If you hold the old version of World of Hyatt Card, you know that it wasn’t the best option to earn points quickly. After earning the sign-up bonus, most cardholders simply threw it in a proverbial sock drawer and kept it open for the free anniversary night. Now, Hyatt and Chase have launched a new co-branded credit card, which presents an opportunity to earn more points than ever.
If you’d like to learn more about this or other rewards cards, head HERE.
If you also hold either the Chase Sapphire Preferred or the Chase Sapphire Reserve cards, you know that points earned with those cards earn both a travel bonus and a dining bonus and transfer to the World of Hyatt program at a 1-1 ratio.
New Earning Opportunities
The new Hyatt credit card has undergone some serious improvements and now earns bonus points in the following categories:
- 4X points per $1 spent at Hyatt properties (in addition to points earned based on your status tier)
- 2X points per $1 spent on local transit, dining, airfare purchased directly with airlines and fitness club/gym memberships
- 1X point per $1 spent in all other categories
Increased Sign-Up Bonus
The new sign-up bonus is tiered. You can earn 40,000 World of Hyatt points after spending $3,000 on the card in the first three months plus another 20,000 points after spending an additional $3,000 on the card in the first six months of opening an account—that’s a total of 60,000 points.
Depending on how you utilize these points and which hotel category you book, the full bonus is worth between two and 12 free nights. The old card offered 40,000 World of Hyatt points, which didn’t get you as many free nights.
Even More Free Nights
But wait, there’s more! As the World of Hyatt Credit Card member, you will earn a free night each account anniversary plus another free night after spending $15,000 on the card during your membership year. Both nights are limited to Category 1-4 properties (up to 15,000 points per night), and free nights earn elite credit, which makes it possible to add two more nights per year to your annual night count when you use the certificates.
Other Ongoing Perks
- automatic World of Hyatt Discoverist status
- 5 qualifying night credits per year
- 2 additional qualifying night credits per every $5,000 spent on the card
- ability to earn World of Hyatt Globalist status with card spending alone
- no foreign transaction fees
Although it was possible to earn automatic Discoverist status with the old Hyatt Card, it was not possible to simply spend your way to Globalist status, the highest rewards tier in the World of Hyatt program…until now. This is huge!
To earn Globalist status, you must stay 60 qualifying nights or earn 100,000 Base Points. After the initial five qualifying nights apply to your account, you must complete 55 more nights to reach the requirement. Since you earn two additional qualifying nights per $5,000 in spend plus one more after spending $15,000 (must use it within the qualifying year), you can reach Globalist status after spending $135,000 on the card. Sure, it’s a lot of cash, but the option is available for high spenders looking to reach the highest status.
Who’s Eligible for This Card?
The current bonus is not available to those card members who currently hold the card or have received a bonus on The Hyatt Card in the last 24 months. If you hold The Hyatt Card now, you can upgrade to the new version and earn 2,000 bonus points. Keep in mind that the World of Hyatt Card now charges $95 annual fee (as opposed to $75 for The Hyatt Card, which is no longer open for applications).
The card currently is not subject to the Chase 5/24 rule, but it might be at some point in the future, according to View from the Wing. We do not have any details as far as when, or whether, it would happen.
If you’d like to learn more about this or other rewards cards, head HERE.
Should You Apply or Upgrade?
As with many cards, the answer depends on certain factors. Would you spend money in the bonus categories? Do you stay at Hyatt properties often? What other cards do you use?
If you’re after free travel and do not hold The Hyatt Card, the World of Hyatt Credit Card is worth applying for, especially if you’re over 5/24 at this moment.
If you hold The Hyatt Card and it’s been more than 24 months since you received the bonus, you can close the card and apply for the new version 30 days later to get the sign-up bonus. Keep in mind that we do not know when exactly this card will be subject to 5/24.
If you opened The Hyatt Card less than 24 months ago, consider an upgrade. Two thousand World of Hyatt points will not change your life, but if you spend $15,000 on the card, it’s worth paying an extra $20 for the second free night certificate (capped at Category 4).
What do you think of the new World of Hyatt Credit Card? Would you open this card or upgrade to it from The Hyatt Card?
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