I kicked off this 12 months by launching into digital nomad life, beginning with three months touring via South America. Now, I am gearing up for a summer time stint in Europe — and reevaluating which playing cards ship essentially the most worth whereas I am overseas.
Naturally, I’ve needed to reexamine which bank cards maximize worth whereas I am on the street. On earlier journeys overseas, I might pair the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see charges and costs) with my Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card. However to my shock, the World of Hyatt Credit score Card (see charges and costs) has displaced my Enterprise X.
This is why I’ve made the swap.
My Chase Sapphire Reserve remains to be king
Most of my journey spending falls into two classes: journey and eating. Suppose trip leases, guided excursions, eating places and bars.
For these purchases, nothing has modified — I nonetheless lean on my Chase Sapphire Reserve. It earns 3 Chase Final Rewards factors per greenback spent in these two classes, value a 6.2% return based mostly on TPG’s April 2025 valuations.
However what about on a regular basis purchases overseas — groceries, clothes, pharmacies, comfort shops? That is the place my technique shifted.
I used to depend on my Enterprise X
It labored — till my priorities modified.
Why I switched to the World of Hyatt card
A few month into my journey, I had a lightbulb second: why not channel that non-bonus spending into my World of Hyatt Card to unlock elite perks?
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This is why the swap made sense:
- I am aiming for Globalist standing this 12 months
- I need to hit $15,000 in annual spending on the cardboard
That $15,000 candy spot unlocks:
Proper now, I am already at 28 of the 60 nights required for Globalist. I need this degree of elite standing to unlock complimentary breakfast, room upgrades and late checkout when staying at Hyatt properties. That $15,000 in spending will assist me inch six nights nearer to my aim.
Associated: 23 greatest Hyatt accommodations on this planet
Crunching the numbers
Let’s evaluate placing $15,000 in non-bonus spending on every card.
With the Enterprise X, I might earn:
- 30,000 Enterprise miles (value $555*)
With the World of Hyatt Card, I might earn:
- 15,000 Hyatt factors (value $255*)
- A Class 1-4 free night time certificates (as much as $306)
- Six qualifying night time credit (no greenback worth)
*In accordance with our April 2025 valuations.
That brings the Hyatt card’s complete reward worth to $561 (assuming I redeem the certificates for an 18,000-point Class 4 peak night time) — barely edging out Enterprise X by $6 (plus the six qualifying night time credit). Even in a extra conservative redemption state of affairs (say, a 12,000-point Class 3 normal night time), I might nonetheless get $459 in worth (plus the qualifying nights).
Backside line
This 12 months has seen a shift in one of many playing cards I take advantage of most when touring overseas. Whereas I nonetheless use my Chase Sapphire Reserve for many purchases (particularly, on journey and eating), I’ve switched my Enterprise X to the World of Hyatt Card. I’m utilizing my Hyatt card for all non-bonus spending this 12 months till I attain $15,000. At the moment, I am going to obtain six qualifying night time credit and a free night time certificates.
After that, I am going to reassess: if I am nonetheless quick on qualifying nights, I am going to persist with Hyatt; if I am on monitor, I am going to pivot again to my Enterprise X for higher on a regular basis worth.
For a digital nomad chasing each factors and perks, the World of Hyatt Card has earned a high place in my pockets this 12 months.
Associated: World of Hyatt Credit score Card evaluation: One of the crucial invaluable lodge playing cards
