As with the old Chase Hyatt credit card, the World of Hyatt free anniversary night certificate is one of the best benefits that comes with the World of Hyatt Credit Card. Knowing how to book the World of Hyatt free night award guarantees you get outsized value from your award night.
The free night that’s awarded to cardholders is valid at Hyatt hotels in Category 1-4 properties. Hyatt category 4 hotels typically cost 15,000 Hyatt points for an award night. Hyatt has many brands in its portfolio of properties and categorizes them into various categories usually corresponding to cash prices.
Previously: Chase Unveils New World of Hyatt Card, 60,000 Point Bonus
World of Hyatt cardholders automatically earn one free night each year on the card anniversary. The free night may take up to 10 weeks to appear in the account, per Hyatt’s terms and conditions, but in my experience it doesn’t usually take that long. The certificates expire after 12 months.
Maximizing Your Free Night Award
The most creative part of the process is thinking about getting maximum value for the free night perk.
- Search first for “Category 4” hotels, the highest category eligible for free night redemptions. Hyatt has more than 80 hotels in this category to choose from. Paying cash, these rooms cost generally $200 or more per night. Three standout Hyatt hotels in this category are the Grand Hyatt in Seattle, the Park Hyatt in Saigon, and the Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo.
- Use the award when paid night rates are high. Even at lower Category 1 through 3 hotels, there are many nights when cash rates are high. For example, the Grand Hyatt in Seattle during the summer or the Hyatt Regency Boston Harbour during the summer are charging paid rates well over $300 per night. Using your award at those times is an amazing value. The card costs $95 annually, so it’s easily possible to redeem a free night for three times the fee paid.
- Use the award in combination with other nights booked for cash or points. I do this with my award each year. I rarely stay at a hotel for just one night so I look to see which night is the most expensive night of my stay and use my free night award for that night.
How to Book A World of Hyatt Free Night Award
Seeing a free anniversary night certificate post to the World of Hyatt account is only half the fun. The other half is knowing how to redeem it!
After the annual fee is paid each year, the free night award appears in the World of Hyatt account page under the ‘My Awards’ tab.
Search for Your Free Night Hotel Choice
To search for the free night, start from within the World of Hyatt account. It’s possible to search for a night from Hyatt’s homepage, but it saves a step to start from within the account page. From the Hyatt homepage or from within the World of Hyatt account, search for a one night reservation.
Previously: Executive Suite Review, Park Hyatt Saigon
Let’s search for one night at the Park Hyatt Saigon. This is where I’ve used my free night certificate!
How to Get The Free Night Award Option to Appear
Notice that the payment options and room rates appear first in a hotel search. Then notice a box that says, “Show World of Hyatt Points & Award”. Check that box to see the Promotional Award Free Night availability.
Completing the reservation is the same as paying cash (without having to pay any cash).
Check to See Your Reservation is Complete
Look under the My Reservations tab to confirm the free night certificate reservation. Now all that’s left to do is enjoy your stay at your Hyatt of choice!
Upshot
Even with the category restrictions on the World of Hyatt credit card there are great properties to choose from. Knowing how to book the World of Hyatt free night award is the first step in getting maximum value from this perk when you can replace a pricey night. I’ve done it for years now and so can you!
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4 comments
What is “best” compared to the older version?
Good question. That really depends on why you might get the new version. Most would probably say the ability to spend your way to elite Hyatt status is the best benefit on the new card that wasn’t there on the older version. Thanks for reading!
Always have problems using the free night. Black out dates, peak season and timimg for breaks at school make this reward card difficult to use. I have lost three reward nights due to these reasons, and one expired.
Unfortuately this card will have to be cancelled and the points will be lost. So very disappointing as I was a loyal hyatt customer since 1984 when I worked for them out of highschool! End of an Era, as the HyTt in our city closed recently also, so sad.
I can certainly see your point, Tlewis, if the free night doesn’t work for you and Hyatt is no longer your hotel of choice. Wow, you do have a long-standing relationship with Hyatt, though. Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment.