Hyatt credit card
$75
40,000
$2,000 initial spend
($670 net value, .34/$)
Signup Bonus Chart3x Hyatt Purchases (≈5.1%)
2x Restaurants (≈3.4%)
2x Airline Tickets and Car Rentals (≈3.4%)
1x Everywhere Else (≈1.7%)
No Foreign Transaction Fee
The Hyatt card has a nice signup bonus. In addition, many people may be interested in holding onto the card for the annual free night certificate (and automatic Hyatt low-level status). While the certificate can only be used at Hyatt Category 1-4 hotels, this still includes many nice Hyatt hotels, in all but the most expensive locations. And the Hyatt card is not subject to the Chase 5/24 rule.
Collecting the Signup Bonus
Our base value for Hyatt points is 1.7 cents per point. Hyatt points are so valuable because they require far fewer points for an award night, compared to other hotel programs (except SPG). For example, an award night at a comparable hotel would typically cost 15,000 Hyatt points, 50,000 Hilton points, or 35,000 Marriott points. The main drawback is that there are far fewer Hyatt hotels in the world, than hotels with the other major programs. How Much are Hotel Points Worth?
- It is worth signing up for this card, just to collect the signup bonus. After subtracting the annual fee and the opportunity cost of using the card for $point of spending, the calculated net value for the initial year is $40000 (Expression error: Unrecognized word "point". cents per dollar spent). You can get an additional 5,000 points, by adding an authorized cardholder.
- This card is NOT affected by the Chase 5/24 rule. You can still get approved, even if you have acquired more than five new credit cards over the past two years.
- You can earn the signup bonus once every two years. You are eligible for a Chase signup bonus, if you haven't already earned one, from the same card, during the past two years.
After subtracting the annual fee, and the opportunity cost of using the card for $2,000 of spending, the calculated net value of the sign-up is $670 (34 cents per dollar spent). Your value may be higher or lower, depending on how much you value the points. How Much are Hotel Points Worth?
However, if you've been signing up for lots of credit cards, there is some risk to trying to get additional Chase cards. When Chase pulls your credit report for your application, they take a look at your overall number of accounts and recent inquiries. If you've been very active, there is a small chance that Chase will cancel all of your existing cards, due to screening procedures related to "breakout risk". If you don't want to risk losing access to your existing Chase cards, you might avoid signing up for any new Chase cards, once you've signed up for over 10 cards in the past two years. On the other hand, most people have been able to safely get new Chase cards even though they are well over that number.
Other Notable Benefits
- Annual free night certificate. Good for a free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel. You should be able to use this at many hotels with typical rates of up to about $250 per night. If you use your certificate during particularly expensive times of the year, you can receive much more value than that. It isn't hard to get enough value every year, to offset the card's $75 annual fee. Hyatt Free Night Certificates.
- Automatic Hyatt Discoverist status. This normally requires staying for 10 nights. You'll get access to a preferred room (upon availability), late checkout, enhanced internet service, and a bottle of water. Unfortunately, the card doesn't provide any boost to the much more interesting Explorist and Globalist status levels. Hyatt Status Benefits.
- Access to the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection. As with all Visa Signature cards, you'll get access to Visa's luxury hotel program. Whenever you book one of the 900+ participating hotels, you'll receive a set of valuable benefits, including free breakfast, late check-out, and a $25 food and beverage credit. The Visa program has slightly weaker benefits than the other luxury hotel programs, but includes a larger number of more affordable hotel options and a best price guarantee. Take Advantage of Luxury Hotel Programs for Valuable Extra Perks.
- Access to Visa Signature Offers. Your card entitles you to a set of special offers available from Visa.
Bonus Categories
- The only card that earns better rewards on Hyatt Purchases is the Sapphire Reserve card. It earns 3x Ultimate Reward points that you can convert into 3 Hyatt points, but that you can also use with a variety of different airlines. The Amex Platinum card can earn 5x Membership Reward points, but only for prepaid rooms that you purchase through Amex. It is usually a better deal to book directly at Hyatt using the Hyatt card or Sapphire Reserve. Best Credit Cards for Travel Spending.
- There are better options for your restaurant, airfare, and car rental purchases. The bonus category rewards from Hyatt are more valuable than what you would earn from a good general-purpose reward card, but you can earn even more valuable rewards from other cards. Best Credit Cards for Restaurant Spending. Best Credit Cards for Travel Spending.
- You don't want to use this card for your everyday spending. You'll earn higher rewards from a good general-purpose reward card. Get a Great General Purpose Reward Card and Use It for All of Your Spending.