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8 Reasons We Love to Book Hyatt on Points
Hyatt is our favorite hotel loyalty program. Hyatt on points is our favorite way to book. This shouldn’t come as a surprise to you if you’ve been following Katie’s Travel Tricks. From the family friendly Hyatt Place brand to the all inclusive, adults only Hyatt Zilara brand, Hyatt has something for everyone.
Here are 8 reasons we love Hyatt, along with some tips and tricks for finding and booking an award stay at a Hyatt.
May 2026 Update
As of May 20, 2026, Hyatt has a new award chart. We have a full write-up giving you all the details about the changes.
Easy to earn points
You can earn Hyatt points from a Hyatt credit card. There are two, a business and personal version.
Katie's Take
Why this card might (or might not) be right for you.
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Katie's Take
Why this card might (or might not) be right for you.
Long term keeper card for the annual free night certificate alone!
Highlights
The key benefits and earning rates at a glance.
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Highlights
The key benefits and earning rates at a glance.
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Annual Free Night at Category 1-4 Hyatt (Cardmember Anniversary) Receive one free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort every year after your cardmember anniversary.
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Bonus Free Night at Category 1-4 Hyatt After $15,000 Calendar Year Spend Earn an additional Cat 1-4 free night certificate after spending $15,000 on the card in a calendar year.
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World of Hyatt Discoverist Status (For Life of Account) Automatic Discoverist status for as long as your account is open. Benefits include: late checkout (when available), preferred rooms, premium internet, 10% bonus on base points earned, waived resort fees on award stays.
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Annual Elite Night Credits Receive 5 Elite Qualifying Night credits each year toward your next World of Hyatt status tier. Plus earn 2 additional credits every time you spend $5,000 on the card.
Offer History
See past welcome bonuses to gauge whether the current offer is elevated.
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Offer History
See past welcome bonuses to gauge whether the current offer is elevated.
| Offer | Spend Req. | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 60,000 Bonus Points (30K + up to 30K via 2x)Elevated | $3,000 in 3 months + 2x on $15K in 6 months | Ended Spring 2026 |
| 5 Cat 1-4 Free Night Awards (3 + 2 Tier)Elevated | $5K + $15K total in 6 months | Best-ever offer ran early 2026, ended Feb 2026 |
| 65,000 Bonus PointsElevated | Standard spend req | Highest bonus-points offer since 2024 |
| 35,000 Bonus Points | $3,000 in 3 months | Small jump in January 2025 |
| 30,000 Bonus Points | $3,000 in 3 months | Long-running standard offer |
| 25,000 Bonus Points | $3,000 in 3 months | Decreased July 2025 |
Katie's Take
Why this card might (or might not) be right for you.
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Katie's Take
Why this card might (or might not) be right for you.
Other than the ability to spend and earn elite night credits to get to Globalist status, the annual fee doesn't provide so much value compared to the perks.
Highlights
The key benefits and earning rates at a glance.
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Highlights
The key benefits and earning rates at a glance.
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Up to $100 in Annual Hyatt Statement Credits Spend $50 or more at any Hyatt property and earn $50 statement credit, up to two times each anniversary year (up to $100 total).
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5 Tier-Qualifying Night Credits Per $10,000 Spent Earn 5 Tier-Qualifying Night credits toward World of Hyatt status (and Milestone rewards) for every $10,000 spent in a calendar year.
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World of Hyatt Discoverist Status — for Cardholder + 5 Employees Cardholder gets automatic Discoverist status for as long as the account is open. PLUS, gift Discoverist status to up to FIVE employees. The benefits aren't huge but you will get later check out and free breakfast at all Hyatt Places (since some are restrictive now)
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10% Points Redemption Bonus After $50,000 Calendar Year Spend After spending $50,000 in a calendar year, receive 10% of redeemed Hyatt points back as a bonus for the rest of the year. Capped at 20,000 points back per year (so applies to first 200,000 points redeemed).
Offer History
See past welcome bonuses to gauge whether the current offer is elevated.
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Offer History
See past welcome bonuses to gauge whether the current offer is elevated.
| Offer | Spend Req. | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 70,000 Bonus PointsElevated | $7,000 in 3 months | — |
| 80,000 Bonus PointsElevated | $10,000 in 3 months | Best-ever; ENDED April 30, 2026 9 AM EST |
| 60,000 Bonus Points | $5,000 in 3 months | Standard offer baseline |
| 75,000 Bonus PointsElevated | $7,500 in 3 months | Recurring elevated structure |
| 60,000 + Explorist Status thru 2/28/26Elevated | $7,000 in 3 months | Ended June 30, 2025 |
| 60,000 + Free Night Cat 1-4Elevated | $20,000 spend | Ran early 2025 |
| 75,000 (60K + 15K Tier)Elevated | $5K + additional $12K total | Fall 2024 elevated offer |
| 75,000 (60K + 15K Tier)Elevated | $5K + additional $12K total | Fall 2023 elevated offer |
| 75,000 + Double Elite Night CreditsElevated | Standard spend req | Fall 2021 + Fall 2022 launch-era elevated offers |
| 75,000 Bonus PointsElevated | $10,000 in 3 months | Card launch offer late 2021 |
However, the best way to earn Hyatt points is actually by earning Chase Ultimate Rewards® points.
Lucky for us, Chase Ultimate Rewards® are pretty easy to earn. These points can be earned with Chase Sapphire cards, Chase Ink cards, and Chase Freedom cards.
If you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, or Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, your Chase Ultimate Rewards® can be transferred to Hyatt. If one spouse has one of these cards but the other doesn’t, you can link the accounts so that they can all be transferred.
Combine all these opportunities to earn card bonuses and you will find Hyatt points are among the easiest hotel points to earn.
All information about this card has been collected independently by Katie's Travel Tricks.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Katie's Take
Why this card might (or might not) be right for you.
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Katie's Take
Why this card might (or might not) be right for you.
THE top beginner card I recommend for miles & points. The travel protections it provides are top tier, too!
Highlights
The key benefits and earning rates at a glance.
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Highlights
The key benefits and earning rates at a glance.
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Up to $120 Global Entry / TSA PreCheck® / NEXUS Statement Credit Statement credit of up to $120 every 4 years as reimbursement when you pay for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS application fee.
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$100 Annual Chase Travel℠ Hotel Credit Get up to $100 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays purchased through Chase Travel℠.
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One year of Apple TV Get one year of complimentary Apple TV after activation. Must activate by 12/31/2026. Or receive $7.50 per month off AppleOne bundle for 1 year.
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Complimentary DashPass + $10 Monthly DoorDash Credit (Through Dec 31, 2027) Activate your complimentary DashPass subscription for $0 delivery fees on eligible DoorDash and Caviar orders. Plus, receive up to $10 in promo credits each month to use on non-restaurant DoorDash orders.
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Comprehensive Travel & Purchase Protections Includes primary car rental coverage, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement, baggage delay insurance, emergency evacuation and transportation, purchase protection, and travel and emergency assistance.
Offer History
See past welcome bonuses to gauge whether the current offer is elevated.
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Offer History
See past welcome bonuses to gauge whether the current offer is elevated.
| Offer | Spend Req. | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 100,000 PointsElevated | $5,000 in 3 months | June 17, 2026 - July 30, 2026 |
| 75,000 Points | $5,000 in 3 months | Standard since June 23, 2025 |
| 100,000 PointsElevated | $5,000 in 3 months | Ended May 2025 |
| 60,000 Points + $300 Chase TravelElevated | $4,000 in 3 months | Sept - early Nov 2024 |
| 75,000 PointsElevated | $4,000 in 3 months | Early May - mid June 2024 |
| 80,000 PointsElevated | $4,000 in 3 months | Public online offer March 2023 - May 2023 |
| 80,000 PointsElevated | $4,000 in 3 months | Ended Fall 2022 |
| 100,000 PointsElevated | $4,000 in 3 months | Ended Fall 2021 |
| 60,000 Points | $4,000 in 3 months | Long-running historical standard (pre-June 2025) |
Katie's Take
Why this card might (or might not) be right for you.
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Katie's Take
Why this card might (or might not) be right for you.
High annual fee but if you can use at least some of the coupons on this card, you can come out ahead and have some great perks. I personally really like this card but it does take work to manage.
Highlights
The key benefits and earning rates at a glance.
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Highlights
The key benefits and earning rates at a glance.
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$300 Annual Travel Credit Receive an automatic statement credit for travel purchases each cardmember anniversary year.
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Up to $120 Global Entry / TSA PreCheck® / NEXUS Statement Credit Statement credit of up to $120 every 4 years as reimbursement when you pay for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS application fee.
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Airport Lounge Access (Sapphire + Priority Pass + 2 Guests) Access to Sapphire Lounges and Priority Pass™ lounges for you and 2 guests. One of the few remaining premium cards offering 2 free guest entries — most competitors have curtailed this.
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DashPass Subscription + $25/Month DoorDash Credit (Through Dec 31, 2027) Complimentary DashPass membership plus $25/month in DoorDash credits ($300/yr). Available through December 31, 2027.
Offer History
See past welcome bonuses to gauge whether the current offer is elevated.
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Offer History
See past welcome bonuses to gauge whether the current offer is elevated.
| Offer | Spend Req. | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 100,000 Points | $6,000 in 3 months | Current |
| 60,000 Points | Standard spend req | Long-running historical standard (post-2016 launch) |
| 100,000 PointsElevated | Standard spend req | Launch offer 2016 |
| 100,000 PointsElevated | Standard spend req | Ended 2019 |
| 80,000 PointsElevated | Standard spend req | Public online offer December 2022 |
| 75,000 Points | Standard spend req | Ended June 2024 |
| 100,000 Points + $500 Chase TravelElevated | Standard spend req | Relaunch offer July - late August 2025 |
| 125,000 PointsElevated | $6,000 in 3 months | August 2025 - April 2026 |
| 150,000 PointsElevated | $6,000 in 3 months | Ended June 15, 2026 |
| — | — |
Katie's Take
Why this card might (or might not) be right for you.
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Katie's Take
Why this card might (or might not) be right for you.
A perennial favorite! No annual fee and you can convert the cash back > Ultimate Rewards if you also have a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Highlights
The key benefits and earning rates at a glance.
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Highlights
The key benefits and earning rates at a glance.
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Complimentary 3-Month Instacart+ Membership + $20/Month Instacart Credit (Through Dec 31, 2027) 3 months of complimentary Instacart+ membership ($99/year value) plus $20 in Instacart credits each month when you have Instacart+ through December 31, 2027.
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Move Cash Back into Ultimate Rewards Points Cash back is technically Chase Ultimate Rewards points ($1 cash back = 100 UR points). When paired with a Chase Sapphire (Preferred, Reserve, or Reserve Business) or Ink Business Preferred, you can combine points for transfers to 14+ airline and hotel partners — including World of Hyatt, United, Air Canada Aeroplan, Southwest, JetBlue, and more.
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0% Intro APR on Purchases (12 Months) 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from account opening. After that, a variable APR applies
Offer History
See past welcome bonuses to gauge whether the current offer is elevated.
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Offer History
See past welcome bonuses to gauge whether the current offer is elevated.
| Offer | Spend Req. | Date |
|---|---|---|
| $750 Cash Back | $6,000 in 3 months | Standard (current as of May 1, 2026) |
| $900 Cash BackElevated | $6,000 in 3 months | Best-ever; ran September 12 - November 13, 2025 |
| $900 Cash BackElevated | $6,000 in 3 months | Fall 2024 (mid-September to early November) |
| $900 Cash BackElevated | $6,000 in 3 months | Returned September 2023 - mid-January 2024 |
| $900 Cash BackElevated | $6,000 in 3 months | Fall 2022 |
| $750 Cash Back | $7,500 in 3 months | Pandemic-era offer |
| $500 Cash Back | $3,000 in 3 months | Long-running historical standard |
Hotel rooms that sleep 5-6
Hyatt has several brands that make sleeping a family more comfortable.
Our favorite is Hyatt Place. In the U.S., the standard Hyatt Place room typically includes up to two queen beds plus a sofa sleeper. This means you can sleep a family of 6 in one room!
Hyatt Place hotels also have free breakfast, which is another reason this brand is a great option for families. You can even find them in beach locations (like Waikiki or Florida), ski destinations (like Keystone), and by national parks (like Arches in Moab).
Hyatt House hotels sometimes have standard rooms that comfortably sleep 6. You can also count on them to have a kitchen in most rooms as well as free breakfast.
No resort fees on award nights
When you book pretty much any hotel in a touristy location, it’s typical that hotels and resorts add a resort/destination/amenity fee. These fees are charged at the hotel and are not included when you calculate the room rate.
Resort fees typically exceed $30 per night. This can really add to your vacation cost! Fortunately, when you book your hotel on points at any Hyatt, the resort fee is waived so your Hyatt booking on points is truly free.

Great amenities
Beautiful beaches, pools, water slides, cultural classes, fitness classes. Many Hyatt resorts offer great family amenities! The resort properties are going to get you more amenities, but they’re also going to cost you more.
Stay at a U.S. Hyatt Place or Hyatt House and breakfast is included (a big bonus when you’re traveling, especially with kids). Hyatt House and Hyatt Residence have kitchenettes. Many Hyatt hotels have pools.
All inclusive options
Hyatt has the most all-inclusive options to book on points of any hotel chain! You can learn more about booking all-inclusive resorts on points, and get a searchable map, here.
Dependable quality
Booking hotels on a budget can be iffy. The pictures may look good, but when you get there the furniture is over worn, there is hair in the shower, and the room smells mildewy.
While there are always exceptions, we find Hyatt to have pretty standard quality across its brands. And the best part is you’re getting great quality for FREE with points.
Award availability
Searching for award night availability with most hotel chains is a tricky process. The award night pricing can vary significantly from night to night. Plus, since many hotel chains cap or restrict award availability, you may find standard rooms available to book with cash but not with points.
Unlike other hotel chains, Hyatt does not cap the number of award rooms available. Their policy is that “World of Hyatt Standard-Room Free Night Awards are available when hotels have standard rooms available at the Standard Rate.” This means that if there are standard rooms available at a hotel for your dates, you will be able to book those rooms with points.

For popular hotels and resorts, standard rooms can fill up quickly and you still need to book far in advance. But for many hotels, you will still be able to find award availability up until the last minute.
In addition, Hyatt is transparent about their award night pricing. You can find an award night calendar on each hotel’s booking site that will let you know how many points a given night will cost based on its award chart.
Good value
We are always looking to get the best value with our points. Hyatt assigns its properties to categories (1-8) and has a fixed award chart based on category and demand (lowest, low, moderate, upper, and top). There is a similar chart for all-inclusive properties. Those are placed in categories A-F.

There are more than 140 category 1 hotels in the United States; the lowest nights at category 1 hotels are just 3,000 points per night! You can’t beat that value with any other hotel loyalty program.
As I write this, I’m at Hyatt Place Santa Fe, a category 2 hotel. We paid 8,000 points for our room (standard season pricing). The room rate for tonight is more than $250 dollars. That’s good value!
Because of their award night pricing structure, it’s not uncommon to get a redemption value of more than 2 cents per point when you transfer your points to Hyatt.
In most cases, you’ll get the best value booking Hyatt with points directly through Hyatt rather than through a travel portal.
If you book the Hyatt Regency Maui through Chase Travel℠, one night would cost just over 86,000 points or 52,000 points if you have a card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® that gives you access to Points Boost (the little rocket symbol).

Here’s the same booking using your points directly through Hyatt – at 30k points per night, your points go a lot further! You can use those same Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, but get more value just by transferring them over to Hyatt before booking.

Hyatt booking tips
Finding award availability
Use the “Points Calendar” to look for available award dates and to see the pricing for each night at a particular hotel. This feature only works on the desktop version of the Hyatt website; it doesn’t appear in their app.

There are also a couple of websites to help you find Hyatt award availability. You can even set up alerts to notify you when things become available.
Note that some popular resorts have a minimum night requirement for award stays. This is especially common with the Hawaiian Hyatt properties.
You may not be able to find award availability if you are searching for a 2 night stay because, even though there are standard rooms available, they have a minimum night stay requirement of 5-7 nights. If you are determined, you can try this to get around minimum night stay requirements.
Max My Point
Max My Point tracks availability of award nights at Hilton, Marriott, and Hyatt. You can search for your desired hotel and see a calendar view showing what nights are available to book with points as well as rate information.
Start by searching for your desired hotel. Find the dates you want to travel. When there is availability, you will see the award rate and lowest cash rate. Click on an available date and Max My Point will take you directly to Hyatt’s site for booking.

If there is no availability, you can click the bell icon to set an alert. Set your parameters and you will be notified if something becomes available.

Stay With Points
Stay With Points has similar functionality as Max My Point. It pulls award availability information from Hyatt, Hilton, and Marriott. As with Max My Point, you can search your desired hotel, see award night availability, and set alerts.

Occupancy tips
If you are searching for a room for your family, you may find that your search results turn up no availability when you put in your family size.
Hyatt properties in the U.S. and all-inclusive properties in Mexico may have a higher occupancy than will turn up when you do a search. If you are not turning up any search results, you may want to adjust down the number of people to 2 (for all inclusives) or 4 (for standard hotels).
For example, Hyatt Place hotels sleep 6, but, in my experience, no award availability will show up if I do a search of more than 4 people. Typically, mainland U.S. hotels are not strict about exceeding occupancy, but if it makes you uncomfortable you can reach out to the hotel and check with them.
Hawaiian hotels are known to have stricter occupancy limits due to fire code. Europe is also very strict about occupancy, and rooms often only hold 2-3 people, making Hyatt not a great option for families traveling to Europe. If you are in doubt about occupancy and are traveling abroad, you should always check directly with the hotel.
Hyatt all-inclusive properties typically do not show award availability if you search for more than 2 people. If you have children with you, you will book a room for 2 and then contact Hyatt to add the children for a fee, within the occupancy limits of the room.
Sign up for our Hyatt on Points Guide
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I am trying to get the Hyatt points travel guide.
If you sign up for this guide: https://katiestraveltricks.com/chase-ultimate-rewards-guide/ you’ll get the Hyatt guide, too! I decided to bundle them together