When evaluating the luxury brands within the Hyatt portfolio, one thing is apparent — the value members receive by booking expensive cash hotels with a relatively low number of points. That’s simply not the case with other brands when you’re talking about booking similar luxury properties.
This article will be part of what we’re calling our “best ways to book luxury hotels” series. Not only are we covering Hyatt in this article, but we’ll also evaluate what’s offered by the Hilton Honors, IHG Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy programs in other articles in this series.
For this analysis, we made a few assumptions:
- The travel dates are during peak travel time, confirmed by Google Travel, for the city that hotel is in
- We took the cash cost of the hotel during a weekend night from 2 separate months
- We averaged the cents per point value from the 2 dates to come up with a value for the hotel during peak travel
The goal here is to evaluate the value a traveler would receive booking luxury Hyatt hotels. In January of 2020, we valued Hyatt points at ~1.6 cents per point and used a floor of 2.5 cents per point in value for hotels to make this list.
Cash rates will fluctuate throughout the year, so the value you receive will likely be different than what’s shown here. This guide is meant to merely provide ideas of hotels that could present value for your hard-earned Hyatt points.
With that out of the way, let’s start with one of the best ways to unlock value in the Hyatt program and that’s by being a cardholder of the World of Hyatt Credit Card. We’ll then dive into the luxury Hyatt hotels that made our list. From there, you’ll learn about how to earn Hyatt points via point transfers from Chase Ultimate Rewards.
The World of Hyatt Credit Card
When you’re talking about co-branded hotel credit cards, there are several options. No matter your brand loyalty, each chain offers credit cards that entice you to spend on its cards.
For travelers loyal to Hyatt, the great news is that Hyatt offers a fantastic co-branded credit card in the World of Hyatt Credit Card. It has a moderate annual fee card that also comes with 5 elite night credits and a Category 1-4 free night certificate.
Hot Tip: If you’re a small business owner, consider getting the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card, which offers big earning potential and an easy path to Globalist elite status.
The card earns 4x points at Hyatt and 2x points on airfare, dining, local transit, and gym memberships. If you use this card at Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member, you’d earn 5x points as a loyalty member and 4x points as a cardmember resulting in up to 9x points at Hyatt.
Heavy spenders can earn additional benefits from this card. With every $5,000 spent, the cardmember earns 2 elite night credits. When cardmembers spend $15,000 in a cardmember year, they’ll receive a second Category 1-4 free night certificate.
The World of Hyatt Credit 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
We like how you also get one free night at any Category 1–4 Hyatt hotel (or resort) every year after your cardmember anniversary. See how to best use your free night for maximum value! |
Bottom Line: It’s important to note that this is a Chase card that is subject to the Chase 5/24 rule. As such, you’ll want to factor that into your credit card strategy.
Hyatt Award Chart
Image Credit: HyattNote that there are also different rates for club rooms, standard suites, and premium suites.
Best Luxury Hyatt Hotels
Redeem Hyatt points for your stay at the Talbott Hotel in Chicago. Image Credit: HyattChicago is one of the best U.S. cities to visit during the summer. Not only can you find incredible food and drinks but there’s plenty to see and do. Places like Millennium Park are always fun to walk around, and if you’re into sports, it’s hard to beat experiencing a pro game in the city.
Located in the Gold Coast neighborhood, you’ll find a JdV by Hyatt property in The Talbott Hotel. It’s right off the Magnificent Mile and is within walking distance to many top-notch restaurants.
Cash rates during peak travel time for this hotel exceed $600 per night, and with only 12,000 points per night required, you’re almost guaranteed insane value — like more than 5 cents per point insane value!
Hot Tip: What’s also great about The Talbott Hotel is that you can use your Category 1-4 free night certificate that comes with the Hyatt Credit Card.
Category: 3
Points Required: 12,000 points per night
June-August Rate: $629 per night
Points Value: 5.24 cents per point
The views don’t get any better than those at Ventana Big Sur. Image Credit: HyattThe California coast has some of the best ocean views, not only in the U.S. but across the world. When you throw in a minimally-developed coastline that is flanked by forests, you know you’ve landed in Big Sur.
Ventana Big Sur is a property located south of San Francisco that is now bookable through Hyatt with Alila joining the Hyatt portfolio. It’s an adult-only resort on Highway 1 in Big Sur that offers a perfect getaway place for a quiet vacation.
Summer is peak travel time for this area with cash rates exceeding $1,000 per night. While this hotel does require 30,000 points per night, you’re still receiving nearly 4 cents per point in value.
Hot Tip: The Ventana Big Sur is an adult-only property. For those of you with kids, we recommend using Google Hotels to find kid-friendly in the area.
Category: 7
Points Required: 30,000 points per night
May-July Rate: $1,188 per night
Points Value: 3.96 cents per point
Make your New York trip even more comfortable at the Park Hyatt New York. Image Credit: HyattCategory: 7
Points Required: 30,000 points per night
May-August Rate: $1,120 per night
Points Value: 3.73 cents per point
Another Chicago option is the Hotel Lincoln. Image Credit: HyattWith JdV by Hyatt joining the Hyatt fold, there’s another Chicago property that you can book with points. While not as convenient to downtown Chicago as The Talbott Hotel, Hotel Lincoln is just off Lincoln Park in the Old Town neighborhood.
Peak travel time for Chicago is over the summer where you’ll see prices of nearly $400 per night. When you consider only needing 12,000 points per night, you’re looking at more than 3 cents per point in value during your stay in the Windy City.
For the frequent Hyatt hotel stayers out there, you can use the Category 1-4 free night certificate that you earn after staying at 5 different Hyatt brands.
Category: 3
Points Required: 12,000 points per night
June-August Rate: $378 per night
Points Value: 3.15 cents per point
How could you not want views like this at the Carmel Valley Ranch? Image Credit: HyattHeading back to the west coast for this one, but this time, in Carmel Valley. If you’ve been wanting to see this area of the U.S., why not book Carmel Valley Ranch and Ventana Big Sur on the same trip?
Carmel Valley Ranch is located just east of Monterrey and about 45 minutes north of Big Sur. Located in central California’s wine country, you can play championship golf, relax at the spa, and access an on-site creamery.
Like Ventana Big Sur, the cash rates during peak travel at Carmel Valley Ranch aren’t cheap. At nearly $800 per night, this property would set you back some serious cash. However, that’s where points come in; 25,000 points per night are what you need to book this property, netting you more than 3 cents per point in value.
Category: 6
Points Required: 25,000 points per night
June-July Rate: $785 per night
Points Value: 3.14 cents per point
The cocktail bar alone is worth a stay at the Great Scotland Yard. Image Credit: HyattThe Unbound Collection is continuing to add properties, which is great news for travelers. As of December of 2019, the Great Scotland Yard in London is bookable. London has a multitude of sites to see and highly-rated restaurants to enjoy. It’s also home to some of the top cocktail bars in the world.
Located in the Westminster neighborhood, Great Scotland Yard is in a prime location for London. The hotel is within walking distance of the River Thames, St. James Park, Green Park, and Hyde Park. Its location is also convenient if you want to catch an Arsenal or Chelsea match.
You’re looking at more than $750 per night during peak summer travel dates. Yes, that’s a lot of cash to pay, but the good news is that you can use 25,000 points per night to receive more than 3 cents per point in value.
Category: 6
Points Required: 25,000 points per night
May-July Rate: $757 per night
Points Value: 3.03 cents per point
Hot Tip: Looking for an entire trip on points and miles? Couple a London hotel booked with points and a flight to London booked with points, and you have yourself a great vacation for minimal cash.
Snag a room at the Park Hyatt Sydney overlooking the Harbor. Image Credit: HyattOne of the most popular Hyatt hotels to redeem points at is the Park Hyatt Sydney. This hotel continually receives rave reviews, and when you look at pictures of the property, it makes sense.
Overlooking Sydney Harbour is where you will find the Park Hyatt Sydney. Guests have an opportunity to book rooms that offer sweeping views of the harbor, including a view of the Sydney Opera House.
Guests will need 30,000 points per night to book the Park Hyatt Sydney. Cash rates are nearly $900 per night netting you nearly 3.0 cents per point in value.
Category: 7
Points Required: 30,000 points per night
December – February Rate: $892 per night
Points Value: 2.97 cents per point
Bottom Line: If you want ultimate luxury in an incredible city, look no further than the Park Hyatt Sydney.
Book a stay at the Alila Jabal Akhdar for your trip to Oman. Image Credit: HyattOman is a Middle Eastern country that has been made popular in recent years by #AvGeeks who have flown Oman Air business class. The capital city of Muscat, deserts, and oases are common places to see for travelers who visit this country.
The Alila Jabal Akhdar is a recent addition to the Hyatt portfolio. This beautiful hotel is an Alila property in the Al Hajar Mountains with sweeping views of the surrounding mountain range.
$715 per night is the average cash rate during peak travel time. The good news is that 25,000 points per night will get you a room at this hotel. When you take the cash rate and points per night required, you are coming out with nearly 3 cents per point in value.
Category: 6
Points Required: 25,000 points per night
November – April Rate: $715 per night
Points Value: 2.86 cents per point
Kick your feet back at the McCormick Ranch pool. Image Credit: HyattWhen the rest of the U.S. is experiencing winter, Scottsdale is in peak weather form. This city just north of Phoenix is flooded with resorts, golf courses, and hikes to keep you entertained during your stay.
The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch is part of the Destination by Hyatt brand. Destination by Hyatt is another new addition to the Hyatt family joining the previously-mentioned Alila brand.
At 12,000 points per night, The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch is one of the cheapest points hotels to make our list. Cash rates are not bad either are just under $350 per night giving you 2.85 cents per point in value.
Category: 3
Points Required: 12,000 points per night
January – March Rate: $342 per night
Points Value: 2.85 cents per point
Make your trip to Paris luxurious with a stay at the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome. Image Credit: HyattAnother international city that receives a ton of love is Paris. Yes, Paris can be touristy but it is also one of the top food, art, and sightseeing destinations in the world.
The Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome is one of the most popular Hyatt point redemption hotels in the world. This Park Hyatt is in the heart of Paris and gives guests easy access to everything the city has to offer.
You will need to shell out some serious cash to book this hotel as it averages more than $800 per night during peak dates. 30,000 points per night land you a room at the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome netting you nearly 2.7 cents per point in value.
Category: 7
Points Required: 30,000 points per night
May – July Rate: $804 per night
Points Value: 2.68 cents per point
Bottom Line: Luxury plus location is what to expect when you stay at the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome.
Up your luxury experience in Tokyo with a stay at the Park Hyatt Tokyo. Image Credit: HyattTokyo continues to rise in popularity as a destination for U.S.-based travelers. With countless Michelin-starred restaurants, temples, public gardens, art, and shopping, it is no wonder why Tokyo is a city to experience.
Not only does the Park Hyatt Tokyo offer incredible views of downtown Tokyo, but hotel guests are also welcomed with a pool, fitness center, and on-property dining.
The Park Hyatt Tokyo is a category 7 hotel that requires 30,000 points per night. With cash rates hovering at $800 per night, you will receive 2.66 cents per point in value.
Category: 7
Points Required: 30,000 points per night
April – July Rate: $799 per night
Points Value: 2.66 cents per point
Book a stay at The Laurel Inn, a boutique San Francisco hotel. Image Credit: HyattSan Francisco is a city flooded with hotels from all major brands. With that said, some travelers may be looking for a boutique hotel for their stay in San Fran.
The Laurel Inn is a JdV by Hyatt property that has now been brought into the Hyatt fold. JdV by Hyatt is a boutique hotel brand that is a nice addition to the existing Hyatt portfolio.
San Francisco hotels tend to be expensive, and at $515 per night, the Laurel Inn is not cheap. 20,000 points per night get you a free night at this hotel, meaning your points will be worth more than 2.5 cents per point in value.
Category: 5
Points Required: 20,000 points per night
April – December Rate: $515 per night
Points Value: 2.58 cents per point
Bottom Line: It is refreshing to see Hyatt offer more boutique hotels that you can book with points. In key hotel markets like San Francisco, being able to redeem a reasonable number of points for this quality of the hotel is great news.
Other Ways to Earn Hyatt Points
As mentioned earlier, the Hyatt Credit Card offers one of the easiest ways to earn Hyatt points. When you add in the fact that World of Hyatt members earns 5x points per dollar spent, that results in up to 9x points during your stays at Hyatt.
Hyatt is also one of the most valuable travel partners of the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, though it won’t deliver the outsized returns that are possible when transferring to airlines to book expensive business class flights.
However, Hyatt doesn’t require the gargantuan number of points that are required to book the same luxury-style properties offered by Hilton and Marriott. So while the cash rates are equivalent for luxury properties across Hilton, IHG, and Marriott, the number of Hyatt points required is significantly less, resulting in more value.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® card and Chase Sapphire Reserve® card are 2 of the best Chase Ultimate Reward credit cards. Each offers high-earn rates in select categories and comes with travel benefits that make it worth holding on to the cards.
Business owners may find value in the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, also a Chase Ultimate Rewards credit card. Like the personal credit cards above, this card has high earn rates in select bonus categories that help you quickly earn Chase points that can be transferred 1:1 to Hyatt.
Final Thoughts
Now that luxury properties from Hyatt’s recent acquisitions are bookable online, the World of Hyatt program becomes even more valuable. When you add JdV by Hyatt, Alila, Destination by Hyatt, and Thompson to the Park Hyatt and Unbound Collection, World of Hyatt members have more options than ever before.
With all of these new properties and the overall value of Hyatt, we rank Hyatt number 1 in our list of hotel programs. Marriott is a close second followed by Hilton in third and IHG in fourth.
The big knock on Hyatt is its lack of a global footprint. While that’s still true when compared to Hilton and Marriott, the gap is closing. Hyatt is not only increasing its portfolio but is adding unique luxury and boutique hotels around the world that make for interesting redemptions.
Featured Image Credit:
Hyatt
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