Hi All, A bit about myself. Currently I'm a Priority Club Plat member with around 110k which I'm saving for bora bora. Now my new goal is to get a status with another hotel. I have 0 point with either Hilton, or Hyatt. I'll be stay few nights out in March, and few night out in end of year. I'll be trying to get the Hyatt card with my wife for our 5th year anniversary next year in Maldives, but I also wanted to try Hilton. I find it hard to choose between them, can any of u help me out??? I read so many great review for Hyatt, but I also seen that Hilton have their "Bad" Black out dates.
Welcome to Milepoint Milesbaby! What are the most important things in a hotel program for you. Is it award redemption for free nights, elite benefits, earning and bonus potential or something else? This may help the community focus in on what may be the best program for you between Hyatt and Hilton.
To over simplify in my opinion...Hyatt = better top tier benefits and recognition, nicer hotels, especially at the top end Hilton = much larger network of hotels, and pretty good (on paper) top tier benefits
Without knowing what's important to you in a hotel program, I'd say Hilton. Sounds like you won't be spending a ton of nights in hotels this year, and in my opinion Hilton points and status are just plain easier to accrue. I really like Hyatts value proposition, and think their points are very valuable, but it's just tougher to get a big pile of them, than say Hilton points. Mainly though, decide which specific property(s) you're going to target, make a fully refundable booking now and then start collecting as many points as you can now, regardless of which you pick.
Hilton points also seem easier to acquire, although that might change a little after the 6x drugstores go away on the Amex.
Very true - I was referring to point acquisition outside of signups, although I didn't really do a good job of being that specific in my prior post, eh? I've got 240k of that 350k so far, and will likely only reach 290k, as I don't plan to close my NAF amex to get the Surpass.
I going to guess 3 BoA cards, two citi an one Amex. If it was a while ago you should get at least that much with bonus plus MSR. 250 from boa 50 + free nights 50 from Amex
I could get to 350k + 2 night weekend with one app each of: 50k Citi Visa Signature 2 free night Citi 50k Amex NAF 60k Surpass 140k BOA/BOH (35k each - xfers 2:1 to Hilton) 50k Virgin Atlantic Amex (25k - xfers 2:1 to Hilton) ------------------------- 350k + 2 free weekend nights + Gold Just not all in one churn - because you can't get both the NAF AND Surpass at the same time.
Amex = 50 + 60 (or 40 + 60 etc) Citi = 50 + 50 BofA = 70 + 70 I guess it could be Citi = 50 + 2 wknd nights as well from what I read ... There is someone on MP who states they signup for the Citi 50k every 3/4 Month; so nets 150k a year? ---- I didnt even consider the Virgin Card so theoretically 400k? or 350 + 2wknd
As a relatively newly minted Diamond with Hyatt (strategic status challenge), I can say that the level of service that I have experienced in Hyatt as a Diamond, is above and beyond anything I have ever experienced with Hilton (even in the days I was a Diamond) on a consistent basis (each chain has their own stars I am sure). That said, the Hyatt footprint makes it less than viable. While in most place I go Hilton has several options to be had, Hyatt is extremely limited, if exist at all. Hilton Gold status is not a bad thing, especially when you can get it via the credit card (which I have for years now). So what will be my strategy - try to maintain Diamond with Hyatt (although this is very unlikely). Keep Hilton Gold via credit card. Which is better, probably Hyatt if they exist where you need to go, which is easier to maintain and in the long run probably bring better "value" - Hilton.
I just read that Citi 2 browser thing is dead, or about to be. That leaves 350k + 2 wknd I guess as the max you can get. Amex = 50 + 60 Citi = 50 + 2 wknd BofA = 70 + 70 + 50
Poke around this forum and FT and you'll find ways to get Gold with Hilton with either the right credit card or as few as 4 stays.... If you're not planning on having a lot of stays in Hyatts, it's a no brainer. DTWBOB
Mrs particlemn got shut down on 2 citi hh cards last friday, only one approved, second denied for having product, I got 2 citi cards about 10 days ago.
Credit card churning will get the OP the points, but I am not into that at all. If the OP would like to get in to try the Hyatt Gold Passport and Hilton Honors loyalty programs at the elite level, the easiest way would be to get the Chase United Club card, which comes with a complimentary Platinum status in Hyatt Gold Passport, and the Citi Reserve Card that gives Gold status in HHonors for as long as you have the card. The Citi Reserve card also gets you certificates for two free weekend stays after you meet a minimum spend. Just got a couple of those that I am redeeming at Hilton Shanghai this summer...but the Gold status is wasted since I am a HH Diamond.
I'd agree. Also, Hilton is better for mid-tier: Hilton Golds get free breakfast and Internet, while Hyatt Platinums don't.