8 Things to Know About the World of Hyatt Card

If you're a fan of the Hyatt brand, you may be considering getting the hotel's co-branded credit card. It offers automatic elite status, extra points on select spending categories and a free night each year when you renew the card. Here’s a heads up on eight things to know before getting the World of Hyatt Credit Card.

What to consider before getting World of Hyatt Credit Card

1. Your credit report and credit score

Before applying for a credit card, it makes sense to check your credit report and credit score first. Per federal law, you can get a copy of your credit report once a year from each credit bureau at AnnualCreditReport.com. If you find any errors, dispute them right away.

In order to qualify for World of Hyatt Credit Card, you need to have good credit. According to FICO, good credit scores range from 670 to 739.

2. The annual fee

As a cardholder, you'll be charged a $95 annual fee each year. Unlike some other cards, this fee isn't waived the first year. While some people are hesitant about paying an annual fee, if you can afford it, the benefits of World of Hyatt Credit Card are definitely worth it.

» Learn more: Are travel credit cards worth it?

3. Your eligibility for the welcome bonus

Like many banks, Chase restricts who is eligible to receive a welcome bonus. In order to receive the welcome bonus from World of Hyatt Credit Card, you cannot be a current cardholder. Additionally, if you've had a Hyatt card in the past but your account is closed, you must not have received the bonus in the last 24 months. Keep in mind, it’s 24 months from when the bonus was received, not when you previously applied for the card. For travelers who have never had this credit card, you're in the clear.

4. How much you'll spend on the card

World of Hyatt Credit Card has a two-part welcome bonus. 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.

The second 30,000 bonus points are earned based on how much you spend. You'll receive 2 points per dollar during the first six months. To earn the full 30,000 points, you'll need to spend $15,000 within six months, which is an average of $2,500 per month.

While the welcome bonus sounds generous, think about your spending patterns to determine whether you'll be able to meet the spending requirements to earn the bonus.

This card also offers additional rewards for spending within select bonus categories. You'll receive 4 bonus points per dollar at all Hyatt hotels. These points stack on top of the 5 points per dollar you receive as a World of Hyatt member, for a total of 9 points per dollar. Plus, you'll earn 2 points per dollar for airline tickets purchased directly from the airline, local transit and commuting, fitness club and gym memberships, and at restaurants. All other purchases receive 1 point per dollar.

5. Your World of Hyatt elite status level

As a cardholder, you'll receive automatic World of Hyatt Discoverist elite status. If your current status is equal to or higher than that, this benefit doesn't add any value.

If you want to earn even higher levels of elite status, this card will help. You'll start off with five qualifying night credits just for being a cardholder. Additionally, for every $5,000 you spend on the card, you'll earn two additional qualifying night credits. If you have a lot of big purchases, you could spend your way to Globalist status if you spend $137,500 on the card each year.

» Learn more: The best hotel elite status programs

6. Where you'll use the annual free night

Each year, you receive one free night that can be redeemed at a Category 1-4 Hyatt property. Plus, if you spend $15,000 in a calendar year, you'll receive a second free night with the same restrictions.

There are many appealing properties where you can redeem your annual free nights, but make sure the properties that you want to stay at fall within these categories. You don't want to be disappointed if you try to redeem your free night certificate at a property at a higher level.

» Learn more: Amazing suites you can book with Hyatt points

7. How to protect your purchases and travel

When you use World of Hyatt Credit Card to make purchases, there are additional protections built-in. Travel protections include baggage delay insurance (up to $100 a day for five days), lost luggage reimbursement (up to $3,000 per passenger), and trip cancellation/interruption insurance (up to $5,000 per person and $10,000 per trip) when you purchase nonrefundable travel on the card.

Additionally, when buying items at retailers in-store or online, eligible purchases are covered for 120 days against damage or theft. Each claim has a limit of $500, with total coverage of $50,000 per account.

8. There's a small-business version of the card now

You can double up on the welcome bonus and earn extra points on your spending when you also apply for the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card. The small-business version offers a welcome bonus: 60,000 Bonus Points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.

» Learn more: Major differences between business and personal credit cards

If you're considering World of Hyatt Credit Card

World of Hyatt Credit Card offers a lot of value for travelers who prefer staying at Hyatt properties. You can earn a welcome bonus of up to 60,000 points as a new cardholder, and the card includes an automatic free night with the ability to earn a second based on your spending. Plus you're automatically upgraded to Discoverist status, with the potential to reach higher levels based on how much you use the card.