Large sign-up bonus
You get two free nights at any Hyatt in the world upon spending a mere $1,000 in three months. Used wisely, this sign-up bonus alone can be worth $1,000 or more. Furthermore, you get 5,000 points after adding an authorized user. That’s enough points to book a free room at a Category 1 hotel.
The card also offers an annual bonus to loyal cardholders. You get one free night annually at a hotel in categories 1 through 4 – worth up to 15,000 points – for as long as you remain a card member. This benefit alone covers the $75 annual fee.
Average earning scheme
The earning scheme on the card is decent, if not spectacular. You get three points per dollar for Hyatt hotel purchases; two points for restaurant dining, directly purchased airfare and car rental; and one point for other purchases. The restaurant category in particular is a lucrative one and should help cardholders accumulate some extra points.
The annual fee is fairly high
The annual fee of $75 is a bit higher than average for a hotel co-branded credit card. However, the rewards and perks on this card more than outweigh the fee, making it well worth it for cardholders who do a moderate amount of spending and visit Hyatt brand hotels on a regular basis. Also, the fee is waived for the first year, so you have more than enough time to decide whether the card is right for you.
Flexible redemption options
Hyatt makes it fairly easy for cardholders to redeem rewards points. The Hyatt rewards chart is very sensible. Redemption rates begin at a very low 5,000 points for Category 1 hotels, and range up to 30,000 for the top-tier properties. Hyatt also includes a points-plus-cash option at participating properties, enabling you to cover part of your rewards stay with cash if you don’t have sufficient rewards points. The rates for points-plus-cash awards are reasonable, ranging between 2,500 points and 15,000 points. In addition, you can pay for suite upgrades with points, and the upgrade rates are reasonable as well.
Limited geographic footprint
On the downside, Hyatt is a relatively small hotel chain, although it’s only “small” compared to behemoths like Marriott, Hilton or IHG. Hyatt still has about 640 hotels in 52 countries. Although you will not find as many options as with the larger chains, you still have the flexibility to travel to many diverse locations around the globe.
Automatic elite status
Card members automatically qualify for platinum status with Hyatt. Unfortunately, platinum status does not offer a lot of great perks, but you will find some of them useful. You get a 15 percent bonus on rewards points with each hotel stay, expedited check-in, a room upgrade when available, late checkout and premium in-room Internet.
You also get two stay credits plus five night credits toward diamond elite status after spending $20,000 a year, and an additional three stay plus five night credits upon spending $40,000. This won’t take you very far, though, as diamond status requires a total of either 25 stays or 50 nights.
Reasons to sign up for it:
- You are a current Hyatt Gold Passport member or plan to travel to locations with Hyatt brand hotels.
- You are looking for a rewards card with a large sign-up bonus.
- You want platinum perks for free the first year, when the annual fee is waived.
How to use it:
- Remember to spend $1,000 in the first three months and add an authorized user in order to get the sign-up bonuses.
- Use your two free nights at one of the top Category 7 properties to maximize the value. If none of the locations for those seems interesting to you, consider spending a weekend at a Hyatt all-inclusive property, such as the Hyatt Zilara Cancun or Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos.
- Consider applying with a spouse or partner and add one another as authorized users to double all your bonuses. If you do so, you will get four nights at any Hyatt worldwide, up to two nights at a Category 1 hotel, and two more nights annually at hotels in categories 1 through 4.
- You can use the Hyatt credit card freely in foreign countries, since it doesn’t carry a foreign-transaction fee.
The post The Hyatt Credit Card Review appeared first on Reviews.