Maximizing Your Chase Ultimate Rewards: Why Hyatt is My Top Choice

Chase Ultimate Rewards points are often regarded as one of the most valuable credit card rewards currencies available today. According to TPG’s August 2025 valuations, these points hold the highest value among credit card rewards, making them a sought-after asset for savvy travelers. While you can book travel through the Chase Travel℠ portal for decent value, transferring points to World of Hyatt often yields significantly better returns with minimal effort.

Over the past two years, I’ve managed to achieve an impressive redemption rate of 3.69 cents per Hyatt point, solidifying Hyatt’s position as one of the most valuable transfer partners for Chase Ultimate Rewards. With enticing welcome offers currently available on the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠, now is the perfect time to explore how you can maximize your Ultimate Rewards points through World of Hyatt.

Chase may not have the largest selection of transfer partners, but it boasts a high-quality lineup, with World of Hyatt standing out for its ease of use and exceptional redemption value. The transfer ratio is straightforward: 1:1, meaning every Chase point you transfer converts to one Hyatt point.

Hyatt points are generally more valuable than those of other hotel loyalty programs, with TPG valuing them at approximately 1.7 cents each. Personally, I aim to achieve at least 2 cents per Hyatt point, a target that aligns well with the 3.69 cents per point I’ve realized in my redemptions over the last couple of years.

This high value can be attributed to two key features of Hyatt’s loyalty program: a category-based award chart and the ability to redeem points for upgraded room types at reasonable rates. For instance, the Hyatt award chart allows for standard room redemptions of just 3,500 to 6,500 points per night at Category 1 properties. Fortunately, there are plenty of appealing Hyatt Category 1 hotels across the U.S. and internationally.

In my travels, I’ve enjoyed stays at a variety of Category 1 properties, including the practical Hyatt Place Atlanta Airport-North and Hyatt Place Dallas / Las Colinas, as well as more luxurious options like Story Hotel Signalfabriken, Lindner Hotel Cologne Am Dom, and Hyatt Regency Bali. While the latter two have since moved to higher categories, they were both Category 1 properties at the time of booking.

Even if you prefer higher-category properties, Hyatt still offers great value. Over the past two years, I’ve redeemed 25,000 points or more per night on 14 occasions, averaging 4.66 cents per point across those stays. A standout example was a three-night stay at Calala Island, which cost 120,000 points but had a comparable cash rate of $12,036. Even without this extraordinary redemption, my average for high-category properties remains a respectable 3.16 cents per point.

Hyatt’s award chart also provides excellent value for rooms and suites with Club lounge access, which is particularly beneficial for those without Hyatt Globalist status. For example, while a standard room at a Category 2 hotel costs between 6,500 and 9,500 points per night, a Club-access room can be secured for just 10,500 to 13,500 points. Standard suites range from 11,500 to 14,500 points, while premium suites can be had for 13,000 to 19,000 points.

I’ve utilized suite upgrade awards to secure standard suites on several occasions, including stays at the Grand Hyatt Bali and the Hyatt Regency Bali. Without these upgrade awards from Hyatt’s Milestone Rewards program, I would have likely redeemed additional points to book standard suites at the outset.

I often joke that I view my Chase points as future Hyatt points, and there’s a kernel of truth in that statement. World of Hyatt is my go-to transfer partner for Chase Ultimate Rewards. I hold the World of Hyatt Credit Card, which allows me to earn an extra Category 1-4 certificate and six qualifying nights for spending at least $15,000 each calendar year. Additionally, I typically purchase the annual maximum of 55,000 Hyatt points, which further boosts my ability to book award stays.

When my Hyatt balance is low, transferring Chase points to my Hyatt account is a seamless process, with points appearing instantly after I log out and back in. I tend to wait until I’m ready to book before transferring points, as I prefer to ensure my redemption rate is above 2 cents per point. If I find that my redemption value dips below this threshold, I opt for a paid rate instead.

I also hold the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, and Chase Freedom Unlimited®, which allow me to accumulate Ultimate Rewards points through various purchases. Most of my points come from the Ink Preferred card, which offers 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent in select categories, including travel.

While Chase Ultimate Rewards has a variety of valuable transfer partners, ranging from United MileagePlus to Air France-KLM Flying Blue, World of Hyatt remains my top choice. This is largely because Hyatt is the only hotel program I consider transferring credit card rewards to; other hotel loyalty programs either offer less efficient ways to earn points or provide lower redemption rates. Chase Ultimate Rewards is the only currency I have that transfers to World of Hyatt, making it my primary focus for point allocation.

In conclusion, if you’re looking to maximize your Chase Ultimate Rewards points, World of Hyatt offers an exceptional opportunity for high-value redemptions. With a user-friendly transfer process and a robust award chart, Hyatt stands out as a premier choice for travelers seeking to enhance their hotel experiences. Whether you’re planning a quick getaway or a luxurious vacation, leveraging your Chase points with Hyatt can help you unlock unforgettable travel experiences.