Chase Sapphire Preferred vs World of Hyatt: Which Is Better In 2025?

World of Hyatt Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at what makes The World of Hyatt Credit Card a strong contender for travelers.

• It offers a generous rewards structure, especially for spending at Hyatt hotels and on everyday purchases like dining and transit.
• Cardholders automatically receive Discoverist elite status and get a head start on earning higher status tiers each year.
• The annual free night award at a Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel can easily offset the card's $95 annual fee, making it simple to get positive value each year (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• An annual free night award and automatic elite status provide significant value for Hyatt travelers.
• Cardholders earn some of the most valuable hotel points in the industry and pay no resort fees on award stays.
• The card includes useful travel protections and charges no foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.

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Cons

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• Hyatt has a smaller global footprint than its main competitors, which can limit your options for earning and redeeming points.
• The annual free night certificate is restricted to lower-category hotels, excluding many of Hyatt’s most desirable properties.
• The card is subject to issuer application rules that can make it difficult to qualify for, and its bonus categories may be complex to track.

World of Hyatt vs Chase Sapphire Preferred®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Chase Sapphire Preferred or World of Hyatt, depends entirely on your travel style and spending habits. Let's break down what each card is best for to help you choose.

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• Chase Sapphire Preferred®: This card is considered an ultimate entry-level travel card. It is best suited for frequent travelers who want to earn flexible rewards on a wide range of purchases without committing to a premium annual fee.
• The World of Hyatt Credit Card: This card is designed for frequent travelers who are loyal to the Hyatt brand. It focuses on maximizing hotel-specific rewards and providing a clear path toward elite status benefits within the World of Hyatt program.

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Redemption

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• Chase Sapphire Preferred®: This card offers highly flexible redemption options, allowing you to transfer points to numerous airline and hotel partners or redeem them for travel through the Chase portal.
• The World of Hyatt Credit Card: Redemptions are focused within the Hyatt ecosystem, where points can be used for hotel stays, room upgrades, and other on-property experiences.

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Travel Perks

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• Chase Sapphire Preferred®:
  • Offers access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal, a comprehensive platform for booking flights, hotels, car rentals, and other travel.
  • Comes with a suite of travel protections, such as trip cancellation/interruption insurance and an auto rental collision damage waiver.
  • Includes an annual hotel credit.
  • Charges no foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.
• The World of Hyatt Credit Card:
  • The travel ecosystem is centered exclusively around Hyatt properties.
  • Provides automatic World of Hyatt Discoverist status, unlocking on-property perks.
  • Offers a clear path to earning higher elite status tiers through card spending, which can grant benefits like lounge access and room upgrades.
  • Includes an annual free night award valid at a qualifying Hyatt hotel or resort.
  • Charges no foreign transaction fees on international purchases.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the decision even easier, you can use a tool like Kudos to compare top-rated cards and see which one aligns best with your spending.

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• Test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see potential earnings before you apply, with no hard credit pull required.
• Receive personalized card recommendations based on your actual transaction history.
• Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds for various cards based on your credit report.
• Access Kudos Boost rewards when shopping at your favorite stores.
• Take advantage of a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better offer if you find one within three months.

Who Should Choose the Chase Sapphire Preferred®?

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The Sapphire Preferred is an excellent choice for frequent travelers and foodies looking to dip their toes into the world of travel rewards. With a reasonable annual fee, it offers strong earning rates on travel and dining, plus valuable travel protections for peace of mind on the go. It's also ideal for those who value flexibility, providing multiple ways to redeem points, including transfers to popular airline and hotel partners. This combination of benefits makes it a versatile card for anyone wanting to upgrade from a basic cash-back card to a more rewarding travel option.

Who Should Choose the World of Hyatt?

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The World of Hyatt Credit Card is tailor-made for travelers who frequently stay at Hyatt properties and want to fast-track their way to elite status. It's also a great fit for value-conscious travelers, including couples and families, who aim to maximize their hotel points on every stay. As our full card review explains, the card is a practical choice for international travel thanks to its lack of foreign transaction fees.

Alternatives to Consider

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If you've weighed the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card vs. The World of Hyatt Credit Card and neither feels quite right, don't fret. We'll walk through a few other top travel rewards cards that might be a better fit.

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Tips for Application Success

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Applying for a new credit card can feel like a shot in the dark, but a little preparation can significantly boost your odds. Here’s how to position yourself for success.

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Before You Apply

• Check your credit score: Most successful applicants have a good to excellent credit score, typically 700 or higher. While Chase evaluates your entire credit profile, a strong score is a great starting point.
• Know the 5/24 rule: Chase has an unofficial policy where applications are often denied if you've opened five or more personal credit cards from any issuer in the last 24 months. Review your recent card history before applying.
• Plan your spending: Both cards offer a generous welcome bonus after you meet a minimum spending requirement in the first few months. Make sure you can meet this threshold with your regular spending without overextending yourself.

Application Strategy

• Confirm your bonus eligibility: Issuers often have rules that restrict you from earning a new cardmember bonus if you've recently had the card or received a bonus for it. For example, you may not be eligible for a welcome bonus if you've received one for the same card in the past 24 months.
• Be patient after applying: Sometimes you won't get an instant decision. If your application goes into a pending status, don't panic. It may just need further review.

Pro tip: Time your application before a planned large purchase. This can help you meet the minimum spend for the welcome offer organically and ensure you capture a huge influx of points right away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer points from the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card to World of Hyatt?

Yes, World of Hyatt is a 1:1 transfer partner of the Chase Ultimate Rewards® program. This allows you to move points earned with your Sapphire Preferred card directly into your Hyatt account to book award stays.

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Which card is better for earning points on everyday spending?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card excels at earning on broad categories like dining, online groceries, and select streaming services. The World of Hyatt Credit Card focuses its highest rewards on purchases made directly with Hyatt, making it ideal for brand loyalists.

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Do both cards offer automatic elite status with Hyatt?

The World of Hyatt Credit Card automatically provides cardholders with Discoverist elite status. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card does not include automatic elite status with any hotel program.

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Which card gives you an annual free night certificate?

The World of Hyatt Credit Card provides a free night certificate valid at a Category 1-4 Hyatt property each year after your cardmember anniversary. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card does not offer this specific benefit.