The kind of travel you desire—stylish hotels, great locations, and unforgettable experiences—doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag.
Chase’s World of Hyatt Credit Card (see rates and fees) makes it possible to enjoy next-level travel experiences by converting everyday purchases into Hyatt stays around the world. I have personally held this card for seven years and used it to book stays at most of the hotels featured in this article.
From annual free night bonuses to automatic Discoverist elite membership with in-property benefits, the card offers a host of great benefits – with an annual fee of just $95.
How everyday spending can earn you a free night every year
If you use this card regularly, your everyday purchases can quickly turn into valuable World of Hyatt points. Let’s start with the fastest way to build a points balance: welcome offers.
Jump-start your points balance with welcome offers
New card members can currently earn up to 60,000 bonus points:
- Earn 30,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening.
- Plus, earn 2 bonus points per $1 spent within the first six months of account opening, plus up to an additional 30,000 bonus points (regularly earn 1 bonus point on purchases up to $15,000).
Earning all 60,000 bonus points will help you accumulate enough points to instantly redeem them for a free night.
Strong Earning Potential in Everyday Categories
The card’s income structure is simple and designed to maximize benefits.
You can earn up to 9 total points for every US$1 spent at Hyatt accommodations (of which, as a cardholder, you can earn 4 bonus points for every US$1 spent at Hyatt; as a World of Hyatt member, you can earn up to 5 base points for every US$1 spent at Hyatt hotels).
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You’ll also earn 2 points for every $1 spent on dining, flights purchased directly from the airline, local transportation and commuting, and fitness and gym memberships.
You’ll earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other everyday purchases, including holiday shopping, so you’ll be rewarded for your purchases no matter how you spend them.
A “set it and forget it” strategy to create balance in the World of Hyatt
An easy way to build a World of Hyatt points balance is to use the card to pay for recurring expenses that already fit your lifestyle, such as recurring gym memberships, local transportation and commuting expenses, and dining and other everyday purchases.
By recording these daily purchases onto your card, you can create a steady stream of points without having to adjust your habits.
Earn free nights
Every year after your card membership anniversary, you can earn a free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort around the world just by holding the card.
Additionally, spend $15,000 per year to unlock a second free night award in categories 1-4.
Turn points into luxury
Once you’ve earned your points, the fun part is turning them into a more luxurious stay than what you actually paid.
Learn about World of Hyatt award categories
World of Hyatt’s rewards system is simple, making it easy to understand how your points are being used. With a little planning, a transparent rewards chart (outlining off-peak, standard and peak rates) makes it easy to see how far your points will take you.
With free nights starting at just 3,500 points during off-peak hours, World of Hyatt gives members the flexibility to book award nights even if they don’t have a large points balance.
Why Category 3 and 4 are the best choices
Some of the best values in the World of Hyatt portfolio come from mid-tier properties that balance great locations with achievable redemption rates. Category 3-4 hotels typically offer:
- High-end design
- Convenient city or resort location
- Unforgettable service and facilities at affordable incentive prices
Highly rated Category 1-2 hotels can also offer impressive value, making the program appealing to a variety of travel styles and budgets.
Real stay, real value
All of the hotels below (except the last two) are places I’ve personally stayed at within the past 18 months, which should give you a real feel for what this card can do.
Grand Hyatt Berlin (Category 4)
Located in the heart of the city, this hotel is a great choice for large events. This summer, I stayed at a Hyatt Points hotel during an iconic music festival, and it helped me save money on a stay during a high-demand weekend.
Andaz Belvedere Vienna (Category 3)
Located near Vienna’s iconic Belvedere Castle, this hotel is a stylish and modern place to stay, within walking distance of the main train station and direct access to the airport. This is a great example of how far points or free night awards can take you in major European cities.
Hyatt Centric Malta (Category 2)
This Mediterranean hotel is great value, with a rooftop swimming pool and a spacious fitness center. Staying here during my first trip to Malta this summer proved just how much mileage you can get from a laid-back resort-style destination.
Hyatt Regency Cape Town (Category 1)
With accommodations starting at just 3,500 points, this hotel is a great value. It’s a good reminder that all class levels can feel upscale based on the points required.
Hyatt Place Ann Arbor, MI (Category 4)
Just a short drive from the University of Michigan campus and Michigan Stadium, this hotel offers spacious guest rooms and friendly service, whether you’re in town for a football game, graduation, or a Midwest vacation.
Description of Hyatt Regency Nashville Downtown (Category 4)
This hotel is the newest addition to The Gulch, one of Nashville’s most vibrant and walkable neighborhoods, just steps away from live music, local arts, vibrant nightlife and great restaurants. The location truly puts you in the center of everything.
Take advantage of elite benefits and smart redemptions
In addition to free nights, Chase’s World of Hyatt Credit Card also offers additional benefits to make your Hyatt stay experience even more exclusive.
Automatically achieve Discoverer status from day one
From the moment you become a card-carrying member, you will receive free Explorer status. This includes 2 p.m. late checkout and room upgrades (where available), as well as 10% bonus points earned on qualifying Hyatt stays.
These benefits help make travel feel better without adding additional out-of-pocket costs.
Add an extra “bougie” touch
You can use points to add even more to your stay, including suite upgrades and club lounge access. You can even earn up to 14 total points per $1 spent on Find experiences (as a World of Hyatt member, you earn 10 base points per $1 spent at qualifying Hyatt hotels, plus 4 bonus points per $1 spent with the World of Hyatt credit card), which include everything from cultural and community experiences to activities focused on adventure, wellness and rejuvenation.
These offers not only give you a free stay, but also help you design a personalized, upgraded and truly unique stay.
bottom line
The Chase World of Hyatt Credit Card offers strong ongoing value. In addition to an affordable $95 annual fee, it also offers at least one (and possibly two) free night awards per year, automatic Discoverist elite membership, and the ability to earn points on everyday purchases like dining, transportation, and fitness.
Spending on groceries, gym memberships and commuting can help you enjoy your Hyatt stay in destinations like Austria and South Africa. If you want to enrich your vacation, this card provides access to luxury hotel experiences.
Are you ready to transform your everyday purchases into an enhanced stay? Learn more about the Chase World of Hyatt Credit Card.
Credit card issued by JPMorgan Chase Bank, Member FDIC, N.A. Account subject to credit approval. Restrictions and restrictions apply.
