Is the World of Hyatt credit card worth the annual fee?

Hotel credit cards are very interesting. They tend to offer a lot of benefits to the hotel brand associated with the card, but are usually not a strong card for your day-to-day spending.

And just because a card is popular with others doesn’t mean it’s right for your wallet. The Hyatt World Credit Card has many fans and comes with an annual fee of just $95, but that alone doesn’t mean the annual fee is worth it.

Here’s what you get from the World of Hyatt card each year so you can decide for yourself.

New candidate for Hyatt Card World can earn up to 60,000 bonus Hyatt Points World. You will earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. You can earn up to 30,000 more points by earning 2 points per dollar on purchases that normally earn 1 point per dollar — for up to $15,000 of these purchases for the first six months from when opening an account. If you maximize this spend, you will get 60,000 bonus points i.e. TPG . value at $1,020.

The most obvious way to redeem Hyatt points is for hotels staying with Hyatt’s World. This includes not only hotels named “Hyatt” but also Small luxury hotel of the world. Hotel redemptions may include free night rewards and Points + Cash payments.

You can also redeem points for dining, spa or meeting credits, Find experience, The Lindblad Expedition and rental cars, as well as room upgrade.

Related: Hyatt’s best kept secrets: 16 incredible hotels you never knew belonged to the World of Hyatt

World of Hyatt uses a peak and low award chart, which means you’ll pay more points for hotel stays during holidays and during busy tourist seasons. Conversely, if you can travel at less common times, you can earn less points. Off-peak pricing at Class 1 properties starting at just 3,500 points per night. Hyatt properties are listed in eight different categorieswith top prices at Category 8 properties topping out at 45,000 points per night.

Related: Why Hyatt Rewards Update Is My Favorite Loyalty Program Change in 2022

You can also fund your World of Hyatt account with 1:1 Transfer from Chase Ultimate Rewards. These points should instant transfer.

Each year on your cardholder’s anniversary (based on when you opened the card), you’ll receive one free night rewards. It can be used at Category 1-4 hotels worldwide for one night free of charge. It’s also worth pointing out that you will not pay resort fees when staying with rewards with Hyatt.

Related: 12 hotels where you’ll get the most out of your Hyatt rewards night certificate

This benefit alone justifies the Hyatt card’s $95 annual fee as you can redeem your free nights for $200 or more with little effort.

In addition to the free night award received each year, you can earn a second free night award (valid at Tier 1-4 hotels) by spending $15,000 on purchases within one calendar year on Hyatt Card World.

Related: Sweet Spot Sunday: Spend $15,000 on a World of Hyatt card, get loads of perks

As a cardholder, you’ll get Discoverist status for free every year. As the second lowest status tier in the World of Hyatt, TPG values ​​Discoverer status for only $165 per year.

It offers members discounted hotel rates, free bottled water during your stay, late check-out (where applicable), and fancy room upgrades in the same room type. Explorers can also enjoy a MGM . Rewards match status (level up Pearl status) and benefit from Hyatt-American Airlines Partnership. What’s more, you’ll also earn 10% bonus points for staying in cash (5.5 points per dollar, instead of 5 points) and resort fees (if any) are waived when you stay at the hotel using points or free night rewards.

Related: Credit Card Battle: World of Hyatt Cards vs World of Hyatt Business Cards

Generally, achieving Discoverer status requires staying at Hyatt properties for a minimum of 10 nights per year. However, you get this status automatically from Hyatt World Credit Card and World of Hyatt corporate credit card.

With a personal World of Hyatt card, you can also earn two qualifying night credits toward status for every $5,000 spent on the card. Therefore, spending $15,000 on purchases to unlock the free night bonus (detailed above) will also result in an additional six qualifying nights per year. There is no limit to the number of eligible nights earned through credit card spending.

For more details, see our full page World of Hyatt card review.

In addition to the above, you’ll enjoy plenty of protections while traveling. Including flight delay compensation, Baggage delay insurance, car rental collision damage waiver, Lost baggage reimbursement and Trip interruption and trip cancellation insurance.

You’ll also earn World of Hyatt points for every purchase with your card. TPG . value for 1.7 cents each. You’ll earn 4 points per dollar at Hyatt hotels, Small Luxury Hotels of the World participating locations, and on qualifying Lindblad Expeditions. You’ll earn 2 points per dollar at restaurants, transit, commuting, fitness clubs and gym memberships, and on flights purchased directly from airlines, plus 1 point for every dollar on other purchases. These ratios correspond to a return on spending of 6.8%, 3.5%, and 1.7%.

Related: Viewpoint: What credit card should you use to stay at the Hyatt?

You can do much better than a 1.7% return on daily spending with other credit cards, but you should consider how these purchases can be more valuable when helping you earn Tier 1-4 free nights rewards and tier-eligible nights each year.

Related: Does the all-inclusive service make spending on a Hyatt credit card more valuable?

If you can use these benefits, the annual fee is well worth it each year. If not, another card – perhaps one that offers simple refunds – may be more suitable for your wallet.

Official app link: Hyatt World Credit Card