Love the value of Hyatt but in my humble opinion the higher end Hilton hotels are much better, especially overseas. Couple that with the Aspire card and it's a no brainer. Recently stayed at the WA Amsterdam and was absolutely blown away.
For me, it was Hilton #1 and Hyatt #2. Then, I said goodbye to the Aspire, settled for the Capital One Venture X as the premium card and went Hyatt #1 and Hilton #2. Hilton is closing in lately and I fear my current plan to requalify as Hyatt Globalist may not turn out to be a good decision within a year, we'll see.
I’m doing a status challenge thru my company for globalist for 20 nights in 3 months and even that feels like too much opportunity cost but wanted to try it out and see if worth the hype because I’m also getting more invested with Hilton with way way less opportunity cost. I guess the big thing is frequency because beyond a handful of nights per year Hiltons aren’t going to get the same value as using chase UR points
Aeroplan puts points back within 30 minutes (usually instant). If decent redemptions for business aren't available when I'm trying to pre-plan a family trip, I'll book premium economy (flex) to place mark the trip and then watch availabilty for partner business seats which can often pop up 7-14 days out. As soon as avaiability in business pops up I'll make the switch with a cancel and then book. I've had good luck with ANA, Lufthansa, United, Swiss and Austrian with partner awards showing up late. Knock on wood, I haven't been burned yet.
My current plan for Hilton is very similiar to Greg’s 2nd year plan - I have two surpasses and my wife has an aspire that the annual fee hits in November - timing my $15k spend on the surpasses to hit right at same time as the aspire so have 3 free nights for almost all 2025. If I can get my wife a surpass card (tried a few months back, but got dreaded pop up) and then upgrade one of my surpasses to Aspire, it will match what Greg is going
I don't currently have the Aspire, but that's my recollection too. It makes sense that they wouldn't send you the cert until well after the fee posts to keep people from cancelling the card within 30 days of fee posting.
It is defined by Hilton Management. Just pretend to make a booking and use the Filter to select the RESORT and show you the resorts but could be none (such as in Hong Kong & Macao)!
On another show Nick mentioned that the stores where he had been using gift cards to buy money orders were shutting down the sale of money orders altogether. -Greg
If you paid via non-Aspire cards then might be normal to get the quarterly $60 credit back. Otherwise it is hard to believe if you had paid using Aspire in the restaurant in a Hilton resort and triggered the semi-annual $200 resort-credit.
American is very fast re-depositing the miles, and so in United. American has the big edge because you can put the award ticket on hold online, for free, in case the miles take a little longer.
The Graduate hotel is also coming in with SLH and Autocamp
Love the value of Hyatt but in my humble opinion the higher end Hilton hotels are much better, especially overseas. Couple that with the Aspire card and it's a no brainer. Recently stayed at the WA Amsterdam and was absolutely blown away.
In what way are they better than high end Hyatts? Are you a Globalist because the experience is unlike status anywhere else.
Great show
For me, it was Hilton #1 and Hyatt #2. Then, I said goodbye to the Aspire, settled for the Capital One Venture X as the premium card and went Hyatt #1 and Hilton #2. Hilton is closing in lately and I fear my current plan to requalify as Hyatt Globalist may not turn out to be a good decision within a year, we'll see.
I’m doing a status challenge thru my company for globalist for 20 nights in 3 months and even that feels like too much opportunity cost but wanted to try it out and see if worth the hype because I’m also getting more invested with Hilton with way way less opportunity cost. I guess the big thing is frequency because beyond a handful of nights per year Hiltons aren’t going to get the same value as using chase UR points
AMEX is likely to add family language to Hilton cards so the order of applications will matter.
That's definitely worth considering! -Greg
The other thing to consider is the cancellation fees with international carriers. If it’s $50 one way, that $400 for four people. Great episode.
Hilton. For the Stay. Thanks for the info + video!
Aeroplan puts points back within 30 minutes (usually instant). If decent redemptions for business aren't available when I'm trying to pre-plan a family trip, I'll book premium economy (flex) to place mark the trip and then watch availabilty for partner business seats which can often pop up 7-14 days out. As soon as avaiability in business pops up I'll make the switch with a cancel and then book. I've had good luck with ANA, Lufthansa, United, Swiss and Austrian with partner awards showing up late. Knock on wood, I haven't been burned yet.
Booked an Alaska award for Japan on Korean. Found a great deal on JAL two laters and cancelled Korean. Points redeposited instantly.
Hiton keeps this up, they might really start actually competing with Hyatt.
I'm still sad and mad about the Hyatt Mr and Mrs Smith debacle.
Hyatt isn’t even in same class as Hilton. 😂.
Aspire is a must have card
Would love to hear some of retention offers during card talk . To Nick, Have you got any retention offers for using Aspire card?
Had the card for 3 years. They only offered 10k points each time... which is really practically nothing
Good idea -Greg
about 6 years ago, I upgraded from basic amex Hilton to surpass (offered with a startup bonus back then). still ineligible for surpass sub.
NEW Surpass.. Thank you
My current plan for Hilton is very similiar to Greg’s 2nd year plan - I have two surpasses and my wife has an aspire that the annual fee hits in November - timing my $15k spend on the surpasses to hit right at same time as the aspire so have 3 free nights for almost all 2025. If I can get my wife a surpass card (tried a few months back, but got dreaded pop up) and then upgrade one of my surpasses to Aspire, it will match what Greg is going
Is the certificate a physical certificate or is it an email?
Thx
Not a huge fan of the “downgrade” and quarterly spend. Will be downgrading to no annual fee since I am not planning on stays at Hilton on spend.
Does the Hilton certificate have an expiration date?
Yes. 1year.
Thamks
Are you always earning SUB ? or do you take a break for your credit history to settle down?
(this is Greg): I take a break, but not to let my credit history settle down. Instead it is mostly to wait for great offers.
You mentioned that it’s easy to pool points with Hilton, can you also pool FNCs with your family?
No
@@frequent-miler another win for Hyatt. The ability to transfer FNCs is nice feature of Hyatt.
Can you check when you received your Hilton FN after your anniversary date or fee posted?
Me and my wife have 4 Aspires and got the FN about 12 to 14 weeks/3 months pretty consistently.
I don't currently have the Aspire, but that's my recollection too. It makes sense that they wouldn't send you the cert until well after the fee posts to keep people from cancelling the card within 30 days of fee posting.
Anyone try your house account for the Hilton Aspire card?
Hey Greg.. isn't there family language with Hilton signup bonuses?
Not yet!
Why would anyone do 30k on an aspire when 15k on the surpass gives the same FNC?
What’s the difference between a resort and a hotel?
It is defined by Hilton Management. Just pretend to make a booking and use the Filter to select the RESORT and show you the resorts but could be none (such as in Hong Kong & Macao)!
Why has your opportunity for spending changed so much? Could you please elaborate?
On another show Nick mentioned that the stores where he had been using gift cards to buy money orders were shutting down the sale of money orders altogether. -Greg
is there a website for aspire resort credit resorts?
Yes: www.hilton.com/en/locations/resorts/
Can you get surpass after Aspire? I thought Amex have family language to get bonus ?
They haven't added family language to the Hilton cards yet
I've found that just paying directly at the restaurant with the hilton card triggers the credit
If you paid via non-Aspire cards then might be normal to get the quarterly $60 credit back.
Otherwise it is hard to believe if you had paid using Aspire in the restaurant in a Hilton resort and triggered the semi-annual $200 resort-credit.
@@mao-hsinshen9384 Yes, worked worked on my Aspire at M.A.C. 24/7 Restaurant and Bar.
@@mao-hsinshen9384 worked for me at M.A.C. 24/7 Restaurant and Bar inside the Hilton at Waikiki.
American is very fast re-depositing the miles, and so in United. American has the big edge because you can put the award ticket on hold online, for free, in case the miles take a little longer.
Can I pay one of you for a private lesson on manufactured spend?
Sorry, no
@@frequent-miler many many sad faces 😭🥺😢😔☹️😞😕
First!