Review of the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card: Major advantages for high spenders

Overview of the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card

The World of Hyatt Business Credit Card is a mid-tier hotel credit card that offers significant benefits for Hyatt enthusiasts looking to earn status perks through their spending or to unlock a 10% points rebate. However, it’s important to weigh the trade-offs before committing to a card that lacks free night certificates and automatic status beyond the basic level. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐½

* Card rating reflects the views of TPG's editors and is not swayed by the card issuer.

The World of Hyatt Business Credit Card from Chase provides appealing perks tailored for small-business owners who are loyal to Hyatt. If you have a strong credit score of 670 or higher and aim to accumulate World of Hyatt points and status, this card may be a suitable option for you.

The Hyatt Business card is missing some features often found in hotel credit cards, such as status above the basic level and complimentary night certificates for your account anniversary. However, it provides a robust array of benefits for business owners looking to earn rewards through their spending. If you can utilize these perks, the $199 annual fee is easily justified. If not, this card may not be the best long-term option for you.

Here’s what you should know before you apply.

Advantages and disadvantages of the World of Hyatt Business credit card

World of Hyatt Business Credit Card introductory offer

New cardholders can receive a welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $5,000 within the first three months of account activation.

According to TPG's August 2024 valuations, World of Hyatt points are valued at 1.7 cents each, making the total bonus worth a remarkable $1,020.

This card adheres to Chase's standard application rules, including the Chase 5/24 rule; however, applying for this card will not contribute to your 5/24 count.

Benefits of the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card

The World of Hyatt Business Credit Card provides several important benefits:

• Up to $100 in annual Hyatt credits: Receive a $50 statement credit when you spend $50 or more at Hyatt hotels and resorts (up to two times a year, totaling $100 in annual credits).
• Discoverist status for you and up to five employees: As the primary cardholder, you’ll automatically earn Discoverist status with World of Hyatt, plus five Discoverist Upgrade Awards to share with employees.
• Earn stay credits toward status through spending: For every $10,000 spent in a calendar year, you’ll earn five tier-qualifying night credits.
• Opportunity for a 10% points rebate: If you and your employees spend a total of at least $50,000 in a calendar year, you’ll receive a 10% rebate on bonus points for up to 200,000 World of Hyatt points redeemed for free night awards, Points + Cash stays, room upgrades, dining and spa services, and Find experiences for the rest of the year.
• Complimentary Hyatt Leverage membership: Enjoy discounts of up to 15% on standard room rates at participating Hyatt hotels.
• No foreign transaction fees

It’s unfortunate that there isn’t a higher tier of elite status or a free night certificate included in these benefits. Nonetheless, frequent guests at Hyatt properties will appreciate the Hyatt credits and Leverage membership. Plus, small businesses that spend significantly with this card can enjoy an easier route to status and a 10% points rebate.

How to earn points with the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card

As a World of Hyatt Business cardholder, you will earn 4 points for every dollar spent at Hyatt hotels and on Find Experiences booked through Hyatt.

You will also earn 2 points for each dollar spent on fitness club and gym memberships.

This card features a distinctive adaptive accelerator benefit that allows cardholders to earn 2 points per dollar in their top three of eight eligible spending categories each calendar quarter, with no cap on earnings. The categories include:

• Dining
• Airline tickets purchased directly from airlines
• Car rentals
• Local transit and commuting
• Gas stations
• Internet, cable, and phone services
• Social media and search engine advertising
• Shipping

The points-earning rates automatically adjust to reflect the categories where you spend the most each quarter, eliminating the need to select your preferred categories. For all other purchases, you’ll earn 1 point per dollar spent.

While this card is notable for offering bonus points on gym memberships, there are many other cards that provide better earning structures for other bonus categories. If you’re not focused on maximizing the benefits of spending with this card, consider using it alongside others to enhance your bonus-earning potential.

How to redeem points with the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card

As expected from a hotel cobranded card, the most advantageous use of the World of Hyatt points earned on the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card is to pay for stays at Hyatt properties. You can do this by fully covering your stay, partially covering it using Hyatt's "Points + Cash" option, or by redeeming points to upgrade a paid stay.

One of the standout features of the World of Hyatt program is its use of a published award chart, allowing you to plan ahead and know how many points you’ll need for a stay. However, be aware that each category has varying rates for standard, peak, and off-peak dates.

To maximize the value of your points, aim to redeem them at either the high or low end of the award chart. TPG content director Summer Hull prefers to book stays at the higher end, gaining excellent value by using points for Hyatt resorts or city properties that would typically be beyond her budget. On the other hand, you can stretch your points further by opting for stays at the lower end of the chart. With Category 1 Hyatt properties available for as low as 3,500 points, I personally prefer to stay there whenever possible to get the most out of my points.

You can also redeem your World of Hyatt points for Avis intermediate rental cars at a rate of 6,000 points per day, for dining, spa, or meeting credits at Hyatt locations, for Find experiences, or even transfer them to select airline programs. However, these redemption options generally yield less value than our August 2024 valuation of 1.7 cents per point, so we recommend using your points for Hyatt stays whenever possible.

What are the competing cards to the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card?

If you’re looking for additional perks or a different earning structure, one of these alternatives might suit you better.

• If you want Hyatt benefits at a lower annual fee: The personal World of Hyatt Credit Card offers bonus points on Hyatt purchases, provides automatic Discoverist status, and offers a route to higher status through spending, all for a reduced annual fee of $95. For more information, check out our full review of the World of Hyatt card.
• If you want to maximize earnings on your business expenses: The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card earns 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 in combined purchases across travel and common business categories. It earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which can be transferred to World of Hyatt or any of Chase's other 13 hotel and airline partners. For more information, check out our full review of the Ink Business Preferred.
• If you seek more general travel benefits: The Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers complimentary airport lounge access, a $300 annual travel credit, a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, and extensive travel protections. Like the Ink Business Preferred, points can be transferred to World of Hyatt or any other Chase partner. For more information, check out our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

For more options, see our comprehensive lists of the best business credit cards and the best travel credit cards.

Is the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card worth considering?

If you can utilize the two Hyatt statement credits with your World of Hyatt Business Credit Card, you'll receive $100 in value from that benefit alone, effectively lowering your annual fee to just $99. While Discoverist status may not seem significant on its own, the ability to gift it to five others is a nice touch. Whether these benefits justify the annual fee ultimately depends on your personal circumstances.

That being said, the absence of an annual free night certificate and the high spending requirements for achieving status may lead you to find greater value in another card.

Final thoughts

The current welcome bonus and the value from ongoing benefits make the World of Hyatt Business card a solid choice for small-business owners who frequently stay at Hyatt properties. This is particularly advantageous if you're close to qualifying for Globalist status but can bridge the gap through spending.

However, if you seldom stay at Hyatt properties or seek more benefits with a lower spending threshold, you might want to consider a different card.