Which Chase Credit Card is Better: Hyatt or Priority Club Visa?
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here – The Hyatt Credit Card
While I've been disappointed in the 2011 hotel promotions so far this year, I have been very impressed with branded hotel credit card offerings. Hyatt rolled out a pretty spectacular new no-foreign fee, two free night Visa card last summer and Priority Club is fighting back with a pretty strong Visa product of their own. Priority Club is offering 80,000 points targeted to some customers, but since their general offer is 60,000, I'll use that to compare to the Hyatt card. Since Chase issues both of these cards, you generally can't apply for both and get approved. It has been reported that Chase will decline more than one credit card application in 6 months. So if you want one of these cards now, you should choose the one that you'll get the most value from and then apply for the other later in the year if needed.
Lets take a look:
Annual Fee: Hyatt: $75 - NOT waived the first year Priority Club: $49 - waived for the first year Edge: Priority Club
Point Earning: Hyatt: 3 per dollar on Hyatt stays. 1 per dollar on everything else. Priority Club: 5 points per dollar spent on Priority Club hotels, 2 points per dollar on gas, groceries, dining, 1 point per dollar on everything else Edge: Priority Club Sign-up Bonus: Hyatt: 2 free nights at any Hyatt. For Diamond members, the 2 nights are in a suite. 434 properties globally. Priority Club: 60,000 points - enough for one night at a top hotel (40,000 points) and one night at a mid-tier Staybridge Suites. Since these are points, they can be used for the cheaper hotels too, including up to 13 nights at a PointBreaks hotel (cardholders get a 10% rebate on point redemptions, which is outlined below). Over 4,500 hotels globally. Edge: For those who like high-end properties in major cities: Hyatt. For those who'd rather stretch their points at medium or low level properties: Priority Club.
Status: Hyatt: Platinum status, which is usually earned after 5 stays or 15 nights. Main benefits: 15% point bonus, and free Internet. Priority Club: Gold status, which is usually earned after 15 nights or 20,000 points. Main benefits: 10% point bonus, priority check-in/ late check-out. However, the first year you will get Platinum status after the 60-80,000 bonus points post. Platinum is usually earned after 60,000 points or 5o nights and gets room upgrades and 50% point bonus. Edge: Hyatt Foreign transaction fees waived: Hyatt: Yes Priority Club: Yes Edge: Tie
Other benefits: Hyatt: None Priority Club: 10% point rebate on all redemptions up to 100,000 points a year and an annual free night certificate upon renewal Edge: Priority Club.
Score: Hyatt 1, Priority Club 4 Overall, I think the Priority Club provides more flexibility and benefits than the Hyatt Card. That being said, I still think the Hyatt card is a fantastic deal, especially if you are a Hyatt Diamond and can redeem for suite nights at Park Hyatts. In fact, if I had to pick, I'd still choose Hyatt because I identify more with that brand. While there is less of a footprint, their hotel offerings generally work for me and they have a good number of aspiration properties that keep me excited (they also treat me extremely well, like during my recent Park Hyatt Buenos Aires stay). However, I think the Priority Club program and credit card appeal to a much wider audience, including those looking to stretch the value of their hotel points. While the current PointBreaks list is a bit disappointing, the fact is that Priority Club offers amazing redemptions (and cash and points) while Hyatt does not. So the overall winner is the card that works most for your travel needs. Feel free to share your comments on either card or program below.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.