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Hyatt is now offering automatic mid-tier Explorist status to those who spend $50K on the Chase Hyatt credit card within a calendar year. Hyatt is also offering this benefit retroactively to those who spent $50K on the card in 2016.
Hyatt’s new “World of Hyatt” program kicks in on March 1st. I’ve previously written about the 5 things I love about the World of Hyatt and 5 things I hate about World of Hyatt. One of the things that I sort-of loved was that mid tier status now comes with meaningful benefits. Specifically, Explorist elites now get 4 Club lounge access awards each year, and these can be applied to either paid or award nights. At some Hyatt hotels lounge access is the key benefit of having top tier Hyatt status, so this gives mid tier elites a nice way to enjoy the same.
The Chase Hyatt credit card, up until now, offered a total of 5 stay credits and 10 night credits towards elite status for those who spent $40K within a calendar year. That was very useful to help qualify for status, but it didn’t in itself get you to status.
The new benefit has a few pros and cons:
Pro: It is now possible to get to somewhat meaningful elite status through spend alone.
Con 1: For those who want to qualify (or re-qualify) for top tier Globalist status, the card does not help at all. Getting to mid-tier Explorist status through credit card spend does not reduce the nights or spend requirements for Globablist status.
Con 2: $50K spend is a lot to put on a card that only offers 1 point per dollar for most spend (it does offer 2X at restaurants, airlines, car rentals; and 3X at Hyatt). Other than the promise of elite status, most people would do much better with other cards. Even if you want Hyatt points, you could get the Freedom Unlimited card (1.5X everywhere) and pair with the Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve in order to get better bonus categories and the ability to transfer points to Hyatt, as well as to other hotel and airline programs.
My Take
Overall, I’m glad that Hyatt is offering a way to earn elite status through spend, but I’m disappointed that credit card spend does not help those who want to qualify for top-tier Globalist status.
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[…] Chase Hyatt credit card now offering Explorist status for $50K spend […]
There aren’t very many people who can put $50K spend on one credit card. And even for those who can, it probably makes more sense to get an Amex Platinum (which comes with complimentary Hilton HHonors Gold status) and then ask Hyatt for a status match.
[…] Chase Hyatt credit card now offering Explorist status for $50K spend […]
Yawn. Cheaper to just buy the lounge upgrades vs 50k @2%.
Hyatt has pivotted from most generous to most chintzy. MAYBE if it got you Globalist. Explorist? Pffft.
This.
Is this for any spend on the card? The site makes it sound as though you only get the base points for spend at Hyatt. Also, will it only be good for the year from the time of meeting the spend or will it be good for 12 months or more? Thanks!
Well on the upside… without paid breakfast, I won’t be tempted to overindulge! Likewise, less alcohol consumption at night, also not a bad thing. And if I’m really desperate for club access I’ll pay extra points for it. Really enjoyed my Diamond stays (status match) with lovely suites and fabulous breakfast at Siem Reap and Saigon over winter break, but generally find Hyatt’s footprint very limiting… I could easily go an entire year with barely setting foot in a non-US city that had an upscale Hyatt, and particularly an international Hyatt that allows two parents and a teenager in one room. And even if I am in one of those cities, Hilton and Marriott will be there too. And with those chains, I’m Gold through either credit card (Hilton) or matched to United Gold (Marriott). Would be so delightful for some of us if BoardingArea had more about Hilton and Marriott properties and not quite the ultra heavy concentration on Hyatt and SPG. My next two international trips are to Bulgaria in spring and Russia in summer and if I remember correctly, Hyatt is of no help there.
50k on a 2% card is $1000. I don’t think Hyatt’s Explorist is worth that.
You’d still get the Hyatt points on the 50k spend. Last time I checked, Hyatt points were worth 1.5 cents each. The cost of Explorist vs spending on a 2% cash back card is more around $250 when you account for the value of the points.
I did that in early 2015 and gained Marriott Platinum by spending $75K and for whatever reasons, I still have Marriott Platinum confirmed through 01-31-2018
It should have only been through 01-31-2017
I was going to cancel the Ritz Carlton card but going to keep it in case that is the reason why I got Platinum status again for 1 additional year.
I did not spend much on it nor did I stay much at Marriott last year, so I really don’t know what caused them to extend Platinum status.
Would rather put $75K on a Ritz card for Marriott Platinum, SPG Platinum, United Silver. And even I’m thinking hard about that.