I’ve owned the Chase Hyatt credit card for several years. I applied when you could still receive two free nights at any Hyatt in the world. With Hyatt’s hotel loyalty program rebranding as World of Hyatt, the credit card has also received some upgrades. I resisted upgrading and was hoping for some bonus points to make the upgrade more lucrative. I finally received a Chase World of Hyatt upgrade offer. Here’s what the offer was and why I accepted it.
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Comparison of Hyatt credit card benefits
There are a number of changes between the old Chase Hyatt credit card and the new Chase World of Hyatt credit card. You’ll now earn 4x points at Hyatt plus 2x points for transportation and gym memberships.
But with those additions, take notice that the World of Hyatt card no longer earns 2x points on car rentals. You’re better off using the Chase Sapphire Reserve (3x on travel) or the Chase Sapphire Preferred (2x on travel) because they offer primary rental car insurance and then transfer to Hyatt at 1:1 ratio.
There are two great additions with the Chase World of Hyatt upgrade offer – an extra free night and ability to earn status based on your annual spending. When you spend $15,000 in a calendar year, you’ll receive an extra Category 1-4 free night. Plus, for every $5,000 you spend, you’ll earn an extra two qualifying night credits. It is possible to earn Hyatt Globalist status completely based on your spending.
I think the additions are well worth the increase in the annual fee to $95, which is an additional $20 over the Chase Hyatt credit card.
Read: Hyatt Regency Kinabalu Review
My Chase World of Hyatt upgrade offer
As if the additional benefits were not enough, my Chase World of Hyatt upgrade offer included 5,000 bonus points when upgrading and making one purchase by December 31, 2019.
The only downsides with the upgrade are the annual fee increasing to $95 and losing the 2x points on rental cars.
Read: Hyatt Miraval Resort Review: Highest value for free nights
I submitted my Chase World of Hyatt upgrade offer request and now I wait
I went through the process to request the upgrade per my Chase World of Hyatt upgrade offer. The weird thing is that I wasn’t instantly upgraded.
Instead, Chase reviewed my credit (soft pull) to ensure that I met its credit criteria. Once the upgrade request is approved, the new product benefits will take effect within four business days. Chase is supposed to send a letter confirming the new annual fee and detailing the changes to my credit card.
The Bald Thoughts
I’m excited about my Chase World of Hyatt upgrade offer. I don’t pay for many Hyatt reservations, so there is no way that I will qualify as a Hyatt Globalist based on my stays. Based on my spending, I should be able to qualify for elite status with the two stay credits for every $5,000 and the second annual free night after $15,000. Paying the extra $20 per year is a total no-brainer.
Have you upgraded your Chase Hyatt credit card? What’s your favorite new perk of the Chase World of Hyatt credit card? Let us know in the comment section below.
It only makes sense if you are going to put that much spend on your Hyatt card, and are going to be staying at Hyatts most of the time. And I don’t have the luxury of having loads of credit card spend. I love Hyatts, don’t get me wrong, but they have a much smaller footprint, and even with adding the the Small Luxury Hotels, the benefits don’t carry over. So for me, it just doesn’t make sense. Basically, I spend $20 more for my free night, and get 4 points per Hyatt stay instead of 3, and I don’t stay in Hyatts much. Next year, my Hyatt stays aren’t even going to be Hyatts, 3 nights are at Gild Hall, and 2 nights at a Small Luxury Hotel in the Algarve, Portugal.
You don’t think it’s worth the $20 and $15k spend to get the extra free night?
I have always had a hard time using the free nights because I can’t find a good hyatt worth going to that is within driving distance. This year, the free nights for both me and my wife will be wasted and not used. They have so few hotels that I can use the free night at, so we are going to cancel both of our cards.
That’s a shame. The small footprint is one of the downsides of the World of Hyatt program. They have added quite a few new properties recently, but are still nowhere near the size of Hilton, Marriott, or IHG. I had the same problem when Kimpton was independent (before they were bought by IHG).
I agree that the free night is a great benefit if you’re using it, but a waste of money if you’re not. What program is a better fit for you? Or do you focus on cash back or flexible currency (like Chase Ultimate Rewards) so you can book wherever you want?
Why don’t you just apply for the new Hyatt card and get the sign up bonus that is much more than 5,000 points? Once you get it than cancel the old one.
Good point but I’m way over 5/24 so would get approved.
I’ve been offered the upgrade a couple of times but not with the extra free night. My problem with Hyatt is when they increased some of the Cat 4 so find it harder to use. Not impossible just more difficult.
I agree. There has been some devaluation with fewer Cat 4 properties available to redeem your free hotel night. I still find great value in it though.
Both me and my husband got the email. I have a question about the free night certificate. So my current Hyatt Card’s anniversary date is 2/28. If I upgrade now, will I get the free night certificate that I’m expecting in march? From what I have read, you will have a new anniversary date when you upgrade.
I believe that you get a new anniversary date when you upgrade, so you may miss out on the upcoming free night in February and won’t get it until December. That’s almost like skipping a year’s worth of free night. I would call Chase to confirm. Maybe they can extend the offer until after you free night posts just to make sure.
If you let me know what they say, I’ll be sure to update this article to share the details with future readers.