I would say the IHG Premier Card is a game changer to me. Being someone who loves traveling, IHG card gives you 1 free night every 3 nights redemption, and points can be easily bought with $0.5 during the promotion. It gives you almost half of the price, especially in expensive cities like London and NYC .
Hi Sebby! I think I’ve seen this video 3 times. Lol. When will you post Part 2? Also, can you do a current video on best business travel (hotel) credit cards?
Absolutely love the Aspire card. I can use the free night and turn it into a special date night with my wife. We like to go to a Waldorf (we've lived relatively close to two since we got it), we always get upgraded because of the diamond status, usually to a one-bedroom suite, and then we basically get a free dinner and free breakfast thanks to the credits. Sticker price for the night would have probably been over $1k, and we get it for free.
I'd also consider the Wyndham Business Earner. Free stay every year offsets the annual fee, 5x on business categories and utilities, which is very good depending on how you value Wyndham points. But the real reward is top-level elite status that is auto matched with Caesars, that can be rolled into Hyatt and a bunch of other Vegas elite status. I think it's a no brainer if you can justify staying at a Wyndham hotel once a year or travel to Vegas regularly as some of the Vegas elite perks are quite nice.
I've had the Aspire ever since it launched and it's definitely the best card. When the pandemic hit, they allowed cardholders to use their resort credit on restaurants! Last year, they also gave $20/month for restaurants too (separate from the resort credit). I've definitely made the most out of it despite the high annual fee
I got Card 3 because I'll be traveling abroad for 10 nights and the possible room upgrade + free breakfast was a no brainer for me for ($95 annual fee vs $160 breakfast up-charge). I also stay at a roadside Hilton 🤣when visiting family during holidays so I see those stays as bonus point-earning visits for "real" vacations. I was really tempted to get Card 6 but the $450 fee was too much for me to stomach and the extra perks weren't enough to tip me into applying for it.
Chasing sign up bonuses would be my first choice, but if I don't have an active one, the Surpass card seems like a pretty good everyday spending card when you factor in the free night certificate at $15,000. If you value it around 80,000 points, that is kind of like adding an extra 5x multiplier on your spend, right? So if you like Hiltons, seems reasonable.
Both the Aspire and Bonvoy Brilliant are keeper cards for me. The value I get out of both makes me come out far ahead of the annual fees, especially the Aspire!
I like the Bonvoy Brilliant b/c the properly credit covers a majority of the annual fee and isn't restricted to just resorts. This makes the card an easy keeper for work travel.
Would be interested in a video ranking cities by the how much value you can get out of points. For example, Dallas seems to have tons of hotels in all the major chains with low points, while Orlando has cheaper cash rooms, but high point hotels (overall, there are exceptions)
🏨 I drive uber (hello gas points!) and i don't do any flying. I'm essentially trying to find a hotel card that I can use for the free night when I randomnly end up 1 to 3 hours away from home.
I view the Business cards as "family" cards. Gas multipliers are a must for these keeper cards. The "15 elite nights credits" are added to your lifetime membership. Accrue enough and you get permanent status for Marriott so that if you have two Marriott cards (an Amex and Chase) then you can rack 30 elite nights per year just by keeping them. You get Gold status with Amex Platinum, then you use the Marriott cards to pay for your stay for the multiplier (between 6-20x). Depending on number of stays you can reach lifetime Platinum status (600 elite nights) or lifetime Gold (400 elite nights) or lifetime Silver (250 elite nights) without needing a card.
Definitely! I didn't want to dive too deep into the lifetime status rabbit hole but it's an interesting play, especially if you're young and you think Bonvoy will be around long-term.
I have 3 amex cards. Delta gold (my first card), Delta platinum, & Business Gold. I want the platinum charge card, but Im waiting for some time to pass before I get another amex card. My wife and I have been looking at the amex Hilton Aspire. How many Amex cards is too many? If I get the platinum card, and the Aspire card, Im at 5 Amex cards... and like $1,800 in yearly fees at this point.
Generally Hyatt is the only game that's worth the points; obviously edge cases for other currencies but those are tougher and are tough for normal people.
13:04 "If I could only have one AMEX it would be Aspire or Platinum"....uh Zebby? The Platinum is good for one thing only, TRAVEL and it's perks! The Aspire would at least cover ALL spend categories and provide some value. The Plat shits the bed at 1X MR if you say use it for Groceries or everyday expenses. I only use it for Travel (Flights, Rentals) perks. Everything else goes to Gold, BBP, or lately some BCE spend. Surpass/Aspire for all Hotel (even off properties to keep spend on it).
Thank you Saby, as a Canadian I'm making my first US credit card journey with the brilliant, my application is under process and I shall be having a final decision within a couple of days. Fingers crossed 🤞
Surpass pretty good. The lounge access is nice. That card IMO atleast covers your main expenses somehow in most vacations, flight and hotel. While not for the flight exactly, the lounge is a fun perk!
Great video! How many aspires do you and Mandy collectively have? Think it makes sense to still work toward multiples there or do you expect they’ll nuke the certificates at some point soon?
I have the Chase Trifecta (Sapphire, Flex, and Unlimited). Thinking about getting either the Amex Gold or the Marriott Bonvoy card. Would the Marriott card be better since I have the chase cards?...or is it good to have Chase and Amex Gold?
Hey sebby. So you think the bonvoy points system will still be good after the changes? In another video you seemed against those changes so now im not sure if its better or worse, or maybe just depends how you use them. Also I get so much value from my southwest points so to me that seems pretty good if they do a similar system.
Hey Sabby would you mind to make a video on what airline/hotel cards are worth to have if someone already have an Amex plat (maybe other premier cards)?
Hey Seb, i just scored a 1st class flight on ANA using 60,000 virgin atlantic miles, been watching your RUclips for over a year. I need a hotel recommendation for NRT for next year, and some excursions i should try, FYI I GOT THE BRILLIANT AND THE BUSINESS AFTER WATCHING your review of marriott all time high offer back in October 2021, thanks, i even xfer them to AA now i hv over 200,000 aa miles
Hey Sebby, great video as usual! Which do you think is a better broad setup between Aspire + Surpass or Aspire + Amex gold. Was thinking the Aspire and Gold to have a more versatile MR+Hilton points but the Aspire + Surpass seems to cover the important categories with higher multipliers better at the expense of being locked to Hilton points. Usage for points will be for aspirational travel. Thanks in advance!
Thanks for the video. I am starting a new job that requires a lot of travel in the Midwest. If my employer is hotel agnostic, I may pick up a card (Bonvoy Brilliant, Hilton Aspire or Amex Platinum) to secure hotel status and choose a hotel in those portfolios. I most likely will be based out of ORD, so may choose the United Club card to have lounge access on flights (thanks a lot for not having any other real lounges ORD).
Totally relate to the leaning toward hotels, then AirBNB, then hotels... Too many logistics with an AirBNB, cleaning fees, no points, risk on quality, and, as it turns out, no break on prices at all (it seems they used to be cheaper). Probably won't stay in an AirBNB again unless there is literally no reputable hotel chain available in the area.
I got the Bonvoy Business with 75k points from 3K spent in 3 months. It also came with $150 in statement credits. That more than covered the $125 annual fee right from the start. I’ll be happy to use the free night later this year. I also got the Hilton Business Card as well. 130k Hilton points with 3K spent in 3 months with the $95 annual fee. And I have 10 priority pass visits to use which will get used when I travel for business. Both of these are good keeper cards for me. Perhaps some day I’ll try and get the higher annual fee cards but for now these work for me.
Hi Sebby, you have talked about having multiple Hilton Aspire cards by upgrading the lower tier Hilton cards however my question is are you able to have multiple Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Cards?
Sebby im new to the credit card game, i got the Capitalone platinum about 5 months ago and graduated a mounth ago and my credit score is now 670 now what must i do next ? I want a card for lounge acces but the one i want they need your credit score to be 700, i was thinking to go for the Discovery it next what do you think
Took your recommendation on the world of Hyatt credit card long ago and this year I've stayed over 30 nights in Hyatt properties. Really glad I had the card. For anyone who regularly wants to stay at Hyatt properties I'd recommend the Hyatt card because you'll basically earn 2x points on everything in the first 6 months. If you're transferring chase points to Hyatt anyway, it's a good 2x card while you wait for your first free night in the second year.
Sebby, did I spy a JINS glasses case? I think I have the same glasses with the magnet clip on. Great value for glasses if anyone is interested, especially with no extra costs on high index lenses.
I’m curious about supplementary cards. If you hold a supplementary card can you sign up for your own card and get the sign up bonus? Or does that supplementary card count as having a card already and you wouldn’t get the bonus?
Selby, I still have the $85 Marriott card with only 25k points redemption. Should I upgrade or just cancel and reapply for the $95 one? I am under 5/24. Also considering canceling ihg premier and hyatt
question....i work for the airlines so no airlines $ but looking for a card with bang on HOTELS. I have normal credit purchases of maybe 3k per month. btw I have Admiral Club membership credit card already
Nice. I just got the Amex Bonvoy Brilliant card with the 85,000 bonus night and was hoping to find something at st regis in Bora Bora, but looks like the prices are just over 100K/night for most nights, and this doesn't even get an overwater bungalow. Kind of bummed about this
I’ve 4 free night certificates and looking to redeem at WA Los Cabos Pedregal but can’t find any availability. Don’t want to travel long flights and I was in Maui last month, any recommendations of properties to use the free nights certificates?
@@LK_EBM yes, a lots of award available. I used my Hilton points to booked at Waldorf Astoria in Maui for Christmas and Hyatt points for Maldives instead.
Great video Sebastian. I have a question for you: I have two accounts with American Express: Gold and Platinum. The Platinum account was opened 4 months ago and I received the welcome bonus of 150k MR points and 10x at restaurants. Today I applied for the Hilton Honors Surpass Card but I was informed by American Express (during the application process) that I was not eligible for the welcome bonus. I've never had any Hilton Honors card before and never closed an account with American Express. Why do you think that I was not eligible for the Hilton Honors Surpass Card welcome bonus? Thanks in advance for your response.
Right now i have the marriott bonvoy boundless and the hilton no annual fee. looking to upgrade the hilton to the surpass. i am happy with the marriot card i have now but always interested in moving to the brilliant. thanks for this!
Do you know if I can qual for the personal surpass intro points if I already got the business intro points for Hilton card? I read that Bonvoy will not allow that but I haven’t been able to find the fine print for Hilton cards that may disqualify personal intro points after having business Hilton points
🏨so should I wait till my 5/24 is up or just go with the Hilton Aspire? I have the Surpass and I’m yet to use it as I plan to visit a Hilton Hotel in the Caribbean. Should I upgrade my Surpass to Aspire or just get the Aspire and cancel my Surpass ?
Aspire holder here. Does anyone have suggestions on how to find available nights for Bora Bora or Moorea? I never see standard night availability to redeem a free night certificate.
Hey Sebby, I know this is an American Express video, but I wanted to ask for your thoughts on if it's worth applying to the WOH personal card given the current sign up offer, or if you would recommend waiting for a potential elevated offer? -From a credit card beginner
In the past, I would say to wait. Like Calvin, a LOT of people have been waiting for a long time. Maybe pick it up for the 30k and circle back in 2 years.
Sebby. What advice do you have for a family size of five. I have the IHG card and have over 350k points. I have maxed out my status where I have spire status. Here is my problem. Because of my family size I need a suite. The hotel I normally stay at won’t guarantee 2 adjoining rooms so I have no other choice. I have never been able to use my points for free nights as the “threshold” is greater than they will approved point for. Do you know a work around for this or what is the best card for a larger family? Thank you
Hilton Aspire 100%. If the transfer rate to Hilton ever goes to hell, I will swap the Business Surpass for for the Business Gold, and stack the free night certificates.
Good question?? I hope this question gets answered as I just want 1 premium card vs having multiple AMEX cards. Currently doing “just” alright with Chase Sapphire.
Aspire could still make sense given the other perks (FNC, all the other credits, 14x Hilton on top of Diamond). If looking for more coverage, probably the Brilliant? Otherwise, Surpass isn't bad for the $15k FNC.
Hi bud, I have an American Express platinum card, with 140,000 points saved up, what would be the best hotel to use them with in Maui? Love the videos, thank you
I would build a spreadsheet to compare your options. Not really a "right" answer since it depends on your CPP at time of stay / availability / tons of factors.
How can one person get more than one aspire card? Also, do you think it’s worth it to put 60k of spend on the aspire (that you would normally spend) to get the other certificate or would spend on the platinum/gold card have more value?
Generally via upgrades. Aspire + Surpass (upgrade to Aspire in Year 2). Sounds weird but Amex (at least right now still) let's you do this without issue. Sometimes they'll even give you an upgrade offer. Depends on the categories; dining I would use the Gold still. $60k is really tough vs. the $15k FNC from the Surpass. Maybe work spend that isn't category based?
I got the surpass for gold and then realized Hilton does not offer a room upgrade on many of their properties 🤷♂️. Thankfully I've always gotten Marriott to upgrade my room, even at lesser spots like Element
The Surpass and Aspire cards is a pretty awesome combo with everything you get. I still wouldn't get it over CSP or AMEX Gold for transferrable currency.
Btwn wife and I, we got 5 aspire cards. It's the gift that keeps on giving. We rotate the certs btwn ithaafushi, conrad bora bora and pedregal. I'm this close from canceling a bonvoy card for a 6th aspire.
I would say the IHG Premier Card is a game changer to me. Being someone who loves traveling, IHG card gives you 1 free night every 3 nights redemption, and points can be easily bought with $0.5 during the promotion. It gives you almost half of the price, especially in expensive cities like London and NYC .
"U.S. hotels treat you like garbage regardless of your status," bingo. I like your honest approach.
Hi Sebby! I think I’ve seen this video 3 times. Lol. When will you post Part 2?
Also, can you do a current video on best business travel (hotel) credit cards?
Absolutely love the Aspire card. I can use the free night and turn it into a special date night with my wife. We like to go to a Waldorf (we've lived relatively close to two since we got it), we always get upgraded because of the diamond status, usually to a one-bedroom suite, and then we basically get a free dinner and free breakfast thanks to the credits.
Sticker price for the night would have probably been over $1k, and we get it for free.
I'd also consider the Wyndham Business Earner. Free stay every year offsets the annual fee, 5x on business categories and utilities, which is very good depending on how you value Wyndham points. But the real reward is top-level elite status that is auto matched with Caesars, that can be rolled into Hyatt and a bunch of other Vegas elite status. I think it's a no brainer if you can justify staying at a Wyndham hotel once a year or travel to Vegas regularly as some of the Vegas elite perks are quite nice.
Someday I’ll get on Sebby Level and redeem a Hilton certificate at a certified YOLO property 🏝✌️
soon!
@@AskSebby I'm surprised Sebby didn't say it yet: Maldives!!!
Collab video!
@@samr6148 I thought he did
You will mark
I've had the Aspire ever since it launched and it's definitely the best card. When the pandemic hit, they allowed cardholders to use their resort credit on restaurants! Last year, they also gave $20/month for restaurants too (separate from the resort credit). I've definitely made the most out of it despite the high annual fee
I got Card 3 because I'll be traveling abroad for 10 nights and the possible room upgrade + free breakfast was a no brainer for me for ($95 annual fee vs $160 breakfast up-charge). I also stay at a roadside Hilton 🤣when visiting family during holidays so I see those stays as bonus point-earning visits for "real" vacations. I was really tempted to get Card 6 but the $450 fee was too much for me to stomach and the extra perks weren't enough to tip me into applying for it.
Chasing sign up bonuses would be my first choice, but if I don't have an active one, the Surpass card seems like a pretty good everyday spending card when you factor in the free night certificate at $15,000. If you value it around 80,000 points, that is kind of like adding an extra 5x multiplier on your spend, right? So if you like Hiltons, seems reasonable.
Hey Sebby, great video!!! can you do a comparison of the best card based on insurance benefits when you book flights, cars.
Both the Aspire and Bonvoy Brilliant are keeper cards for me. The value I get out of both makes me come out far ahead of the annual fees, especially the Aspire!
I like the Bonvoy Brilliant b/c the properly credit covers a majority of the annual fee and isn't restricted to just resorts. This makes the card an easy keeper for work travel.
Would be interested in a video ranking cities by the how much value you can get out of points. For example, Dallas seems to have tons of hotels in all the major chains with low points, while Orlando has cheaper cash rooms, but high point hotels (overall, there are exceptions)
🏨
I drive uber (hello gas points!) and i don't do any flying. I'm essentially trying to find a hotel card that I can use for the free night when I randomnly end up 1 to 3 hours away from home.
Great video can’t wait for the chase one since some hotels upgraded their programs
Yep, waiting for all the programs to settle down; hopefully the Bonvoy one will be pretty true to what I said in 2023! :)
I view the Business cards as "family" cards. Gas multipliers are a must for these keeper cards. The "15 elite nights credits" are added to your lifetime membership. Accrue enough and you get permanent status for Marriott so that if you have two Marriott cards (an Amex and Chase) then you can rack 30 elite nights per year just by keeping them. You get Gold status with Amex Platinum, then you use the Marriott cards to pay for your stay for the multiplier (between 6-20x). Depending on number of stays you can reach lifetime Platinum status (600 elite nights) or lifetime Gold (400 elite nights) or lifetime Silver (250 elite nights) without needing a card.
Definitely! I didn't want to dive too deep into the lifetime status rabbit hole but it's an interesting play, especially if you're young and you think Bonvoy will be around long-term.
We need an update to ranking all the Chase cards 1-24 like you did in 2020! Chase 5/24 ranking :)
Waiting for Pt. 2 👀
SPOILER ALERT:
I JUST applied for the Aspire after debating between that and the Brilliant; how timely! TG the last card was it 😂 Appreciate ya Seb
Thanks Sebastian for your channel I just got my Chase sapphire card thanks to your channel. Can’t wait to start traveling.
Congrats and look forward to hearing about your trips Garett :)
I have 3 amex cards. Delta gold (my first card), Delta platinum, & Business Gold. I want the platinum charge card, but Im waiting for some time to pass before I get another amex card. My wife and I have been looking at the amex Hilton Aspire. How many Amex cards is too many? If I get the platinum card, and the Aspire card, Im at 5 Amex cards... and like $1,800 in yearly fees at this point.
Great video. Have you considered a video on other hotels that worth the points?
Generally Hyatt is the only game that's worth the points; obviously edge cases for other currencies but those are tougher and are tough for normal people.
Do you think the Aspire complements the CSR or do you think the Brilliant would be a better fit if your in the Chase UR ecosystem?
Good question
13:04 "If I could only have one AMEX it would be Aspire or Platinum"....uh Zebby? The Platinum is good for one thing only, TRAVEL and it's perks! The Aspire would at least cover ALL spend categories and provide some value. The Plat shits the bed at 1X MR if you say use it for Groceries or everyday expenses. I only use it for Travel (Flights, Rentals) perks. Everything else goes to Gold, BBP, or lately some BCE spend. Surpass/Aspire for all Hotel (even off properties to keep spend on it).
Thank you Saby, as a Canadian I'm making my first US credit card journey with the brilliant, my application is under process and I shall be having a final decision within a couple of days. Fingers crossed 🤞
Surpass pretty good. The lounge access is nice. That card IMO atleast covers your main expenses somehow in most vacations, flight and hotel. While not for the flight exactly, the lounge is a fun perk!
Great video! How many aspires do you and Mandy collectively have? Think it makes sense to still work toward multiples there or do you expect they’ll nuke the certificates at some point soon?
I have the Chase Trifecta (Sapphire, Flex, and Unlimited). Thinking about getting either the Amex Gold or the Marriott Bonvoy card. Would the Marriott card be better since I have the chase cards?...or is it good to have Chase and Amex Gold?
Thank you Sebby for all the knowledge you share with us! Please never go Mike Tyson on me if say hi on a plane cause I'm star struck! 😁
Great breakdown Sebby! Thanks for the info!
Good analysis as usual! Love Hilton’s 4 nights + 1 free for members that extend a vacation in a Waldorf to a week long without much extra cash
Thanks Weili! :)
Hilton Honors change the weekend rule, you can now use the certificate for any week night. I spoke with them last night.
Hey sebby. So you think the bonvoy points system will still be good after the changes? In another video you seemed against those changes so now im not sure if its better or worse, or maybe just depends how you use them. Also I get so much value from my southwest points so to me that seems pretty good if they do a similar system.
I think it'll be good for domestic travel, but probably not great for aspirational travel.
love the vid! what if the no AF Hilton gets supped up with lifetime diamond~~?
thanks for the video. Can't wait for part 2
🏨 love your show! If i have to pick a hotel chain brand - Hilton or Marriot?
Hey Sabby would you mind to make a video on what airline/hotel cards are worth to have if someone already have an Amex plat (maybe other premier cards)?
I was just googling best travel cards and u delivered 😎
Hey Seb, i just scored a 1st class flight on ANA using 60,000 virgin atlantic miles, been watching your RUclips for over a year. I need a hotel recommendation for NRT for next year, and some excursions i should try, FYI I GOT THE BRILLIANT AND THE BUSINESS AFTER WATCHING your review of marriott all time high offer back in October 2021, thanks, i even xfer them to AA now i hv over 200,000 aa miles
Hey Sebby, great video as usual! Which do you think is a better broad setup between Aspire + Surpass or Aspire + Amex gold. Was thinking the Aspire and Gold to have a more versatile MR+Hilton points but the Aspire + Surpass seems to cover the important categories with higher multipliers better at the expense of being locked to Hilton points. Usage for points will be for aspirational travel. Thanks in advance!
Where is part 2?
Hey there! Curious as to what you would consider a ‘low spender’?
Thanks for the video.
I am starting a new job that requires a lot of travel in the Midwest. If my employer is hotel agnostic, I may pick up a card (Bonvoy Brilliant, Hilton Aspire or Amex Platinum) to secure hotel status and choose a hotel in those portfolios.
I most likely will be based out of ORD, so may choose the United Club card to have lounge access on flights (thanks a lot for not having any other real lounges ORD).
Sebby, what’s your car rental strategy?
PART 2!!!
Totally relate to the leaning toward hotels, then AirBNB, then hotels... Too many logistics with an AirBNB, cleaning fees, no points, risk on quality, and, as it turns out, no break on prices at all (it seems they used to be cheaper). Probably won't stay in an AirBNB again unless there is literally no reputable hotel chain available in the area.
I got the Bonvoy Business with 75k points from 3K spent in 3 months. It also came with $150 in statement credits. That more than covered the $125 annual fee right from the start. I’ll be happy to use the free night later this year.
I also got the Hilton Business Card as well. 130k Hilton points with 3K spent in 3 months with the $95 annual fee. And I have 10 priority pass visits to use which will get used when I travel for business.
Both of these are good keeper cards for me. Perhaps some day I’ll try and get the higher annual fee cards but for now these work for me.
I have the entry Hilton Honors card now for over a year and now I'm seriously thinking of upgrading to the Surpass.
Hi Sebby, you have talked about having multiple Hilton Aspire cards by upgrading the lower tier Hilton cards however my question is are you able to have multiple Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Cards?
Sebby im new to the credit card game, i got the Capitalone platinum about 5 months ago and graduated a mounth ago and my credit score is now 670 now what must i do next ? I want a card for lounge acces but the one i want they need your credit score to be 700, i was thinking to go for the Discovery it next what do you think
Took your recommendation on the world of Hyatt credit card long ago and this year I've stayed over 30 nights in Hyatt properties. Really glad I had the card.
For anyone who regularly wants to stay at Hyatt properties I'd recommend the Hyatt card because you'll basically earn 2x points on everything in the first 6 months. If you're transferring chase points to Hyatt anyway, it's a good 2x card while you wait for your first free night in the second year.
Hilton Aspire is amazing. Best hotel credit card out there. Thanks for the video.
I thought there was going to be a Part 2
🏨 Very informative video. I have the Aspire and have use it at Hilton Hawaiian Village.
Sebby, did I spy a JINS glasses case? I think I have the same glasses with the magnet clip on.
Great value for glasses if anyone is interested, especially with no extra costs on high index lenses.
So...... it's been four months. I'm guessing there will be no part 2??
I’m curious about supplementary cards. If you hold a supplementary card can you sign up for your own card and get the sign up bonus? Or does that supplementary card count as having a card already and you wouldn’t get the bonus?
Selby, I still have the $85 Marriott card with only 25k points redemption. Should I upgrade or just cancel and reapply for the $95 one? I am under 5/24. Also considering canceling ihg premier and hyatt
I am heading to Bora Bora in August and will use 3 free night certificates at Conrad Nui.
I love that property :)
Do you know when the Capital One Lounge in Denver will open?
question....i work for the airlines so no airlines $ but looking for a card with bang on HOTELS. I have normal credit purchases of maybe 3k per month. btw I have Admiral Club membership credit card already
Nice. I just got the Amex Bonvoy Brilliant card with the 85,000 bonus night and was hoping to find something at st regis in Bora Bora, but looks like the prices are just over 100K/night for most nights, and this doesn't even get an overwater bungalow. Kind of bummed about this
"Is that guy at the wrong hotel?!" So true so often!!! Great line!
🏨 good video Debby! I’m eyeing that aspire possibly this year or next
[spent 30 seconds trying to think of a clever pun for Debby and gave up]
@@AskSebby I totally fat fingered that my man, apologies!
Seems to be much easier to find decent value with Marriott (at least for this year) compared to Hilton
I’ve 4 free night certificates and looking to redeem at WA Los Cabos Pedregal but can’t find any availability. Don’t want to travel long flights and I was in Maui last month, any recommendations of properties to use the free nights certificates?
I’m planning to Maldives in 4/2024, should I apply for Hilton Aspire now for free night certificates or wait till the summer? TIA
Did you apply for the Aspire yet? How are award availability?
@@LK_EBM yes, a lots of award available. I used my Hilton points to booked at Waldorf Astoria in Maui for Christmas and Hyatt points for Maldives instead.
Great video Sebastian. I have a question for you: I have two accounts with American Express: Gold and Platinum. The Platinum account was opened 4 months ago and I received the welcome bonus of 150k MR points and 10x at restaurants. Today I applied for the Hilton Honors Surpass Card but I was informed by American Express (during the application process) that I was not eligible for the welcome bonus. I've never had any Hilton Honors card before and never closed an account with American Express. Why do you think that I was not eligible for the Hilton Honors Surpass Card welcome bonus? Thanks in advance for your response.
Right now i have the marriott bonvoy boundless and the hilton no annual fee. looking to upgrade the hilton to the surpass. i am happy with the marriot card i have now but always interested in moving to the brilliant. thanks for this!
Part 2 please!!!
Do you know if I can qual for the personal surpass intro points if I already got the business intro points for Hilton card? I read that Bonvoy will not allow that but I haven’t been able to find the fine print for Hilton cards that may disqualify personal intro points after having business Hilton points
Redeemed a bunch of Hilton points at Conrad Maldives this month! 🎉
Could you please do a review of the new Wells Fargo Bilt credit card?
Where’s Part 2?
Was a part 2 ever released?
🏨so should I wait till my 5/24 is up or just go with the Hilton Aspire? I have the Surpass and I’m yet to use it as I plan to visit a Hilton Hotel in the Caribbean.
Should I upgrade my Surpass to Aspire or just get the Aspire and cancel my Surpass ?
Aspire holder here. Does anyone have suggestions on how to find available nights for Bora Bora or Moorea? I never see standard night availability to redeem a free night certificate.
Hey Sebby, I know this is an American Express video, but I wanted to ask for your thoughts on if it's worth applying to the WOH personal card given the current sign up offer, or if you would recommend waiting for a potential elevated offer?
-From a credit card beginner
I’ve been waiting for over a year for an elevated SUB. Don’t think it’s going to change.
In the past, I would say to wait.
Like Calvin, a LOT of people have been waiting for a long time. Maybe pick it up for the 30k and circle back in 2 years.
Thanks for info guys, looks like I'll be picking it up.
Sebby. What advice do you have for a family size of five. I have the IHG card and have over 350k points. I have maxed out my status where I have spire status.
Here is my problem. Because of my family size I need a suite. The hotel I normally stay at won’t guarantee 2 adjoining rooms so I have no other choice.
I have never been able to use my points for free nights as the “threshold” is greater than they will approved point for.
Do you know a work around for this or what is the best card for a larger family?
Thank you
Same situation.. following..
Yes! I’m not the only one hating on cleaning fee and you also have to clean up before you leave lol from a guy with toddler 👨👩👧
Hilton Aspire 100%. If the transfer rate to Hilton ever goes to hell, I will swap the Business Surpass for for the Business Gold, and stack the free night certificates.
Also a $125 travel credit on the Bonvoy business (car maintenance included)
What are your thoughts on the X1 credit card?
It's fine if you care about the cash back partners; I think there's higher upside options.
Would very much appreciate if you put the names of the cards in the time stamp not just 'Card X'
The Aspire card is the best card in my wallet...it, as well as the Bonvoy are keeper cards IMO. The perks far outweigh the AF, especially the Aspire.
I find the Bonvoy most valuable because I usually stay within driving distance. No Yolo trips, just 2-5 day getaways with the family.
Love the aspire card, didn't know you could get multiple!
Does it make sense to have the Amex Platinum, Hilton Aspire and Bonvoy brilliant?
Good question?? I hope this question gets answered as I just want 1 premium card vs having multiple AMEX cards. Currently doing “just” alright with Chase Sapphire.
What if you are already a diamond member without the card. What you recommend at that point
Aspire could still make sense given the other perks (FNC, all the other credits, 14x Hilton on top of Diamond). If looking for more coverage, probably the Brilliant?
Otherwise, Surpass isn't bad for the $15k FNC.
Hi bud, I have an American Express platinum card, with 140,000 points saved up, what would be the best hotel to use them with in Maui? Love the videos, thank you
I would build a spreadsheet to compare your options. Not really a "right" answer since it depends on your CPP at time of stay / availability / tons of factors.
@@AskSebby Thank you so much for responding, that was awesome
How can one person get more than one aspire card? Also, do you think it’s worth it to put 60k of spend on the aspire (that you would normally spend) to get the other certificate or would spend on the platinum/gold card have more value?
Generally via upgrades. Aspire + Surpass (upgrade to Aspire in Year 2).
Sounds weird but Amex (at least right now still) let's you do this without issue. Sometimes they'll even give you an upgrade offer.
Depends on the categories; dining I would use the Gold still.
$60k is really tough vs. the $15k FNC from the Surpass.
Maybe work spend that isn't category based?
I got the surpass for gold and then realized Hilton does not offer a room upgrade on many of their properties 🤷♂️. Thankfully I've always gotten Marriott to upgrade my room, even at lesser spots like Element
Where’s part two? Chase cards?
happy to hear your top card is my top card too! 🙌
😊
So if I have three Hilton Aspire cards could I use all three free nights in a single stay?
Yep! You would book it as 3 separate stays but hotels hate moving people around so will merge them when you check-in :)
The Surpass and Aspire cards is a pretty awesome combo with everything you get. I still wouldn't get it over CSP or AMEX Gold for transferrable currency.
🏨 Great Video as always
I love my Amex Hilton Aspire
Please do one for airlines!
coming soon!
@@AskSebby thank you!!
Btwn wife and I, we got 5 aspire cards. It's the gift that keeps on giving. We rotate the certs btwn ithaafushi, conrad bora bora and pedregal. I'm this close from canceling a bonvoy card for a 6th aspire.
🏨 we have the aspire card and love it! Going on a 20 night cross country trip this summer. Thanks for the videos!
Pt 2 to this?