Off topic but let’s say I want to book a trip to Bali with ultimate rewards points, how would I teach an employee to get me the best deal for my points with all of the different airlines available. Is there a method to this? For example: 1. Sign up for list of airline points programs from list of chase partners, here’s the list … 2. Find out range of point costs for getting to Bali from SFO 3. Use card with travel benefits to book. Thanks in advance for making a video on this showing step-by-step for an employee/intern that doesn’t know anything about points.
Dude! You just TOTALLY sold me on the Hilton Aspire. I’ve always been a fan of their properties anyway, but to know I can get THAT much value from the card is awesome. AMEX Platinum card is STILL my number 1 though. The discounts, credits, and other side benefits always add up to more value than the fee for me. Sometimes, it’s just about the savings (eating in the lounge vs paying overpriced airport food costs). Thanks for the info Seb!
Great review! The Amex Platinum is also great if you charge your cellphone bill to the card. It covers damage/theft of all cellphones on the bill (2 claims per 12 mo, $50 deductible, $800 max per claim) and for Apple users they don't have to invest in Apple Care ($269/2 year incl. theft/loss per phone), so it's a huge savings.
I get that same benefit from my credit union’s checking account for free. Not sure how industry standard that is, but you certainly don’t have to go as far as getting an Amex Platinum for that insurance.
I recently picked up the Bonvoy Brilliant. Shoutout to Bonvoy for declaring whole cities as Category 4 for their best hotels. I love only spending 40k points on a standard room that retails for $1200+ on weekends!
⛷️ Great video! I was just in Half Moon Bay a few weeks ago. we stayed across the golf course at Half Moon Bay Lodge. It was that trip, paying for everything outright and not getting any rewards back from anything that made me realize I should get into the cc game and get some value out of these trips that can cover future and better trips. I really appreciate all your vids. I’e watched a ton to make sure I go about it right. We’re both in the Bay Area so if I ever bump into you, I’ll make sure to thank you in person too!
Hi Sebby. I didn’t notice whether you mentioned the Hilton Aspire’s 14x multiplier at Hilton hotels; I’ve racked up a huge number of points as a result! Also, I have the Amex Platinum and the Amazon Business Prime as well and I’ll never give up either of these three cards!
I googled United Travel bank. I charged 2 - $100 charges to the bank. They were both reimbursed by AMEX. You can use it for future flights BUT not for seat upgrades. I tried to do that and wasn’t able to. I called and spoke with UA and they confirmed you can’t use travel bank to upgrade…just flights.
I have started to actively explore "AMEX Offers" and I have earned 20,000+ MR in 2022 on brands and products within my needs and budget making the AMEX Platinum an even bigger value for my travel needs. For example: +5MR/$1 at Amazon, spend $200 get 4,000 MR points at Ralph Lauren twice. Buy $300 gift card at Delta and get 6,000 MR points just to name a few. Best part is I was able to book a one way UPPER CLASS flight back home from London using points. If you travel or fly 6x or more annually it’s definitely worth a look.
On your list of grandfathered cards you had the Ameriprise Platinum. I had it when it got discontinued. They converted the Ameriprise Plat to vanilla Platinum Cards. I actually closed mine the day before I got that announcement in the mail.
For those of us benefiting from SCRA, should we add both the Hilton Aspire and the Bonvoy Brilliant assuming we obtain each once we have receive the rewards bonus of the previous for the minimum spend? Currently running the Gold and Platinum (Schwab) combo. Travel monthly, mostly by vehicle and platinum for hotels. Primarily FHR and the Hotel Collection. Points most often transferred to Schwab accounts. Have a blast calculating the feedback, Thanks!
@@AskSebby thanks for the response! currently watching your Maldives videos. Are the certificate nights you used earned at a rate of 1 per calendar year? I’d assume if you had 4 of them they don’t expire and are stackable, assuming you book 4 separate reservations in 4 days.
1 per calendar year and expire every 12 months. 2020-2022 was interesting because they delayed a lot of expirations. Some people were able to stack like ALL their nights on a trip this year.
You can also call in and book and they'll make it 1 reservation now. IIRC this is different from in the past. I just did something similar for the WA Park City where it was 4 certificates but as 1 booking.
@@AskSebby Fantastic, thanks for the content and the feedback. I’ve been following your videos for years to get an idea of the ways to maximize my rewards on my spending. Great to know my budget can still have rewards. Thanks again for the SCRA content.
⛷ Feel like Amex has patched the vegas FHR loophole. Used to be able to get $110 hotels and then gotten $170 in value, now it seems like every FHR hotel is well over $300/night. Stil good but not what it was a year ago.
Yeah, I lose mine almost every year, not easy at all . I think it makes sense if you buy tickets year in advance and 110% positive what Airline you will use.
Hey yall, learned that you can liquidate your airline credit to United Airlines. Watch Ethan Hardy - Finance recent video on how to liquidate the credit. Just used my 200$ from platinum and 250$ from aspire, and am going to in january to have 900$ credits I would have otherwise missed out on :)
⛷️🎿⛷️Swoosh Sebby! Love the Aspire and Surpass, I have to wait 90 days to get standard HiltonAmex and second Aspire, I understand the rule to be no more than 2 cards in 90 days. Almost there! Ty Sebby!
I'm currently waiting out that same restriction so I can get the Aspire! The Aspire would be my 3rd AmEx, so just counting down these last 3 weeks before I can snatch it up!
So excited to get my Hilton Aspire next! I was approved, but without a welcome bonus, so I cancelled the application and called the recon line to ask about what the deal was. The customer service rep advised that I wait 30 days and it was likely I'd get the welcome bonus at that time. My guess is I had already opened 2 AmEx cards (Gold and Delta Platinum) in less than 90 days and hadn't hit the minimum spend on either yet. Thanks to some planned expenses, I'll hit the minimum spend on both before 90 days so hopefully AmEx will consider me enough of a spender to grant me the welcome bonus on the Aspire, too! If I still don't get the welcome bonus, that'll suck, but still worth it to have the card, I say.
We fly from Vegas to SC, GA, or FL every year, and Comfort+ runs at least $1,000. The Delta Companion Pass easily covers the AF for us. We also use the business spend, and moving forward, plan to alternate between Silver and Platinum status. Hoping to use Region Upgrade Certificates EOY to Hawaii as the program becomes more user friendly. ⛷
I was a bit disappointed when they didn't allow me to use my free night certificate at the Hilton Vacation Club Lake Tahoe Resort, is there any reason why?
@notanalien1281 I agree, but if by keeping plastic preserves the card's features, then I don't mind. The extra expense would probably force Amex to change the card's features.
The Hilton Aspire card has been one of the hottest cards of 2022, and I expect that to continue into 2023! Definitely going to be a card I consider when looking for a luxury travel card in the near future. I really enjoyed this mini-series... keep up the great work man! ⛷
AirBnb is nice, but many hosts want you to clean up afterwards, so hotels are just better overall. It is funny because Airbnb offers hospitality just like hotels, but it doesn't feel like hospitality at all.
The only thing I don’t like about the content you make is me having to wait for the next video 😞 but at least it gives me something to look forward to 🎉
What's the best way to use my $250 airline credit for the aspire? I am flying delta next week but the only thing I can think of is buying food and drinks on the flight there and back.
i am stuck between choosing hilton aspire vs marriott brilliant, i have amex platinum atm, i could not justify the extra redundant perks from marriott + 650 AF. Yet i feel like hilton diamond status is so easy to get that is why lots of people are diamond compare to marriot platinum elite status.
Got the BV Brilliant travelled to Marriott Medellin Colombia. Treated very well. Suite upgrade / Free breakfast / lounge access open bar / fruit basket with wine / free breakfast. I was impressed Thx for your recommendation 🙏⛷️⛷️
Lately I’m running into more and more. Places sand restaurants charging 3% for using a credit card. I got a business card to use to get my 18wheeler fixed now it does me no good they charge 3% for credit card.
Can you please do a video on how I can find the best airline transfer partners? You have examples like transferring to Virgin to book ANA flights. Not sure how I can find such deals
Expert Flyer and check every day (same way you would for hotel availability, or sports scores) That's the main disadvantage; you do need to put in the homework to find space (or pay for services that do that for you)
@@AskSebby Thank you. Does this mean if I want to fly ANA to Tokyo, I first need to figure out what partners this airline has, and then check each of these partner airlines' aware travel website each day?
⛷️I like the hotel status because I’ve been upgraded many times in the U.S. In fact, I was recently upgraded to a suite at the Ritz-Carlton in the Palm Springs area.
Is anyone with the Amex Platinum still able to use the Chat function within the mobile app to talk with the concierge? The button disappear for me 3 months ago, and I have never seen it come back. Even reinstalling the app and changing my phone to a brand new one does not take the button back. Is Amex cutting off this features for some of their Platinum card holder?
⛷️ Great video, love your content! I agree with all your picks except the Bonvoy Brilliant. It's definitely a keeper card but I'm not sure if S tier. If the had left the $300 credit the same as before then I would agree with S tier.
Interesting! I personally like the hotel credit better as well but surprised people weren't a fan of the dining credit. Maybe if it was up front vs. monthly?
⛷ I also would have left the $300 hotel credit in rather than changing it to a dining credit. Add a $120+ airlines incidental credit and it would have been perfect - - - worthy of an *‘S’ Tier* rating.
Sebby, I have the Hilton no-fee, Surpass & Aspire. The Surpass renews in Feb. I’m hoping for an upgrade offer to Aspire #2 offer, otherwise I’ll cancel. What’s the status of the upgrade strategy? Thanks, as always.
Hey Sebby, great video! My favorite perk has got to be the free Hilton night with the Aspire. I already break even with the card and the $1,000+ value from the free night is an OP perk. I’m going to follow your footsteps and work on having 3 Aspires in my own wallet. Got a question for you… When using the these cards’ airline credits on United Travelbank, is there any difference in the amount/s charged at once? I’ve read online people doing $200/$250 at once and being credited but this makes me a bit nervous in case it doesn’t work for me somehow. From your experience is there any difference or risk in doing the full amount in one charge vs multiple charges in amounts at $100 and less? Thank you!
If I have 3 Hilton Aspire cards, is there a way to combine the Hilton credits and airline incidental credits? Otherwise it would be harder to use them.
Airline incidentals = easiest is short-haul flights to trigger it as additional collections Hilton credits = you can just do $250 charges to the card during your stay (we did this at WA Park City during our stay; just asked to charge $250 towards the room multiple times on different cards)
@@AskSebby thank you! Can you please elaborate on “short haul flights trigger as additional collections”? If I buy an airline ticket, it won’t trigger, as I understand
www.flyertalk.com/forum/american-express-membership-rewards/2063843-airline-fee-250-200-reimbursement-reports-dl-only-2022-a-23.html UA, SW, DL are generally easiest.
⛷ Right now I am not a fan of co-branded cards. For me they seem to locked in to that chain. I lean more towards cards with options like the Amex Platinum. Maybe it is just because I am not committed to one specific chain.
You always say you get upgrades with these hotel cards. But how does this work do you just get a regular size room check in and they will automatically upgrade the room or you have to request the upgrade at the desk?
Hey Sebby, if I get the Aspire, will I no longer be eligible to get the Platinum SUB? I feel like thats how ive always undertstood the "ONCE IN A LIFETIME" language.
The Hilton Aspire beats any card in the market and the more Aspire cards the better 💪 I'm building my wife's credit so she can get one too😂 I don't think the Brilliant is S tier but you can break even with some work.
@@AskSebby they're all $0, old cards. I'm asking 4 the other way around. E.g. can product upgrade $0 af sapphire for preferred, reserve, or any flex freedom and one other, but no bonus and must pay annual fees of any card selected. Old Citi dividend $0 af, upgrades to more modern options, but seem worse bc new cards limits savings quarterly vs all at once annually. Boa World, just has a low rate. 2% home depot discount, not sure it product upgrades to anything worthwhile. Maybe BoA Platinum?
🎿Sometimes I forget all the benefits because I focus on 3 or 4 of the main benefits, so your videos are very helpful and great refresher on benefits that I should take advantage of, especially if I start wondering if I should keep the card or cancel the card.
I have Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire, Amex Bonvoy, Delta Reserve, Hilton Aspire, and Amex Gold. To be honest the Aspire is the best card. I only keep the others for the hotel and car rental upgrades, Uber/Lyft bonuses, and lounge passes.
Hi Sebby, what are you doing to bank the airline credit with United's Travel Bank? I heard it's a hit or miss. Have you been able to consistently get reimbursed?
I probably could have been more coy with it. What are your thoughts on me putting that stuff on the "members only" tab? I'm hesitant about "shouting it from the rooftops" given the nature of everything.
@@AskSebby I think it would be a good idea to have this on your Members Only page as a paid firewall to get access to this information, but you know your audience better than I do. Furthermore, in your videos you can refer to the fact that there are methods to maximize the credit that could be found online such a FlyerTalk, or Reddit.
We get loads of value from our Hilton Aspire and Platinum cards, every year. I keep a spreadsheet and typically we are around $5000 in return value by the end of the year. I'd love to add another AmEx focused on travel but honestly the Bonovoy value is not there for us. They need to add some kind of dangling carrot if they really want to promote that card, IMO. We get all the benefit/perks between our other cards already and a $25 a month dining credit with the free night award doesn't look like a super value considering the price of the card. We'd break even more or less, frankly, that is not real motivation for me. Especially when we get amazing value, *usually about $1500 a year, out of our $95 Chase Hyatt card. Spend $95 and get $1500 back? Yes please. Spend $$650 and get $650 back? Mmm. Meh.
@@mikedevan2411 I see a lot about credits in general, but I don't see any that specifically discern which ones are calendar year vs user year, it would also be beneficial to explain strategies to use if you don't actually need the benefit at the moment, but if there is a video that does truly address it can you give me a link I did not find
It sucks that families with children ages 2-12 will be essentially banned from Centurion Lounges in 2023. It’s not like they get on the plane for free!
⛷️ I’ve had the Bonvoy Brilliant for the past year or so and it has been absolutely worth the annual fee. I’ve had great experiences at Bonvoy properties and that alone has made me decide to keep it despite the increased annual fee. The dining credit has worked great as well. The only downside is that Priority Pass hasn’t quite been useful because the wait time at lounges so far has been too long to justify attempting to even go in. Maybe one day I’ll actually get to use that benefit 😅
I don't think I will ever go to Bora Bora just to use 1 free night, or even 2 for that matter, this free thing is too expensive for me. And have no use for Las Vegas every year, especially now, it is so much worse than it used to be.
⛷️ Don't give Amex any nerf ideas 😲. Hard to pick a fave between the Aspire and Platinum (for me). Plat has good value plus best in class lounge .access. Aspire has more outsized value, with the credits plus a free night upon approval and annually. But this is most likely my last year with the Delta Reserve (no player 2) Speaking of lounge access, something fishy is going on. Last Wednesday, had to wait 10 minutes to get into LAX Sky Club (3rd in line) but upon entry it appeared about 60%. full. Waited in LAS Centurion line for 10 minutes (4th in line) last Friday, and it was at about 70% capacity. No line for me this morning at LAX Sky Club, but a line of about 7 people when I left. It appeared to be about a 3rd full, if that. Wondering if they're holding seats...
I have both the reserve personal and business. But, like you said - I normally book FC. I live in SLC and my mother is in BOS and my mother in law is in MCO. It's easy for me to get 3x the annual fee since I normally book my son with me and then my wife books next to us. I also have 2 Amex Platinums. I've been running the upgrade offers since I've had the SUBs on nearly everything Amex has. ⛷️ we just received 2'+ of fresh powder here in Utah. Had a blast on the mountain this morning!!
I’ve held the AMEX Delta Gold Skymiles CC for several years and I intend to continue. I value the Priority Boarding and “first checked bag free” perks plus a discount on CLEAR.
💳 Sebby's Card Picks: www.asksebby.com/credit-cards
Platinum Calculator: www.asksebby.com/credit-card-reviews/amex-platinum-card
S Tier Cards Part 1 Video: th-cam.com/video/Rt3CQzyxmV4/w-d-xo.html
Off topic but let’s say I want to book a trip to Bali with ultimate rewards points, how would I teach an employee to get me the best deal for my points with all of the different airlines available.
Is there a method to this?
For example:
1. Sign up for list of airline points programs from list of chase partners, here’s the list …
2. Find out range of point costs for getting to Bali from SFO
3. Use card with travel benefits to book.
Thanks in advance for making a video on this showing step-by-step for an employee/intern that doesn’t know anything about points.
On the Marriott card, it seems difficult to use the dining credit-isn’t it $25/month only at Marriott hotels?
Dude! You just TOTALLY sold me on the Hilton Aspire. I’ve always been a fan of their properties anyway, but to know I can get THAT much value from the card is awesome. AMEX Platinum card is STILL my number 1 though. The discounts, credits, and other side benefits always add up to more value than the fee for me. Sometimes, it’s just about the savings (eating in the lounge vs paying overpriced airport food costs). Thanks for the info Seb!
Great review! The Amex Platinum is also great if you charge your cellphone bill to the card. It covers damage/theft of all cellphones on the bill (2 claims per 12 mo, $50 deductible, $800 max per claim) and for Apple users they don't have to invest in Apple Care ($269/2 year incl. theft/loss per phone), so it's a huge savings.
I 2nd this, got new cell phones and did charge the new phones on this card just for the protection
I get that same benefit from my credit union’s checking account for free. Not sure how industry standard that is, but you certainly don’t have to go as far as getting an Amex Platinum for that insurance.
Currently watching Sebby video at the Amex Centurion Lounge at LHR. Wouldn’t have been here with out your videos! Keep up the good work!
I recently picked up the Bonvoy Brilliant. Shoutout to Bonvoy for declaring whole cities as Category 4 for their best hotels. I love only spending 40k points on a standard room that retails for $1200+ on weekends!
Which property? :)
@@AskSebby The Drover hotel in FW
⛷️ Great video! I was just in Half Moon Bay a few weeks ago. we stayed across the golf course at Half Moon Bay Lodge. It was that trip, paying for everything outright and not getting any rewards back from anything that made me realize I should get into the cc game and get some value out of these trips that can cover future and better trips. I really appreciate all your vids. I’e watched a ton to make sure I go about it right. We’re both in the Bay Area so if I ever bump into you, I’ll make sure to thank you in person too!
Hi Sebby. I didn’t notice whether you mentioned the Hilton Aspire’s 14x multiplier at Hilton hotels; I’ve racked up a huge number of points as a result! Also, I have the Amex Platinum and the Amazon Business Prime as well and I’ll never give up either of these three cards!
This isn’t necessarily a super power of the card. Earning essentially 6-8% back on Hilton hotels with a Hilton card is a given.
I would concur on the 14X as it stacks with what seems to often Double Base Point Offers, not a super power but with stacking super helpful
If you buy a $50 gc in store for Saks (not Saks off 5th), you can still get the credit on Amex
Please explain how you change airline incidentals into united credit!! Thanks!!!!
I googled United Travel bank. I charged 2 - $100 charges to the bank. They were both reimbursed by AMEX. You can use it for future flights BUT not for seat upgrades. I tried to do that and wasn’t able to. I called and spoke with UA and they confirmed you can’t use travel bank to upgrade…just flights.
I have started to actively explore "AMEX Offers" and I have earned 20,000+ MR in 2022 on brands and products within my needs and budget making the AMEX Platinum an even bigger value for my travel needs. For example: +5MR/$1 at Amazon, spend $200 get 4,000 MR points at Ralph Lauren twice. Buy $300 gift card at Delta and get 6,000 MR points just to name a few. Best part is I was able to book a one way UPPER CLASS flight back home from London using points. If you travel or fly 6x or more annually it’s definitely worth a look.
On your list of grandfathered cards you had the Ameriprise Platinum. I had it when it got discontinued. They converted the Ameriprise Plat to vanilla Platinum Cards. I actually closed mine the day before I got that announcement in the mail.
For those of us benefiting from SCRA, should we add both the Hilton Aspire and the Bonvoy Brilliant assuming we obtain each once we have receive the rewards bonus of the previous for the minimum spend? Currently running the Gold and Platinum (Schwab) combo. Travel monthly, mostly by vehicle and platinum for hotels. Primarily FHR and the Hotel Collection. Points most often transferred to Schwab accounts. Have a blast calculating the feedback, Thanks!
Yep! No reason not to do it given their treatment of SCRA/MLA.
@@AskSebby thanks for the response! currently watching your Maldives videos. Are the certificate nights you used earned at a rate of 1 per calendar year? I’d assume if you had 4 of them they don’t expire and are stackable, assuming you book 4 separate reservations in 4 days.
1 per calendar year and expire every 12 months. 2020-2022 was interesting because they delayed a lot of expirations. Some people were able to stack like ALL their nights on a trip this year.
You can also call in and book and they'll make it 1 reservation now. IIRC this is different from in the past.
I just did something similar for the WA Park City where it was 4 certificates but as 1 booking.
@@AskSebby Fantastic, thanks for the content and the feedback. I’ve been following your videos for years to get an idea of the ways to maximize my rewards on my spending. Great to know my budget can still have rewards. Thanks again for the SCRA content.
⛷ Feel like Amex has patched the vegas FHR loophole. Used to be able to get $110 hotels and then gotten $170 in value, now it seems like every FHR hotel is well over $300/night. Stil good but not what it was a year ago.
I've never been this early to an Ask Sebby video ever
🥈
Hi Sebby, you mention the airline incidental credits are easy to use. Any recommendations on what to do with them before the year is up?
Wondering the same
What airline have you selected?
Yeah, I lose mine almost every year, not easy at all . I think it makes sense if you buy tickets year in advance and 110% positive what Airline you will use.
Hey yall, learned that you can liquidate your airline credit to United Airlines. Watch Ethan Hardy - Finance recent video on how to liquidate the credit. Just used my 200$ from platinum and 250$ from aspire, and am going to in january to have 900$ credits I would have otherwise missed out on :)
@@kylercredit can you send me a link please, all I coud ind is how to make Damascus steel from Ethan Harty.
⛷️🎿⛷️Swoosh Sebby! Love the Aspire and Surpass, I have to wait 90 days to get standard HiltonAmex and second Aspire, I understand the rule to be no more than 2 cards in 90 days. Almost there! Ty Sebby!
I'm currently waiting out that same restriction so I can get the Aspire! The Aspire would be my 3rd AmEx, so just counting down these last 3 weeks before I can snatch it up!
Would be great if you could give a rundown of the active cards you have on hand to round off the year, Sebby!
So excited to get my Hilton Aspire next! I was approved, but without a welcome bonus, so I cancelled the application and called the recon line to ask about what the deal was. The customer service rep advised that I wait 30 days and it was likely I'd get the welcome bonus at that time. My guess is I had already opened 2 AmEx cards (Gold and Delta Platinum) in less than 90 days and hadn't hit the minimum spend on either yet. Thanks to some planned expenses, I'll hit the minimum spend on both before 90 days so hopefully AmEx will consider me enough of a spender to grant me the welcome bonus on the Aspire, too! If I still don't get the welcome bonus, that'll suck, but still worth it to have the card, I say.
In the process of getting my 3 aspire cards. They are amazing
Wow how are you able to get 3 if I may ask
I would love to know how. Please !!🙏
We fly from Vegas to SC, GA, or FL every year, and Comfort+ runs at least $1,000. The Delta Companion Pass easily covers the AF for us. We also use the business spend, and moving forward, plan to alternate between Silver and Platinum status. Hoping to use Region Upgrade Certificates EOY to Hawaii as the program becomes more user friendly. ⛷
Banking with United 3:59? Can anyone explain this portion?
Love the Aspire, hopefully it stays a S tier card forever!
The Amex Aspire is perhaps my fav credit card of all-time.
I was a bit disappointed when they didn't allow me to use my free night certificate at the Hilton Vacation Club Lake Tahoe Resort, is there any reason why?
@@m5387 Was it during the weekend?
@notanalien1281 I agree, but if by keeping plastic preserves the card's features, then I don't mind. The extra expense would probably force Amex to change the card's features.
@@EarlMcDowellJr I think so. Does it not work for weekend nights?
What are your thoughts about amex is 1X points for spending... I want the amex platinum card for its benefits but this is all that is holding back.
The Hilton Aspire card has been one of the hottest cards of 2022, and I expect that to continue into 2023! Definitely going to be a card I consider when looking for a luxury travel card in the near future. I really enjoyed this mini-series... keep up the great work man! ⛷
Great vid Seb!
Great video! AMEX Hilton Aspire 👑👑👑
AirBnb is nice, but many hosts want you to clean up afterwards, so hotels are just better overall. It is funny because Airbnb offers hospitality just like hotels, but it doesn't feel like hospitality at all.
The only thing I don’t like about the content you make is me having to wait for the next video 😞 but at least it gives me something to look forward to 🎉
What's the best way to use my $250 airline credit for the aspire? I am flying delta next week but the only thing I can think of is buying food and drinks on the flight there and back.
If I was you I'd use it for checked bags first so you don't pay for luggage and then whatever is left just buy drinks and food.
I’ve used the credit on the Viasat wifi.
What do you use it for if you don't check bags normally?
@@sschwartz1488 nothing. Can't figure out how to use that credit
i am stuck between choosing hilton aspire vs marriott brilliant, i have amex platinum atm, i could not justify the extra redundant perks from marriott + 650 AF. Yet i feel like hilton diamond status is so easy to get that is why lots of people are diamond compare to marriot platinum elite status.
⛷ The Ritz Half Moon Bay was a good choice Sebby!
Got the BV Brilliant travelled to Marriott Medellin Colombia. Treated very well. Suite upgrade / Free breakfast / lounge access open bar / fruit basket with wine / free breakfast. I was impressed Thx for your recommendation 🙏⛷️⛷️
This style videos are perfect
Lately I’m running into more and more. Places sand restaurants charging 3% for using a credit card. I got a business card to use to get my 18wheeler fixed now it does me no good they charge 3% for credit card.
Do the free yearly night certs roll over? And is there a cap?
⛷🎿Hi Sebby, do you think it is overkill to have the Aspire and Ritz Carlton card? Thanks!
I have both. Mainly depends if you can get positive value from both.
Can you please do a video on how I can find the best airline transfer partners? You have examples like transferring to Virgin to book ANA flights. Not sure how I can find such deals
Expert Flyer and check every day (same way you would for hotel availability, or sports scores)
That's the main disadvantage; you do need to put in the homework to find space (or pay for services that do that for you)
@@AskSebby Thank you. Does this mean if I want to fly ANA to Tokyo, I first need to figure out what partners this airline has, and then check each of these partner airlines' aware travel website each day?
⛷️I like the hotel status because I’ve been upgraded many times in the U.S. In fact, I was recently upgraded to a suite at the Ritz-Carlton in the Palm Springs area.
Should i target the Bonvoy Brilliant or Ritz Carlton? I do have Amex Plat and most other high tier cards.
Hey Sebby, how'd you get your mic to sound so good??
Is anyone with the Amex Platinum still able to use the Chat function within the mobile app to talk with the concierge? The button disappear for me 3 months ago, and I have never seen it come back. Even reinstalling the app and changing my phone to a brand new one does not take the button back. Is Amex cutting off this features for some of their Platinum card holder?
Best Buy did away with requiring status for extended return. Now it's just $200 annually and includes free insurance.
So can you add multiple Hilton aspires to one Hilton account? Or do you have a different Hilton account for each one and book four separate nights?
⛷️Hilton Aspire and Platinum is a killer combo especially when doubled dipped with FHR Hilton hotels.
How are you able to apply for more than one Aspire card? Can't you only have 4-5 Amex cards anyway?
Most of the nicer hotels are premium award rather than standard room award ie. Conrad Samui or Conrad Maldives. So that's a no go.
Can an authorized user use the free certificate night with the Hilton aspire? Or is it only the primary user that has to use it? Thank you.
Do these benefits exist for the Business Amex Platinum?
How to get 4 x Hilton card ?
What would be the best card to pair with AMEX Hilton Aspire?
How do you bank and use the united credit ?
⛷️ Great video, love your content! I agree with all your picks except the Bonvoy Brilliant. It's definitely a keeper card but I'm not sure if S tier. If the had left the $300 credit the same as before then I would agree with S tier.
Interesting! I personally like the hotel credit better as well but surprised people weren't a fan of the dining credit. Maybe if it was up front vs. monthly?
⛷ I also would have left the $300 hotel credit in rather than changing it to a dining credit. Add a $120+ airlines incidental credit and it would have been perfect - - - worthy of an *‘S’ Tier* rating.
Ha my wife and i just got back from PC UT… Stayed at the Waldorf using 3 free nights.
Sebby, I have the Hilton no-fee, Surpass & Aspire. The Surpass renews in Feb. I’m hoping for an upgrade offer to Aspire #2 offer, otherwise I’ll cancel. What’s the status of the upgrade strategy? Thanks, as always.
Hopefully we see a bunch of upgrade offers in the summer :)
Hey Sebby, great video! My favorite perk has got to be the free Hilton night with the Aspire. I already break even with the card and the $1,000+ value from the free night is an OP perk. I’m going to follow your footsteps and work on having 3 Aspires in my own wallet.
Got a question for you…
When using the these cards’ airline credits on United Travelbank, is there any difference in the amount/s charged at once? I’ve read online people doing $200/$250 at once and being credited but this makes me a bit nervous in case it doesn’t work for me somehow. From your experience is there any difference or risk in doing the full amount in one charge vs multiple charges in amounts at $100 and less?
Thank you!
I had success doing $100 two times. I was a little worried about the $200 so I split it up and it worked fine for the reimbursement. 👍🏼
I had success doing $50 3 times and waiting a $100 on my aspire.
With my Aspire card, I charge $250 all at once and get reimbursed. With my Platinum card, I make two $100 purchases.
@@amywulfjohns7161 thanks for this data!
Sapphire Reserve is not S Tier?
How do you use a travel incidental credit
Just don't fall for the timeshare through Hilton.
If I have 3 Hilton Aspire cards, is there a way to combine the Hilton credits and airline incidental credits? Otherwise it would be harder to use them.
Airline incidentals = easiest is short-haul flights to trigger it as additional collections
Hilton credits = you can just do $250 charges to the card during your stay (we did this at WA Park City during our stay; just asked to charge $250 towards the room multiple times on different cards)
@@AskSebby thank you! Can you please elaborate on “short haul flights trigger as additional collections”? If I buy an airline ticket, it won’t trigger, as I understand
www.flyertalk.com/forum/american-express-membership-rewards/2063843-airline-fee-250-200-reimbursement-reports-dl-only-2022-a-23.html
UA, SW, DL are generally easiest.
@@AskSebby Thank you! This is really interesting!
Two shots down the digestive system!
⛷ Right now I am not a fan of co-branded cards. For me they seem to locked in to that chain. I lean more towards cards with options like the Amex Platinum. Maybe it is just because I am not committed to one specific chain.
You always say you get upgrades with these hotel cards. But how does this work do you just get a regular size room check in and they will automatically upgrade the room or you have to request the upgrade at the desk?
They will put you in an upgraded room type automatically provided one is available.
Hey Sebby, if I get the Aspire, will I no longer be eligible to get the Platinum SUB? I feel like thats how ive always undertstood the "ONCE IN A LIFETIME" language.
The Hilton Aspire beats any card in the market and the more Aspire cards the better 💪 I'm building my wife's credit so she can get one too😂 I don't think the Brilliant is S tier but you can break even with some work.
You forgot to mention that for saks it's only $50 off the first 6 months and then $50 again after the second month.
Video: when should product change $0 AF, old cards? E.g. Sapphire, citi dividend, boa world.
Before the annual fee hits and don’t want to close the card.
@@AskSebby they're all $0, old cards. I'm asking 4 the other way around. E.g. can product upgrade $0 af sapphire for preferred, reserve, or any flex freedom and one other, but no bonus and must pay annual fees of any card selected.
Old Citi dividend $0 af, upgrades to more modern options, but seem worse bc new cards limits savings quarterly vs all at once annually.
Boa World, just has a low rate. 2% home depot discount, not sure it product upgrades to anything worthwhile. Maybe BoA Platinum?
I saw an Uber visa in the stock footage 😂😭 RIP
11:19 lol no return protection for a pets
🎿Sometimes I forget all the benefits because I focus on 3 or 4 of the main benefits, so your videos are very helpful and great refresher on benefits that I should take advantage of, especially if I start wondering if I should keep the card or cancel the card.
I have Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire, Amex Bonvoy, Delta Reserve, Hilton Aspire, and Amex Gold. To be honest the Aspire is the best card. I only keep the others for the hotel and car rental upgrades, Uber/Lyft bonuses, and lounge passes.
How is Conrad bora bora 120,000 for your search, mine are all 687,000
That means the dates you search don't have standard room availability.
I still can’t believe they haven’t nerfed the Aspire yet.
Hi Sebby, what are you doing to bank the airline credit with United's Travel Bank? I heard it's a hit or miss. Have you been able to consistently get reimbursed?
Little nervous about Sebby mentioning Travelbank repeatedly. Don’t know if I can use the travel credit if this was closed.
I probably could have been more coy with it. What are your thoughts on me putting that stuff on the "members only" tab?
I'm hesitant about "shouting it from the rooftops" given the nature of everything.
@@AskSebby I think it would be a good idea to have this on your Members Only page as a paid firewall to get access to this information, but you know your audience better than I do. Furthermore, in your videos you can refer to the fact that there are methods to maximize the credit that could be found online such a FlyerTalk, or Reddit.
Man, I really want the Aspire card. But that'll put me > 5/24 until Nov 2023...
We get loads of value from our Hilton Aspire and Platinum cards, every year. I keep a spreadsheet and typically we are around $5000 in return value by the end of the year. I'd love to add another AmEx focused on travel but honestly the Bonovoy value is not there for us. They need to add some kind of dangling carrot if they really want to promote that card, IMO. We get all the benefit/perks between our other cards already and a $25 a month dining credit with the free night award doesn't look like a super value considering the price of the card. We'd break even more or less, frankly, that is not real motivation for me.
Especially when we get amazing value, *usually about $1500 a year, out of our $95 Chase Hyatt card. Spend $95 and get $1500 back? Yes please. Spend $$650 and get $650 back? Mmm. Meh.
Can you do a, "Amex Platinum Credits you need to use or lose in December" video?
Do a TH-cam search; they're already out there.
@@mikedevan2411 I see a lot about credits in general, but I don't see any that specifically discern which ones are calendar year vs user year, it would also be beneficial to explain strategies to use if you don't actually need the benefit at the moment, but if there is a video that does truly address it can you give me a link I did not find
Really enjoy your videos and the information. But your filming style moving the frame in and out after every Sentence, makes me sea sick.
hey Sebby, Are you aware that your voice always has some echo, which makes your video a bit hard to listen to?
Wonder if the Aspire is ripe for a nerf?
Thank you
Love the vids. Sebby you speak too fast lol!
If Amex Platinum includes youtube premium in the $240 streaming credit, I'd be interested. Otherwise it is just hard to use these credits.
⛷The Aspire and Platinum are both great if you can make the credits work for you. I may consider the Bonvoy Brilliant next year
🏂 Thanks Sebby!
⛷🏂good info thanks!!😎❤☕
It sucks that families with children ages 2-12 will be essentially banned from Centurion Lounges in 2023. It’s not like they get on the plane for free!
Why all Amex? They’ve kind of been on the decline? Chase next?
⛷️ I’ve had the Bonvoy Brilliant for the past year or so and it has been absolutely worth the annual fee. I’ve had great experiences at Bonvoy properties and that alone has made me decide to keep it despite the increased annual fee. The dining credit has worked great as well. The only downside is that Priority Pass hasn’t quite been useful because the wait time at lounges so far has been too long to justify attempting to even go in. Maybe one day I’ll actually get to use that benefit 😅
I don't think I will ever go to Bora Bora just to use 1 free night, or even 2 for that matter, this free thing is too expensive for me. And have no use for Las Vegas every year, especially now, it is so much worse than it used to be.
Dude those free weekend certificates never work, especially with the nice properties where you’d actually want to use them at
Man that Telegram scam account is at WORK on Sebby’s videos!
Yeah, working on deleting them now. My spam filters are pretty good but some still get through and just wreck havoc.
⛷️ Don't give Amex any nerf ideas 😲. Hard to pick a fave between the Aspire and Platinum (for me). Plat has good value plus best in class lounge .access. Aspire has more outsized value, with the credits plus a free night upon approval and annually. But this is most likely my last year with the Delta Reserve (no player 2)
Speaking of lounge access, something fishy is going on. Last Wednesday, had to wait 10 minutes to get into LAX Sky Club (3rd in line) but upon entry it appeared about 60%. full. Waited in LAS Centurion line for 10 minutes (4th in line) last Friday, and it was at about 70% capacity. No line for me this morning at LAX Sky Club, but a line of about 7 people when I left. It appeared to be about a 3rd full, if that. Wondering if they're holding seats...
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I have both the reserve personal and business. But, like you said - I normally book FC. I live in SLC and my mother is in BOS and my mother in law is in MCO. It's easy for me to get 3x the annual fee since I normally book my son with me and then my wife books next to us.
I also have 2 Amex Platinums. I've been running the upgrade offers since I've had the SUBs on nearly everything Amex has.
⛷️ we just received 2'+ of fresh powder here in Utah. Had a blast on the mountain this morning!!
⛷️⛷️ Does anyone have experience the Amex Delta Gold/Platinum/Reserve? Would you recommend it? ⛷️⛷️
I would say get the delta platinum for the companion cert, then get the Amex platinum. The reserve helps for the no fee access to the sky club.
I’ve held the AMEX Delta Gold Skymiles CC for several years and I intend to continue. I value the Priority Boarding and “first checked bag free” perks plus a discount on CLEAR.
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