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World of Hyatt vs Bank of America Premium Rewards: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- The World of Hyatt Credit Card is ideal for frequent travelers who stay at Hyatt properties and want to earn hotel points and elite status.
- The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card is a great option for earning flexible rewards on travel and dining, with added benefits for existing Bank of America customers.
World of Hyatt Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why we’re fans of The World of Hyatt Credit Card.
- For a reasonable annual fee, the card offers a generous rewards structure, including earning up to 9 points per dollar on Hyatt stays.
- It provides automatic Discoverist status and a head start toward earning higher elite tiers each year.
- The value of the annual free night certificate can easily offset the annual fee, making the card pay for itself (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- An anniversary free night certificate provides excellent value and can be redeemed at a wide range of Hyatt hotels and resorts.
- Cardholders receive automatic Discoverist status in the World of Hyatt program, along with a pathway to earning higher elite tiers.
- The card comes with valuable travel benefits, such as waived resort fees on award stays and no foreign transaction fees for international travel.
Cons
- The card charges an annual fee that is not waived during the first year.
- Hyatt has a smaller global presence than other major hotel chains, which can limit opportunities to earn and redeem rewards.
- Key benefits, such as the anniversary free night certificate and automatic elite status, come with restrictions that may limit their value.
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a quick look at why the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® card stands out in a crowded field.
- The card’s annual fee (See Rates & Fees) is easily offset by valuable statement credits, including an annual credit for airline incidentals.
- It offers a straightforward rewards structure with bonus points on all travel and dining purchases and a solid flat rate on everything else.
- You can effectively negate the annual fee just by using the full annual airline incidental statement credit (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Ideal for international travel, with no foreign transaction fees and a suite of travel insurance protections like trip delay and cancellation coverage.
- The travel and dining bonus categories are broadly defined to include purchases like tourist attractions and food delivery services, making it easier to maximize rewards.
- Existing Bank of America customers can significantly boost their earnings through the Preferred Rewards program.
Cons
- Points can’t be transferred to airline or hotel partners, which limits redemption options for travelers seeking premium cabin flights or high-end hotel stays.
- The card lacks premium travel benefits like airport lounge access.
- Cardholders who aren’t Bank of America Preferred Rewards members will miss out on the highest earning potential, making the card less competitive for them.
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® vs World of Hyatt
Categories
Deciding which is better, World of Hyatt or Bank of America® Premium Rewards®, depends entirely on your travel habits and brand loyalty.
- The World of Hyatt Credit Card: This card is an excellent choice for frequent travelers, particularly those loyal to the Hyatt brand who want to maximize rewards and earn elite status benefits on their hotel stays.
- Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card: This card is designed for frequent travelers who value flexibility and straightforward rewards on travel and dining, and it is especially powerful for existing Bank of America customers.
Redemption
The World of Hyatt Credit Card: Points are most valuable when redeemed for stays at Hyatt properties, but they can also be used for room upgrades, airline miles, and rental cars through Hyatt's travel partners.
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card: This card offers flexible redemption options, allowing you to redeem points for cash back, statement credits, travel booked through the Bank of America Travel Center, or gift cards.
Travel Perks
- The World of Hyatt card’s value is maximized within its own ecosystem, with redemptions centered on stays at Hyatt properties or transfers to airline partners. In contrast, the Bank of America Premium Rewards card offers broader flexibility through the Bank of America Travel Center, where points can be redeemed for a wide range of flights, hotels, and car rentals.
- The Bank of America card provides valuable statement credits for airline incidental fees and a credit for a TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry application fee. The Hyatt card’s perks are brand-focused, granting automatic Discoverist elite status and an annual free night award but lacking general airport lounge access or broad travel credits.
- Both cards are excellent companions for international travel, as neither charges a foreign transaction fee on purchases made abroad.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
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- Take cards for a ‘Test Drive’ by connecting your bank account to see personalized earnings projections based on your actual spending history—before you apply.
- Receive personalized card recommendations and detailed approval odds based on your credit report and spending patterns.
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- Unlock a $20 sign-up bonus, a welcome offer guarantee, and access to $100 in Kudos Kickstart+ Rewards for adding select cards to your wallet.
Who Should Choose the World of Hyatt?
The World of Hyatt Credit Card is a must-have for frequent travelers who are loyal to the Hyatt brand and want to maximize their stays. It's particularly valuable for those aiming to fast-track their way to elite status, thanks to the automatic qualifying night credits that help unlock higher tiers and better perks. Additionally, international travelers who want to avoid foreign transaction fees and families looking to pool points will find significant value in The World of Hyatt Credit Card.
Who Should Choose the Bank of America® Premium Rewards®?
The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card is ideal for moderate travelers and everyday spenders who want strong, flexible rewards without a high annual fee. It's particularly valuable for existing Bank of America or Merrill customers, as the Preferred Rewards program can boost earnings by up to 75%. Cardholders who prioritize straightforward travel credits and protections over premium perks like lounge access will find the most value, as detailed in our comprehensive review.
Alternatives to Consider
The World of Hyatt vs. Bank of America® Premium Rewards® debate highlights two very different card strategies, but what if neither is the right fit for you? Fortunately, the travel rewards landscape is vast, and other cards might offer the specific benefits you're looking for.
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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.
Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score: Most rewards cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
- Plan your spending: Make sure you can comfortably meet the minimum spending requirement for the welcome bonus.
- Know the rules: Be aware of any issuer-specific application rules that could affect your eligibility.
Application Strategy
- Time your application with large purchases to meet the spending bonus threshold faster.
- Review an issuer's rules on recent card openings before submitting your application.
- Leverage your existing banking relationships to unlock better rewards and benefits.
Our Methodology
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.
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
Can I transfer points between World of Hyatt and Bank of America?
No, you cannot directly transfer points between these two distinct loyalty programs. World of Hyatt points and Bank of America Premium Rewards points must be earned and redeemed within their respective ecosystems.
Which card is better for someone who isn't loyal to Hyatt hotels?
If you don't frequently stay at Hyatt properties, the Bank of America Premium Rewards card generally offers more flexibility. Its points can be redeemed for a wider range of travel options beyond a single hotel chain.
Do the rewards from these cards expire?
World of Hyatt points can expire after 24 months of account inactivity, while Bank of America Premium Rewards points do not expire as long as your account is open. You can keep Hyatt points active by earning or redeeming points periodically.
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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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