I was sitting on 730k Hilton points. I finally decided to splurge at the Waldrof Astoria Los Cabos. Even though the minimum points needed for a standard redemption were 120k per night i got the 5th night free. The cash rate per night would have been around $850 per night before taxes and fees! All in all the 5 nights in cash would have cost me $5200 but instead used 480k Hilton points! Amazing value!
End of the day, it's about your happiness :) You could get 10 CPP but if it's Vail / Colorado for skiing (and you hate snow) then it doesn't really help.
@@AskSebby question sir: So I've had the free Hilton Honors card for a year, and I just got an upgrade offer on it for 100K points for $2K in spend. I was just thinking of applying for the surpass first to get the 130K point intro bonus for $2K in spend. I saw that I must apply for that intro bonus first. Can I take take advantage of both offers in the same day as long as I apply for that intro bonus first, or should I space the two out and wait until I at least receive the intro bonus card to accept the upgrade offer?
@@technicallygood7569 Can you please tell me what you ended up doing about this??? I have the same exact question and do not know what to do! Thank you :)
Sitting on 600k hilton points. Have the Aspire and Surpass. Thanks to your channel, I got the all time high bonus for signing up. Will be doing a Maldives trip! Thanks Sebby!
How far apart did you get the Surpass and the Aspire cards. Could one get the Surpass card and then in 90 days get the Aspire or should you get one of their charge cards in between to play it off and wait 8-12 months to get the Aspire card?
@@TheDivaIsIntheDetails I got the Aspire in August and Surpass in October. American Express isn't as sensitive to application momentum as other creditors (Chase); so long as you stay within their rules of 2 revolvers in 90 days. If your credit history can support the application - apply. FYI - I would use their pre-approval process to see what cards you are eligible for. Whatever is on the list - you are guaranteed to get.
I plan on combining a Qatar Q Suites flight with a stay in the Hilton Pearl Residences in Doha. It’s 47k a night so the Surpass and regular Hilton cards will cover more than enough of the stay.
FYI the free night for the aspire has limitations, it is only for standard rooms. I tried to book a free night in bora bora, but was told that they classify all of their rooms as premium rooms and my certificate wouldn't work.
Yea I tried using my night certificate from my Surpass card for the Caribe Hilton in puerto rico. It wouldve been about $600 a night but the hotel "didnt qualify for the free night" . Still managed to use it for a different resort which cost about $400 a night
I was able to use the sign up bonus from the no annual fee card and the aspire card to stay at the Conrads in Osaka & Tokyo for a total of five nights each, 10 total. I also used points for the hilton Narita
I am diamond via the aspire card and I can tell you first hand that when you check in as a diamond member at Hilton, you get treated better than other customers, they basically kiss my ass and upgrade me and give me early check in and late check out, gifts, and bigger rooms. I am not an asshole to them or arrogant about being a diamond member, so that might help but the free breakfast is above what gold members get...gold are usually limited on the free parts of breakfast and diamond gets anything... it is great!
I'm just curious after viewing your excellent explanation video about maximizing Hilton Honors points how Amex likely regards multiple card applications(say, Hilton Honors no annual fee version along with Surpass) being submitted at one time? I got an Amex Delta card(credit) a month ago. Thank you!
I just found your channel and I appreciate all your knowledge! I have a question for Sebby - I will be staying in Las Vegas for a Business trip for 3-4 weeks. I am a Diamond total rewards and Gold at MGM.. I have a platinum amex. What would you recommend for attempting to get the best room on the strip w/ possible upgrades?
Hey Sebby, could u get all 3 cards, then upgrade the no af card to the surpass, upgrade the surpass to the aspire, and downgrade your original aspire to a no af card? And just keep rotating like clockwork?
Would it be fair to say we are getting the value of $10,153.20 for 160K Hilton Points? Read below and provide input. We ended up utilizing 160K Hilton Points at Hilton Tokyo Narita Airport during the 2020 Olympics for 10 nights for 20K points each night. Because of the 5th free night, we are only utilizing 16000 points per night. Not the most ideal location for the Olympics but everything else is astronomically priced! Looking at the prices just today, the Twin room at Hilton Tokyo Narita Airport between July 22nd 2020 and Aug 10th 2020 is going for 111,500 Japanese Yen ($1015.32 USD) with breakfast included.....Thoughts?
Hey sebastian can you do a beginner introduction to status matching? I'm gonna get the Amex platinum soon and I want to know a guided path that I should take in order to get the best status matches for my vacations. thanks bro
Hey Sebby, big Fan of your channel and your effort to help everyone know the best ways to use credit cards to their benefit! Thank you for that! I have 2 questions. Do you think the Marriott Brilliant and Hilton Aspire are both good keeper cards together? Are the sign up bonuses worth it compared to the spend? Sorry 3 questions...Is the Citi Prestige a good keeper card in your opinion?
SEBBY would the Wells Fargo Propel count as an Amex card? I know that Amex should be a late game set up bc of the point you leave on the table if you get in too early. I want the WFPropel but I don’t want it to affect me later and not get the better bonus for Amex. Thank you in advance 🙏🏼
Sebby, great video. This is Jun, I guess this will answer my question on the e-mail, this is a lot better than the video from a year ago. Starting my AMEX Hotel Cards 3+2 after chase 5/24. Thanks for the information.
Amex noob here. Does every cardholder automatically get an upgrade offer after year 1? Do you just sit and wait for an email or would you have to call them to ask for an offer?
Hi Sebastian, I got a surpass card, it is good to apply for aspire card then in 6 months apply for no annual fee one?Which is the best strategy to use ?
Hi Sebby. Does the free weekend night stack with the 5th night free? For example I want to stay at the Conrad Maldives for 95k/night. If I use the free weekend and 5th night, would I be paying 95*3 = 285k or 380k for a 5 night stay?
I love Hilton and Conrad , have enjoyed a couple of the properties and two different Conrad properties. Really nice 👍. Great Job Sebastian, and Hilton points do have a lot of value
Hi Sebby, I have the Hilton Business card at the moment, can I still play the offer/upgrade game with the other 3 or is 3 the max hilton card one can have
I planning to take my whole family to Hawaii on March I trying to get Hilton credit cards so we can stay in one of their properties. I applied for the surpass when can I apply for the no annual fee also the aspire? Thanks! Love your videos
If I upgrade to the Aspire from the Surpass, I’ll have to pay the $450 annual fee as soon as I upgrade, right? Then, since I can’t downgrade in the first 12 months, does that mean I’ll be forced to pay another $450 in annual fees for the second year of holding the Aspire card before I’m allowed to downgrade without hurting my account?
Can I sign up for the no annual fee card and get the welcome bonus and also apply for the aspire card 3-4 months later and get that welcome bonus as well? Or will they say u got a bonus for the no annual fee card so no bonus for the Aspire card??
@Ask Sebby I'm in the process of doing your advanced play here. Aspire was my first card. Then the HH card. Last was Surpass. After the year, I downgraded my Aspire a couple months ago to HH. Just today, downgraded my Surpass to HH. Question, when would you expect me to get an upgrade offer? And, if I get one, do you see a problem with upgrading all 3 at the same time, even though the Aspire & Surpass are newly downgraded? Thanks for all you do. By the way, I have my wife on the same plan about 4 months behind me. 🙂
@@andrewjames2721 I had not received an upgrade offer, so I called Amex to see if there was one on my account. There was, so I upgraded the card, that I had originally downgraded to HH, to the Surpass for 100k points. I then called back on the other 2 HH cards and Amex would not upgrade those. So, it doesn't seem I'll get to completely follow in Sebby's footsteps.
Hi. I would like to get the 2 bottom tier hilton honors credit cards @ the same time.... is that possible? Then I would wait 90 days after the 1st 2 card to apply for the hilton aspire credit card. What's your opinion? Thanks in advance!
Hello everyone. If I refer my wife to the Hilton cards. Does she need to apply for the same car or any of the Hilton cards variation to be able to get the referral?
I applied for the Hilton aspire, haven’t activated it yet, what’s the negative of canceling if I decide to. I have a feeling I’m going to stick with chase since I have that trifecta already. Especially if I’m probably not going to Amex in the future. This is just the only Amex card I have.
Tip - $100 Honors & Surpass Credit...in addition to the signup bonus. Login to your HH account and begin making a reservation. Prior to completing the reservation, you will see an ad to sign up for either the HH or Surpass card...with an offer of a $100 statement credit after your first purchase. And, the purchase does not need to be with Hilton. Of course, unfortunately, Sebby won't get a referral bonus in this case.
Question sebby who doing the inquiry American Express or Hilton an is care like American cars or just use this card for Hotels only I like the non annual
planning to apply Hilton Honors no fee 1st, then after 5 days apply the Surpass, and in 90 days apply for the aspire like Sebby Said. Does this strategy still works as of Decemeber 2022
I was denied for the Hilton card with a RSVP code sent to me via mail. They reported 763 and the reason for denial, “Balances on American Express cards is to high” yet I had like 108$ on one card.
Hey Sebby, would you consider doing an updated video for card strategies for active duty service members trying to maximize travel potential (Hotels, Miles/airlines, etc)? Since your last video the CSR has changed a bit, Amex launched the new Delta cards w high SUBs and some other small changes with other cards since last year. Hope you see this and will consider it!
So if I have Hilton Honor , Surpass and Aspire card now and I received sign up bonus for all 3. In one year, I can possibly get upgrade bonus for honor or surpass and get another bonus? The once per lifetime bonus rule doesn’t apply for bonus?
Hi Sebby, can you please let us know why I should get the Amex platinum card first before getting any of these Hilton cards? And for the Hilton cards, is it a good idea to apply for the Honors and Surpass cards on the same day, and then wait until 12 months, upgrade Honors card to Surpass, and close the other Surpass card?
I am new to this, but I got approved today for the Hilton Honors no annual fee. And on minute 4:50, it is mentioned by Sebastian the following: 1) Hilton no-AF=Intro bonus #1. And then, 2) Hilton Surpass= intro bonus #2. So, how do I get that second intro bonus? Do I have to apply for another card right away? I don’t get it. Thx
Thanks for the continue great content on the entire travel credit card market! I have over 10 cards and not looking at putting spend right now toward any new sign-up bonus, FYI. I’m able to put $15k on the Hilton‘s passcard by end of this year, but is that a wise decision for just 1 free non weekend hotel night or should I put this on my CFU card for Chase UR points? Hilton is 6X points on gas station and groceries, so through gift cards this is attainable and that helps the points for Hilton , but I still think Chase UR points is the better ROI.
Do the math. Where will you (realistically) be using the free night at? For example, if you stay at a $700 hotel. $700 value for $15k spend = 4.6% return on spend. You're CFU gets 1.5 UR points. Will you realistically get ~3 CPP from UR, to beat out the Hilton?
Been having the surpass card for over a year now and have yet received an upgrade offer to aspire... Is there anyway to actively request for one? Or have to just keep wait for the upgrade offer?
Question Seby, are you saying to keep upgrading 3 aspire cards? In this scenario we would have to pay 450x3 annually and you never mention this in the video. Should we then downgrade the other 2 aspire cards after the year to the Hilton Honors card so we don’t have to pay the anual fee?
Hey Sebastian Just got CSR and have the freedom unlimited but I am in the gray area (mid-20) prior to starting my career (med field). I am thinking about starting AmEx Hilton so later down the road I will have a lot of points built for possible honeymoon/vacation somewhere. What are your thoughts on this long-term plan? Apply for honors card Jan 2021 Apply for surpass after 6+ months and keep for a year Downgrading back to honors Eventually apply for aspire down the road once I’m ready for bigger travels/occasions? Thanks!
That's fine. I would generally still start with the Platinum due to how the 100k targeting works but I realize it's not ideal if you're only starting your career: www.asksebby.com/blog/roundup-100k-amex-platinum-offer-via-cardmatch-amex-centurion-lounge-restrictions-changes-to-asia-miles
I canceled my Hilton Aspire due to the Hotel changes. There really no value in Diamond status anymore. There are additional charges for upgrades that use to be free.
Perfect timing on video, applied for no annual fee and surpass in past week, just a question though for the multiple aspire card, how do you redeem those nights? Like your honors account shows 3 free night automatically since you have 3 aspire cards? Or you individually booking 3 nights at hotel and talking with management to give you same room for 3 nights?
I’ve always been curious. If you have any mid or high end hotel status e.g. Hilton Aspire card for diamond status, does the people working at the front desk of the hotel know if you have this status level because you have a certain credit card (compared to status based on spend/paid nights)?? Was wondering if some people don’t get upgrades even with status because hotel knows that you have it because of a CC and not because you necessarily stay at the hotel brand often. Does anyone know? Thanks.
Are you linking a single hilton account to all 3 cards? If so, how does the system apply the various cards' perks to the same acct? Will it prioritize diamond status from Aspire card while still aggregate points from all 3 cards?
If I already booked my stay at Hilton through travel agent, but used my Amex platinum card, not through Amex travel, will I still get room upgrade at Hilton?
So, before I got more into points, I got the no fee card, upgraded to Surpass (I don't think it was even called that then lol), then to Aspire (thought I was so clever lol). So from my understanding, I'm dead in the water, I can't just apply for the Surpass? My husband had the Surpass and downgraded a few years ago, can he still apply for the Aspire? He still has his no fee account.
Hello Sebby! I dont own any amex cards but Ive been watching your channel learning everything about them. I did a prequalify tonight to see what offers are available to me and the Hilton Honors have 100k sub. Should I pull the trigger? I also have Delta Gold and Delta Skymiles offer but the SUB are both weak. Thank you in advance!!!
For the triple play, how can you upgrade the surplus #2 in Feb 21 and get the upgrade offer one month after in March 21 you've upgraded from the Hilton? Don't upgrade offers appear after 12 months?
Unless you naturally spend $15k on hotels every year, why would you want to put that kind of spending on a Hilton card rather than an MR-earning Card? The Aspire itself creates a problem of needing to put $250 of MR-earning spending into lower value HH-earning spending, much like the Amex Plat turns 2x Saks spending and 3x Uber spending into 1x spending. That naturally leads into the more general question of hotel cards siphoning spending from MR-earning cards, which seems no different in principle from splitting your spending between Chase UR and Amex MR.
For the Surpass? Rent or business expenses via Plastiq at 2.5% would work. 2.5% * $15,000 = $375 = I'd happily pay that for a weekend night (YMMV obviously).
Tbf any trip and the points help saving that extra $ to use on other experiences or items on the trip is a big factor plus the free waters from the rooms lol
Hearing upgrades being talked about is frustrating. We've had the hilton no fee card 18 years. Credit in the mid 800s and credit limit has been raised automatically to equal multiple times what would be normal starting probably even for a platinum card. And we pay it off every month without carrying a balance. Now retirement has arrived for me and almost the wife. its time to have some trips. They offer us nothing to upgrade. We are thinking to just apply for the aspire and will keep this one open and little used. We called and asked for the retention dept. Twice. They will let us do it without a points promotions. Advice? Many of the platinum card extras don't seem to fit for us. I'm probably going to continue to build chase cards. We have some good memories at some hilton properties.
Sebb I have a question this is off the topic of this video. I have 3 charge cards and 2 credit cards. I forgot about the 2/90 rule with Amex. I applied for the Plat delta card and my application was canceled because of the 2/90. I called Amex today to find out when my 90 days was coming up and they told me the 28th of this month. They told me the most cards I can have with Amex is a total off 5. Have you heard if they changed there policy? And I was thinking if this was the case my application would have been declined and not canceled. I’m confused
Might want to hang up and call again when you're out of the 2/90 period. It's usually 5 credit cards. You can have as many charge cards as you want. The amount of spend you put on cards is another factor. Some people who sock drawer their Amex cards get the bonus pop up for not enough spend.
I was sitting on 730k Hilton points. I finally decided to splurge at the Waldrof Astoria Los Cabos. Even though the minimum points needed for a standard redemption were 120k per night i got the 5th night free. The cash rate per night would have been around $850 per night before taxes and fees! All in all the 5 nights in cash would have cost me $5200 but instead used 480k Hilton points! Amazing value!
End of the day, it's about your happiness :) You could get 10 CPP but if it's Vail / Colorado for skiing (and you hate snow) then it doesn't really help.
Good God that’s great! Did you follow Sebby’s advice in this video and/ or do you have a business/ high spend lifestyle, lol
@@AskSebby question sir: So I've had the free Hilton Honors card for a year, and I just got an upgrade offer on it for 100K points for $2K in spend. I was just thinking of applying for the surpass first to get the 130K point intro bonus for $2K in spend. I saw that I must apply for that intro bonus first. Can I take take advantage of both offers in the same day as long as I apply for that intro bonus first, or should I space the two out and wait until I at least receive the intro bonus card to accept the upgrade offer?
@@technicallygood7569 you can get it on the same day
@@technicallygood7569 Can you please tell me what you ended up doing about this??? I have the same exact question and do not know what to do! Thank you :)
would love to see an updated video on this subject!
Sitting on 600k hilton points. Have the Aspire and Surpass. Thanks to your channel, I got the all time high bonus for signing up. Will be doing a Maldives trip! Thanks Sebby!
Awesome! Enjoy :)
How far apart did you get the Surpass and the Aspire cards. Could one get the Surpass card and then in 90 days get the Aspire or should you get one of their charge cards in between to play it off and wait 8-12 months to get the Aspire card?
@@TheDivaIsIntheDetails I got the Aspire in August and Surpass in October. American Express isn't as sensitive to application momentum as other creditors (Chase); so long as you stay within their rules of 2 revolvers in 90 days. If your credit history can support the application - apply. FYI - I would use their pre-approval process to see what cards you are eligible for. Whatever is on the list - you are guaranteed to get.
What was the historic offer you received?
How was the trip?
I plan on combining a Qatar Q Suites flight with a stay in the Hilton Pearl Residences in Doha. It’s 47k a night so the Surpass and regular Hilton cards will cover more than enough of the stay.
FYI the free night for the aspire has limitations, it is only for standard rooms. I tried to book a free night in bora bora, but was told that they classify all of their rooms as premium rooms and my certificate wouldn't work.
What property did you end up using for the free night that qualified?
Yea I tried using my night certificate from my Surpass card for the Caribe Hilton in puerto rico. It wouldve been about $600 a night but the hotel "didnt qualify for the free night" . Still managed to use it for a different resort which cost about $400 a night
I was able to use the sign up bonus from the no annual fee card and the aspire card to stay at the Conrads in Osaka & Tokyo for a total of five nights each, 10 total. I also used points for the hilton Narita
Sounds like a good redemption! Conrads in Japan are on my list.
I am diamond via the aspire card and I can tell you first hand that when you check in as a diamond member at Hilton, you get treated better than other customers, they basically kiss my ass and upgrade me and give me early check in and late check out, gifts, and bigger rooms. I am not an asshole to them or arrogant about being a diamond member, so that might help but the free breakfast is above what gold members get...gold are usually limited on the free parts of breakfast and diamond gets anything... it is great!
This did not work for me. I opened all three in 2018, checked regularly with American Express, and I was never offered an upgrade.
If you have both the no AF and the Sutpass card can you transfer Hilton points between the 2?
I'm just curious after viewing your excellent explanation video about maximizing Hilton Honors points how Amex likely regards multiple card applications(say, Hilton Honors no annual fee version along with Surpass) being submitted at one time? I got an Amex Delta card(credit) a month ago. Thank you!
Hey, Sebby! Can I do this with the Delta AMEX cards?
I just found your channel and I appreciate all your knowledge! I have a question for Sebby - I will be staying in Las Vegas for a Business trip for 3-4 weeks. I am a Diamond total rewards and Gold at MGM.. I have a platinum amex. What would you recommend for attempting to get the best room on the strip w/ possible upgrades?
If you apply for the Hilton card and surpass card in the same month, do you get hit on your credit score twice?
I believe so
Not if you do it at the same time
Hey Sebby, could u get all 3 cards, then upgrade the no af card to the surpass, upgrade the surpass to the aspire, and downgrade your original aspire to a no af card? And just keep rotating like clockwork?
i need to know the answer to this question also.
Would it be fair to say we are getting the value of $10,153.20 for 160K Hilton Points? Read below and provide input.
We ended up utilizing 160K Hilton Points at Hilton Tokyo Narita Airport during the 2020 Olympics for 10 nights for 20K points each night. Because of the 5th free night, we are only utilizing 16000 points per night. Not the most ideal location for the Olympics but everything else is astronomically priced!
Looking at the prices just today, the Twin room at Hilton Tokyo Narita Airport between July 22nd 2020 and Aug 10th 2020 is going for 111,500 Japanese Yen ($1015.32 USD) with breakfast included.....Thoughts?
Good info!! 👍 can you pay bills and car payment to reach the expending?
Hey sebastian can you do a beginner introduction to status matching? I'm gonna get the Amex platinum soon and I want to know a guided path that I should take in order to get the best status matches for my vacations. thanks bro
Do you think this strategy still works now?
Hey Sebby, big Fan of your channel and your effort to help everyone know the best ways to use credit cards to their benefit! Thank you for that! I have 2 questions. Do you think the Marriott Brilliant and Hilton Aspire are both good keeper cards together? Are the sign up bonuses worth it compared to the spend? Sorry 3 questions...Is the Citi Prestige a good keeper card in your opinion?
SEBBY would the Wells Fargo Propel count as an Amex card? I know that Amex should be a late game set up bc of the point you leave on the table if you get in too early. I want the WFPropel but I don’t want it to affect me later and not get the better bonus for Amex. Thank you in advance 🙏🏼
Sebby, great video. This is Jun, I guess this will answer my question on the e-mail, this is a lot better than the video from a year ago. Starting my AMEX Hotel Cards 3+2 after chase 5/24. Thanks for the information.
Glad to help :)
I'm leveling up in life using these hacks! Thanks Sebby!
Amex noob here. Does every cardholder automatically get an upgrade offer after year 1? Do you just sit and wait for an email or would you have to call them to ask for an offer?
They usually run upgrade campaigns. I usually talk about them in roundup videos.
They sent me 3 upgrade offers for Platinum card after 1 year through mail and emails. 60k MR points 3k spend.
Hey Sebby. I work for the airlines. So flying is covered. What is the hotel card you would go with?
Hi Sebastian, I got a surpass card, it is good to apply for aspire card then in 6 months apply for no annual fee one?Which is the best strategy to use ?
If you have 3 aspire cars, do you pay 3x 450$ annual fees?
Yes $450 X 3. So $1350 annually, but effectively $-150 if you consider the credits.. so in a way they pay you as long as you use it 😁
Hi Sebby. Does the free weekend night stack with the 5th night free? For example I want to stay at the Conrad Maldives for 95k/night. If I use the free weekend and 5th night, would I be paying 95*3 = 285k or 380k for a 5 night stay?
Conrad Maldives is 95k bro? Tell me how please. Thank you.
No, it doesn't. The 5th night free needs to be booked with ALL points
I love Hilton and Conrad , have enjoyed a couple of the properties and two different Conrad properties. Really nice 👍. Great Job Sebastian, and Hilton points do have a lot of value
Hi Sebby, I have the Hilton Business card at the moment, can I still play the offer/upgrade game with the other 3 or is 3 the max hilton card one can have
Great Video!
Can you combine points between the Normal Hilton Honors Amex and the business Hilton Honors card?
Yes
I’m debating on applying for chase sapphire preferred or the Hilton right now, and pin points or opinions to go for?
Finally!!! Was waiting on this video for the longest time.
Im going to the blog post to make sure I get all this good info!
So you get an upgrade bonus after your first year on the surpass?
I planning to take my whole family to Hawaii on March I trying to get Hilton credit cards so we can stay in one of their properties. I applied for the surpass when can I apply for the no annual fee also the aspire?
Thanks!
Love your videos
If I upgrade to the Aspire from the Surpass, I’ll have to pay the $450 annual fee as soon as I upgrade, right? Then, since I can’t downgrade in the first 12 months, does that mean I’ll be forced to pay another $450 in annual fees for the second year of holding the Aspire card before I’m allowed to downgrade without hurting my account?
Can I sign up for the no annual fee card and get the welcome bonus and also apply for the aspire card 3-4 months later and get that welcome bonus as well? Or will they say u got a bonus for the no annual fee card so no bonus for the Aspire card??
@Ask Sebby I'm in the process of doing your advanced play here. Aspire was my first card. Then the HH card. Last was Surpass. After the year, I downgraded my Aspire a couple months ago to HH. Just today, downgraded my Surpass to HH. Question, when would you expect me to get an upgrade offer? And, if I get one, do you see a problem with upgrading all 3 at the same time, even though the Aspire & Surpass are newly downgraded? Thanks for all you do. By the way, I have my wife on the same plan about 4 months behind me. 🙂
Did you end up getting the upgrade offer?
@@andrewjames2721 I have not received an offer to upgrade yet.
@@andrewjames2721 I had not received an upgrade offer, so I called Amex to see if there was one on my account. There was, so I upgraded the card, that I had originally downgraded to HH, to the Surpass for 100k points. I then called back on the other 2 HH cards and Amex would not upgrade those. So, it doesn't seem I'll get to completely follow in Sebby's footsteps.
Hi. I would like to get the 2 bottom tier hilton honors credit cards @ the same time.... is that possible? Then I would wait 90 days after the 1st 2 card to apply for the hilton aspire credit card. What's your opinion? Thanks in advance!
Hi Sebby I have been waiting for this for a long time! Getting ink first though!
Hello everyone.
If I refer my wife to the Hilton cards. Does she need to apply for the same car or any of the Hilton cards variation to be able to get the referral?
Is it possible to upgrade from the no annual fee card directly into the Aspire? Or do I need the surpass first?
I applied for the Hilton aspire, haven’t activated it yet, what’s the negative of canceling if I decide to. I have a feeling I’m going to stick with chase since I have that trifecta already. Especially if I’m probably not going to Amex in the future. This is just the only Amex card I have.
Tip - $100 Honors & Surpass Credit...in addition to the signup bonus. Login to your HH account and begin making a reservation. Prior to completing the reservation, you will see an ad to sign up for either the HH or Surpass card...with an offer of a $100 statement credit after your first purchase. And, the purchase does not need to be with Hilton. Of course, unfortunately, Sebby won't get a referral bonus in this case.
Can you also get the amex business honors as well as the personal at the same time ?
ok, so get the no af card 1st, then surpass (how soon after??), then get the aspire? will I still get a sub surpass to aspire??
Question sebby who doing the inquiry American Express or Hilton an is care like American cars or just use this card for Hotels only I like the non annual
Does the certificate night expires in a year or can you rack them up for one aspirational trip down the road in few years?
sam patel expire after 1 yr
Free night certificates expire 1 year after they're issued
planning to apply Hilton Honors no fee 1st, then after 5 days apply the Surpass, and in 90 days apply for the aspire like Sebby Said. Does this strategy still works as of Decemeber 2022
Can you upgrade from surpass to aspire if you already have an aspire card ?
If you can't downgrade in the first year that means you have to pay the annual fee twice right?
I was denied for the Hilton card with a RSVP code sent to me via mail. They reported 763 and the reason for denial, “Balances on American Express cards is to high” yet I had like 108$ on one card.
Huh.. which card? What did you figure out?
This video popped up for me, so a bit late BUT wouldn’t this be considered churning?
Hey Sebby, would you consider doing an updated video for card strategies for active duty service members trying to maximize travel potential (Hotels, Miles/airlines, etc)? Since your last video the CSR has changed a bit, Amex launched the new Delta cards w high SUBs and some other small changes with other cards since last year. Hope you see this and will consider it!
Hi Sebby, Did you end up able to get 3 Hilton Aspire cards? I heard 2 Aspire card is the maximum limit.
What if youre already a gold status? Would that raise your status if you get the surpass card?
So if I have Hilton Honor , Surpass and Aspire card now and I received sign up bonus for all 3. In one year, I can possibly get upgrade bonus for honor or surpass and get another bonus? The once per lifetime bonus rule doesn’t apply for bonus?
I was hoping for this video! Thanks Sebby.
:)
Hi Sebby, can you please let us know why I should get the Amex platinum card first before getting any of these Hilton cards?
And for the Hilton cards, is it a good idea to apply for the Honors and Surpass cards on the same day, and then wait until 12 months, upgrade Honors card to Surpass, and close the other Surpass card?
It’s more difficult to get the elevated Plat bonus once you are an Amex customer. So Plat should be first Amex card if it makes sense for you.
Overdue, so needed this in my life😎
:)
I am new to this, but I got approved today for the Hilton Honors no annual fee. And on minute 4:50, it is mentioned by Sebastian the following: 1) Hilton no-AF=Intro bonus #1. And then, 2) Hilton Surpass= intro bonus #2. So, how do I get that second intro bonus? Do I have to apply for another card right away? I don’t get it. Thx
It's not a special offer. He's just saying generally apply for the surpass card before upgrading the free Hilton honors card to the surpass.
Thanks for the continue great content on the entire travel credit card market!
I have over 10 cards and not looking at putting spend right now toward any new sign-up bonus, FYI.
I’m able to put $15k on the Hilton‘s passcard by end of this year, but is that a wise decision for just 1 free non weekend hotel night or should I put this on my CFU card for Chase UR points?
Hilton is 6X points on gas station and groceries, so through gift cards this is attainable and that helps the points for Hilton , but I still think Chase UR points is the better ROI.
Do the math. Where will you (realistically) be using the free night at?
For example, if you stay at a $700 hotel.
$700 value for $15k spend = 4.6% return on spend.
You're CFU gets 1.5 UR points. Will you realistically get ~3 CPP from UR, to beat out the Hilton?
Incredible analysis. Great advice. I'm a little afraid to do it, though, but I guess if AE is offering, why not take it.
Hilton hasn't been as aggressive with upgrade offers this summer. Some targeted ones from Surpass => Aspire.
@@AskSebby ah I was wondering. I've had the Honors for 18months and the Surpass. I've a Surpass to Aspire upgrade offer, but not Honors to Surpass
Been having the surpass card for over a year now and have yet received an upgrade offer to aspire... Is there anyway to actively request for one? Or have to just keep wait for the upgrade offer?
Try this while logged in: online.americanexpress.com/dapply/partner/preacq/hil/hhas-upg-84/cmupgrade/carddetails#/cshop
Good advice Sebby.
Hi, so Amex offer me an upgrade to surpass card. Should I apply for surpass and get intro bonus first, then do the upgrade later on the honors card?
Question Seby, are you saying to keep upgrading 3 aspire cards? In this scenario we would have to pay 450x3 annually and you never mention this in the video. Should we then downgrade the other 2 aspire cards after the year to the Hilton Honors card so we don’t have to pay the anual fee?
Hey Sebastian
Just got CSR and have the freedom unlimited but I am in the gray area (mid-20) prior to starting my career (med field). I am thinking about starting AmEx Hilton so later down the road I will have a lot of points built for possible honeymoon/vacation somewhere.
What are your thoughts on this long-term plan?
Apply for honors card Jan 2021
Apply for surpass after 6+ months and keep for a year
Downgrading back to honors
Eventually apply for aspire down the road once I’m ready for bigger travels/occasions?
Thanks!
That's fine. I would generally still start with the Platinum due to how the 100k targeting works but I realize it's not ideal if you're only starting your career: www.asksebby.com/blog/roundup-100k-amex-platinum-offer-via-cardmatch-amex-centurion-lounge-restrictions-changes-to-asia-miles
I canceled my Hilton Aspire due to the Hotel changes. There really no value in Diamond status anymore. There are additional charges for upgrades that use to be free.
Life hacks taking us higher in life. Thanks Sebby!
This one’s a little down the road for me.
Perfect timing on video, applied for no annual fee and surpass in past week, just a question though for the multiple aspire card, how do you redeem those nights? Like your honors account shows 3 free night automatically since you have 3 aspire cards? Or you individually booking 3 nights at hotel and talking with management to give you same room for 3 nights?
Hi! Just one question. Did you applied for no annual fee Hilton Honours and Hilton Surpass the same day or different days of the week? Thank you!
Adrian Bira i applied within 5 days, I think you can apply upto 2 cards in 2 week and 3 cards in 90 days, if your scores are good.
Hi Sebby! Quick question.... Would you recommend getting the Aspire Card even though one already has the Amex Platinum?
Yes, the Aspire is the best card out there for Hotels, not even close
@@rene.s.s Thanks!
I’ve always been curious. If you have any mid or high end hotel status e.g. Hilton Aspire card for diamond status, does the people working at the front desk of the hotel know if you have this status level because you have a certain credit card (compared to status based on spend/paid nights)?? Was wondering if some people don’t get upgrades even with status because hotel knows that you have it because of a CC and not because you necessarily stay at the hotel brand often. Does anyone know? Thanks.
I use to work for Hilton and to answer your question, No, they can't tell the difference. It just shows your status and how many points you have.
Are you linking a single hilton account to all 3 cards? If so, how does the system apply the various cards' perks to the same acct? Will it prioritize diamond status from Aspire card while still aggregate points from all 3 cards?
Yes, it prioritizes Diamond status and drops all the points in the same account.
Thanks!
If I already booked my stay at Hilton through travel agent, but used my Amex platinum card, not through Amex travel, will I still get room upgrade at Hilton?
aw man, auto-captions really did a number on your intro this episode.
😭😭😭
😂
Just wanted to say I like your posts. I only like basics setups, but I am just commenting.
Thanks! :)
Hilton also allows point pooling so if you have a player 2 that does the same thing that’s 1.8million points!
Thank you again!
So, before I got more into points, I got the no fee card, upgraded to Surpass (I don't think it was even called that then lol), then to Aspire (thought I was so clever lol). So from my understanding, I'm dead in the water, I can't just apply for the Surpass? My husband had the Surpass and downgraded a few years ago, can he still apply for the Aspire? He still has his no fee account.
Hey Sebby- when you upgrade a card say the surpass to the aspire, do you earn bonus points for that upgrade offer similar to a SUB?
Not unless they offer you one.
@@AskSebby how many points do they usually offer for an Upgrade? What have you seen or heard of being offered before?
Hello Sebby! I dont own any amex cards but Ive been watching your channel learning everything about them. I did a prequalify tonight to see what offers are available to me and the Hilton Honors have 100k sub. Should I pull the trigger? I also have Delta Gold and Delta Skymiles offer but the SUB are both weak. Thank you in advance!!!
Where can I find the 100K offer for The Platinum Card? Thanks.
For the triple play, how can you upgrade the surplus #2 in Feb 21 and get the upgrade offer one month after in March 21 you've upgraded from the Hilton? Don't upgrade offers appear after 12 months?
Probably supposed to say 2022
Can you do this with one card? or this is for multiple cards only
Wait you can't cancel or downgrade after taking an upgrade 11:29
How do people get multiple Hilton cards? Doesn't Amex limit the number of CREDIT cards to 4 or 5?
I'm a bit lost here, I'm guessing to start with the lowest level card and work your way up is that the best strategy ? Want to start ASAP
@Kling Chet got it thank you
@Kling Chet what do you do at the end with 3 aspire cards with 3 big annual fees? Cancel 2 of them after a year?
Can you make a new video and include the business hilton honors?
This is some black belt level sh*t right here.
🐱👤 (ninja)
do you have to get the cards in the particular sequence you specify or can you get the Aspire first and follow with the others?
same question here.
Unless you naturally spend $15k on hotels every year, why would you want to put that kind of spending on a Hilton card rather than an MR-earning Card?
The Aspire itself creates a problem of needing to put $250 of MR-earning spending into lower value HH-earning spending, much like the Amex Plat turns 2x Saks spending and 3x Uber spending into 1x spending.
That naturally leads into the more general question of hotel cards siphoning spending from MR-earning cards, which seems no different in principle from splitting your spending between Chase UR and Amex MR.
For the Surpass? Rent or business expenses via Plastiq at 2.5% would work.
2.5% * $15,000 = $375 = I'd happily pay that for a weekend night (YMMV obviously).
Sabby I did the opposite wasn’t approve for the platinum card did apply for the Hilton card their review my Application waiting for response
Do Hilton, hyatt, marriott, or ihg points expire?
It you have a co-branded credit card with any of those chains, your points should not expire.
@@FlintIronstag23 thanks!
Sebastian, I have never applied for an AMEX card, where should I start to maximize points?
AmEx Platinum if you can get the 100k offer on cardmatch
Tbf any trip and the points help saving that extra $ to use on other experiences or items on the trip is a big factor plus the free waters from the rooms lol
Hearing upgrades being talked about is frustrating. We've had the hilton no fee card 18 years. Credit in the mid 800s and credit limit has been raised automatically to equal multiple times what would be normal starting probably even for a platinum card.
And we pay it off every month without carrying a balance. Now retirement has arrived for me and almost the wife. its time to have some trips. They offer us nothing to upgrade. We are thinking to just apply for the aspire and will keep this one open and little used. We called and asked for the retention dept. Twice. They will let us do it without a points promotions. Advice?
Many of the platinum card extras don't seem to fit for us. I'm probably going to continue to build chase cards. We have some good memories at some hilton properties.
do you have a strategy video like this for chase cards?
Chase doesn't give upgrade bonuses, generally. No real play on that end.
Sebb I have a question this is off the topic of this video. I have 3 charge cards and 2 credit cards. I forgot about the 2/90 rule with Amex. I applied for the Plat delta card and my application was canceled because of the 2/90. I called Amex today to find out when my 90 days was coming up and they told me the 28th of this month. They told me the most cards I can have with Amex is a total off 5. Have you heard if they changed there policy? And I was thinking if this was the case my application would have been declined and not canceled. I’m confused
Might want to hang up and call again when you're out of the 2/90 period. It's usually 5 credit cards. You can have as many charge cards as you want. The amount of spend you put on cards is another factor. Some people who sock drawer their Amex cards get the bonus pop up for not enough spend.
Ask Sebby ok. I’m going to apply again next month for the delta card. I put a lot spend on my 5 cards also
I can't get the Platinum bonus if I do the Hilton cards first??
I just got the surpass card $0 intro how can I take advantage since I didn't get the regular one first