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.

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.

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?

Someday I’ll get on Sebby Level and redeem a Hilton certificate at a certified YOLO property 🏝✌️

@AskSebby

2 жыл бұрын

soon!

@samr6148

2 жыл бұрын

@@AskSebby I'm surprised Sebby didn't say it yet: Maldives!!!

@charliedurham4248

2 жыл бұрын

Collab video!

@Elricky124

2 жыл бұрын

@@samr6148 I thought he did

@yumyaml4934

2 жыл бұрын

You will mark

Hey Sebby, great video!!! can you do a comparison of the best card based on insurance benefits when you book flights, cars.

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.

Great breakdown Sebby! Thanks for the info!

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.

thanks for the video. Can't wait for part 2

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!

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.

I was just googling best travel cards and u delivered 😎

Thanks Sebastian for your channel I just got my Chase sapphire card thanks to your channel. Can’t wait to start traveling.

@AskSebby

2 жыл бұрын

Congrats and look forward to hearing about your trips Garett :)

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

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 🤞

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!

Great video can’t wait for the chase one since some hotels upgraded their programs

@AskSebby

2 жыл бұрын

Yep, waiting for all the programs to settle down; hopefully the Bonvoy one will be pretty true to what I said in 2023! :)

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

@AskSebby

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Weili! :)

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)

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! 😁

Waiting for Pt. 2 👀

Hilton Aspire is amazing. Best hotel credit card out there. Thanks for the video.

🏨 love your show! If i have to pick a hotel chain brand - Hilton or Marriot?

🏨 Very informative video. I have the Aspire and have use it at Hilton Hawaiian Village.

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).

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!

@jdeveraux1027

2 жыл бұрын

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.

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?

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 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 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.

@AskSebby

2 жыл бұрын

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.

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.

love the vid! what if the no AF Hilton gets supped up with lifetime diamond~~?

🏨 good video Debby! I’m eyeing that aspire possibly this year or next

@AskSebby

2 жыл бұрын

[spent 30 seconds trying to think of a clever pun for Debby and gave up]

@elijones1455

2 жыл бұрын

@@AskSebby I totally fat fingered that my man, apologies!

Love the aspire card, didn't know you could get multiple!

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?

We need an update to ranking all the Chase cards 1-24 like you did in 2020! Chase 5/24 ranking :)

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.

Hilton Honors change the weekend rule, you can now use the certificate for any week night. I spoke with them last night.

"Is that guy at the wrong hotel?!" So true so often!!! Great line!

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 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?

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

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!

🏨🏩🏨 Great roundup! I went the Aspire route a few years ago. I was considering the Marriott card as well, but heard too many stories of people getting "Bonvoyed". Sticking with Hilton Aspire for now. Have had good experiences with the various Hilton brands. May go the Chase route for one of their Marriott cards and eventually upgrade to Ritz Carlton. Will have to wait until after I'm out of 5/24 jail and if the value is still there overall. Thanks!

I have the entry Hilton Honors card now for over a year and now I'm seriously thinking of upgrading to the Surpass.

Seems to be much easier to find decent value with Marriott (at least for this year) compared to Hilton

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.

🏨 Great Video as always

Great video. Have you considered a video on other hotels that worth the points?

@AskSebby

2 жыл бұрын

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.

Hey there! Curious as to what you would consider a ‘low spender’?

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’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?

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?

Thank you Sebby for all the research and hard work in making these videos, it is very useful for intermediate and beginners players too. Hilton Aspire is absolute the best value you can get out of any credit card currently offered by any bank, they literally pay you over $1,500+ for a $450 cc, fingers crossed the annual fee stays the same, I have gotten outsized value of my Marriott Brilliant, recently in Paris, used 50k certificates x3 for a €1450 per night for a suite (upgraded as Bonvoy Platinum), even then is easier to get more value out of Hilton Certificates. I consider the Amex Platinum a hotel+ card, though you don’t get certificates, you do get amazing perks regardless of status, booking through LH+R, noon check in, 4:00PM check out, breakfast for 2, plus $100 restaurant/bar/spa credit. I know Sebastian as talked about it in his videos, and how useful this perks are, I think it should have been mentioned on this list.

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 👨‍👩‍👧

Part 2 please!!!

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.

Do you know when the Capital One Lounge in Denver will open?

Says “I’d love to do a 25 minute video,” does a 19:57 minute instead lmao 😂 Good video Sebby, keep the tips comin. ❤️

Redeemed a bunch of Hilton points at Conrad Maldives this month! 🎉

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

Could you please do a review of the new Wells Fargo Bilt credit card?

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?

@Beyond_That0

2 жыл бұрын

Good question

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.

🏨 we have the aspire card and love it! Going on a 20 night cross country trip this summer. Thanks for the videos!

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.

happy to hear your top card is my top card too! 🙌

@AskSebby

2 жыл бұрын

😊

Hey Seb, i just scored a 1st class flight on ANA using 60,000 virgin atlantic miles, been watching your KZread 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. 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.

@AskSebby

2 жыл бұрын

I think it'll be good for domestic travel, but probably not great for aspirational travel.

Until now I haven’t been in the hotel game, as I find better value in the flights game (Lufthansa First, Polaris, etc.). Airbnb is awesome and I love stating in pensions or actual BnBs, particularly when traveling in Europe. I might get a new hotel card for a YOLO property soon though!

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

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

PART 2!!!

Sebby, what’s your car rental strategy?

🏨 Nice job!

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

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

Also a $125 travel credit on the Bonvoy business (car maintenance included)

Where is part 2?

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.

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

@calvinmiguel4405

2 жыл бұрын

I’ve been waiting for over a year for an elevated SUB. Don’t think it’s going to change.

@AskSebby

2 жыл бұрын

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.

@zowieerickson2409

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for info guys, looks like I'll be picking it up.

I thought there was going to be a Part 2

Was a part 2 ever released?

I love my Amex Hilton Aspire

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

@charleshawj1036

2 жыл бұрын

Same situation.. following..

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?

@AskSebby

2 жыл бұрын

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 wish Hilton reward nights would rollover like points do. That would be incredible

@AskSebby

2 жыл бұрын

That would be amazing and make life a lot easier :)

My Hilton diamond status has done very close to nothing… want to do Waldorf in Maldives but finding more than 1 consecutive day at standard rate is just absolutely stupid hard (especially since my wife’s career makes our dates pretty ridgid) ….love my bonvoy brilliant though, hoping to see the perks boosted (rumoured AF increase)

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.

@PeteK-01

2 жыл бұрын

I find the Bonvoy most valuable because I usually stay within driving distance. No Yolo trips, just 2-5 day getaways with the family.

I am heading to Bora Bora in August and will use 3 free night certificates at Conrad Nui.

@AskSebby

2 жыл бұрын

I love that property :)

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.

Waiting for part two, getting married in three months and trying to get all the sign up bonuses with the venue fees

So...... it's been four months. I'm guessing there will be no part 2??

What are your thoughts on the X1 credit card?

@AskSebby

2 жыл бұрын

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'

LOVEEE this content! I need the help haha. This is the first year I'm considering a premium travel card, and I'm leaning towards the Bonvoy Brilliant, but you make a strong case for the Aspire. Maybe someday I'll have both!

@scottb_02

2 жыл бұрын

These aren’t premium travel cards, they’re hotel cards. Though aspire may be the exception.. the Capitol One Venture X is the best premium card out now imo, especially for beginners. gl

@jaimeerindy4573

2 жыл бұрын

@@scottb_02 I was considering the Bonvoy Brilliant, which yes is technially a hotel card but it comes with lounge access, GlobalEntry, all the normal premium travel card things

Pt 2 to this?

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

@LK_EBM

Жыл бұрын

Did you apply for the Aspire yet? How are award availability?

@lenadao5148

Жыл бұрын

@@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.

Where’s Part 2?