7 Best Hyatt Credit Card Benefits

World of Hyatt is a popular loyalty program that fits into the small-but-mighty category. The same goes for its credit card, World of Hyatt Credit Card. It makes the most sense for frequent Hyatt guests, but it can still provide value for those looking to use its perks and save up for a big World of Hyatt dream vacation redemption. If you're a business owner, the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card might better serve your needs.

Here’s a look at some of the top Chase Hyatt card benefits.

» Learn more: The best hotel credit cards right now

1. New cardholder bonus

Like most other credit cards, there is a sign-up bonus for those new to the 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.

World of Hyatt has one co-branded consumer credit card, but it doesn't carry a high annual fee ($95) while still offering a solid array of benefits for that low price point.

2. Ongoing rewards

If you stay with World of Hyatt properties often, you’re in for some hefty earning possibilities. Cardholders earn 4x points at Hyatt properties. That is in addition to the 5x points you earn with World of Hyatt and any extra points bonus you receive as a World of Hyatt elite status member. That makes this card better than cards like Chase Sapphire Reserve®, which offer 3x points on travel spending (yet is also a World of Hyatt transfer partner).

All airline spending on World of Hyatt Credit Card booked directly with airlines earns 2x points. Other categories with double points include:

• Dining.

• Fitness and gym club memberships.

• Local transit (including rideshare services).

• Everything else earns 1x point per dollar spent.

Every $5,000 you spend on the card will earn you two qualifying nights toward the next level of World of Hyatt elite status. That’s right, you can spend your way to top status. And each year you renew the card, you’ll earn five more qualifying nights.

» Learn more: The complete guide to earning Hyatt points

3. Anniversary nights

You’ll also earn a Category 1-4 free night award every year you renew the card as well as a second night for spending at least $15,000. That can represent some amazing value if you stay at expensive properties that fit within that category range. It is almost certainly worth more than the $95 annual fee giving this card quite a bit of heft.

» Learn more: Credit cards with free hotel nights

4. Elite status

The card comes with instant Discoverist status in World of Hyatt, and while that is the lowest level of status, it does have some meaningful perks like:

• Access to better rooms.

• Late checkout.

• 10% points bonus.

» Learn more: The guide to the World of Hyatt

5. Travel protections

Often unheralded, but certainly worthy of notice, are the travel protections that come with a credit card.

This card comes with quite a few of them — like bag delay insurance and trip cancellation coverage. If your bags are delayed, you’ll receive a $100 allowance to pay for clothes and toiletries if the bag doesn't arrive within six hours. That covers up to five days although we hope it doesn’t take that long.

If it’s damaged or lost entirely, the card will reimburse up to $3,000 for each passenger. This means it is wise to check one bag per passenger when traveling rather than lumping them all into one so that you can maximize the benefits.

Cutting your trip short due to illness or weather (or canceling altogether) is also part of the trip interruption and cancelation policy if you use the card to pay for your trip. Secondary rental car insurance within the U.S. as well as theft and collision damage are also part of this card’s benefits. These alone make the card a great value for frequent air and road travelers, even if World of Hyatt isn't their top brand of choice.

» Learn more: Is travel insurance worth it?

6. No foreign transaction fees

Plain and simple. When you use the card overseas, you won’t be charged the pesky bank fees for paying in a foreign currency. Frequent travelers know that those surcharges can really pile up.

» Learn more: The best credit cards with no foreign transaction fees

7. Hyatt transfer partners

Given that you can also earn World of Hyatt points by transferring from another member or a credit card points program like Chase Ultimate Rewards®, you can boost your points balance in a jiffy. That makes it easier to earn a reward and get you closer to that next big trip.

American Airlines elite status flyers and World of Hyatt elite cardholders share some reciprocal perks and earning potential benefits, which means the card could also come in handy for those who travel with American Airlines and like to use points with Hyatt from time to time.

Even if you don’t have enough points, you can always redeem for a cash and points award meaning you can pay partially in points and pay the rest in cash assuring faster access to an award. With so many ways to accrue Hyatt points, even the most infrequent Hyatt guest can build their points balance.

» Learn more: The guide to World of Hyatt transfer partners

Hyatt Chase card benefits, recapped

While this card won’t get you into airline lounges or waive TSA PreCheck surcharges, it provides more than its fair share of balance for the low annual fee of $95 per year.

The fact that you earn a free annual night each year of renewing the card more than covers the yearly cost giving you only extra savings to earn over and above any cost. We call that a win-win.

Photo courtesy of Hyatt.