A survey commissioned by Hyatt has found that most U.S. travelers feel pressure to make vacations feel financially worthwhile, and that a majority now factor credit card rewards into how they justify that spending — findings the hotel chain released alongside a limited-time bonus offer on its co-branded Chase credit card.
The survey, conducted by Talker Research on Hyatt’s behalf, polled 2,000 U.S. adults ages 18 to 65 who travel at least once a year and use credit cards, fielding responses between June 29 and July 6. Because Hyatt commissioned the research to accompany a card promotion, the results should be read as company-sponsored data rather than independent polling.
Among the findings: 70% of respondents said they feel pressure to make every vacation feel “worth the money,” and 74% said using travel rewards makes that spending feel more worthwhile. That sentiment was higher among younger respondents, with 84% of Gen Z and 77% of Millennials agreeing, according to the survey. Nearly 4 in 10 respondents said they spend three or more hours researching a destination before booking. Separately, 53% of respondents who travel at least once a year and use credit cards said they would travel more often if lodging costs were partly covered by rewards or points, and 36% said rewards had led them to take trips they otherwise would not have.
The survey’s release coincides with an elevated welcome offer on the World of Hyatt Credit Card from Chase, running through Aug. 20. New cardmembers can earn up to 75,000 bonus points: 45,000 after spending $5,000 in the first three months, plus up to 30,000 more by earning two points per dollar (instead of the standard one) on up to $15,000 in purchases during the first six months, according to Chase’s published offer terms. The card carries a $95 annual fee and a variable APR of 19.24% to 27.74%, per Chase. Cardholders earn two points per dollar on dining, local transit and airline tickets bought directly from airlines, one point per dollar on other purchases, and up to nine total points per dollar on stays at participating Hyatt properties. The card also includes an annual free-night certificate at Category 1-4 hotels, a second certificate available after $15,000 in yearly spending, and complimentary Discoverist elite status.
Hyatt has marketed the bonus as potentially worth up to five free nights at Category 1-5 properties “when redemption levels are at or below 15,000 points per night.” That threshold lands differently than it once did: Hyatt overhauled its points chart on May 20, expanding from three pricing tiers to five and raising the point cost at many hotels. The old Category 2 ceiling of 9,500 points, for instance, rose to 15,000 under the new structure. As a result, the 15,000-point cap cited in the offer now captures a narrower slice of Hyatt’s portfolio than it would have under the previous chart.
Consumers weighing the offer can review the card’s full terms, fee structure and current award chart directly through Chase and Hyatt before applying.
