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World of Hyatt vs Delta SkyMiles Platinum: 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 free nights and elite status.
- The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is best for loyal Delta flyers looking to earn miles on travel and everyday purchases like groceries and dining.
World of Hyatt Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why we think The World of Hyatt Credit Card is a strong contender for travelers.
- The card comes with an annual fee but offers a generous rewards rate, earning up to 9 points per dollar on Hyatt stays.
- You automatically receive Discoverist status in the World of Hyatt program, plus annual qualifying night credits that help you reach higher elite tiers faster.
- Its annual free night certificate can easily offset the annual fee, providing a clear break-even point for cardholders (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Receive an annual free night certificate, with the opportunity to earn a second one based on your annual spending.
- Enjoy automatic Discoverist elite status in the World of Hyatt program and get a head start on earning higher-tier status each year.
- Benefit from valuable travel perks like waived resort fees on award stays and no foreign transaction fees on international purchases.
Cons
- As some card reviews note, Hyatt’s smaller hotel network can limit opportunities to earn and redeem points compared to other major chains.
- The annual free night certificate is restricted to certain hotel categories, excluding many of Hyatt's top-tier properties.
- Automatic elite status is limited to the base tier, and welcome bonus eligibility is subject to issuer restrictions.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a breakdown of why we like the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card.
- You can earn multiple miles per dollar on common travel and everyday spending categories like Delta purchases, hotels, restaurants, and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Despite its annual fee (See Rates & Fees), the card provides valuable travel perks like a first checked bag free and priority boarding on Delta flights.
- The annual companion certificate for a domestic main cabin round-trip flight can easily offset the card's annual fee, making it a valuable perk for those who travel with a partner. (publisher-formulated estimate)
Pros
- Receive annual statement credits for eligible rideshare and dining purchases, plus a statement credit for a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee. Enrollment may be required.
- Get a discount when using miles for award travel on Delta flights and enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® status. Terms apply.
- Accelerate your path to Delta's Medallion elite status through card spending.
Cons
- Carries a significant annual fee that is not waived for the first year.
- Lacks complimentary Delta Sky Club® access, a perk often found on other premium travel cards.
- Key benefits, such as the annual companion certificate, come with notable restrictions and are limited to domestic travel.
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.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express vs World of Hyatt
Categories
When deciding between travel rewards cards, the question of which is better, World of Hyatt or Delta SkyMiles Platinum, often comes down to your specific travel habits and loyalties.
- The World of Hyatt Credit Card is ideal for frequent travelers who are loyal to Hyatt properties. It's particularly beneficial for those looking to achieve elite status within the World of Hyatt program and get high value from hotel points.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is best suited for frequent flyers loyal to Delta Air Lines who want to earn miles quickly and enjoy premium travel perks. It's a strong choice for those seeking Delta Medallion status and for travelers who can take full advantage of the card's various statement credits.
Redemption
The World of Hyatt Credit Card: Points are redeemed within the World of Hyatt loyalty program, where their primary value lies in booking free nights at Hyatt properties across the globe. Cardholders can also use points for suite upgrades or transfer them to various airline partners.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: SkyMiles are redeemed for flights on Delta and its partner airlines, offering a straightforward way to reduce travel costs. Miles can also be applied toward seat upgrades, Delta Vacations packages, and other travel-related perks.
Travel Perks
- Foreign Transaction Fees: Both cards are excellent companions for international travel, as neither charges foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.
- Lounge Access: The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card offers access to the Delta Sky Club and The Centurion® Lounge for a fee; Terms apply. The World of Hyatt Credit Card, however, does not include airport lounge access as a standard benefit.
- Ecosystem & Perks: Each card operates within a distinct travel ecosystem. The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card's benefits are centered on the air travel experience, offering perks like an annual companion certificate, priority boarding, and a free checked bag on Delta flights. Conversely, the World of Hyatt Credit Card's ecosystem revolves around hotel stays, providing automatic Discoverist elite status and pathways to earn free nights booked through Hyatt.
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.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
To make an informed decision, you can use a tool like Kudos, which allows you to compare nearly 3,000 credit cards and see personalized recommendations based on your spending.
- Test drive a credit card: Before you apply, you can simulate how much you would earn with a new card based on your real spending data—no application or hard credit pull required.
- Detailed approval odds: Get a comprehensive analysis of your approval chances based on your credit report.
- Kudos Kickstart+ reward: Unlock a $100 reward when you add select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
- Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of getting a card through Kudos, they will match it.
- Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your existing credit card rewards when you shop at participating stores.
Who Should Choose the World of Hyatt?
The World of Hyatt Credit Card is tailor-made for frequent travelers who consistently choose Hyatt properties for their stays, allowing them to maximize rewards and benefits within the ecosystem. It’s also ideal for those aiming to achieve elite status faster through qualifying night credits and card spending. Additionally, the card is a strong contender for international travelers seeking to avoid foreign transaction fees and for families who can benefit from adding authorized users at no extra cost.
Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express?
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express card is best suited for dedicated Delta loyalists who fly the airline several times a year and want to capitalize on airline-specific perks. It's also a strong choice for travelers aiming for Medallion status or those, like couples and families, who can take full advantage of the annual companion certificate. Ultimately, this card delivers the most value to moderate-to-heavy spenders with good credit who can maximize the rewards and statement credits detailed in a full review.
Alternatives to Consider
If our World of Hyatt vs. Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express comparison didn't point to a clear winner for your wallet, several other travel cards might be a better fit. Let's look at a few alternatives that offer compelling value for different types of travelers.
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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, as a good to excellent score is typically required for approval.
- Review offer eligibility to confirm you qualify for the welcome bonus, especially if you've had the card before.
- Plan your spending to ensure you can naturally meet the welcome offer's minimum spend requirement.
Application Strategy
- Be mindful of issuer rules like Chase's 5/24 rule, which could affect your approval.
- Consider the issuer's welcome offer policies, as some limit bonuses to once per lifetime.
- Time your application strategically before a large planned purchase to help meet the spending threshold.
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 Delta SkyMiles?
No, you cannot directly transfer points between World of Hyatt and Delta SkyMiles. They are separate loyalty programs with distinct partners and earning structures.
Which program's points are generally considered more valuable?
World of Hyatt points are often considered more valuable on a per-point basis, typically offering higher redemption values for hotel stays compared to the value of a SkyMile for flights. However, the ultimate value depends entirely on how you redeem them.
Are there credit cards that can earn points for both programs?
While there are co-branded credit cards for both World of Hyatt and Delta SkyMiles, no single card earns points for both programs directly. You can, however, use flexible rewards cards to transfer points to either program, depending on the card's transfer partners.
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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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