I hated when Marriott and Starwood combined. I had Gold status with Marriott and was able to have access to the club lounge. I mainly use my one night certificate now with my credit card and take advantage of my Friends and Family rate with Hilton.
I'm Titanium Lifetime with Marriott and Globalist with Hyatt. In my experience, Hyatt has the better full service hotels in the USA and abroad and much better service. I get suite upgrades nearly every time with Hyatt, but only rarely with Marriott. Hyatt confirms upgrades well in advance while Marriott will only let you know 5 days before your arrival. Hyatt points seem to have much more buying power than Marriott points. These days I only book a Marriott property if my destination doesn't have a Hyatt property.
Thanks for your useful input! Our biggest problem with Hyatt is the lack of category 1 hotels that are good for month long stays. They are basically down to just Indonesia and Malaysia in Asia. They used to have 2 nice resorts in Bali, but they are now category 2, and the Cat 1 in Hanoi is closing this month.
@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravelI agree. However I spent 25 years traveling for business and staying in Cat 2&3 hotels. I'm done with that unless I can find a full service Cat 3 Hyatt Regency (which I've done). I've found Hyatt Regency hotels for 5K - 12K points a night, while a full service Marriott goes for 300K points for 4 nights +1 in London. And that Marriott didn't even upgrade me. Crazy. Btw, great video content. I like other points of view, and your tips on extended travel overseas.
@@DaveM-FFB Wow, that is crazy. The Hyatt Regency in Yogyakarta is still just a cat 1, but we haven't made it there yet. And the Park Hyatt Chennai. If we end up going for the 60 globalist nights it'll be at one of those. Your input on your Hyatt upgrades is great, much appreciated.
@@kristiG5259 A standard room in Hyatt Cat 1 costs 5,000 pts/night. Usually these are Hyatt Place or Hyatt House properties. Newer properties are usually very nice and include breakfast. On rare occasions you may find an older full service Hyatt Regency classified as Cat 1. A standard room in Hyatt Cat 2 costs 8,000 pts/night. These may also include Hyatt Place, Hyatt House, and sometimes a full service Hyatt Regency that's not in a resort location. Depending on the age, location, and desirability, a Hyatt Regency can be any Category from 2 through 6. Rooms in Hyatt categories 5 & 6 require 20,000 pts and 25,000 pts per night respectively. This is still a bargain compared to Marriott which might require 5x as many points for the same room at a similar property.
Thanks for another helpful video. I have a suggestion for you that might seem crazy but crazier things have happened. I one of your videos you mentioned that you got part of the travel bug from watching Househunters International. I suggest you contact the producers of that show, send them links to some of your videos, and pitch an idea for a series of shows based on the general theme of, “How would I plan to spend 30 nights in a hotel in … Thailand, or Columbia, or Bali, or Romania, or wherever.”
Once again, useful information that I will use. You all have been such a useful resource as I prepare for my slow travel days post retirement (May 2025).
Wow! awesome video! Blew my mind. I have an Amex Card, but realized from your video that I could a get a lot more value out of it using your tips. Love your travel & credit card hack videos! Thank you so much for all your help!! Have a happy & blessed year of travel & adventure!! ✈️❤️👍🏼
Love watching your videos. Keep them coming, as they are so helpful and informative. I really like your personalities, too. My only question is whether your son comes to visit? My guess is your daughter is the baby of the family ❤❤❤❤
Just stayed in a Marriott property on a recent business trip for the first time since Covid lockdowns. I picked up the brochure on the Bonvoy program as my spouse and I are planning to retire within the next year and want to learn about our options. Thanks for the great overview. 😊
Oh what a shame. I just checked out the various offers and if you have had an amex card at any time in the last 2 years you can't qualify for these sign up bonuses. I have an old British Airways Amex I've never used so darn it.
I don't think that's right, you should still qualify. You can't get it if you've had the Chase Marriott, which is why we recommend getting one or the other.
Thanks for your videos! Can i ask which property you are staying at in Bali? I see some for 20k points per night but nothing much lower than that except low end things. But maybe their low end is better than i would expect in a US property?
just found your channel. are you staying in Marriott’s outside of the US? I have not found any reasonable night stays at the Marriott. I have been staying at airbnbs for 30 days at a time. what is your strategy or did you starting paying a lot per night to get the status?
My wife and I (retired) will be slow traveling Asia starting next Spring for 8 months. I currently have the Capital One VX travel credit card. Which hotel rewards card would you recommend in our situation?
I am Titanium Elite member. Have points approx 200K in my account. All earned. 1 reward night also available to redeem. Which country would you recommend to use all this for maximum benefits? Plz guide.
@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel Thanks. Also do you recommend buying Marriott points? At the moment it shows 40% bonus, but i find redemption value extremely horrible.
I hated when Marriott and Starwood combined. I had Gold status with Marriott and was able to have access to the club lounge. I mainly use my one night certificate now with my credit card and take advantage of my Friends and Family rate with Hilton.
No credit cards with hotel perks for Aussies! But thanks for the other awesome tips! Great videos
I'm Titanium Lifetime with Marriott and Globalist with Hyatt. In my experience, Hyatt has the better full service hotels in the USA and abroad and much better service. I get suite upgrades nearly every time with Hyatt, but only rarely with Marriott. Hyatt confirms upgrades well in advance while Marriott will only let you know 5 days before your arrival. Hyatt points seem to have much more buying power than Marriott points. These days I only book a Marriott property if my destination doesn't have a Hyatt property.
Thanks for your useful input! Our biggest problem with Hyatt is the lack of category 1 hotels that are good for month long stays. They are basically down to just Indonesia and Malaysia in Asia. They used to have 2 nice resorts in Bali, but they are now category 2, and the Cat 1 in Hanoi is closing this month.
@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravelI agree. However I spent 25 years traveling for business and staying in Cat 2&3 hotels. I'm done with that unless I can find a full service Cat 3 Hyatt Regency (which I've done). I've found Hyatt Regency hotels for 5K - 12K points a night, while a full service Marriott goes for 300K points for 4 nights +1 in London. And that Marriott didn't even upgrade me. Crazy.
Btw, great video content. I like other points of view, and your tips on extended travel overseas.
@@DaveM-FFB Wow, that is crazy. The Hyatt Regency in Yogyakarta is still just a cat 1, but we haven't made it there yet. And the Park Hyatt Chennai. If we end up going for the 60 globalist nights it'll be at one of those. Your input on your Hyatt upgrades is great, much appreciated.
@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel What is the difference between Category 1 & 2? The point redemption (range) or the amenities?
@@kristiG5259 A standard room in Hyatt Cat 1 costs 5,000 pts/night. Usually these are Hyatt Place or Hyatt House properties. Newer properties are usually very nice and include breakfast. On rare occasions you may find an older full service Hyatt Regency classified as Cat 1. A standard room in Hyatt Cat 2 costs 8,000 pts/night. These may also include Hyatt Place, Hyatt House, and sometimes a full service Hyatt Regency that's not in a resort location. Depending on the age, location, and desirability, a Hyatt Regency can be any Category from 2 through 6. Rooms in Hyatt categories 5 & 6 require 20,000 pts and 25,000 pts per night respectively. This is still a bargain compared to Marriott which might require 5x as many points for the same room at a similar property.
Thanks for another helpful video. I have a suggestion for you that might seem crazy but crazier things have happened. I one of your videos you mentioned that you got part of the travel bug from watching Househunters International. I suggest you contact the producers of that show, send them links to some of your videos, and pitch an idea for a series of shows based on the general theme of, “How would I plan to spend 30 nights in a hotel in … Thailand, or Columbia, or Bali, or Romania, or wherever.”
Once again, useful information that I will use. You all have been such a useful resource as I prepare for my slow travel days post retirement (May 2025).
Thanks!
Thanks for posting so much! I look forward to all of your videos - especially on this Finances channel.
You are so welcome!
Wow! awesome video! Blew my mind. I have an Amex Card, but realized from your video that I could a get a lot more value out of it using your tips. Love your travel & credit card hack videos! Thank you so much for all your help!!
Have a happy & blessed year of travel & adventure!! ✈️❤️👍🏼
Thank you!
I really love this couple!
Love watching your videos. Keep them coming, as they are so helpful and informative. I really like your personalities, too. My only question is whether your son comes to visit? My guess is your daughter is the baby of the family ❤❤❤❤
She is, we usually go visit him, he lives in one of our favorite cities!
Just stayed in a Marriott property on a recent business trip for the first time since Covid lockdowns. I picked up the brochure on the Bonvoy program as my spouse and I are planning to retire within the next year and want to learn about our options. Thanks for the great overview. 😊
Thanks!
how do you do laundry while you are on the road. thanks!
Oh what a shame. I just checked out the various offers and if you have had an amex card at any time in the last 2 years you can't qualify for these sign up bonuses. I have an old British Airways Amex I've never used so darn it.
I don't think that's right, you should still qualify. You can't get it if you've had the Chase Marriott, which is why we recommend getting one or the other.
Very helpful - great content👍🏾
Thanks
Thanks for your videos! Can i ask which property you are staying at in Bali? I see some for 20k points per night but nothing much lower than that except low end things. But maybe their low end is better than i would expect in a US property?
Currently ramping up my Hilton Aspire card but looking for second hotel ecosystem. Hilton is weak in Asia
Yes, we are probably going to endcour Hilton aspire soon for that reason.
Would love it if you could do something like this for IHG. Or maybe you have and I missed it?
We are planning on it
no love for the ritz carlton card????
just found your channel. are you staying in Marriott’s outside of the US? I have not found any reasonable night stays at the Marriott. I have been staying at airbnbs for 30 days at a time. what is your strategy or did you starting paying a lot per night to get the status?
Yes, outside the US for Marriott
My wife and I (retired) will be slow traveling Asia starting next Spring for 8 months. I currently have the Capital One VX travel credit card. Which hotel rewards card would you recommend in our situation?
Either Marriott or IHG. They have the most properties at good prices.
@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel Ok. thanks. I will do more research.
What about ihg?
We are planning on covering it soon.
The Mariott Boundless card no longer gives auto gold status. It gives auto silver and you have to spend $35k on it to get gold.
I am Titanium Elite member. Have points approx 200K in my account. All earned. 1 reward night also available to redeem. Which country would you recommend to use all this for maximum benefits? Plz guide.
Indonesia is the best bang for the buck for Marriott.
@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel Thanks. Also do you recommend buying Marriott points? At the moment it shows 40% bonus, but i find redemption value extremely horrible.
What other places besides Asia where you find good rates any in the USA?
They are hard to find in the USA
The link doesn’t work.
i have about 2,800,000 marriot points