Hyatt and Chase just announced plans to “expand their collaboration” in the years to come. While the press release is light on specifics, the big news is that Hyatt plans to expand its co-branded credit card portfolio by building on the success of the World of Hyatt Credit Card and the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card.
According to Hyatt, “the economics of the credit card programs and similar third-party relationships is expected to be approximately $50 million in 2025 and more than double to approximately $105 million in 2027.”
Translation? A higher annual fee credit card is coming – maybe even multiple new cards … and it makes perfect sense.
It's been a banner year for premium travel cards, and Hyatt is overdue to get in on the action. In fact, when the hotel chain unveiled the World of Hyatt Business Card back in the fall of 2021, many travelers expected a more expensive, premium card instead.
By comparison, Hyatt's two biggest competitors – Marriott and Hilton – offer a full slate of cards, ranging from no-annual-fee (and no frills) options all the way up to ultra-pricey (and benefit-rich) premium cards. Giving Hyatt fans more card options – at different price points – will be the quickest way to grow card revenue, and it will likely come with elevated perks and benefits for the hotel chain's most loyal guests.
Exactly what perks and benefits remain to be seen, but an annual free night award that can be used at higher category properties and an easier path to top-tier Globalist status would be a good place to start. We also don't know precisely when this new card (or cards) will be unveiled, but with Hyatt's plans to more than double card revenue in 2027, we shouldn't have to wait too long to find out.
But that's not the only piece of news in this announcement: Hyatt and Chase are also planning to add a new benefit to the bank's flagship *chase sapphire reserve* and the new *Sapphire Reserve for Business* … but only for big spenders.
Beginning in mid-2026 – an exact timeline wasn't given, and Chase reps couldn't give us anything more specific – Sapphire Reserve cardholders can unlock Hyatt's mid-tier Explorist status by spending $75,000 in a calendar year. Meanwhile, Sapphire Reserve for Business cardholders will need to spend a whopping $120,000 per calendar year to get the same level of status.
Ordinarily, Hyatt Explorist status requires earning 30 elite nights in a given year. While this level of status isn't the absolute best, it does come with a few noteworthy perks, like a 20% bonus on point-earning on paid stays, a potential room upgrade (excluding suites and rooms with club lounge access), 2 p.m. late check-out (when available), and guaranteed availability with 72 hours of notice.
Here's a look at Hyatt's full list of published benefits at the different elite tiers:
Additionally, more of Hyatt's high-end hotels – think the Park Hyatts and Alilas of the world – will soon be available to book through The Edit by Chase Travel℠. This is great news as both the Sapphire Reserve and Reserve for Business now include up to $500 per year in statement credits ($250 semi-annually … but soon to be twice per year) for hotel bookings made through The Edit (two-night minimum stay required).
Seeing more of Hyatt's best properties get added to this list will be welcome news for Sapphire Reserve cardholders and Hyatt loyalists alike.
Bottom Line
Hyatt and Chase are deepening their partnership, with Hyatt set to launch new, likely higher-end, credit card(s) in the not-so-distant future. With Hyatt's plans to more than double card revenue by 2027, time is of the essence.
Meanwhile, starting in mid-2026, big spenders on the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Sapphire Reserve for Business cards will be able to earn Hyatt Explorist status, and more luxury Hyatt properties will be bookable through The Edit by Chase Travel.
