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The best credit card for hotels in Japan.

Updated

Why this card

Chase Sapphire Preferred for hotels in Japan.

Hyatt has unusually deep coverage across Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, and most properties sit in the lower point bands of the loyalty chart, which is the best place to spend Hyatt points.

Annual fee

$95

Best earn rate

3 points per dollar on travel and dining, plus a 1 to 1 transfer to Hyatt

Signup bonus

60,000 points after $4,000 spend in 3 months

Park Hyatt Tokyo, Hyatt Regency Kyoto, and the Andaz Tokyo all sit in Hyatt's lower point bands, which makes Chase points the most efficient way to pay for them. Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers 1 to 1 to World of Hyatt instantly. For a typical 5-night Park Hyatt Tokyo stay, transferring 150,000 Chase points beats paying the cash rate by a wide margin. The Preferred is the cheapest doorway into this transfer at $95 a year, and it covers your trip protection and primary rental car insurance while you are in Japan.

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If the top pick is not right

Alternative: Chase Sapphire Reserve.

Same Hyatt transfer, but unlocks Priority Pass for Haneda and Narita layovers, plus stronger trip delay protection. Worth it only if you fly internationally more than twice a year.

ChaseAnnual fee $795

Skip this one

Not the right card for hotels in Japan: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant.

Marriott's Japan presence is thinner outside Tokyo and Osaka, and the per-night point cost is higher relative to the cash rate. Use a Hyatt-routed card instead.

At a glance

Side by side.

SpecChase Sapphire PreferredChase Sapphire Reserve
Annual fee$95$795
Best earn rate3 points per dollar on travel and dining, plus a 1 to 1 transfer to HyattSee alternative section above
Signup bonus60,000 points after $4,000 spend in 3 monthsVaries by month

Local tip

What to know before you book.

Most Hyatts in Japan run in the lower bands of the loyalty chart. That makes Hyatt one of the few programs where the points price actually beats the cash rate consistently in Japan. Time your Park Hyatt Tokyo stay before the Hyatt category sheet refreshes in the spring if you want to lock in current pricing.

Questions

Frequently asked.

What is the best credit card for hotels in Japan?

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Chase Sapphire Preferred from Chase. Park Hyatt Tokyo, Hyatt Regency Kyoto, and the Andaz Tokyo all sit in Hyatt's lower point bands, which makes Chase points the most efficient way to pay for them. Annual fee is $95.

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

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Roughly 30,000 points per night at the recommended chain for Japan. Cash rate is around $480 per night, so the points stay is a meaningful discount versus paying cash.

Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve a better choice for hotels in Japan?

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Same Hyatt transfer, but unlocks Priority Pass for Haneda and Narita layovers, plus stronger trip delay protection. Worth it only if you fly internationally more than twice a year. Annual fee is $795.