The best 5 credit cards for Hyatt stays in 2024

The right credit card can transform your Hyatt stays through free nights, elite status, and discounted rates — helping you book an unforgettable vacation sooner.

Author
By Andy Shuman

Written by

Andy Shuman

Writer, Fox Money

Andy Shuman is an expert in personal finance and travel with bylines featured by Bankrate, Yahoo Finance, and MSN.

Updated September 26, 2024, 1:03 PM EDT

Edited by Hanna Horvath CFP®

Written by

Hanna Horvath CFP®

Editor

Hanna Horvath is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Red Venture's senior editor of content partnerships.

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Whether you're a frequent or occasional Hyatt guest, having the right card can help you earn Hyatt rewards faster and unlock perks at Hyatt hotels. 

There are only two co-branded World of Hyatt cards. But you can also use certain Chase cards and transfer points to use on Hyatt stays. Here are the top five cards for maximizing Hyatt stays based on rewards and travel benefits.

Best credit cards for Hyatt stays 

World of Hyatt Credit Card: Best for Hyatt loyalists

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Who it's best for:

World of Hyatt members who want fast-track elite status, anniversary free night awards, and points bonuses on stays

Rewards: 

  • 9X total points for Hyatt stays (4X points spent on Hyatt hotels and resorts plus 5X points for being a World of Hyatt member 
  • 2X points at dining, directly purchased airline tickets, local transit and commuting, and gym memberships
  • 1X points on all other purchases 

Annual fee: $95 

With hefty rewards on spending at Hyatt, this card is ideal for frequent guests. You’ll get elevated earnings at Hyatt resorts and hotels — plus one free night in any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel every year. You’ll also get an additional free night if you spend more than $15,000 during the year. 

This card has automatic World of Hyatt Discoverist elite status, with fast track to higher status levels based on your annual Hyatt spending. Elite status comes with preferred room upgrades, premium internet, late checkout, and more. 

World of Hyatt Credit Card

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Pros

  • Complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status
  • Earn up bonus points at Hyatt hotels
  • Annual free night certificate (Category 1-4) after card anniversary
  • Additional free night certificate (Category 1-4) after spending $15,000 in a calendar year
  • No foreign transaction fees
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Cons

  • $95 annual fee
  • Rewards primarily focused on Hyatt stays and limited bonus categories
  • No built-in travel credits or lounge access

World of Hyatt Business Credit Card: Best for business travelers

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Who it's best for:

Business owners look to earn Hyatt points on business expenses

Rewards: 

  • Up to 9 points total per $1 spent at Hyatt - 4 Bonus Points per $1 on qualified purchases at Hyatt hotels & up to 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member
  • 2X points on your top three eligible spend categories each quarter (through Dec. 31, 2024), then 2X points on your top two eligible categories each quarter 
  • 2X points on fitness club and gym memberships 
  • 1X points on all other purchases 

Annual fee: $199 

The World of Hyatt Business Credit Card offers identical rewards and elite status perks. But, it has a few small twists that make it ideal for business travel and expenses. 

You’ll earn boosted points in business spending categories, including internet services, shipping, social media advertising, and more. 

Like the consumer World of Hyatt card, this card has the same Discoverist elite status and fast-track opportunities. You’ll also get up to $100 in Hyatt statement credits and can gift Discoverist status to up to five employees.

World of Hyatt Business Credit Card

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Pros

  • Earns bonus points on Hyatt hotels
  • Complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status
  • Earn 5 Tier-Qualifying night credits toward status for every $10,000 you spend in a calendar year
  • No foreign transaction fees
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Cons

  • $199 annual fee
  • Rewards primarily focused on Hyatt stays and business expenses
  • Limited travel perks compared to other premium travel cards

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best flexible travel card

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Who it's best for:

Travelers who want to earn flexible travel rewards for a lower annual fee

Rewards: 

  • 5X points on travel through Chase Travel 
  • 5X total points on Lyft rides (through March 31, 2025) 
  • 3X points on dining (including eligible delivery services), select streaming services, and online grocery purchases (excluding wholesale clubs) 
  • 2X points on other travel 
  • 1X points on other purchases 

Annual fee: $95 

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card earns points that can be transferred to World of Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio. With added travel protections, this card is one of the most flexible options for Hyatt stays. 

Cardholders will get 25% more redemption value when points are used to book hotels, flights, and vacation rentals through Chase. You’ll also get a $50 annual hotel credit towards eligible bookings — including Hyatt. 

With a solid signup bonus, bonus earning categories, and 1:1 transfers to other hotel and airline partners, this is one of the most flexible and rewarding travel cards. 

Chase Sapphire Preferred®

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Pros

  • Earns flexible travel points
  • Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel through Chase Travel
  • Transfer points to various airline and hotel partners, including World of Hyatt (1:1 ratio)
  • No foreign transaction fees
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Cons

  • $95 annual fee
  • No automatic hotel elite status
  • Rewards not specifically tied to Hyatt stays

Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Best for generous travel perks

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Who it's best for:

Travelers looking to earn flexible points and unlock premium travel perks

Rewards: 

  • 10X points on hotel stays, car rentals, and Chase Dining purchases through Chase Travel℠
  • 10X points on Lyft purchases (through Mar. 31, 2025) 
  • 5X points on air travel through Chase Travel℠ (after $300 travel credit is used) 
  • 3X points on restaurant and general travel purchases (after $300 travel credit is used) 
  • 1X points on all other purchases 

Annual fee: $550 

Chase Sapphire Reserve has benefits and rewards that are well-suited for Hyatt hotel stays — or any other travel experience.

Though it does have a higher annual fee, you can offset the cost with the $300 annual travel credit, high rewards earning rates, airport lounge access, and more. 

Like the Preferred card, the Reserve allows you to transfer points 1:1 to hotel and airline partners, including Hyatt. Rewards are worth 50% more when booking through the Chase travel portal. 

This card includes travel insurance and complimentary perks with Lyft, DoorDash, and more. 

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

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Pros

  • Earns flexible travel points
  • $300 annual travel credit
  • Points are worth 50% more when redeemed for travel through Chase Travel
  • Transfer points to various airline and hotel partners, including World of Hyatt (1:1 ratio)
  • Complimentary Priority Pass Select membership
  • No foreign transaction fees
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Cons

  • High annual fee of $550
  • No automatic hotel elite status
  • Rewards not specifically tied to Hyatt stays

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: Best for flexible business travel

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Who it's best for:

Business owners seeking a great welcome bonus coupled with a low annual fee

Rewards: 

  • 3X points on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year (then 1X points) 
  • 1X points on all other purchases

Annual fee: $95 

The Ink Business Preferred offers high rewards for typical business spending, including travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone services, and advertising purchases made with social media and search engines.

You can transfer points 1:1 to World of Hyatt and redeem them for 25% more value when booking via Chase's travel portal. This card comes with travel insurance, cell phone protection, and free employee cards. 

Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

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Pros

  • Earns flexible travel points
  • Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel through Chase Travel
  • Transfer points to various airline and hotel partners, including World of Hyatt (1:1 ratio)
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Travel and purchase protections
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Cons

  • $95 annual fee
  • No automatic hotel elite status
  • Rewards not specifically tied to Hyatt stays
  • Limited bonus categories compared to some other business credit cards

Should I get a Hyatt credit card? 

Your credit card choice depends on your lifestyle and spending habits. Opening one of their co-branded credit cards can offer great value if you frequently stay at Hyatt hotels. You may want to consider a Hyatt credit card if: 

  • You are a Hyatt elite status chaser: Hyatt cards provide fast-track opportunities to reach tiers like Explorist and Globalist, unlocking perks like room upgrades and lounge access. 
  • You want an easy annual free night: All Hyatt cards offer a free anniversary night at a Category 1-4 hotel each year, saving you 5,000-15,000 points. 
  • You want to earn Hyatt-specific points: Co-branded cards turbo-charge how fast you rack up points on Hyatt stays and dining purchases rather than transfer points from another card. 

However, if elite status isn’t a concern and you want more flexibility, consider a general travel card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred

Which is the best Hyatt card? 

Here are a few questions to ask when deciding which Hyatt credit card fits best: 

  • How often do you stay at Hyatt hotels each year? If it's frequent, a branded Hyatt credit card may be worthwhile. 
  • Will you use the anniversary free night benefit each card member year? 
  • Does a fast track to Hyatt's elite status hold value for you? How much value do you place on premium travel perks like 
  • lounge access? 

Consider these questions against the key benefits highlighted for each card option. Hopefully, one credit card may best fit you based on your Hyatt loyalty and travel habits. 

How we rated the best cards for Hyatt

To determine the best credit cards for Hyatt, we carefully evaluated a wide range of factors, including the card's sign-up bonus, rewards earning rates on purchases, added perks and benefits, annual fees, and overall value for consumers.

Our team analyzed numerous credit card offers and selected the top contenders based on these key criteria. The options on this list represent the best value, rewards, and benefits available.

Here are some of the key factors we considered:

  • Rewards: Rewards are the primary reason many people use credit cards, as they allow you to earn valuable points, miles, or cash back on your everyday spending.
  • Redemption flexibility: What good are rewards if they're a hassle to redeem? Flexible redemption options allow you to use your rewards in the way that best suits you, whether that's offsetting your bill with statement credits or booking a dream vacation.
  • Benefits: Credit card benefits can provide significant value and make your life easier, from saving you money on checked bags to providing peace of mind with travel insurance.
  • Annual fee: The annual fee is a key factor because it's a recurring cost that can eat into your rewards earnings. It's important to make sure you're getting enough value from the card to justify the fee.
  • Welcome bonus: A lucrative welcome bonus can give your rewards a massive head start, especially in the first year, making it a great way to kickstart your earnings.
  • Rates & other fees: High interest rates and fees can quickly negate the value of any rewards you earn, so it's important to understand these costs and how to avoid them.

The bottom line

Each Hyatt card has advantages and limitations, including rewards, perks, and annual fees. Before applying, consider your travel patterns and what you want from the card. If you don’t travel frequently, you might opt for a simple cash-back card with ultimate flexibility.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.

Meet the contributor:
Andy Shuman
Andy Shuman

Andy Shuman is an expert in personal finance and travel with bylines featured by Bankrate, Yahoo Finance, and MSN.

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Fox Money is a property of Credible Operations, Inc., which is majority-owned indirectly by Fox Corporation. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. All rights reserved. Use of this website (including any and all parts and components) constitutes your acceptance of Fox's Terms of Use and Updated Privacy Policy | Your Privacy Choices.