World of Hyatt Card review 2024: Valuable ongoing perks with a reasonable fee

A generous sign-up bonus, earning rates and hotel perks provide more than enough value compared to its modest annual fee. 

About The World of Hyatt Credit Card * The information for the The World of Hyatt Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

The World of Hyatt Credit Card * The information for the The World of Hyatt Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. stands out among cobranded hotel cards, not because of its luxury perks but because of its earning power and access to ongoing brand benefits at a fairly low cost. 

The card carries a $95 annual fee, comparable to many entry-level hotel cards. However, the card’s value far exceeds the fee, especially if you take advantage of the many travel perks. As a cardholder, you’ll receive a free night award each anniversary year of card ownership, valid at any Category 1-4 Hyatt property. You can’t use your free night at some of the hotel brand’s high-end resorts, but you still have plenty of options among over 1,100 Hyatt properties worldwide. 

Along with a free night, the card provides automatic World of Hyatt Discoverist status. Discoverist status perks include late checkout, free premium internet, preferred rooms within your booking category and waived resort fees on award stays. 

The World of Hyatt card isn’t perfect and its reward structure is only valuable if you plan to stay at Hyatt properties when traveling. But for Hyatt loyalists, the card is packed with massive value. 

World of Hyatt Card basics

• Annual fee: $95.
• Welcome bonus: 30,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months, plus up to 30,000 points by earning 2 points per $1 total on up to $15,000 in the first six months of account opening (then 1 point).
• Rewards: 9 points total per $1 at Hyatt — 4 points points on qualified purchases at Hyatt hotels and 5 base points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member. Earn 2 points per $1 at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airlines, on local transit and commuting and on fitness club and gym memberships and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.
• APR: 21.49% to 28.49% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers. A balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies. 
• Other perks and benefits: Anniversary Category 1-4 free night award annually, World of Hyatt Discoverist status, additional elite night credit through credit card spending, DoorDash partner benefits, travel and purchase protections.
• Does the issuer offer a pre-approval tool? No.
• Recommended credit score: Good to Excellent.

World of Hyatt Card other details

World of Hyatt Card rewards

As a Hyatt card, it earns the highest bonus rate for Hyatt purchases. As a cardmember, you earn 9 points total per $1 at Hyatt — 4 points points on qualified purchases at Hyatt hotels and 5 base points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member. Earn 2 points per $1 at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airlines, on local transit and commuting and on fitness club and gym memberships and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. 

The World of Hyatt Card offers a two-tiered sign-up bonus. You can receive 30,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months, plus up to 30,000 points by earning 2 points per $1 total on up to $15,000 in the first six months of account opening (then 1 point). 

Hyatt award nights start at just 3,500 points, while award nights at the brand’s all-inclusive resorts start at 12,000 points. The number of points required to book an award night with Hyatt depends on the property category and when you’re traveling. Hyatt uses dynamic awards pricing, so off-peak award nights cost less than standard or peak award nights. 

World of Hyatt Card rewards potential

Using government data and other publicly available information, our credit card team estimates that a household in the U.S. that would be in the market for this card has an annual income of $84,352 and $25,087 in expenses they are likely to be able to charge to a credit card.

On average, a household spends $868 annually on hotels. If the total amount is spent at eligible Hyatt properties, our sample household will earn 3,472 points from the Hyatt credit card.

Of the possible card spending, our sample household spends an estimated $3,526 on dining, $1,188 on airline tickets, $781 on public transit and $507 on gym memberships. At a rate of 2 points for each category, you would earn 12,004 points. The remaining $18,217 in card spending would net 18,217 points — for a first-year total of 33,693 rewards points. Don’t forget to factor in the card’s welcome offer: 30,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months, plus up to 30,000 points by earning 2 points per $1 total on up to $15,000 in the first six months of account opening (then 1 point).

World of Hyatt Card APR

The World of Hyatt Card has a 21.49% to 28.49% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers. A balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies. The Hyatt card doesn’t come with any introductory APR offers. 

World of Hyatt Card pros

• Hyatt status: As a cardholder, you receive World of Hyatt Discoverist status for as long as your account is open. Plus, you’ll receive five qualifying night credits towards the next status tier status annually and earn two additional qualifying night credits for every $5,000 spent on your card.

• Free anniversary night: Cardholders receive one free night award valid at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort annually after their cardmember anniversary. They can also earn an additional free night award after spending $15,000 on purchases in a calendar year.

• Travel protections: The World of Hyatt Card’s travel benefits go beyond hotel perks. The card includes travel protections like baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, secondary auto rental collision damage waiver and Visa concierge services.

World of Hyatt Card cons

• Limited redemption options: World of Hyatt offers few reasonable redemption options outside the Hyatt ecosphere.  

• No intro APR offer: There is no introductory 0% APR offer for purchases or balance transfers offered with the World of Hyatt Card. 

• Limited properties: With over 1,100 locations around the globe, Hyatt’s footprint is much smaller than other hotel brands like Hilton or Marriott. 

How the World of Hyatt Card compares to other travel cards 

World of Hyatt Card vs. Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

If you prefer to stay at Hilton hotels and resorts, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card (terms apply, rates & fees) might be a better fit. The card carries a $150 annual fee. The card comes with complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status and the opportunity to earn a free night reward after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year. As expected, it earns a higher bonus rate on Hilton purchases, but you can also earn bonus points at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations. The Hilton card doesn’t offer as many travel protections except secondary rental car insurance¹. 

World of Hyatt Card vs. IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card * The information for the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Another hotel card with comparable value to the World of Hyatt card is the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card * The information for the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. . This IHG card carries a $99 annual fee and comes with a nice welcome bonus and an anniversary free night earned each account anniversary year (valid at IHG hotels with a redemption value of 40,000 points or less). Plus, you can earn 10 points per $1 at IHG Hotels and Resorts, another 10 points per $1 as an IHG One Rewards member, 6 points per $1 from IHG with Platinum Elite Status (a benefit of this card), 5 points per $1 on travel, dining and gas stations and 3 points per $1 on all other purchases. 

World of Hyatt Card vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is among the most versatile travel rewards cards on the market. The flexible rewards card opens up more redemption options like flights, hotels, rental cars, cash back and pay with points. Plus, if you redeem your points within the Chase Travel℠ portal, they are worth 25% more. If you love World of Hyatt, the loyalty program is among Sapphire Preferred’s laundry list of travel partners. You can transfer your points 1:1 to World of Hyatt for Hyatt stays. 

Should you get the World of Hyatt Card?

For Hyatt fans, it’s almost a no-brainer to get the World of Hyatt card. The complimentary anniversary night alone is worth at least the card’s $95 annual fee in most cases, if not more. Plus, you’ll earn automatic Hyatt Discoverist status, which comes with basic perks, like waived resort fees on award stays, preferred rooms, premium internet and late checkout. 

Beyond the first year and two possible sign-up bonuses, the card still earns high rewards on Hyatt stays and average bonus rates on dining, airline fares booked directly through airlines, transit and gym memberships. Chase doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees on the World of Hyatt card, so it’s a useful tool to keep in your wallet when traveling internationally. 

If you’re not a loyal Hyatt customer, a general travel rewards card or a cobranded hotel card from your favorite hotel brand may be a better fit long-term.

World of Hyatt Card summary

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

^{For rates and fees for the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card please visit this page.}

^{¹Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.}