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The best credit card for hotels in Chicago.

Updated

Why this card

World of Hyatt Credit Card for hotels in Chicago.

Chicago is a Hyatt town. World of Hyatt is headquartered there and the brand has the Park Hyatt Chicago, Hyatt Regency Chicago (the largest Hyatt in the world), and the Andaz Chicago. Marriott has the JW Marriott in the old Continental Bank and a strong Magnificent Mile cluster. Hilton has the Hilton Chicago on Michigan Avenue.

Annual fee

$95

Best earn rate

4 points per dollar at Hyatts, free anniversary night up to a Category 4 property

Signup bonus

Up to 60,000 points after first-year spend

Park Hyatt Chicago overlooks the Water Tower and prices around 25,000 to 35,000 points a night against $400 to $650 cash. The Andaz Chicago on the river runs in Hyatt's lower bands. The anniversary free night covers an Andaz or Hyatt Centric weekday cleanly. Chicago is also one of the few US cities where Hyatt's elite breakfast benefit at city center properties is reliably strong.

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If the top pick is not right

Alternative: Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card.

JW Marriott Chicago and Renaissance Chicago Downtown both fit under the 50K free night cert. Gold elite status at Marriott gets you a 2 PM late checkout, which helps for Magnificent Mile shopping mornings before an evening O'Hare departure.

American ExpressAnnual fee $250

At a glance

Side by side.

SpecWorld of Hyatt Credit CardMarriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card
Annual fee$95$250
Best earn rate4 points per dollar at Hyatts, free anniversary night up to a Category 4 propertySee alternative section above
Signup bonusUp to 60,000 points after first-year spendVaries by month

Local tip

What to know before you book.

Chicago winters are punishing from December through February, but hotel rates drop 40 percent during this window. If you can tolerate the cold, points stays are unusually efficient January and February. Skip taxis from O'Hare and take the Blue Line (45 minutes, $5) directly to downtown.

Questions

Frequently asked.

What is the best credit card for hotels in Chicago?

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World of Hyatt Credit Card from Chase. Park Hyatt Chicago overlooks the Water Tower and prices around 25,000 to 35,000 points a night against $400 to $650 cash. Annual fee is $95.

How many points do you need for a free night in Chicago?

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Roughly 25,000 points per night at the recommended chain for Chicago. Cash rate is around $280 per night, so the points stay is a meaningful discount versus paying cash.

Is the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card a better choice for hotels in Chicago?

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JW Marriott Chicago and Renaissance Chicago Downtown both fit under the 50K free night cert. Gold elite status at Marriott gets you a 2 PM late checkout, which helps for Magnificent Mile shopping mornings before an evening O'Hare departure. Annual fee is $250.