earn through your credit card is great. The points are going to add up fast and you will have many points to use to pay for your hotel stays and room upgrades.
Being able to use your points to transfer to airline partners is good, too. This may not be the best value, but it is always better to have options. If you have earned so many Hyatt points that you cannot use them all for hotel stays, then it makes sense to transfer them to airline miles. There are several transfer partnerships available, so you might be able to use the miles with your preferred airline.
Getting access to automatic elite status due to being a cardholder is a huge benefit as well. Simply being able to earn more points is a nice feature, but it also gives you access to good perks. You will be able to enjoy late checkouts, express check-ins, and many other great benefits. If you like having the best possible experience at the Hyatt hotels and resorts, then this will really be appealing to you.
You also will never have to worry about foreign transaction fees while you are traveling abroad. This makes it easier to use your card whenever it is necessary to do so. Most travel credit cards that are worthwhile will avoid foreign transaction fees. Even so, it is good to see that this card is customer friendly in that way.
The Cons
- Poor transfer rate to airline partners
- Rewards categories may be too complex for some
- High APR
The poor transfer rate to the airline partners is honestly the most disappointing thing about this credit card. If the transfer rate was more favorable, then it would be much easier for this credit card to appeal to more people. As it stands, the card is still a good option, but it will be more limited in its appeal. You will mostly want to use the rewards to pay for stays and room upgrades at the Hyatt if you want to get the best value.
It should also be noted that the rewards categories of this credit card are a bit complex. For instance, you cannot simply earn the bonus points for buying airfare in any way that you see fit. To earn the bonus points, you need to buy airfare directly from the airline itself. Things such as this are not overly complicated, but they can be a nuisance for those who want a more streamlined and simple experience.
The high APR of this credit card is going to hold it back for some people as well. The APR makes it less practical to carry a balance on this card. If you want to be able to use this card easily, then it is best to pay it off every month. Some people will not like that the APR isn’t the best, so it may be a good idea to look for a comparable card with a more agreeable APR if this bothers you.
Credit Score Needed for Approval
Anyone who is interested in the World of Hyatt credit card will need to have a good credit score. If you want to be approved for this credit card, then it is best to have a credit score of 690 or higher. It is going to be easier to get approved when your credit score falls in the very good or excellent range. Taking the time to check your credit score first is highly recommended.
Who Does the World of Hyatt Credit Card Appeal to Most?
This credit card has the most appeal for people who like the Hyatt brand. If you stay at properties that fall under the Hyatt umbrella multiple times per year, then you are more likely to have a good experience with this credit card. You will be able to enjoy the beneficial perks while also earning rewards at a good rate. Anyone who stays at the Hyatt properties all the time due to travel will definitely find this card to be worthwhile.
The card is appealing for people who want to be granted automatic elite status as well. Simply having this elite status is going to give you increased bonus points, the potential for room upgrades, access to late checkouts, fast priority check-ins, and waived resort fees when redeeming your free nights. The potential of this elite status makes your Hyatt experience that much nicer. Anyone who uses these hotels often will benefit from this automatic elite status, so the card is worth considering purely based on that fact.
An Alternative Card to Consider
One of the best alternative credit cards to consider is the [earnist_link ref=”chase-sapphire-preferred-card-apply” id=”6313″]Chase Sapphire Preferred Card[/earnist_link]. If you want a credit card that is much more flexible than the World of Hyatt credit card, then you will be impressed by what it has to offer. The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card allows you to earn unlimited 2X points per $1.00 spent on travel and dining. Everything else will earn you points at a 1X rate.
See our review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.
This credit card is such a good option because of its flexible rewards redemption options. You will have access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards system and there are so many ways to use your points. Redeeming your earned rewards for travel through the Chase portal even has the potential to increase the value of your points by 25%. It makes it easy to pay for travel expenses while still giving you other options for redemption.
Of course, you will not be receiving the same perks as you would with the World of Hyatt credit card. If you need access to the special perks that this card offers, then you might not find the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card to be a suitable alternative. It depends on your expectations and what you want out of a credit card. Keep both in mind and also consider what matters to you the most in a credit card.
Decision Time: Is the World of Hyatt Credit Card Right for You?
Overall, the [earnist_link ref=”the-world-of-hyatt-credit-card-apply” id=”6276″]World of Hyatt credit card[/earnist_link] is going to be a good option for many people. If you like to stay at hotels that fall under the Hyatt umbrella several times per year, then this is going to be a good card to keep around. You will be able to enjoy some nice perks while earning good rewards. Just being able to get that free night annually is going to be enough to make many people want to sign up, as it is worth far more than the associated annual fee.
Even so, this card is not the most flexible rewards credit card in the world. It is not without its flaws and some people will find it to be a bit limiting. It does not offer you the most robust experience when it comes to using your earned rewards points. If you want to have several options for how you use your earned points, then it is possible that you might walk away from this card a bit disappointed.
So long as you have the right expectations, this credit card is going to do well for you. If you like the Hyatt brand and want to be able to enjoy the perks that come along with this card, then it is worth applying for this one. You just have to be able to use this card enough to make it feel like it is worthwhile. It is not going to be your everyday rewards credit card, so you will be using this one as more of a specialty card that you use when it is the most lucrative to do so.
