World of Hyatt vs Amex Gold: Which Is Better In 2025?

American Express® Gold Card Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a breakdown of what makes the American Express® Gold Card (See Rates & Fees) a top contender for foodies and frequent flyers alike.

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• It offers a high rewards rate on purchases at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. Terms Apply.
• It provides valuable monthly credits for popular dining and rideshare services. Terms Apply.
• It features flexible point transfers to many travel partners and no foreign transaction fees. Terms Apply.

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Pros

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• Generous rewards for foodies: Earn bonus points on spending at restaurants around the globe and at U.S. supermarkets. Terms Apply.
• Helpful monthly credits: Receive monthly statement credits for dining and rideshare services that can help offset the card's annual fee. Terms Apply.
• Premium card design: Choose between a classic gold or rose gold metal card for a more premium feel. Terms Apply.

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Cons

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• Significant annual fee: The card comes with a high annual fee that may not be worth it for infrequent spenders.
• Complex benefits structure: Some benefits require enrollment, and statement credits are issued in monthly increments, which can be restrictive. Terms Apply.
• Limited acceptance: It is not as widely accepted as Visa or Mastercard, particularly at smaller businesses or internationally.

American Express® Gold Card vs World of Hyatt

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, World of Hyatt or Amex Gold, comes down to your primary spending habits. Each card excels in different areas, catering to distinct types of consumers.

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• The World of Hyatt Credit Card is designed for frequent travelers, especially those loyal to the Hyatt brand. It offers the most value on hotel stays and helps cardholders accelerate their journey toward elite status.
• American Express® Gold Card is ideal for individuals who spend a significant amount on dining out and at U.S. supermarkets. It also provides strong rewards for booking flights directly with airlines.

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Redemption

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World of Hyatt Credit Card: Points are primarily redeemed for stays within the Hyatt portfolio, offering significant value for hotel nights and room upgrades. Cardholders can also transfer points to various airline and travel partners, expanding their redemption options.

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American Express® Gold Card: Membership Rewards® points provide exceptional flexibility, allowing cardholders to book travel through Amex, transfer to a wide array of airline and hotel partners, or redeem for statement credits and gift cards. This versatility makes the points valuable for a variety of redemption goals beyond just travel.

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Travel Perks

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• American Express® Gold Card: This card is a strong choice for international use as it does not have foreign transaction fees. Cardholders can book travel through the American Express Travel portal and receive annual credits, such as for dining and Uber Cash, which can be valuable during trips. Terms apply. The card does not, however, include airport lounge access as a standard benefit.
• The World of Hyatt Credit Card: Also featuring no foreign transaction fees, this card’s ecosystem is centered entirely on Hyatt. Cardholders receive automatic Discoverist elite status in the World of Hyatt program, which comes with on-property perks. The card also provides an annual free night award at a qualifying Hyatt hotel. While it doesn't offer airport lounge access, the elite status earned through card ownership and spending can grant access to hotel club lounges at participating Hyatt properties.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To simplify the decision-making process, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards based on your own spending.

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• Test drive credit cards: Use your real spending data to simulate how much you would earn with a new card before you apply, eliminating guesswork.
• Approval odds: Receive a detailed analysis of your approval chances for different cards based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of being approved for a card through Kudos, the platform will match it.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your regular credit card points when you shop at participating stores.
• Personalized recommendations: Discover new cards that are matched to your specific spending habits for maximum rewards.

Who Should Choose the World of Hyatt?

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The World of Hyatt Credit Card is a natural fit for frequent Hyatt guests and travelers looking to fast-track their way to elite status through qualifying night credits. Its points are highly valued, making it a strong contender for value-oriented travelers who can maximize redemptions for free nights and upgrades. Additionally, with no foreign transaction fees and the ability to add authorized users, it's an excellent choice for international travelers and families looking to pool points for their next vacation.

Who Should Choose the American Express® Gold Card?

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The American Express® Gold Card is tailor-made for food enthusiasts and frequent travelers who want to maximize rewards on their everyday spending. Cardholders earn high rewards with 4X points at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year (then 1X), making it a powerhouse for both dining out and cooking at home. It's also ideal for those who can fully leverage the up to $120 in annual dining credits and up to $120 in annual Uber Cash, which can significantly offset the annual fee (Terms Apply).

Alternatives to Consider

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If our World of Hyatt vs. Amex Gold comparison has you feeling like neither card is the right fit, don't worry. There are plenty of other excellent travel and dining rewards cards to consider that might better suit your spending habits and travel style.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score – Most premium cards require good to excellent credit for the best approval odds.
• Plan your spending – Ensure you can naturally meet the minimum spend for the welcome offer without overspending.
• Know the issuer’s rules – Be aware of application restrictions, like Chase’s 5/24 rule or Amex’s welcome offer eligibility.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application – Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet the welcome offer spending requirement faster.
• Look for targeted offers – Check for elevated welcome offers through different channels before applying to maximize your points.
• Enroll in benefits immediately – Once approved, activate any benefits that require enrollment, like the dining credits on the American Express® Gold Card, to start maximizing value.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Can I transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to World of Hyatt?

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No, you cannot directly transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to the World of Hyatt program. Hyatt is a transfer partner of Chase Ultimate Rewards, not American Express.

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Which card offers better dining rewards?

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The American Express® Gold Card is generally superior for dining rewards, offering a higher earning rate at restaurants worldwide. The World of Hyatt Credit Card also earns points on dining, but typically at a lower rate.

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What are the annual fees for each card?

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The World of Hyatt Credit Card has a $95 annual fee, while the American Express® Gold Card has a $250 annual fee (See Rates & Fees).

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