Is the World of Hyatt credit card worth the annual fee?

The World of Hyatt Credit Card (see rates and fees) has many fans and comes with a modest $95 annual fee, but does that mean it's worth it?

This is the only personal cobranded credit card offering from World of Hyatt, so if you're loyal to the award-friendly hotel chain, you may want to consider it.

Here's a look at what you get from the World of Hyatt card each year so you can make up your mind.

Welcome offer

New applicants for the World of Hyatt card can earn up to five free nights: three free nights after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. Plus, two free nights after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first six months of account opening. Free nights can be redeemed at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort worldwide.

These bonus points are worth up to $1,530 per TPG's July 2025 valuations.

THE POINTS GUY

The most obvious way to redeem Hyatt points is for hotel stays with World of Hyatt. This includes not just hotels with "Hyatt" in the name, but other Hyatt brands like Small Luxury Hotels of the World as well. Hotel redemptions can include free night awards and Points + Cash payments.

You can also redeem points for dining, spa or meeting credits, Find Experiences, rental cars and room upgrades.

World of Hyatt uses a peak and off-peak award chart, meaning you'll pay more points for hotel stays around the holidays and during busy travel seasons. Conversely, if you can travel at quieter times, you can redeem fewer points.

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Off-peak pricing at Category 1 properties starts at just 3,500 points per night. Hyatt properties have eight different categories, with peak pricing at Category 8 properties topping out at 45,000 points per night.

You can also top up your World of Hyatt account with 1:1 transfers from Chase Ultimate Rewards. These points should transfer instantly.

Related: Best Hyatt Category 4 hotels, according to Globalists

Annual free night award

Each year on your cardholder anniversary, you'll receive a free night award. It can be used at Category 1-4 hotels worldwide for one free night. It's also worth pointing out that you won't pay resort fees on award stays with Hyatt.

This benefit alone can justify the Hyatt card's $95 annual fee since you can redeem your free night for $200 or more in value with minimal effort.

Related: The best Hyatt hotels in the world

Earn a second free night award

In addition to the complimentary free night award received each year, you can earn a second free night award (valid at Category 1-4 properties) by spending $15,000 on purchases in a calendar year on your card.

Related: Why I aim to spend $15K on my World of Hyatt Credit Card each year

Elite status and related benefits

As a cardholder, you'll receive complimentary Discoverist status each year. This is the entry-level status tier in World of Hyatt, but it offers solid value and perks.

It offers complimentary bottled water during your stay, late checkout (when available) and preferred room upgrades within the same room category (when available).

Furthermore, you'll also earn 10% bonus points on cash stays (5.5 instead of 5 points per dollar spent).

Earning Discoverist status typically requires staying at Hyatt properties for a minimum of 10 nights per year. Hyatt loyalists can likely attain Discoverist status on their own each year, but those who travel infrequently or are not loyal to one brand may not be able to do so. That can make this card's complimentary Discoverist status very appealing.

With the personal World of Hyatt card, you'll earn two tier-qualifying night credits toward status for each $5,000 spent on the card. Thus, spending the $15,000 on purchases to unlock the free night award (detailed above) would also yield an additional six tier-qualifying nights. There is no limit to the number of tier-qualifying nights earned through credit card spending.

Related: World of Hyatt card vs. World of Hyatt Business card

Other cardmember perks

In addition to the above, you'll enjoy multiple travel protections, including:

• Auto rental collision damage waiver
• Baggage delay insurance
• Lost luggage reimbursement
• Trip delay reimbursement
• Trip interruption and cancellation insurance

You'll earn World of Hyatt points on each purchase with your card. At Hyatt hotels, you'll earn 4 points per dollar, and this is on top of the points you'll earn by being a part of Hyatt's loyalty program.

You'll earn 2 points per dollar spent at restaurants and on commuting, fitness club and gym memberships, flights purchased directly from airlines and transit; and 1 point per dollar spent on other purchases.

These rates represent a 6.8%, 3.4% and 1.7% return on spending, respectively, based on TPG's July 2025 valuations.

You can do much better than a 1.7% return on everyday spending with other credit cards, but it's worth considering how these purchases can be more valuable when helping you earn a bonus Category 1-4 free night award and tier-qualifying nights toward status each year.

Related: Which credit card should you use for Hyatt stays?

Bottom line

The complimentary free night you receive each year as a World of Hyatt cardholder should easily offset the $95 annual fee. Other benefits — such as the points-earning structure and complimentary elite status — vary in value depending on how you use them.

If you can maximize these benefits, the annual fee is easily worth it each year. If not, another card — perhaps one that offers straightforward cash back — may be better suited to your wallet.

To learn more, see our full review of the World of Hyatt card.

Apply here: World of Hyatt Credit Card