@@Lancun This will be our first time there. I've stayed at the one in Park City, UT and Phoenix (now LXR), and was very impressed. We even got upgraded to a 1,200 sq ft villa in the latter!
@@thejokerspeaks Like I said, even the standard rooms are awesome. Rain showers, basin tubs, double basin sinks, and if you get high enough, you might get a view of the strip and Caesars.
Crazy - my wife and I were in Key West that exact same week your wife was there. We stayed at two separate Hiltons, too. Hilton Garden (it was just meh, but the beds were comfy) and the Curio in Key Largo (which was the bomb). It was our second favorite vacation behind our Med Cruise.
I carry the Surpass card, and at some point I'll go for the Aspire just for Diamond. But the Surpass is a really good earning card. I put my Amazon spend on it since it's online shopping, which gets me 4x which is around 2.4% ... not bad! And all summer I was earning 40x per dollar spent at Hilton. 40! I quickly accumulated enough points to book a five night stay at the Conrad in London next spring. So looking forward to that!
We were 1/1 on hilton upgrades this year. Gold status. My wife had a work trip and we were up’d to a king suite. Hilton points are also a bit underrated imo. I did an amex --> hilton transfer w/ 30% bonus and booked the conrad punta de mita for a 3 cpp redemption. Pretty stoked about that trip. Gonna get the aspire card in jan and really lean into hilton in the future. Also, points are 50% off right now for any of you points purchasers out there
I am in Hawaii today. Our favorite Hilton points redemption is at resorts (Waldorf Astoria Maui, Waikoloa Village Big Island, Hawaiian Village Oahu) and we have often found great value.
Great video, Uncle Luke! I got the Hilton Honors card when Amex had the 70K and 1 free night 6 months ago. I put about 20K spend on it ( not trying) and got a free upgrade to Gold status. I'm definitely team Hilton.
@LukesPointsandMiles Funny you said that, I was the one in your live saying I'm taking my wife to San Antonio for 4 nights (No, tacos are not racist lol. for your haters) and staying at Hilton Palacio del Rio and they just emailed me saying we got upgraded! 🥳
I went to The Reach back in March of 2023 and I received an upgrade from a room that had a view of the city to a view of the Atlantic Ocean due to having Diamond Status so it can be a hit or miss.
Yeah, Hilton hotels stateside aren't big on super comp upgrades unless it's for a special occasion. I think hotel management would rather push us to sell the rooms via the standby app or push us to upsell, but it is ultimately up to the agent's discretion. If I ever saw you at my property, I'd comp upgrade you to the highest floor suite available, but you don't have much reason to stay local. Plus I'm not interested in doxxing myself, lol. It's still tremendous value just from the food and beverage credit and the premium wifi you get for being Diamond.
@@LukesPointsandMilesWell in the offchance I see you stay at my property, I'll hook you up. It's further away from CMH than the Hampton though. I always hate staying locally at hotels personally. Would rather just stay in my own bed with my own stuff.
I could learn to appreciate the value of these points, however I have way too many annual fees and am looking to get under 5/24 so I’ll stick with Marriott for now
Unless I get a significant benefit from my Diamond status abroad this year, I’m going to cancel in the fall and rely on Gold status from my Schwab Platinum.
How do the upgrades work? Do you have to ask about an upgrade when you check in? Also for the food and Bev credit, how does that work? just put the meal on your CC and it gets credited?
Your best chance is to message the hotel a couple days before and specifically inquire about the room you might be interested in. No guarantee that you get it for free, lots of hotels are pushing their staff for more revenue and reward upselling. You're more likely to get it for free if you're there for a special occasion, don't hesitate to let them know what it is. Still no guarantees, but it can't hurt. The problem with asking day of is that lots of times, the standby paid upgrades have already been awarded through the automated system.
@@paulsori2704 I hear that repeated a lot. That’s why I made a video about gold and diamond perks that equal real monetary value. I mean if everyone get $50/day It doesn’t really make that $50 go away
Are you asking for these upgrades or just hoping for them? I been upgraded on almost all my Hilton stays where it matters. Miami, Key West, DR. I usually call 3 days ahead of time. Most of them if the cpp still worked out well I would pay for the upgrade but so far I haven’t had to.
How do you accumulate points to cover Hilton stays when you have lifetime bonuses on Amex cards. With chase, you can get a sub every 24-48 months. I get 3x on restaurants & groceries on CSP, that’s like 6 points when you get .02 cents with Hyatt.
@@henryfabian3187 I buy HH points for half a penny each. Plus If I ever see any NLL deals I get those. I’ve gotten the Hilton biz card twice, upgrade offers
@@jshawsworld in my experience there really isn’t anyone watching me eat. I’ve heard people say they only got 1 credit but I’ve always gotten the full double credit.
Hilton is my #1 hotel chain. Two nights at Waldorf Las Vegas coming up with CC FNRs.
@@thejokerspeaks love the Waldorf Las Vegas!!
That's an amazing property. Even the standard rooms are loaded with awesome amenities.
@@Lancun This will be our first time there. I've stayed at the one in Park City, UT and Phoenix (now LXR), and was very impressed. We even got upgraded to a 1,200 sq ft villa in the latter!
@@thejokerspeaks Like I said, even the standard rooms are awesome. Rain showers, basin tubs, double basin sinks, and if you get high enough, you might get a view of the strip and Caesars.
@@Lancun And that's another plus, I've got $415 to burn at Caesars by the end of the year. Hell's Kitchen for dinner, right there!
Hilton. For the Stay. We're all in on Hilton for 2025. Thanks for the info + video!
Every time i move away from Hilton - they pull me back in!
@@LukesPointsandMiles 🤣🤣🤣
Crazy - my wife and I were in Key West that exact same week your wife was there. We stayed at two separate Hiltons, too. Hilton Garden (it was just meh, but the beds were comfy) and the Curio in Key Largo (which was the bomb).
It was our second favorite vacation behind our Med Cruise.
@@RICHwithPOINTS nice! We each take a solo trip every year and she really liked key west.
Nice video Luke. Hilton is my preferred hotel brand. Staying 2 nights at Conrad Orlando this weekend.
@@JuanGarcia-hr1wf nice! Thats the new one!
I carry the Surpass card, and at some point I'll go for the Aspire just for Diamond. But the Surpass is a really good earning card. I put my Amazon spend on it since it's online shopping, which gets me 4x which is around 2.4% ... not bad! And all summer I was earning 40x per dollar spent at Hilton. 40! I quickly accumulated enough points to book a five night stay at the Conrad in London next spring. So looking forward to that!
@@gorskic love the surpass card , for sure!!
I'm looking at Hilton as my next/partner B hotel brand. Good stuff, Luke!
@@CallMeLani thanks Lani! Easy to get great value at Hilton - at the high end anyway
You're gonna have to slip the front desk clerk $20 to get that upgrade at the Conrad next time 😆
@@jpknowledge8852 man - they have not been friendly to me there. Not for a while!
We were 1/1 on hilton upgrades this year. Gold status. My wife had a work trip and we were up’d to a king suite.
Hilton points are also a bit underrated imo. I did an amex --> hilton transfer w/ 30% bonus and booked the conrad punta de mita for a 3 cpp redemption. Pretty stoked about that trip.
Gonna get the aspire card in jan and really lean into hilton in the future.
Also, points are 50% off right now for any of you points purchasers out there
@@SantoSoldato nice moves!!!
Gold, got upgrade every stay in Europe past summer. Few times to lounge. Peak season mind u. Got a suite in Boston on 7/4.
@ love the executive lounges !!
I am in Hawaii today. Our favorite Hilton points redemption is at resorts (Waldorf Astoria Maui, Waikoloa Village Big Island, Hawaiian Village Oahu) and we have often found great value.
@@DC_Consulting_DC I want to take a big vacation there!!
Great video, Uncle Luke! I got the Hilton Honors card when Amex had the 70K and 1 free night 6 months ago. I put about 20K spend on it ( not trying) and got a free upgrade to Gold status. I'm definitely team Hilton.
@@CardHunter-u2t gold status can hold so much value!!
@LukesPointsandMiles Funny you said that, I was the one in your live saying I'm taking my wife to San Antonio for 4 nights (No, tacos are not racist lol. for your haters) and staying at Hilton Palacio del Rio and they just emailed me saying we got upgraded! 🥳
@@CardHunter-u2t nice moves!!!! That’s big league husband stuff
I went to The Reach back in March of 2023 and I received an upgrade from a room that had a view of the city to a view of the Atlantic Ocean due to having Diamond Status so it can be a hit or miss.
@@nathanmack8979 seems that way. We get missed a lot. Haha
I'll think about it Luke
@@tioriccopuravidatrader121 right on Tio!
Yeah, Hilton hotels stateside aren't big on super comp upgrades unless it's for a special occasion. I think hotel management would rather push us to sell the rooms via the standby app or push us to upsell, but it is ultimately up to the agent's discretion. If I ever saw you at my property, I'd comp upgrade you to the highest floor suite available, but you don't have much reason to stay local. Plus I'm not interested in doxxing myself, lol.
It's still tremendous value just from the food and beverage credit and the premium wifi you get for being Diamond.
@@Lancun ha! I would come visit. My wife wants to do way more domestic trips in the future.
@@LukesPointsandMilesWell in the offchance I see you stay at my property, I'll hook you up. It's further away from CMH than the Hampton though. I always hate staying locally at hotels personally. Would rather just stay in my own bed with my own stuff.
@@Lancun yeah - well in that hampton case - I didn't want to drive across town to pick my dad up (and ask my wife to get up at 4am)!!
@@LukesPointsandMiles I hear ya. Sometimes convenience trumps misers like me 😂
Hilton FTW
@@FlyWithRookie yes sir!!
Hilton is excellent in Asia! 😍
@@theVhin can’t wait to visit!!
Have 2 Aspires and will eventually get a 3rd. The FNC and resort credits well cover the $550 annual fee
I could learn to appreciate the value of these points, however I have way too many annual fees and am looking to get under 5/24 so I’ll stick with Marriott for now
@@joetaylor6581 I can understand. AF creep is a real thing.
Headed to the Waldorf Astoria at the grand Wailea in Maui for New Year’s staying five days all on free night certificates
@@FlyWithRookie so awesome. I had that one booked last summer but changed it to Europe. I want to try it in 2026.
Must be challenging trying not to accidentally flex and burst your shirt off like the Hulk.
hey! I'm "losing" weight not pumping up!!!
@@LukesPointsandMiles I was just horsing around. I admire your dedication to fitness.
@@paulcaskey Ha! I'm giving up on Hulking up - I'm trying to just be healthy and live a long time!!!!
Unless I get a significant benefit from my Diamond status abroad this year, I’m going to cancel in the fall and rely on Gold status from my Schwab Platinum.
@@robertjarrell7276 that’s a good strategy
Perks from my gold status from consumer plat pay for AF alone. Every year.
@ I agree.
How do the upgrades work? Do you have to ask about an upgrade when you check in? Also for the food and Bev credit, how does that work? just put the meal on your CC and it gets credited?
Your best chance is to message the hotel a couple days before and specifically inquire about the room you might be interested in. No guarantee that you get it for free, lots of hotels are pushing their staff for more revenue and reward upselling. You're more likely to get it for free if you're there for a special occasion, don't hesitate to let them know what it is. Still no guarantees, but it can't hurt.
The problem with asking day of is that lots of times, the standby paid upgrades have already been awarded through the automated system.
@@m0ttz755 and to add: charge the F&B to your room. The hotel will credit it on the bill.
Would rather just pay as I go. Diamond status suck, if everyone has status, no one has status. So many great boutique hotels out there.
@@paulsori2704 I hear that repeated a lot. That’s why I made a video about gold and diamond perks that equal real monetary value. I mean if everyone get $50/day It doesn’t really make that $50 go away
Are you asking for these upgrades or just hoping for them? I been upgraded on almost all my Hilton stays where it matters. Miami, Key West, DR. I usually call 3 days ahead of time. Most of them if the cpp still worked out well I would pay for the upgrade but so far I haven’t had to.
@@21socc I don’t normally ask but I also put in the reservation that it’s some type of occasion and “any diamond upgrades welcome”
If you ever stay in the Santa Barbara Hilton Beachfront hotel let me know and I’ll hook you up.
That sounds really cool! I'll check it out
@ I work the front desk. If you decide to book let me know and hook you up.
@ will do!!!
Do y’all have an executive lounge there? Any in the area that do? Hilton makes it difficult to locate those properties…in U.S
I think there’s different amount of dining credit for gold and diamond.
@@jshawsworld nope. Same credit. The price changes depending on the type of property
I remember staying at country garden and the amounts are different depending on gold or diamond. Maybe they changed it
How do you accumulate points to cover Hilton stays when you have lifetime bonuses on Amex cards. With chase, you can get a sub every 24-48 months. I get 3x on restaurants & groceries on CSP, that’s like 6 points when you get .02 cents with Hyatt.
@@henryfabian3187 I buy HH points for half a penny each. Plus If I ever see any NLL deals I get those. I’ve gotten the Hilton biz card twice, upgrade offers
Even if booking for 2 in a room even though only 1 is coming, wouldn’t you only get 1 person’s credit when they see only one person dining?
@@jshawsworld in my experience there really isn’t anyone watching me eat. I’ve heard people say they only got 1 credit but I’ve always gotten the full double credit.
We ordered room service at an LXR and they said it’s excluded from the daily food credit, that wasn’t your experience?
@@WhatsThePoints1 I’ve never been to an LXR but that is definitely the first time I’ve ever heard that. The F&B credit primarily for uh food. 🤣
You still have the Amex platinum?