New Hyatt Credit Card Debuts With Bonus up to 50K Points

It has a higher annual fee than before, but its richer rewards make it more compelling as an everyday card.
Claire Tsosie
By Claire Tsosie 
Published
Edited by Kenley Young
New Hyatt Credit Card Debuts With Bonus up to 60K Points

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The terms of the World of Hyatt Credit Card have changed, and this article is out of date. See our details page on the World of Hyatt Credit Card for up-to-date details.

Chase is freshening up its hotel card portfolio by replacing the old version of The Hyatt Credit Card with a new one. And for devotees of the hotel chain who spend big, this is mostly good news.

World of Hyatt Credit Card comes with a higher annual fee of $95 (instead of $75 for the old card), but its richer rewards and benefits make it more compelling as an everyday card — and that's the point.

"We know from [listening to] our members that being on the road is great and they love to travel, but they want to be rewarded for how they live their daily lives, as well,” says Amy Weinberg, the senior vice president of the World of Hyatt loyalty program. Weinberg notes that the card changes are an extension of the rebranded loyalty program Hyatt launched last year.

The old version of The Hyatt Credit Card is no longer available through NerdWallet. It is no longer taking applications, Chase confirms. However, if you have the old card, you won’t be affected by the launch and have the option of upgrading to the new card.

Key features of World of Hyatt Credit Card

World of Hyatt Credit Card differs from the old one in three key ways. It has:

  • A higher annual fee. The old card had a $75 annual fee; the new card comes with an annual fee of $95. That’s a 27% increase.

  • More incentives for big spenders. World of Hyatt Credit Card offers more rewards on Hyatt purchases and comes with new bonus categories — such as fitness club and gym memberships and local transit — making it a more valuable everyday card. Big spenders can potentially earn two free anniversary nights (instead of one) and get faster access to Explorist status (the next status available after Discoverist, which comes with the card). The old card granted Discoverist status, but none of those other benefits.

  • Fewer ancillary benefits. Unlike the old card, the new card doesn’t offer price and return protection benefits; however, it does come with the other side benefits, such as trip cancellation insurance.

"We really tried to be as relevant as possible to the demographic that is our target, the Hyatt member, and create as much value as we can,” says Leslie Gillin, the president of Chase co-brand cards, of the new card's benefits.

Here’s a quick rundown of the perks:

  • Sign-up 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.

  • Annual fee: $95

  • Ongoing rewards:

    • 4 points per dollar spent on Hyatt hotels and resorts, including participating restaurants and spas. (This is in addition to the 5 points per dollar spent you'd also earn directly through Hyatt when booking stays.)

    • 2 points per dollar spent on fitness club and gym memberships; dining at restaurants; local transit and commuting including rideshare services; and airline tickets purchased through the airline.

    • 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.

  • Other benefits:

    • 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.

    • Complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status for as long as your account is open.

    • No foreign transaction fees.

Should you upgrade?

If you have the old version of The Hyatt Credit Card, you have the option of requesting an upgrade by phone at any time. For a limited time, Chase says, cardholders who qualify will get a one-time bonus of 2,000 points for making the change. Use the calculator below to see whether making the change is worthwhile for you.

Information related to The Hyatt Credit Card has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.

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