Why the World of Hyatt Card Has a Permanent Spot in My Wallet

As most other hotel chains have moved to dynamic award pricing over the years, World of Hyatt’s structured award chart remains a true enigma — a very, very good one. Plus, Hyatt’s partnership with Chase makes things even easier, as I can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio.

As I’ve transferred thousands of points from Chase to Hyatt over the years, I realized it was silly of me not to have The World of Hyatt Credit Card, so I applied and haven’t looked back. Here are the main perks that make it a keeper for any traveler’s wallet.

World of Hyatt Card Overview (And Its Future)

I plan to keep my World of Hyatt card for now, but it is true that something even better may be in the works.

Hyatt and Chase announced back in late 2025 that they’d be expanding their relationship with plans to expand the Hyatt card portfolio. While part of me hopes the World of Hyatt card won’t change, I’m also excited to see what kind of card lineup Hyatt and Chase are cooking up.

LAST CHANCE

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The World of Hyatt Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The World of Hyatt card offers a fast track to Hyatt elite status, an annual free night, and up to 9x points per $1 on Hyatt stays.

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The World of Hyatt Credit Card

The World of Hyatt card offers a fast track to Hyatt elite status, an annual free night, and up to 9x points per $1 on Hyatt stays.

Welcome Offer

Earn up to 5 free nights. Earn 3 free nights after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, 2 free nights after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 6 months. Free nights can be redeemed at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort worldwide. Offer ends at 9AM EST on 2/26/2026.

Up to 5 Free Nights

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,350

Annual Fee

$95

APR

19.24% - 27.74% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The World of Hyatt Credit Card makes your Hyatt stays more rewarding and helps you get coveted World of Hyatt elite status faster. This card is a must-have for any traveler who regularly stays at Hyatt hotels, or even for anyone who’s able to take advantage of the card’s annual free night certificate.

When you factor in all the benefits the World of Hyatt card offers, it’s easy to see why it is one of the best co-branded hotel credit cards on the market.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Up to 9 points total for Hyatt stays – 4 Bonus Points per $1 spent on qualified purchases at Hyatt hotels & up to 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member
• 2x points per $1 at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airline, local transit, rideshares, and fitness clubs/gym memberships
• 1x point per $1 on all other purchases

Cons

• $95 annual fee

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Card Highlights

• Earn up to 5 free nights. Earn 3 free nights after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, 2 free nights after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 6 months. Free nights can be redeemed at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort worldwide.
• Enjoy complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status for as long as your account is open.
• Get 1 free night each year after your Cardmember anniversary at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort
• Receive 5 tier qualifying night credits towards status after account opening, and each year after that for as long as your account is open
• Earn an extra free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel if you spend $15,000 in a calendar year
• Earn 2 qualifying night credits towards tier status every time you spend $5,000 on your card
• Earn up to 9 points total for Hyatt stays – 4 Bonus Points per $1 spent on qualified purchases at Hyatt hotels & up to 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member
• Earn 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airlines, on local transit and commuting and on fitness club and gym memberships
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.24% - 27.74% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

World of Hyatt

Until any card refreshes see the light of day (or until my 5/24 status with Chase changes), this hotel credit card will remain one of my favorites. That said, here are the reasons I love the World of Hyatt card and how its $95 annual fee practically pays for itself.

1. World of Hyatt Discoverist Status

I’m a big fan of IHG and sometimes stay at Hilton or Marriott properties, so building status with a single hotel brand tends to be difficult. That’s why I love that the World of Hyatt card gives me automatic Hyatt Discoverist status.

Yes, this is the lowest level of status, but it’s still something. The complimentary Discoverist status gets me a preferred room within the category I booked, late checkout (2 p.m.), elite check-in, bottled water, premium Wi-Fi, and a 10% points bonus.

I’m always treated really well at Hyatt properties, and I’m not sure whether it’s because they have excellent service or because I have Discoverist status — I’m just going to attribute it to both.

2. Annual Free Night Certificate

Each year, I get a free night at a Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort after my cardmember anniversary thanks to the World of Hyatt card. This is one of my favorite perks, even though many of my favorite Hyatt hotels are categorized higher than 4.

I prefer to use the free night either for stays where I only need a single night or for countries where luxury hotels are often listed in lower categories — like Thailand, for example.

I used my credit last year at the Hyatt Centric The Loop in Chicago in the summer, when cash rates were more than $300 per night, so it was a great deal. The hotel had a gorgeous rooftop with city and Lake Michigan views. It was the perfect place to spend a balmy, Midwestern August evening.

This year, I’ll be using my credit at the Hyatt Regency Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, and the location of this hotel couldn’t be better — it’s literally next to the Bangkok (BKK) airport. I can walk for 10 minutes via underground tunnels between the hotel and the terminal at B1 or take the free airport shuttle.

I often say that while you should make sure you’re getting top value from things like miles, points, and award certificates, sometimes value comes from convenience and need, not just money.

Either way, the benefits I’ve derived will have well outweighed the annual fee, thanks to the free night benefit, and will continue to do so in the future. Most Hyatt properties, even Category 1 hotels, cost more than the $95 annual fee.

3. Earn a Second Annual Free Night Certificate

If I spend $15,000 on my card each year, I get a second annual free night valid at a Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel. I’ll be honest: I’ve been too busy meeting spending bonuses to earn welcome offers on other cards to make this happen in the past, but I would really like to in 2026.

I’m now in Chase credit card purgatory, thanks to the unwritten 5/24 rule, so it’s the perfect time to put lots of spending on existing cards — including my World of Hyatt card so I can get another free night.

And when it comes to maximizing this night? Last year, I used points to stay at the Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay, and it was a fabulous experience. If I’m able to score a second free night, I’ll definitely be heading back to this stunning Category 4 property.

I’m also eyeing Category 4 properties like the Park Hyatt Mendoza in Argentina, the Andaz Mexico City Condesa, and the Hyatt Centric San Juan Isla Verde.

4. Bonus Points on Fitness and Gyms

The World of Hyatt card offers 2x Hyatt points at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airline, on local transit, on ride-hailing services, and on fitness club and gym memberships.

The fitness clubs and gym membership bonus is amazing, because none of my 10 other credit cards offer bonus points for this category. I have a gym membership, and also frequent boutique spin and Pilates studios. I pay for my son’s swimming lessons at the gym, and my husband does CrossFit.

Previously, I was putting these expenses on other credit cards and earning just 1x points, and I love that I can maximize my spend in this category with the World of Hyatt card.

5. Reach Elite Status Faster

I haven’t yet managed to spend or stay enough to reach Hyatt’s next status level, but I’m hoping 2026 is the year.

Thanks to the World of Hyatt card, I earn 5 elite night credits toward elite status each year, plus 2 elite night credits for every $5,000 I spend. Spending $15,000 on the card each year is the sweet spot, as this will earn you:

• Second Category 1-4 free night certificate
• 6 elite night credits (plus the automatic 5 elite night credits) toward Explorist status

6. Incredible Redemption Value and Perks for Loyal Guests

While not directly related to the credit card, I get a lot of value from the World of Hyatt loyalty program.

They’re one of the few larger hotel brands that still use a fixed award chart (though it does have ranges), so I can see how many points I need for a redemption right off the bat. This is helpful if I need to top off my Hyatt balance by transferring Chase points to Hyatt.

However, thanks to the card, if I pay in cash for Hyatt stays, I can earn up to 9x points, which makes it easy to build a stash quickly, especially since redemptions are often fairly low.

Because Hyatt awards feel reasonable, it makes me feel more loyal to the brand and want to spend on the card. And Hyatt is loyal right back to loyal guests who hit specific point thresholds, as you can with its Milestone Rewards program.

If I complete 30 qualifying nights or earn 50,000 base points in a calendar year, I can get another Category 1-4 free night award. While this doesn’t have much to do with the actual card, it’s another reason I feel drawn to Hyatt’s program, which rewards my loyalty with free nights and other perks.

Final Thoughts

It’s true that the World of Hyatt card may soon get a refresh (or not), but it’ll remain a staple in my wallet for the foreseeable future. The low annual fee, easy-to-redeem free night award, and bonus points in cool categories like fitness and gyms make the credit card extra valuable to me, helping me maximize my Hyatt stays and grow within the brand’s loyalty program.