Hyatt credit card review: lucrative 2 free unrestricted nights, no FX fee
The Hyatt Gold Passport Visa is one of the only personal credit cards which let you earn points directly in Hyatt’s Gold Passport program, the other being the Chase Sapphire Preferred, which offers 1:1 transfer of points into Hyatt and several other programs.
Decent program, but Starwood still better for credit card earning
A typical Hyatt hotel reward requires between 8,000 and 15,000 points per night – and can be valued at $250 or more — a decent return on your spending. However the Starwood Preferred Guest program and its American Express offer similar hotels for 3,000-10,000 points per night, about 50% more value for your points.
If you travel internationally, this is a good secondary card to keep on file. It charges no fee on foreign transactions, compared to the 3% typically imposed by credit cards, and has an ‘EMV’ smart chip for foreign transactions built in.
Great intro bonus — 2 nights at any Hyatt hotel any time
With this card you get 2 free nights after your first purchase valid at any Hyatt hotel that has standard rooms. The 2 free night introductory offer is quite lucrative — you can use it at anytime a standard room is available for even their most exclusive hotels like the Park Hyatt in Tokyo or Paris, which often go for $800 per night or more, even $1,000+. The only exception is Hyatt Vacation Club properties, as the rooms there are not ‘standard,’ they are studios and suites.
But having access to all properties with standard hotel rooms makes this introductory bonus worth $800 or more if you use it properly. And you get the bonus after your first purchase, there are no minimum spending requirements. The free nights expire one year after they are issued, so plan your application and first purchase accordingly.
Separately, you also get another free night certificate each year you pay your $75 annual fee. That certificate is good for Category 1-4 hotels, so it’s a bit more limited, but a nice benefit that can be worth a couple hundred dollars or more. Since the annual fee is charged upfront, you’re actually getting 3 nights worth of stays to start.
Features
- Earn 1 Gold Passport point per dollar spent
- Earn 3 Gold Passport points per dollar spent at Hyatt properties
- No foreign transaction fee for international purposes
- $75 annual fee
Complimentary Hyatt Platinum status:
- 15% bonus points on each stay
- Best available room within category booked
- Complimentary internet access
- Special check-in line
- 2pm late checkout
Click here for a secure link to the free night offer from Chase.
Umm… you may have missed a few things… actually a LOT of things.
1) The card, for the $75 AF comes with 1 free night PER YEAR at a category 1-4 hotel.
2) The 2 free nights can be used at those places yes; however the Paris Hyatt goes for well over $1000 US, closer to $1200 per night actually, with the exchange rate.
3) The platinum status really is useful, not as useful as Diamond, but even one or two stays at a Hyatt makes it worth it to have.
Not to mention, Starpoints are much harder to earn overall. With Hyatt, you can earn them with Chase UR and the Sapphire Preferred. Even if you don’t have that card, the free annual night makes it worth it. Even if you just want a fun staycation.
@Joseph- Glad you found great value out of it. Added the anniversary free night certificate to the description…it actually hit for us right after getting the card, since the annual fee is charged upfront. Also made note of the late checkout and free internet from Platinum, which seem to be the most reliable benefits.
I am a gold passport member and want to apply for a Hyatt rewards card for the specific purpose of using the 2 free nights at Hyatt in Key West, Florida. Hyatt Sunset Harbor-vacation club, Hyatt Key West resort & spa offers a deluxe king – would these types of rooms qualify as “standard” under the free night rules? Thanks!
@Scarlett – The Deluxe rooms at the Key West Hyatt are considered ‘standard’ so yes you can use the free night certificate there. The Vacation Club is off limits though, thanks for pointing that out, as the rooms at those are considered studios and suites.
I have a HYATT card with you, however, I cannot find my credit card. I want to use it this weekend. What can I do?! I will be staying at The Grand Hyatt in San Francisco and would like to use the card for my weekend purchases. I look forward to hearing back from you. Is there a phone number that I can call to get my card replaced?!
@Kimberli- Call Chase to report it lost and they might be able to get you a replacement sent Fed Ex to your home or your location in San Francisco. You can always change the card you use when you check out of the hotel.
Chase’s number is 800 436-7941.