Apologies for the long post. I'm new to using CC Rewards for travel. TIA

I'm looking at taking a long weekend trip and considering using Credit Card points to pay for the hotel. I typically stay in Hilton or Marriott, but I heard that Hyatt costs much less points per night. I looked at the hotel websites for each and found the total points for similar grade hotels in essentially the same area would cost these many points for a 3-night stay:
Marriott 184,000 points
Hilton 225,000 points
Hyatt 48,000 points

However, booking these same hotels on the Chase travel portal shows they would cost these many points:
Marriott 73,837 points
Hilton 82,965 points
Hyatt 73,756 points

I'm baffled as to why there is such a large point difference.

Based on the above and assuming 1:1 transfer rate, is there any reason why I shouldn't transfer points to Hyatt and book the room directly with them? Seems like a no brainer, but maybe I'm overlooking something. I've never stayed at a Hyatt property, so I'm unsure if there is a quality/service difference.

Chase points are considered third party (similar to expedia or hotwire) which can limit some earn and redemption. They're also directly tied to cash price through their portal. Hyatt does often provide good value, but they do have fewer locations especially getting away from bigger cities. They fit my needs best generally, but not for everyone.

Also, earning of those points, especially Hilton, is similarly inflated. That said, the value proposition for me is Hyatt, I just know that there will be places that I can't use them.

To answer your question, I would transfer from Chase to book with Hyatt personally. I think most people in that world would agree.

TexAg2001 said:

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Apologies for the long post. I'm new to using CC Rewards for travel. TIA

I'm looking at taking a long weekend trip and considering using Credit Card points to pay for the hotel. I typically stay in Hilton or Marriott, but I heard that Hyatt costs much less points per night. I looked at the hotel websites for each and found the total points for similar grade hotels in essentially the same area would cost these many points for a 3-night stay:
Marriott 184,000 points
Hilton 225,000 points
Hyatt 48,000 points

However, booking these same hotels on the Chase travel portal shows they would cost these many points:
Marriott 73,837 points
Hilton 82,965 points
Hyatt 73,756 points

I'm baffled as to why there is such a large point difference.

Based on the above and assuming 1:1 transfer rate, is there any reason why I shouldn't transfer points to Hyatt and book the room directly with them? Seems like a no brainer, but maybe I'm overlooking something. I've never stayed at a Hyatt property, so I'm unsure if there is a quality/service difference.

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Disclaimer - I have always preferred Hyatt's properties, and just switched a business card to Chase Hyatt (and loving it). I have been top-tier Hilton, top-tier IHG, and mid-tier Marriott and Hyatt in my lifetime of travel, and am currently building up to Hyatt's top level.

Hilton and Marriott have WAY WAY more hotels to choose from - Hyatt's limited. If you like particular Hyatt properties (as I do), their program is more valuable, and the points go further. From my experience, the easiest (most availability, at most attractive point rates) redemption is at Hyatt, followed by Marriott, Hilton, then IHG. I like having accumulated enough points at each to at least get a room when I want one, but Hyatt's upgrade policy (including to club level or suites!) sets it apart.

In your example above, it seems exchanging to World of Hyatt points is your best bet. Incidentally, the Chase or CapitalOne requirement of using their own travel portals are what keeps me from choosing them for credit card spend.

Where are you looking and what's the dollar cost per night for these hotels?

For most hotel programs, you will get the best value by doing a 1:1 transfer and staying at the higher end resorts or maybe for a high demand event. For example, when we went to the CWS in Omaha a Hilton hotel was $1,000/night or 60,000 points. Outside of events like that where money rates are jacked up, we have our points earmarked for resorts (did Maldives a few years ago, will probably do a family Hawaii trip next).

Yes - transfer points from chase to Hyatt. Not only is it a better deal, but you also are booking through the hotel so any status benefits you are eligible for will be applied and you'll get credit for the stays.

As others have said, you can't really compare the cost of points from Hilton/Marriott/Hyatt, unless you're looking to transfer from a transferable currency program (Chase/Amex/Citi/CapitalOne/etc).

MarriottHilton credit cards are much more generous with sign up bonuses and spend bonuses than Hyatt. That inflates the cost of awards.

just to add, marriott properties can vary quite a bit depending on the day of stay.

We live in denver and stay at the gaylord once or twice a year. In winter, that redemption is like 25-30k points. In summer, it can be 60k.

Same with ritz denver, I was recently looking at this summer, it was 85k, then I happen to check NYE yesterday and it's only 50k.

If you sign up for a sapphire from chase you can xfer the chase points to Hyatt 1:1. You can earn points on the freedom flex, unlimited, ink and then xfer them to the sapphire to transfer out. I have a sapphire I pay the annual fee on that I never use bc I get the same or better multipliers on their other cards but keep the account just so I can move the points out to southwest airlines and hyatt