When it comes to earning valuable World of Hyatt points, I have found a unique method that doesn’t involve a typical travel credit card. Let me explain.
As someone who has been passionate about credit card rewards for many years, I am always on the lookout for creative ways to maximize my points on everyday purchases. I have a carefully curated collection of credit cards and a strategy that I have honed over the past decade. I firmly believe that there is almost always a more efficient way to earn rewards than the obvious route.
For instance, dining out is a common expense for many people, and World of Hyatt points are highly desirable hotel rewards (valued at approximately 2.3 cents per point, according to Bankrate).
So, how can you leverage your dining expenses to earn the maximum amount of Hyatt points? The answer may surprise you.
Here’s how I boost my Hyatt points earnings on dining purchases with the Bilt Mastercard.
Earning Hyatt points through dining purchases
While many would assume that using a co-branded credit card is the best way to earn World of Hyatt points, this may not hold true for dining purchases. With the right card strategy, you could potentially earn up to 3X more points on dining than with a traditional co-branded card.
Chase World of Hyatt Card
One popular option is the Chase World of Hyatt Credit Card*. This card offers a range of benefits and bonus categories, including earning 2X Hyatt points on dining purchases.
While a 2X earning rate is respectable (equating to a 4.6 percent return), it may not be the most efficient way to maximize your Hyatt points on dining expenses.
Bilt Mastercard
Enter the Bilt Mastercard®. This card provides exceptional value and flexibility, allowing you to earn 3X Bilt Points on dining purchases. On Rent Day (the first day of the month), all earnings are doubled (up to 10,000 points), enabling you to earn a staggering 6X Bilt Points on dining, provided you use the card at least five times within your statement period.
But why choose Bilt Points over Hyatt points? Bilt Points are a versatile currency, valued at around 2.1 cents per point (potentially more with strategic redemptions). By transferring Bilt Points to various partners, including World of Hyatt, you can maximize their value.
By viewing the Bilt card as a means to earn World of Hyatt points, you can potentially earn 3X-6X more points on dining purchases than with any other card. While there are numerous redemption opportunities with Bilt Points, World of Hyatt points are among the most valuable transfer partners.
Maximizing your Hyatt points earnings
To fully optimize your World of Hyatt points earnings on dining purchases, focus on Rent Day when earnings are doubled to 6X. This represents a significant value (12.6 percent, based on our valuations) and could be even higher when factoring in transfers to valuable partners like World of Hyatt.
So, how can you practically maximize your Hyatt points earnings? Here are a few tips:
- If possible, schedule takeout or a dinner date on the first of the month to benefit from the 6X earning rate.
- Many chain restaurants allow you to preload funds onto their apps for payment, which will register as dining on the Bilt Mastercard. By funding your app on Rent Day, you can secure the 6X value on your spending.
- If you plan to host a large gathering and cover the expenses, keep in mind that Bilt Rent Day spending is capped at 10,000 points (equivalent to $1,666.67 if spent entirely on dining).
Additionally, linking your Bilt and Hyatt accounts allows you to earn bonus points when booking with Hyatt. Simply transfer your points from Bilt to World of Hyatt, then proceed to book your award night on the Hyatt platform.
The bottom line
Don’t automatically assume that a co-branded credit card is the most effective way to earn points in any program. Travel cards offering flexible points that can be transferred to various partners often provide superior value in bonus categories. In this scenario, utilizing the Bilt Mastercard can potentially earn you three times as many Hyatt points on dining purchases compared to the Chase World of Hyatt card.
The information regarding The World of Hyatt Credit Card has been independently gathered by Bankrate.com. The card specifics have not been reviewed or endorsed by the card issuer.