If you’re serious about hotel rewards, World of Hyatt should be your primary program. While Marriott and Hilton have more properties, Hyatt delivers consistently better value per point.
Here’s everything you need to know about World of Hyatt in 2026.
Why Hyatt Wins
Points Value
| Program | Average Point Value |
|---|---|
| World of Hyatt | 1.7-2.2¢ |
| Hilton Honors | 0.5-0.6¢ |
| Marriott Bonvoy | 0.7-0.8¢ |
| IHG One Rewards | 0.5-0.6¢ |
Hyatt points are worth 2-3x more than competitors. This means fewer points needed for the same value.
Award Chart Integrity
While Marriott and Hilton have moved to dynamic pricing (points costs fluctuate wildly), Hyatt maintains a category-based award chart. You know exactly what a hotel will cost.
Premium Properties
Park Hyatt, Andaz, Alila, and Thompson hotels offer genuine luxury experiences. These properties often cost $500-1,000+ per night in cash but remain attainable with points.
Hyatt Award Chart
| Category | Points/Night | Typical Property |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5,000 | Hyatt Place suburban |
| 2 | 8,000 | Hyatt Place airport |
| 3 | 12,000 | Hyatt Regency |
| 4 | 15,000 | Hyatt Regency prime |
| 5 | 20,000 | Andaz, select Park Hyatt |
| 6 | 25,000 | Park Hyatt, Thompson |
| 7 | 30,000 | Park Hyatt Tokyo, Maldives |
| 8 | 40,000 | Ultra-premium resorts |
Peak pricing: +5,000 points on certain dates Off-peak: -5,000 points on certain dates
How to Earn Hyatt Points
Chase World of Hyatt Card
Annual Fee: $95
Earning:
- 4x at Hyatt properties
- 2x on dining, fitness, transit
- 1x everywhere else
Perks:
- Free Category 1-4 night annually
- Automatic Discoverist status
- Extra night award after $15k spend
This card is a no-brainer for Hyatt loyalists. The free night alone covers the annual fee.
Transfer from Chase Ultimate Rewards
Chase points transfer 1:1 to Hyatt. This is the single best use of Chase points for hotels. See our complete Chase guide for details on earning Chase points.
Example:
- 25,000 Chase points → 25,000 Hyatt points
- Book Park Hyatt (normally $600/night)
- Value: 2.4¢ per point
Compare to Chase portal: $600 ÷ 1.5¢ = 40,000 points. Transfer wins every time.
Transfer from Bilt Rewards
Bilt also transfers 1:1 to Hyatt. If you pay rent with Bilt, those points become hotel stays. Bilt is especially powerful because you’re earning points on rent with no fees.
Hotel Stays
Earn 5 base points per dollar at Hyatt properties, plus bonus points for elite status.
Elite Status Tiers
| Status | Nights | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Discoverist | 10 | 10% bonus points, late checkout |
| Explorist | 30 | 20% bonus, club access, upgrades |
| Globalist | 60 | 30% bonus, suite upgrades, free breakfast |
Path to Globalist
60 nights is a lot. Here are shortcuts:
- Co-branded card: Hyatt card gives you 5 qualifying nights per $10k spend
- Status match: Hyatt occasionally offers challenges
- Credit card fast track: New cardholders sometimes get elevated status
Best Hyatt Properties (Sweet Spots)
Category 7 (30,000 points)
- Park Hyatt Tokyo — Lost in Translation vibes, $800+ cash
- Park Hyatt Maldives — Overwater villa, $1,500+ cash
- Park Hyatt Sydney — Harbor views, $700+ cash
Category 5-6 (20,000-25,000 points)
- Andaz Tokyo — Boutique luxury, amazing design
- Park Hyatt New York — Manhattan icon
- Thompson Hollywood — LA cool
Category 4 (15,000 points)
- Hyatt Regency Maui — Beach resort value
- Hyatt Centric Times Square — NYC location
- Grand Hyatt Baha Mar — Bahamas resort
Hyatt Redemption Tips
Use Points + Cash
Hyatt offers a Points + Cash option at many properties. Sometimes this unlocks better availability or value.
Check Cash Rates
Before redeeming, check the cash rate. If it’s $150/night, using 15,000 points (1¢/point) isn’t great. Save points for expensive properties.
Book Refundable Awards
Hyatt award reservations can be canceled without penalty (check specific terms). Book early, keep searching for better options.
Guest of Honor
Globalist members can book awards for others and extend their benefits to the reservation. Great for family travel.
Hyatt vs. The Competition
Hyatt vs. Marriott
- Footprint: Marriott has 8,000+ properties; Hyatt has 1,200+
- Value: Hyatt wins significantly on points value
- Verdict: Use Marriott for coverage, Hyatt for aspirational stays
Hyatt vs. Hilton
- Earning: Hilton offers more ways to earn (Amex cards, promos)
- Redemption: Hyatt delivers 3x the value per point
- Verdict: Earn Hilton when convenient, prioritize Hyatt for redemptions
Building a Hyatt Strategy
Starter Plan
- Get the World of Hyatt card ($95/year)
- Transfer Chase points for premium stays
- Use free night certificate annually
- Earn Discoverist status for perks
Advanced Plan
- Stack Chase cards (CSR + Hyatt + Freedom)
- Transfer Chase/Bilt to Hyatt strategically
- Chase Globalist through card spending bonus
- Use Guest of Honor for family
Conclusion
World of Hyatt isn’t the biggest hotel program, but it’s the best for value. If you have transferable points from Chase or Bilt, Hyatt should be your first choice for hotel redemptions.
The math is simple: Would you rather spend 30,000 points for a $200 Hilton or a $700 Park Hyatt?
Hyatt wins. Every time.
Related reads:
- Chase Ultimate Rewards: Complete Guide
- Bilt Rewards: Earn Points on Rent
- Hotel Elite Status: Is It Worth It?
- Best Credit Cards for Points 2026
What’s your favorite Hyatt property? Share in the comments!
💬 Comments
Have questions or thoughts? Join the discussion below!