I just got the Hyatt card and I had kind of a weird thought. What if I use it to pay rent for a while even with the fee?
The fee would be like 2.5%, but since the card gets 2x on the first $15k of spend, it seems like the math might still work out. If I value Hyatt points at around 1.5 cpp, then 2x is basically 3% back, so even after the fee it seems like I’d still come out a little ahead.
And if I go all the way to $15k spend, that should be 30k Hyatt points plus the extra free night cert from hitting $15k annual spend, right? So that makes it feel a little better than just looking at the points alone.
Obviously this is only worth it if the rent payment actually codes normally and earns points the way I expect, but am I missing something here? Has anyone actually done this and thought it was worth it, or is this one of those ideas that looks good in a spreadsheet but is kind of dumb in real life?
Weird question: does this Hyatt rent idea actually make sense?
byu/Infinite-Process-403 inCreditCards
Posted by Infinite-Process-403
12 Comments
interested!
wait lowk this might be worth? anyone confirm
Yeah, it makes sense. The rent payment will earn 2x because the card earns 2x on the first $15K, as you said. You don’t have to worry about how it codes (it’s not going to turn into a cash advance or anything).
I pay taxes like this.
If you’re able to, I’m unlikely paying housing with a visa
like all credit card spend. it comes down to opportunity cost.
Are you accounting for the annual fee? 0.5% of $15k is only $75. With the free night you still come out ahead, but it seems like you could get a lot more value using the card on purchases that don’t come with a 2.5% fee.
U can also pay that with Bilt. You’ll pay a 3% fee, and get 0.5 Bilt per dollar of rent. Which you could transfer for more Hyatt points.
Ngl I like the Alaska for 3x more with Bilt tho if you’re basically buying points.
You’re trading money that can be spent anywhere for a pseudo currency only usable at one hotel chain that can be devalued.
Does this work out better than just paying with BILT and transferring points to Hyatt as needed?
If it makes sense for the Hyatt card, it would be even more beneficial to do with the Hilton Surpass. Just need to account for the $150 AF, and getting a new card.
Edit: and assuming your rent portal takes Amex (not sure if most do, TBH)
I did a similar strategy when I got this card (4 years ago at this point but similar welcome offer) Depends on how you value Hyatt points, especially with the upcoming deval
First card fees can be as high as 3% for many landlords. Even if it’s 2.5% IMO paying over 1cpp for speculative transfers on hotels you may or may not organically go to at a future date is not the play. Put that money in your savings/investment instead.