Posts by Ryan

The Chase Freedom vs Freedom Unlimited debate is a simple one to tackle.  Both credit cards are very similar, besides one important factor.  How they earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points.  They even have such a similar card name that people often confuse which card is which.  The Chase Freedom credit card is the original card which offers bonus categories that earn 5 points per $1 spent that rotate quarterly.  The Chase Freedom Unlimited credit card is the successor which offers a consistent 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases.  The debate of frequent travelers and credit card experts is over which card is better for earning Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

Chase Freedom

$150 (15k Ultimate Rewards) after spending $500 in 3 mo.

No Annual Fee

LEARN HOW TO APPLY >>

Chase Freedom Unlimited

3% on all purchases in year 1 (up to $20,000 spent)

No Annual Fee

LEARN HOW TO APPLY >>

Both Cards are Mostly the Same, Except for Earning Points

Everything about the two credit cards is identical besides how they earn points.  We will save you from looking at a comparison chart with only one difference.  We’ll focus in on the one important difference.  First, we’ll briefly run through what the cards have in common.  Both the Chase Freedom and Freedom Unlimited have the following features:

• $25 for adding Authorized User (2500 Ultimate Rewards)
• 0% Introductory APR for 15 months
• No Annual Fee

Introductory Offers

While both cards used to come with an introductory offer of $150, now only the Chase Freedom card offers that. The Freedom Unlimited has a new offer. In the first year of being a cardmember, you’ll earn 3% on all purchases up to $20,000 in spend. 3% is double the usual rewards and can earn you up to 60,000 bonus Chase Ultimate Rewards points in the first year. That would be 30,000 more than you’d earn regularly at 1.5%. Is it a good offer? I’ll leave that for you to decide.

You’ll Need a Good to Great Credit Score

Note that both cards have a 3% foreign transaction fee, so they aren’t the best cards to use while traveling internationally.  They both also get approvals with credit scores in the range of good to great (670+).  If your credit score is not at this level yet, learn about the credit cards available to those with fair credit.  The one difference these two credit cards have is how points are earned.

The Chase Freedom earns 5 points per $1 spent on rotating categories, like gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, department stores, phone bills, or cable bills.  They also have categories such as using Chase Pay or Apple Pay on your phone.  Each quarter there will typically be 3 different categories that earn the 5X bonus.  These category bonuses are limited to $1500 of spending each quarter.  So, the maximum amount of points earned per quarter is 7,500.  All other purchases will earn 1 point per $1 spent.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited has no rotating categories, and simply earns 1.5 points on each and every purchase.  It has no spending limit for its earning rate.  The Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Freedom debate comes down to which of these two no-fee credit cards is best for you.

Let’s compare the Chase Freedom vs Freedom Unlimited using the scenario of a person who spends $2,000 per month.

Chase Freedom Unlimited Review: Better for Simplification

The Chase Freedom Unlimited is great for people who don’t want to worry about where and when they spend their money, but still want an elevated rate of earning points. By earning 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, you can simply use the card and earn the same amount of points on everything. Never worry about going to a certain store or gas station, or activating any category bonuses. This card is for no-nonsense people who just want simplicity. If this is you, the Chase Freedom Unlimited would be a great addition to your wallet.

Chase Freedom Unlimited
LEARN HOW TO APPLY NOW >>
INTRODUCTORY OFFER You'll earn 3% per dollar on all purchases in the first year. (up to $20,000 in spend)
REWARDS You'll earn 1.5% back on all purchases. (after year 1) No limit.
BENEFITS Points can be transferred to primary Chase cards for better redemptions. Free credit score.
ANNUAL FEE No annual fee
TRAVEL FREEDOM THOUGHTS This is one of the best "cash back" cards for earning rewards. You earn 1.5% per dollar (3% year 1) and those points can be transferred to a primary Chase card for better redemptions. It's a perfect card to pair with either of the Sapphire cards or the Ink Business Preferred.

Chase Freedom Review: Better for Maximizing Points

The original Chase Freedom card is better for people who are looking to maximize their points earning with every purchase.  Because Chase Freedom has very good category bonuses, it’s possible to get nearly the full amount of bonus points per quarter (7500).  Many of the category bonus merchants even have gift card racks.  Gift cards can be bought to make purchases at the stores you regularly go to.  This technique can allow you to earn 5X points on nearly everything.  Personally, if we could only have one of the two cards, we would choose the Freedom because we’re willing to put in the extra effort to maximize points.

Chase Freedom
LEARN HOW TO APPLY NOW >>
INTRODUCTORY OFFER You'll earn $150 (in the form of 15,000 Ultimate Rewards points) after spending $500 in the first 3 months.
REWARDS You'll earn 5% on rotating quarterly categories. (up to $1500 in purchases per quarter)
BENEFITS Points can be transferred to primary Chase cards for better redemptions. Free credit score.
ANNUAL FEE No annual fee
TRAVEL FREEDOM THOUGHTS This is one of the best "cash back" cards for earning rewards. You can earn up to 5X per dollar and those points can be transferred to a primary Chase card for better redemptions. It's a perfect card to pair with either of the Sapphire cards or the Ink Business Preferred.

Chase Freedom vs Freedom Unlimited: How About Both?

Why treat these cards like competitors when they can play together quite nicely?  Like Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry playing together on the basketball court, these two credit cards can be champions together (NBA reference).  If you pair the two credit cards, you can earn 5X points on all Chase Freedom category bonuses and 1.5X points on everything else using the Chase Freedom Unlimited.  This will give you the best of both worlds and a killer point earning combination.  Double the freedom has to be a good thing, right?

Transfer Points to a Premium Chase Card For More Value

Here’s a little secret that you’ll want to know if you have any Ultimate Rewards points.  When Chase Ultimate Rewards are redeemed using either of the Freedom credit cards, points are worth 1 cent each.  But, because Chase Ultimate Rewards points are transferable between different cards, and even between different people (only household members), point values can be multiplied.  With a few of the other premium Chase credit cards, it’s possible to redeem points at a higher value.

Upgrade your Ultimate Rewards

When redeemed through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal, points are worth 1.25 cents with the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Ink Preferred and 1.5 cents with the Chase Sapphire Reserve.  All three of these credit cards also come with the ability to use Chase’s travel transfer partners.  By transferring to some of their travel partners at a 1:1 ratio, it’s possible to redeem points for well over 2 cents each.  If you’re able to have one of these premium Chase credit cards to go along with your Freedom or Freedom Unlimited, it always makes sense to transfer points before redeeming.

Chase Freedom Activate Quarterly Bonuses

In order to be eligible for the Chase Freedom 5X quarterly bonus categories, you’ll need to activate your card each quarter.  You’ll visit this Chase web-page and fill out your last name, last 4 digits of your card, your zip code, and press enter.  That’s all.  It’s very simple, and Chase will even send you reminders via email.  For your category bonuses to work, you’ll need to activate your Chase Freedom by the middle of the last month in that quarter.  For instance, you must activate your card by December 14th, 2018 to be eligible for the quarter 4 bonuses in 2018.  With Chase’s reminders and the fact that you’ll want to know what the bonus categories are, it’s easy to remember to activate your card.

Chase Freedom Calendar: Rotating Categories

To see the current and upcoming Chase Freedom 5X bonus categories visit the Chase Freedom Calendar.  You’ll also be able to activate your card on the same page.

If you’re looking to add a great credit card for earning points by spending, either the Chase Freedom Unlimited or Freedom are great additions to any wallet.  They are very similar cards with that one large difference.  How points are earned through spending.  Pick which card fits your style best, or even better, go with both.

Definitely look into the other Chase Ultimate Rewards credit cards to partner with these so that you can both maximize your earning and your point redemptions.  Just think, if you can earn 5X points on every $1 spent, and then redeem those points for a value of 2 cents or more, you’re essentially getting 10% or better back in value on your spending. That’s pretty impressive, compared to the typical 1% cash back earned with other cards.

Chase Freedom

$150 (15k Ultimate Rewards) after spending $500 in 3 mo.

No Annual Fee

LEARN HOW TO APPLY >>

Chase Freedom Unlimited

3% on all purchases in year 1 (up to $20,000 spent)

No Annual Fee

LEARN HOW TO APPLY >>

Anyone who flies often enough is going to really benefit from having an airline rewards credit card in his or her wallet. This is going to allow you to earn many rewards points for your airline purchases. If you spend lots of money on airfare each year, then this could really help you to save some money. Your earned rewards will be able to be used toward your travel expenses, making it a very practical credit card to use often.

Of course, there are a ton of different airline credit card programs out there for you to consider. If you are loyal to one airline or another, then you may already be more inclined to seek out specific credit cards. Those who fly with United Airlines will likely be very interested in the United Explorer Credit Card. This card allows those who fly with United Airlines the chance to earn many rewards while also enjoying various perks.

It is smart to take the time to look at things from every angle before proceeding, though. Even if you are a loyal United Airlines customer, you want to be able to make an informed decision. Join us today as we review the United Explorer card to give you all of the important details. This will make it easy to see whether or not this card is worth your time or if you should keep on looking for other options.

	United Explorer Card
Introductory Offer:	You'll earn 40,000 miles after spending $2000 in the first 3 months. Plus an additional 20,000 miles after spending $8000 in the first 6 months.
Rewards:	You'll earn 2X miles on restaurants and hotel stays.
Benefits:	Free first checked bag for cardholder and one companion. 2 United Club Lounge passes per year. Priority boarding. Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee statement credit.
Annual Fee:	$95 (waived in year 1)
Our Thoughts:	If you fly United, this card may make sense for you. The introductory offer is enough miles for multiple round trip flights. That is if you can find award space...
	LEARN MORE >>

United Explorer Credit Card Fees

Knowing the prices and fees of any credit card is imperative when you’re trying to decide if it is worth your while. This credit card actually has fees that are pretty reasonable overall. You can expect a $95 annual fee when you sign up for this credit card. However, the annual fee is going to be waived for the first year, meaning that you do not have to worry about that right away.

This card does have balance transfer fees to worry about too, though. The balance transfer fees are set at 5% with a $5 minimum. This is a pretty standard balance transfer fee that is not going to raise any eyebrows. The APR of this card is fairly normal but it is unlikely that you will want to use this as a balance transfer credit card anyway.

You will not be able to take advantage of any introductory APR offers with this credit card either. It has a standard variable APR that falls within normal limits. It won’t be a terrible card for those who have to carry balances but most people will want to pay it off immediately. This is primarily a rewards credit card that people will use strategically in order to profit.

Thankfully, this credit card does not charge users any foreign transaction fees. Being able to avoid fees such as this is always a good thing and it helps to keep your costs lower. If your travels find you going outside of the country every now and then, it will be possible to use your credit card without having to worry. This is an important thing for those who travel abroad frequently and is certainly a welcome sight.

Features and Benefits of the United Explorer Card

The United Explorer Credit Card offers cardholders a pretty standard sign-up bonus. This is going to help you to earn some bonus points for spending a certain amount of money in the first three months. Most people who buy airfare at least once per month will be able to qualify for this bonus. The points that you will earn are very worthwhile and it can help to alleviate a bit of your travel expenses, making it a worthwhile bonus to pursue.

You will also be able to enjoy many different perks for being a cardholder. One of the perks that you will be using all of the time is the free checked bag perk. This allows you to check one bag for free and helps to save you money every single time you fly. You will also be able to receive priority boarding and this will make your travel experience that much nicer overall.

Cardholders also receive two free United Club passes every year. This gives you access to the United Club airport lounge, which can make your travel experience more relaxing. Passes for the lounge are normally $59 so the value of the passes already negates the annual fee of the credit card. The United Club lounges are very nice and will definitely be something that you will like making use of from time to time.

Your credit card is also capable of acting as primary car rental insurance. When you use your credit card to pay for your rental car, it will give you primary insurance coverage. This means that it will pay for any damages to the rental car instead of you having to make a claim with your car insurance company. This is a potentially money-saving perk that will be great for regular travelers.

It is also possible to receive an application fee credit for the Global Entry and TSA PreCheck programs. These beneficial travel programs make it possible to streamline your travel experience, saving you ample amounts of time. It costs money to apply for the program and you will receive a fee reimbursement in the form of statement credit every five years. Note that this program needs to be reapplied for every five years so this works out swimmingly.

You will also be able to receive 25% off of all of your in-flight purchases. This is great for people who travel all of the time and it will make flying more fun. You can buy refreshments or anything else being offered during the flight. The discount makes things more cost-effective and it just purely saves you money for making purchases that you would normally make anyway.

United Mileage Plus Rewards Program Info

The rewards program for this credit card actually gives you many different ways to earn bonus miles. You will receive two miles for every $1 spent on purchases from United Airlines. This will include airfare and any other types of purchases that you would make from United. Those who fly with United regularly will be able to earn rewards miles at a fast rate.

There is also an increased bonus rate on other purchases. You can earn two miles for every $1 that you spend at restaurants and on hotel stays. This makes it a very lucrative travel credit card. You will be able to use this credit card to earn miles for common travel expenses. It is practical to use and the rewards program is easy to understand.

All of your other purchases will allow you to earn one mile per $1 spent. It is definitely going to be more practical to use this card in the proper bonus categories but it is still good to be able to earn on normal purchases. Most cardholders will be able to earn miles very quickly when using this credit card. It has a good rewards rate and the miles have a good monetary value.

The redemption options for your rewards miles are going to be fairly standard. You will be able to redeem miles to pay for airfare and they can also be used to pay for seat upgrades when you want to use them that way. This will work for United Airlines and you can also redeem your rewards miles for flights with Star Alliance partners. The options may be more limited than some other travel credit cards but at least the miles do have good overall value.

With more transfer partnerships, this card could be truly top of the line. As it stands, the credit card still has a very good rewards program. You just need to make peace with the fact that you will need to use your miles to pay for flights and seat upgrades.

The Pros

• No foreign transaction fees
• Good rewards rate
• Many beneficial perks
• Easy-to-understand redemption options
• Points that do not expire

This card will be a good option for travelers who need to go outside of the country. It does not hinder you by charging you foreign transaction fees. Using your credit card while you are abroad will never be a problem at all. It is always best when these travel credit cards avoid foreign transaction fees; thankfully, that is the case here.

The good rewards rate makes this card a very nice option for just about any United Airlines customer. You will be able to earn two miles per $1 spent on United Airlines purchases. You can also earn two miles for every $1 spent on hotel stays and restaurant purchases. All other purchases will earn one mile per $1 spent.

Being able to enjoy the many beneficial perks will help to push this card over the edge for some people. This card has better perks than many of the other airline credit cards on the market in this tier. You will be able to enjoy free checked bags, priority boarding, Global Entry and TSA PreCheck application fee reimbursement, primary rental car insurance, and two free United Club lounge passes every year. This gives you a lot of value and it makes it easy to enjoy your traveling experience. If you like cards that come with really nice perks, then this one should make you happy.

Lastly, the redemption options for this credit card are very easy to understand. They may not be as robust as some credit card rewards program redemption offerings but you can use your miles well. You can use miles to pay for airfare or seat upgrades at United Airlines or one of the Star Alliance partners. This can keep your travel costs lower than usual and you will always be able to earn more miles to use when you travel regularly.

It is also great that your rewards points are never going to expire on you. Some rewards cards come with certain restrictions that will see the points or miles expire after a certain period of time has passed. You will not have to be concerned about your points expiring when you sign up for this card. You can hang onto your miles and use them whenever you see fit. As long as you remain a cardholder in good standing, these miles will be available to you.

The Cons

• It works best for frequent flyers.
• The rewards program redemption options are somewhat limiting.
• It limits you to United Airlines.

This is going to be a credit card that will work best for very frequent flyers. If you only travel a handful of times every year, then this is not going to earn you that many miles. It may be best to consider a credit card with more bonus categories that will allow you to earn regularly. For frequent travelers, this card is potentially very lucrative.

The rewards redemption options are somewhat limiting when compared to other travel credit cards. There are no options to transfer your earned miles to hotels or other businesses. You will also not be able to get any cash-back options or anything of that sort. If you like having more flexibility with how you use your bonus miles or points, then this card may not be for you.

You will also be limited to flying with United Airlines if you want to use this credit card to its full potential. You will only be earning the two miles per $1 spent rate if you buy airfare from United. It makes it impractical to fly with other airlines. If you are not the type who commits to one specific airline, then you may be better off with a general travel rewards credit card.

Credit Score Needed for Approval

Getting approved for this credit card is going to require a credit score that falls in the very good range. If your credit score is 690 or higher, then you should have a good chance of being approved. Those with excellent scores will have no problem getting this credit card. The smart thing to do will be to check your credit score first before making the decision to apply.

Who Does the United Explorer Card Appeal to Most?

For the most part, this credit card is going to appeal to people who are loyal to United Airlines. If you regularly fly with United Airlines, then using this credit card is the most sensible option that you can choose. It allows you to earn rewards miles at a good rate and it will give you a better traveling experience overall. It offers various perks and it really can save you a lot of money as a United Airlines customer.

This card will also appeal to people who travel all the time. If you spend a lot of money on airfare, then it makes sense to have a card such as this in your wallet. You need to be able to earn rewards for the money that you are spending on travel. This card allows you to earn two miles for every $1 spent on restaurants and hotel stays too so it is incredibly practical for regular travelers.

It is not going to be quite as good for people who only travel every so often. If you do not fly more than a couple of times every year, then this may not be a good option for you. It will likely be more practical for you to look into other types of rewards cards. The travel perks can be tempting but you want to be able to use them often enough to justify signing up.

An Alternative Card to Consider

One of the most practical alternatives to consider is the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. If you do not want to commit to one specific airline, then this card is a good deal for you. It allows you to earn two points for every $1 that you spend on travel and dining. The points that you earn can easily be transferred to airlines too so you can use the points with United Airlines if you want to do so.

See our review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is great for most people. It does not have the same perks as the United Explorer Card, though. If you prefer airline-specific perks, then you might be better off with the United Explorer Card. It mostly comes down to what you expect out of your travel rewards credit card and how your spending habits are.

Decision Time: Is the United Explorer Card Right for You?

The United Explorer Card is a very good credit card for loyalists of United Airlines. If you travel with United Airlines regularly, then this card is very easy to recommend. The perks alone will make it worth paying that annual fee and you can earn many rewards miles over time. It’s a solid travel rewards credit card that is very customer-friendly.

It is not a perfect credit card in every way but it offers cardholders a very good experience. If you travel often enough, then it definitely makes sense to apply for this card. It offers enough benefits to justify the annual fee and it improves many aspects of travel. You can earn rewards while making your life a bit easier so give this card a shot if you can make use of it often enough.

	United Explorer Card
Introductory Offer:	You'll earn 40,000 miles after spending $2000 in the first 3 months. Plus an additional 20,000 miles after spending $8000 in the first 6 months.
Rewards:	You'll earn 2X miles on restaurants and hotel stays.
Benefits:	Free first checked bag for cardholder and one companion. 2 United Club Lounge passes per year. Priority boarding. Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee statement credit.
Annual Fee:	$95 (waived in year 1)
Our Thoughts:	If you fly United, this card may make sense for you. The introductory offer is enough miles for multiple round trip flights. That is if you can find award space...
	LEARN MORE >>

LEARN HOW TO APPLY NOW >>

Taking the time to find the perfect travel credit card is a good idea. If you like to travel, then you probably want to be able to earn rewards for doing so. If you have the right rewards card in your wallet, then you can benefit in several different ways. It is possible to earn rewards points for spending money in certain categories and these points can be used to help take care of some of your expenses.

The problem is that the market is full of credit cards that offer travel rewards right now. It can actually be somewhat difficult to figure out which cards are going to be worthwhile and which ones are better off being ignored. Today we are going to be taking a look at the World of Hyatt Credit Card. This card has been gaining some traction as of late and many people have been very happy with the benefits that it has to offer.

We are going to review this credit card thoroughly for you so that you can see what it brings to the table. If you want a travel rewards credit card that will make your Hyatt stays much nicer, then this credit card just may fit the bill. Read on as we look at all of the particulars to see just how good this card really is. You will be able to learn everything that you need to know to make the best decision for your wallet.

	World of Hyatt Credit Card
Introductory Offer:	Earn up to 50,000 points. You'll earn 25,000 points after you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months and an additional 25,000 points after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months.
Rewards:	You’ll earn 9X points per dollar spent at Hyatt hotels, and 2X points on restaurants, airline tickets, local transit, and fitness clubs.
Benefits:	One free night award (up to category 4) every account anniversary. Another free night award when you spend $15,000 in a calendar year. Automatic Discoverist elite status with World of Hyatt 5 qualifying night credits each calendar year, plus 2 more bonus night credits each $5,000 in spend.
Annual Fee:	$95 annual fee.
Our Thoughts:	The introductory offer is decent, but has a high spending limit to earn both tiers. If both tiers are met, it will earn you enough points for up to 10 free nights (category 1). The free night award each year for $95 is well worth it, if you can use it on an otherwise expensive night.
	LEARN MORE >>

World of Hyatt Credit Card Fees

The annual fee that is associated with this credit card is not too bad overall. You will need to pay $95.00 every year to keep this credit card in your wallet. This is not overly high so it is not going to scare away most people. If you want to gain access to a good rewards credit card, then you will find that fees such as this are commonplace.

One negative aspect of this credit card is that the APR is somewhat high. If you are planning on carrying a balance on this credit card, then it may wind up turning into a somewhat negative experience. The best way to use this card is to ensure that you pay it off each month to avoid the negatives of the high APR. This may limit the usefulness of the card for some people, but it is pretty standard for many rewards credit cards to be used this way.

On a positive note, this credit card does not have any foreign transaction fees. If you are planning on using this card while you are traveling abroad, then you will be able to do so without worries. Not having to worry about foreign transaction fees makes it more practical to use the credit card how you see fit. This will help you to be able to use the card outside of the country whenever it is going to be beneficial for you to do so.

Features and Benefits of the World of Hyatt Card

This card does offer a nice little introductory offer for those who want to make sure that they qualify. To earn the offer, you are going to need to spend enough money on purchases within the first three months of having the credit card. Once you meet the spending threshold, you will be able to receive a tidy sum of bonus points. Interestingly, there is also a second spending threshold at the six-month mark that will allow you to earn another set of bonus points. If you can take advantage of both, then it easily turns into a very lucrative offer.

One of the best reasons to sign up for this credit card is due to the great benefits that it offers. Right away you should note that signing up for the credit card gives you automatic Discoverist elite status with Hyatt. This is going to help you to earn more bonus points than usual and it will also give you access to many useful perks. You will be able to enjoy things such as late checkout, priority check-ins, potential room upgrades, and more.

This also puts you on the fast track toward earning the next elite tier status with Hyatt. You will receive five night credits that qualify toward your next tier status every single year. When you spend $5,000 on your card each year, you will also receive two more night credits that qualify toward your next tier status. This is perfect for customers who are loyal to the Hyatt brand and want to make the most of their experience.

There are other standard perks that are quite helpful, too. For instance, you will be able to earn one free night for every card anniversary. This free night will be redeemable at up to category 4 Hyatt hotels or resorts, giving you plenty of redemption options. It is even possible to earn another free night for spending $15,000 in one calendar year.

Being able to earn so many free nights will more than makeup for the annual fee of this credit card. Those who spend a lot of money on hotels or resorts will be able to meet the spending thresholds for free nights every year without fail. If you travel often enough, then this credit card is going to be particularly practical for you. It has a lot of potential for the right type of cardholder.

World of Hyatt Rewards Program Info

The rewards program of this credit card has a lot to offer as well. Your credit card is going to earn you 4X points for every $1.00 spent at Hyatt hotels. The effective rewards rate is actually going to be much higher than that, though. Due to being able to earn five base points from the Hyatt program per $1.00 spent, you will effectively be earning points at a 9X rate. This helps you to earn rewards very fast and the points are going to come in handy.

You can also earn 2X rewards points per $1.00 spent on various other categories. It is possible to earn the 2X rate from dining purchases at restaurants, coffee shops, and cafes. You will also earn this increased bonus points total for airline tickets purchased directly from an airline, ride-sharing services, local transportation services, gym memberships, and fitness clubs. It gives you many options for earning bonus points.

All of your other purchases made with the credit card will simply earn you points at a 1X rate. The value of these Hyatt points is very good overall, making this a really solid rewards program. If you are able to use the card to its full potential, then you will likely have many points to use throughout the year. It can definitely alleviate some of your expenses while traveling if you use the card right.

Redeeming your points is going to be pretty simple overall, too. You will be able to redeem your earned rewards points to pay for hotel stays and room upgrades. There are a large number of Hyatt hotels around the world, giving you many options for redeeming your rewards. Do note that Hyatt hotels are not located everywhere though, so they may not be in as many places as some of the most famous hotel brands around.

Also, it is not going to be as lucrative for you to transfer your earned Hyatt points to their transfer partners. You can transfer your points to airlines to use them in the form of miles to pay for airfare. The problem is that the transfer rate is not stellar, meaning that you will lose out on a little bit of value if you decide to do this. It is good that the option is there, but it may not work out great for you if you like to maximize the value of your earned points.

The Pros

• Good rewards potential
• Has transfer partners
• Automatic elite status
• No foreign transaction fees

The good rewards potential of this credit card is what will make most people want to sign up. You will be able to earn a lot of points if you stay at Hyatt hotels often. Being able to earn the base points on top of the points you earn through your credit card is great. The points are going to add up fast and you will have many points to use to pay for your hotel stays and room upgrades.

Being able to use your points to transfer to airline partners is good, too. This may not be the best value, but it is always better to have options. If you have earned so many Hyatt points that you cannot use them all for hotel stays, then it makes sense to transfer them to airline miles. There are several transfer partnerships available, so you might be able to use the miles with your preferred airline.

Getting access to automatic elite status due to being a cardholder is a huge benefit as well. Simply being able to earn more points is a nice feature, but it also gives you access to good perks. You will be able to enjoy late checkouts, express check-ins, and many other great benefits. If you like having the best possible experience at the Hyatt hotels and resorts, then this will really be appealing to you.

You also will never have to worry about foreign transaction fees while you are traveling abroad. This makes it easier to use your card whenever it is necessary to do so. Most travel credit cards that are worthwhile will avoid foreign transaction fees. Even so, it is good to see that this card is customer friendly in that way.

The Cons

• Poor transfer rate to airline partners
• Rewards categories may be too complex for some
• High APR

The poor transfer rate to the airline partners is honestly the most disappointing thing about this credit card. If the transfer rate was more favorable, then it would be much easier for this credit card to appeal to more people. As it stands, the card is still a good option, but it will be more limited in its appeal. You will mostly want to use the rewards to pay for stays and room upgrades at the Hyatt if you want to get the best value.

It should also be noted that the rewards categories of this credit card are a bit complex. For instance, you cannot simply earn the bonus points for buying airfare in any way that you see fit. To earn the bonus points, you need to buy airfare directly from the airline itself. Things such as this are not overly complicated, but they can be a nuisance for those who want a more streamlined and simple experience.

The high APR of this credit card is going to hold it back for some people as well. The APR makes it less practical to carry a balance on this card. If you want to be able to use this card easily, then it is best to pay it off every month. Some people will not like that the APR isn’t the best, so it may be a good idea to look for a comparable card with a more agreeable APR if this bothers you.

Credit Score Needed for Approval

Anyone who is interested in the World of Hyatt credit card will need to have a good credit score. If you want to be approved for this credit card, then it is best to have a credit score of 690 or higher. It is going to be easier to get approved when your credit score falls in the very good or excellent range. Taking the time to check your credit score first is highly recommended.

Who Does the World of Hyatt Credit Card Appeal to Most?

This credit card has the most appeal for people who like the Hyatt brand. If you stay at properties that fall under the Hyatt umbrella multiple times per year, then you are more likely to have a good experience with this credit card. You will be able to enjoy the beneficial perks while also earning rewards at a good rate. Anyone who stays at the Hyatt properties all the time due to travel will definitely find this card to be worthwhile.

The card is appealing for people who want to be granted automatic elite status as well. Simply having this elite status is going to give you increased bonus points, the potential for room upgrades, access to late checkouts, fast priority check-ins, and waived resort fees when redeeming your free nights. The potential of this elite status makes your Hyatt experience that much nicer. Anyone who uses these hotels often will benefit from this automatic elite status, so the card is worth considering purely based on that fact.

An Alternative Card to Consider

One of the best alternative credit cards to consider is the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. If you want a credit card that is much more flexible than the World of Hyatt credit card, then you will be impressed by what it has to offer. The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card allows you to earn unlimited 2X points per $1.00 spent on travel and dining. Everything else will earn you points at a 1X rate.

See our review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.

This credit card is such a good option because of its flexible rewards redemption options. You will have access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards system and there are so many ways to use your points. Redeeming your earned rewards for travel through the Chase portal even has the potential to increase the value of your points by 25%. It makes it easy to pay for travel expenses while still giving you other options for redemption.

Of course, you will not be receiving the same perks as you would with the World of Hyatt credit card. If you need access to the special perks that this card offers, then you might not find the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card to be a suitable alternative. It depends on your expectations and what you want out of a credit card. Keep both in mind and also consider what matters to you the most in a credit card.

Decision Time: Is the World of Hyatt Credit Card Right for You?

Overall, the World of Hyatt credit card is going to be a good option for many people. If you like to stay at hotels that fall under the Hyatt umbrella several times per year, then this is going to be a good card to keep around. You will be able to enjoy some nice perks while earning good rewards. Just being able to get that free night annually is going to be enough to make many people want to sign up, as it is worth far more than the associated annual fee.

Even so, this card is not the most flexible rewards credit card in the world. It is not without its flaws and some people will find it to be a bit limiting. It does not offer you the most robust experience when it comes to using your earned rewards points. If you want to have several options for how you use your earned points, then it is possible that you might walk away from this card a bit disappointed.

So long as you have the right expectations, this credit card is going to do well for you. If you like the Hyatt brand and want to be able to enjoy the perks that come along with this card, then it is worth applying for this one. You just have to be able to use this card enough to make it feel like it is worthwhile. It is not going to be your everyday rewards credit card, so you will be using this one as more of a specialty card that you use when it is the most lucrative to do so.

	World of Hyatt Credit Card
Introductory Offer:	Earn up to 50,000 points. You'll earn 25,000 points after you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months and an additional 25,000 points after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months.
Rewards:	You’ll earn 9X points per dollar spent at Hyatt hotels, and 2X points on restaurants, airline tickets, local transit, and fitness clubs.
Benefits:	One free night award (up to category 4) every account anniversary. Another free night award when you spend $15,000 in a calendar year. Automatic Discoverist elite status with World of Hyatt 5 qualifying night credits each calendar year, plus 2 more bonus night credits each $5,000 in spend.
Annual Fee:	$95 annual fee.
Our Thoughts:	The introductory offer is decent, but has a high spending limit to earn both tiers. If both tiers are met, it will earn you enough points for up to 10 free nights (category 1). The free night award each year for $95 is well worth it, if you can use it on an otherwise expensive night.
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If you are a person who spends a lot of time on airplanes, then you should really think about getting an airline-based rewards credit card. When you spend a significant amount of money each year on airfare, it makes sense to ensure that you are rewarded for it. As of now, there are a plethora of different airline credit card options on the market. Finding the best one to suit your specific needs may not feel easy if you don’t know where to start looking.

Today we are going to be taking a look at the British Airways credit card. This is a credit card that offers cardholders some interesting rewards options and it has worked out very well for certain people. It has positives and negatives just the same as any other credit card on the market. If you spend a lot of money on airfare and if you are flying to the right places that will make this card useful to you, then it might be a good fit.

Join us as we review the British Airways credit card in an in-depth fashion. We will look at all of the particulars so that you can get a good idea of whether or not this one is going to be worth your time. Part of this is going to depend on where your airline loyalties are placed but it is very much worth looking into no matter what. Taking a little bit of time to inform yourself can ensure that you will be able to make the best decision for your wallet.

	British Airways Credit Card
Introductory Offer:	You'll earn 4X points per dollar spent in your first cardmember year (up to $30,000 in spend). That's up to 120,000 points.
Rewards:	Earn a "Travel Together" companion ticket after spending $30,000 in a calendar year. After year 1, earn 3X points on British Airways purchases.
Benefits:	No foreign transaction fees.
Annual Fee:	$95
Our Thoughts:	If you plan on spending $30,000 on this card in the first calendar year, it's very valuable. You'll earn 120,000 points and a companion ticket. Otherwise, it's an overrated credit card with the current introductory offer.
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British Airways Credit Card Fees

When it comes to picking out an airline rewards credit card, you want to make sure that you are getting a good value. The rewards program is where you will be focusing a lot of your attention but it is important to consider the fees as well. If the fees of a given credit card are too high, then you might end up wasting more money than you are bringing in. Thankfully, the fees of the British Airways Credit Card are fairly middling.

You will be paying a $95 annual fee when you sign up for this credit card. This falls right in the middle of the pack in terms of credit card fees for an airline-based rewards card. It is not overly high but it still may be high enough to give certain people pause. Keep it in mind if you are the type of person who really gets soured on credit cards when they charge annual fees.

There are some other fees that you should be aware of as well. For instance, this credit card has a balance transfer fee of 5% with a $5 minimum fee. This is not too terrible but it may make it that you will want to avoid transferring a balance to the credit card. In all honesty, the APR is not good enough to make balance transfers a worthwhile option so you’re best off forgetting about this one.

On the good side of things, you will not have to pay any foreign transaction fees for this credit card. Not having to pay foreign transaction fees makes sense being that this is a British Airways credit card. Most of the people who use this credit card will be traveling internationally from time to time. Even so, it is also good to be able to avoid those pesky foreign transaction fees. It makes it more practical to use your credit card while abroad and that is very important when you are traveling regularly.

Features and Benefits of the British Airways Credit Card

As you might expect, this credit card is going to have various positive features and benefits for you to enjoy. One thing that should be pointed out at the start is the introductory offer. This offer makes it possible to earn even more bonus points during the first year as a cardholder. For every $1 spent, you will be able to earn 4 points up to 120,000 points. It is pretty much getting free points for just using your card as normal and you do not have to meet any special criteria to get these points.

It is also worth noting that this credit card refers to its bonus points as “Avios”. We will simply be referring to the bonus points as points in the article but you need to know the type of language that they use when you sign up. It is actually possible to rack up points pretty easily with this card when you use it often. It is very customer-friendly in this way and we will be discussing the rewards program options in detail later on.

As far as special benefits go, this card does have a few nice things to offer. One good benefit is that you have the potential to earn a “travel together” ticket. If you spend $30,000 on your credit card in a calendar year, then you will be able to earn a free flight for one other person. This flight can even be redeemed in first class, making it a pretty good benefit. You need to pay the taxes and fees for this flight and the flight needs to originate in the U.S. as well as return there.

You will also gain access to car rental insurance for being a cardholder. This is always a good perk to have when you are a regular traveler. It can help to mitigate some of your expenses when it comes to renting cars. This insurance will also be very useful in the event that something does happen to your rental car.

Another interesting perk that you can enjoy access to a concierge service. Having access to a good concierge service can make your travel experience that much nicer. A concierge service can act as a facilitator for you, helping you to book reservations as well as helping you in other ways. It is not something that everyone will use all of the time but it can be quite beneficial.

British Airways Rewards Program Info

The rewards program for this credit card is where you will really start to be able to see if this is going to be right for you. This credit card will allow you to earn three bonus points for every $1 spent on British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus. You will also be able to receive one bonus point for every $1 spent on all other purchases. This is a pretty good rewards rate overall and it could be very beneficial to you if you spend enough money on airfare from these specific airlines.

It should also be reiterated that you will earn an increased number of bonus points per $1 spent for the first 12 months of being a cardholder. This is the sign-up bonus for the credit card and it can really wind up paying off if you buy a lot of airplane tickets. Those who travel very regularly may even find that this is one of the most lucrative sign-up bonuses that you will encounter. Of course, mileage will vary on how useful this bonus is due to everyone having different personal spending habits.

When it comes to redeeming your earned rewards points, things will be good for some and less than stellar for others. You can redeem your earned bonus points for travel on airlines that are part of the Oneworld alliance. There are also some other partner airlines that will increase the number of options that are available to you. The easiest way to use the rewards points is usually to book the travel through the British Airways website.

Flying domestically using British Airways Avios is one of the best redemption options around. By booking flights on British Airways partners, American Airlines and Alaska Airlines, you can get reward flights at low rates. The options for international flights are also good and you will be able to use them in so many different ways. Once you learn how to use your British Airways points (Avios) for domestic flights, you’ll be booking with BA very often. My wife and I typically use these points to travel from the west coast to Hawaii for 25,000 points round trip. It’s one of the best ways to redeem points these days.

Booking flights with British Airways is easy, even though you may need to call to book. Their reward chart is distance based and flights cost the following amount of points per mile.

The Pros

• No foreign transaction fees
• Good rewards rates
• Ability to earn free companion tickets
• Potentially lucrative sign-up bonus
• Has advantages for international flights

The lack of foreign transaction fees is a really important thing for this credit card. For the most part, people who use this card are going to be traveling abroad quite a bit. Being able to use the credit card outside of the country without having to worry about fees is a must. This might be a bit of an expected thing for a card that is meant to be used internationally but it is still a positive thing that is worth touting.

Also, this card has very good rewards earning rates overall. If you want to be able to accrue bonus points at a good rate, then you will likely love using this card. Those who spend a lot of money on airfare each year will have the chance to really rack up the points. This could be a constant source of bonus rewards for you and should help to offset some of your travel expenses.

The ability to earn a free companion ticket for a flight is very nice too. You can even redeem this free companion ticket for a first-class flight, meaning that this could potentially be worth thousands of dollars. It is a very good bonus that will require you to spend $30,000 in a calendar year. If you spend a lot on travel, you just might be able to take advantage of this.

The sign-up bonus for this credit card is potentially very lucrative as well. You will be earning extra bonus points on your first $30,000 spent in the first 12 months. This could wind up adding up to a lot of extra points and you can use the points as you see fit. It could be a fantastic sign-up bonus if you are a big spender when it comes to airfare.

The Cons

• Bonus points can expire.
• There are noticeable airline surcharges.
• Domestic flight options are limited.
• The credit card is missing some benefits that you may expect.

One of the biggest problems that people will have with this credit card is that the bonus points have the potential to expire. These bonus points will expire if you do not make a purchase, collect points, spend points, or share points within a 36-month period. Granted, this will not be an issue for most people. You would have to ignore the credit card for a long time in order to allow the points to expire but it is still something that you need to know about before signing up.

You also need to know about the fact that there are noticeable airline surcharges when you use this card. For instance, the carrier surcharges that you will see when you redeem certain award tickets will be exceptionally high. This can actually increase the cost of a ticket by several hundred dollars and winds up devaluing your earned rewards points quite a bit. Just know that the points for this card may not have the highest value when compared to the points of other comparable cards.

The domestic flight options are always going to be very limited with this credit card as well. You can transfer reward points to domestic airlines such as American Airlines and Alaska Airlines. This limits the potential of this card for people who want robust domestic travel options. It is meant more as an international flight credit card, judging by the way things are set up. Just know that domestic flight options will be narrower in scope than the international ones when you go to redeem points.

It should also be said that this credit card is missing some benefits that you may expect from a card like this. You will not be getting any free checked bags for being a cardholder or airline fee credits. Some people will see the benefits of this card and think that it is very lacking. It partially depends on your own expectations but it is odd that many standard airline credit card benefits are not present here.

Credit Score Needed for Approval

You will have to possess an excellent credit score just to be approved for this credit card. Scores in the very good range may also have a chance but excellent credit scores are highly recommended. A score of 690 or higher will make it possible to be approved for this card. It is smart to check your credit score before applying to avoid any disappointment.

Who Does the British Airways Credit Card Appeal to Most?

This credit card is going to appeal mostly to people who have to travel internationally sometimes. If you are not going to be using British Airways, then obviously this credit card is not going to be a worthwhile option for you. If you have to travel to Europe on business or to visit family, then this card may be very worthwhile. It can help you to earn rewards for making your normal airfare purchases.

Cards such as this also appeal to people who spend a ton of money airfare each year. If you are able to spend $30,000 on airfare in a calendar year, you will even be able to earn that free companion ticket for one flight. Those who travel all the time will be able to get the most value out of this credit card. It can be worthwhile for those who travel a bit less frequently too but it’s best for regular travelers.

An Alternative Card to Consider

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is a highly recommended alternative to this card. It has the same annual fee of $95 and it offers you many great options. This card allows you to earn 2X rewards points on all travel and dining purchases. It does not limit you to certain airlines and the points are easy to transfer to various partner programs.

See our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

Overall, this card is much more robust in its offerings in comparison to the British Airways credit card. Most people will be better off with the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card due to its high rewards potential and overall ease of use. If you travel with British Airways all the time, then you may benefit from using a card that is specific to that airline. Just weigh your options and see which one will help you to profit more.

Decision Time: Is the British Airways Credit Card Right for You?

The British Airways credit card is going to be a very solid option for many people to consider. So long as you travel with British Airways often enough, this card will allow you to earn many points. It has some good features and many positive benefits. The card is lacking in some areas but it does make up for its flaws in other areas.

This is a credit card that will work great for some people while being only okay for others. It really comes down to how often you travel internationally and whether you are committed to flying with British Airlines. Make sure that you will be able to use this credit card to its full potential before you decide to apply. If you can use this credit card right, then you should have a good experience overall.

	British Airways Credit Card
Introductory Offer:	You'll earn 4X points per dollar spent in your first cardmember year (up to $30,000 in spend). That's up to 120,000 points.
Rewards:	Earn a "Travel Together" companion ticket after spending $30,000 in a calendar year. After year 1, earn 3X points on British Airways purchases.
Benefits:	No foreign transaction fees.
Annual Fee:	$95
Our Thoughts:	If you plan on spending $30,000 on this card in the first calendar year, it's very valuable. You'll earn 120,000 points and a companion ticket. Otherwise, it's an overrated credit card with the current introductory offer.
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LEARN HOW TO APPLY NOW >>