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Hyatt is eliminating its legacy credit card -- here's what you need to know about the change

Nov. 18, 2020
4 min read
Hyatt is eliminating its legacy credit card -- here's what you need to know about the change
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Back in 2017, Hyatt launched a revamped loyalty program called The World of Hyatt.

That program replaced Hyatt Gold Passport -- and along with it came a new card product, The World of Hyatt Credit Card. However, Hyatt never formally replaced the similarly-named legacy Hyatt Credit Card that launched in 2010.

While new cardholders could only apply for The World of Hyatt Credit Card, those with an existing legacy Hyatt Credit Card could still use it. But now, Hyatt has announced that will be ending that card on Jan. 11, 2021. On that date, Hyatt Credit Card members will officially be forced to migrate to The World of Hyatt Credit Card.

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(Photo by John Gribben for The Points Guy)

What does this switch mean?

Both the legacy Hyatt Credit Card and The World of Hyatt Credit Card are fairly similar, but there are several key differences.

Most notably is that World of Hyatt credit cardholders can earn a second Category 1-4 free night after $15,000 spent during their anniversary year (changing to based on the calendar year in January 2022). Additionally, the World of Hyatt card lets you earn higher elite status with five elite night credits per year and two additional elite night credits for every $5,000 in spend.

Wyndhurst Manor & Club, a Hyatt property (Photo by Chris Dong/The Points Guy)

Related: 5 reasons why I applied for The World of Hyatt card during the pandemic

However, the legacy Hyatt Credit Card only charged a $75 annual fee, while The World of Hyatt Credit Card charges a $95 annual fee. Migrated cardmembers will not be charged the new fee though until August 2021 (so any cardmember that has an anniversary before August will continue paying $75 and those after will pay the $95 annual fee).

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Comparing earn rates between Hyatt cards

CategoryThe World of Hyatt CardHyatt Credit Card
(no longer available)
Hyatt (stays and experiences including onsite restaurants and spas)4x points3x points
Base points earned as World of Hyatt member5x points5x points
Restaurants2x points2x points
Airlines2x points2x points
Local Transit (includes rideshares, taxis, mass transit and tolls)2x points1x points
Fitness Clubs, Gyms and Headspace Subscription2x points1x points
Car Rental Agencies1x points2x points
All Other Purchases1x point1x points

Related: The best hotel credit cards that come with an annual free night

Bottom line

This isn't entirely unexpected news from Hyatt, since it didn't quite make sense to have the two Hyatt cards side by side. As announced several weeks ago, to reward legacy Hyatt Credit Cardholders, you can earn a free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel when you spend $4,000 on that card from Oct. 27 through Dec. 31, 2020. This offer is not available on The World of Hyatt card.

Additionally, all Hyatt and World of Hyatt Credit Cardmembers can earn extra points through Dec. 31, 2020. That includes 5x World of Hyatt points at Amazon.com, and 3x points at grocery stores, on up to $1,500 in total combined purchases each month.

And this doesn't include all of the other ongoing Hyatt promotions, including up to 4x bonus points, 25% back on points redemption stays and tier-qualifying nights for the rest of 2020 counting toward the 2021 World of Hyatt elite status year.

Related: Your guide to maximizing redemptions with Hyatt

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.