Credit Card Review: World of Hyatt Card

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I’ve been a Hyatt cardholder and World of Hyatt member for several years now, and the program has become one of my favorites. What first caught my eye was the ability to transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points into Hyatt, and once I started redeeming those points, I realized how much value the program offers. Since then, I’ve used Hyatt points for everything from city stays in New York City, New Orleans and Hawaii.

That’s what led me to add the World of Hyatt Card to my collection. Having a direct way to earn Hyatt points—not just relying on transfers from Chase—gave me another path to build my balance and unlock even more value. Here’s a look at what the card offers.

World of Hyatt Card from Chase

Annual Fee

$95 per year

Sign Up Benefits

You’ll earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months, plus an additional 2 points per dollar on all purchases (up to $15,000) during your first 6 months — for a total potential bonus of 60,000 points.

Spending Bonus Categories

The World of Hyatt card earns 4X points per $1 spent with Hyatt, including World of Hyatt Experiences.

The card also earns 2X bonus points in the following categories:

• Local transit and commuting, including taxis, mass transit, tolls and ride-share services
• Restaurants, cafes and coffee shops
• Airline tickets purchased directly from the airline
• Fitness club and gym memberships

I can confirm that the bonus categories for restaurants and transit expenses include charges from outside the U.S.

No Foreign Transaction Fees

As you would hope a card marketed to travelers would, the World of Hyatt card doesn’t charge any foreign transaction fees.

Free Nights

With the World of Hyatt card, you receive a free night certificate good at any category 1-4 hotel every year after your cardmember anniversary. Resort, destination, or facility fees are waived on Free Night Award stays (but not service fees like room service).

You can also earn an additional free night at any category 1-4 hotel if you spend $15,000 during your cardmember anniversary year.

Automatic Status

World of Hyatt cardholders are upgraded to Hyatt Discoverist status for as long as they keep the card. The main perks are free premium internet and complimentary bottled water — nice, but not game-changing.

Fast Track To Status

One of the perks that some people love about this card is its ability to help you achieve high-level Hyatt status. Being a cardholder provides 5 qualifying night credits towards your next tier status every year. Plus, every time you spend $5,000 on your card, you earn 2 additional qualifying night credits towards your next tier status.

Unfortunately, these nights do count toward Milestone Rewards.

Travel & Purchase Protections

Like other Chase travel cards, the World of Hyatt Card includes a solid set of protections:

• Baggage Delay Insurance: Up to $100 a day for 5 days for essential purchases when baggage is delayed more than 6 hours.
• Lost Luggage Reimbursement: Up to $3,000 per covered traveler if your checked or carry-on bags are lost, damaged, or stolen.
• Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance: Reimburses up to $5,000 per covered traveler ($10,000 per trip) for prepaid, non-refundable expenses if your trip is canceled or cut short due to sickness, severe weather, or other covered reasons.
• Purchase Protection: Covers eligible new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft, up to $500 per claim.
• Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver: Provides reimbursement for theft and collision damage when you decline the rental company’s coverage and pay with your card. Coverage is primary outside the U.S. and secondary within the U.S.

DashPass and DoorDash Credits

World of Hyatt cardholders can activate a complimentary 12-month DashPass membership with DoorDash (and Caviar) if enrolled between February 1, 2025, and December 31, 2027. DashPass gives free delivery and reduced service fees on eligible orders. In addition, you’ll get **$10 off one non-restaurant order each calendar quarter** while enrolled.

Limitations

Like almost all other Chase cards, the World of Hyatt card is subject to the Chase 5/24 rule. That means if you’ve applied for more than 5 cards in the past 24 months, you won’t be approved for this card. Also, previous cardmembers who received a new Cardmember bonus within the last 24 months are not eligible for the signup bonus.

Final Thoughts

The World of Hyatt Card has earned its spot in my wallet. I originally picked it up so I’d have a direct way to build my Hyatt balance beyond Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers, and it’s proven to be a keeper. The sign-up bonus alone can cover multiple nights at a mid-tier property, and the annual free night certificate more than offsets the $95 annual fee.

The card isn’t perfect—Discoverist status doesn’t carry much weight, and most travelers will use other cards for everyday spending. But the ability to earn extra elite night credits, plus new perks like a complimentary DashPass membership and quarterly DoorDash credits, only adds to its usefulness.

For anyone who values Hyatt points—and especially if you already transfer points from Chase—this card makes it easier to earn, redeem, and keep status. In short, it’s one of the few hotel co-branded cards that still feels worth holding year after year.

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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary