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Chase Sapphire Reserve Gets Hyatt Explorist Status in 2026 (Plus a New Hyatt Card Is Coming)
July 1, 2025
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The Big News: Chase and Hyatt Just Made Hotel Status Easier
If you're a Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholder who spends big, 2026 is about to get a lot more rewarding. Chase and Hyatt just announced a major partnership expansion that brings World of Hyatt Explorist status to top-spending cardholders, adds more luxury properties to The Edit by Chase Travel, and teases a brand-new Hyatt co-branded credit card.
For frequent travelers who've been torn between premium Chase cards and hotel-specific cards, this could be the game-changer that tips the scales. Here's everything you need to know about what's coming and whether it's worth the spend requirement.
What's Changing: The Chase-Hyatt Partnership Expansion
Starting mid-2026, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card (and its business counterpart) will offer World of Hyatt Explorist status as a benefit for cardholders who spend $75,000 or more in a calendar year. This mirrors the card's existing spend-based benefits like Southwest A-List status and IHG One Rewards Diamond status.
But that's not all. The partnership expansion includes three major updates:
Explorist Status for Big Spenders: Cardholders who hit the $75,000 annual spending threshold on the Chase Sapphire Reserve or Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ will automatically receive World of Hyatt Explorist status starting in mid-2026.
More Luxury Hotels in The Edit: High-end Hyatt brands like Park Hyatt and Alila will join The Edit by Chase Travel, giving cardholders access to more premium properties where they can redeem points at 1.5 cents per point value.
A New Hyatt Co-Branded Card: Chase and Hyatt plan to expand the credit card portfolio beyond the current World of Hyatt Credit Card and World of Hyatt Business Credit Card, though specific details haven't been revealed yet.
What Is World of Hyatt Explorist Status Worth?
If you're not familiar with Hyatt's loyalty program tiers, Explorist is the mid-level status between Discoverist and top-tier Globalist. Here's what you get with Explorist:
Room Upgrades: Eligible for complimentary upgrades to premium rooms, including suites, when available at check-in (excludes certain properties and room types).
Late Checkout: Enjoy 2 p.m. late checkout when available.
Bonus Points: Earn 20% bonus points on eligible spending at Hyatt properties.
Club Lounge Access: Access to Club Lounges at select properties when staying in a Club or suite room.
Waived Resort Fees: Resort fees are waived on award stays.
The catch? Explorist status typically requires 30 qualifying nights or 50,000 base points earned in a calendar year. For someone staying at Hyatt properties regularly, that's achievable. But for those who don't naturally hit that threshold, getting it through credit card spend could be valuable—if you're already spending $75,000 annually on the Chase Sapphire Reserve anyway.
The value proposition: If you're comparing this to buying nights outright or staying extra nights just for status, the average Explorist member saves approximately $600-$1,200 annually through room upgrades, late checkout flexibility, and bonus points on $10,000+ in annual hotel spending.
The $75,000 Spending Requirement: Breaking Down the Math
Let's be honest: $75,000 is a lot of annual spend on a single credit card. But is it worth it?
What you're already getting at $75K spend:
- Southwest A-List Status (worth $400-$700 annually in free bags and priority boarding)
- IHG One Rewards Diamond Status (worth $300-$500 annually)
- Now: World of Hyatt Explorist Status (worth $600-$1,200 annually)
Combined value of all three statuses: $1,300 - $2,400 per year
To reach $75K, you'd need to spend: $6,250 per month or approximately $205 per day on your Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Chase Sapphire Reserve base earning: 1 point per dollar on most purchases means 75,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points from that spending alone (worth $1,125 when redeemed through Chase Travel at 1.5 cents per point).
The break-even analysis: If you value the three status tiers at their mid-point ($1,850) plus the base points earned ($1,125), you're getting approximately $2,975 in value from $75,000 in spend. That's a 4% return before factoring in category bonuses like 3X on travel and dining.
Who this makes sense for: Business owners who can run significant business expenses through a personal card, high-income households consolidating all spending on one card, or anyone already spending $60K+ annually who could shift the remaining spend from other cards.
Who should skip it: Casual travelers who don't stay at Hyatt properties regularly, anyone who can't organically hit $75K without manufactured spending, or travelers who value airline status over hotel perks.
The Edit by Chase Travel Is Getting Even Better
One underrated aspect of this announcement is the expansion of Hyatt properties in The Edit by Chase Travel. If you're not familiar, The Edit is Chase's curated collection of luxury hotels where Sapphire Reserve cardholders can redeem their Ultimate Rewards points at 1.5 cents per point (a 50% bonus over standard redemptions) and use their $300 annual travel credit.
What's new: More Park Hyatt and Alila properties joining The Edit means more opportunities to get outsized value from your points at truly premium hotels.
Strategic advantage: Some Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders have reported finding better point values through The Edit than booking directly with Hyatt points, especially during peak seasons or at high-end properties.
Recent improvement: Starting January 1, 2026, the $500 annual Edit credit can be used in two $250 increments throughout the year, rather than being limited to one use per half-year. This gives cardholders much more flexibility in booking shorter trips.
Which Card Should You Get? A Strategic Comparison
With this announcement, travelers now have more options than ever for earning Hyatt benefits through Chase cards. Here's how they stack up:
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Annual Fee: $795
Key Benefits: $300 annual travel credit, Priority Pass lounge access, 3X points on travel and dining, 1.5-cent point value through Chase Travel, Explorist status at $75K spend
Best For: High spenders who want flexible points and hotel status as a bonus
The World of Hyatt Credit Card
Annual Fee: $95
Key Benefits: Annual free night (Category 1-4), up to 9 points per dollar at Hyatt properties, Discoverist status automatically
Best For: Hyatt loyalists who want maximum points earning at Hyatt properties
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Annual Fee: $95
Key Benefits: 5X points on travel booked through Chase, 3X on dining and streaming, 2X on all other travel, 1.25-cent point value through Chase Travel
Best For: Travelers who want premium rewards without the $550 annual fee and don't need hotel status
World of Hyatt Business Credit Card
Annual Fee: $199
Key Benefits: Up to 9 points per dollar at Hyatt properties, $100 Hyatt credit after $15K spend, two points per dollar in top three business categories
Best For: Business owners who stay at Hyatt properties for work and want to maximize Hyatt points
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The Trifecta Strategy: Combining Cards for Maximum Value
For travelers who are serious about maximizing both Hyatt stays and flexible points, a strategic approach involves holding multiple cards:
The Power Play:
- Use Chase Sapphire Reserve for the $75K spend requirement (earns Explorist status + Southwest A-List + IHG Diamond)
- Hold World of Hyatt Credit Card for the annual free night and faster path to Globalist status through stays
- Transfer Ultimate Rewards points from Chase Sapphire Reserve to Hyatt when the value exceeds 1.5 cents per point
This strategy gives you automatic Explorist status from spend, a free night certificate, and the flexibility to either book through The Edit (at 1.5 cents per point) or transfer to Hyatt (often 1.8-2.0+ cents per point at luxury properties).
For business owners: Substitute the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card to earn the $100 annual Hyatt credit and maximize category bonuses on business spending.
What About the Mysterious New Hyatt Card?
Chase and Hyatt were deliberately vague about the new co-branded card coming in 2026. Here's what we know—and what we can speculate:
What we know:
- It will be part of the expanded partnership
- It's designed to grow the relationship between Chase cardholders and Hyatt properties
- The timing suggests a mid-to-late 2026 launch
Educated speculation:
- It could be a premium Hyatt card (think: higher annual fee, Globalist status path, larger welcome bonus)
- It might target a different customer segment (perhaps a no-annual-fee option for casual Hyatt guests)
- Given the emphasis on "luxury and premium brands," it could focus on Park Hyatt and Alila properties specifically
What to do now: If you're interested in the new card, there's no need to wait. The current World of Hyatt cards are solid options, and you can always add a new card to your wallet when it launches. Chase doesn't prohibit holding multiple Hyatt cards simultaneously.
FAQ: Your Explorist Status Questions Answered
Do I need to spend $75,000 every year to keep Explorist status?
Yes. Unlike traditional hotel status that can be matched or extended, the credit card-linked Explorist status is tied to your annual spending. If you don't hit $75K in a calendar year, you won't receive the status for the following year.
Can I combine Explorist status from spending with nights/points qualification?
No. However, if you're close to reaching a higher tier through stays, the Explorist status from your Chase Sapphire Reserve can serve as a baseline while you earn your way to Globalist.
When exactly in "mid-2026" does this benefit start?
Chase and Hyatt haven't specified an exact date. Based on typical rollouts, expect somewhere between May and August 2026. If you're planning to pursue this status, you'll want to track your spending starting January 1, 2026.
Does the $75K spending include balance transfers or cash advances?
No. Only purchases count toward the spending threshold. Balance transfers, cash advances, fees, and interest charges don't qualify.
Is Explorist status really that valuable, or should I focus on Globalist?
Explorist is Hyatt's middle tier, so it's not as valuable as top-tier Globalist status. However, for travelers who stay at Hyatt properties 10-20 nights per year, the room upgrades and 20% bonus points can easily deliver $600-$1,200 in annual value. If you stay 30+ nights, you should focus on earning Globalist status the traditional way.
Can I hold both Chase Sapphire Reserve and World of Hyatt Credit Card?
Absolutely. Many Hyatt enthusiasts hold both cards—using Chase Sapphire Reserve for the flexible Ultimate Rewards points and Explorist status at $75K spend, and World of Hyatt Credit Card for the annual free night and maximum earning at Hyatt properties.
Bottom Line: Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve Worth It for Hyatt Status?
The addition of World of Hyatt Explorist status sweetens an already compelling card for big spenders. If you're already putting $75,000+ annually on the Chase Sapphire Reserve—or you're close enough that you could shift spending from other cards—getting Explorist status as a bonus makes the math even more attractive.
The math in summary: At $75K spend, you're getting approximately $2,975 in value from combined status benefits and base points, plus additional value from category bonuses. That's a compelling 4%+ return before factoring in the $300 annual travel credit and other perks.
The strategic play: For travelers who split stays between multiple hotel brands, the Chase Sapphire Reserve now covers three major chains (Southwest, IHG, and Hyatt) at the $75K threshold, making it the single best card for unlocking multi-brand status.
Who should wait: If you're primarily a Hyatt loyalist who stays at Hyatt properties 30+ nights per year, you'll earn Explorist (and potentially Globalist) through stays anyway. In that case, focus on the World of Hyatt Credit Card for maximum points earning and wait to see what the new Hyatt card offers in 2026.
The mystery card factor: With a new Hyatt co-branded card launching next year, it's worth monitoring this space. Chase and Hyatt's expanded partnership suggests they're committed to competing aggressively for hotel loyalists' business.
Ready to explore if the Chase Sapphire Reserve is right for your wallet? Check out the full comparison on Kudos to see how the card stacks up against your current cards and find out which purchase categories will maximize your rewards.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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