I have 2 Hilton Aspires and one Bonvoy Brilliants and one RZC - Mainly bc me and the wife do a couple two night staycations each year and stay at top tier properties. With two 85k awards and two Hilton FNCs we can stay at top tier properties basically for 60% off after you consider each annual card fee. It all depends on what want to do
I’m on the Marriott path because it has more hotel options across the globe, and sometimes the location of the hotel in major cities has exceptional access to airports via public transportation, which saves money. You are right in that earnings via credit card isn’t great and only makes sense combined with Marriott hotel spend! Also, most Marriott hotels tend to be 25% more expensive than comparable Hilton and Hyatt in the same city. I personally call it a “Marriott tax.” I have Titanium status and mostly only had upgrades to bigger rooms with nicer views. Suite upgrades are extremely rare from my experience, and only likely if you use your upgrade certificates! The 50K certificate is amazing! I used mine from Chase to stay 3 nights in Weston Singapore and was upgraded to a one bedroom suite using the upgrade certificate. Saved $3300!
The large footprint is huge! Knowing that you can go where you want with points without having to inconvenient yourself in location is something that Marriott has over other properties. But I still would choose hilton over them if I can because I think their points and program have more upside than Marriott.
Hyatt globalist and marriott platinum. I'm definitely a hyatt fanboy but i have to say my experience at marriott especially Ritz-Carltons has been exceptional. I have a 100% suite upgrade rate and i've stayed at some phenomenal properties in south america and asia.
I almost stayed at a Ritz-Carlton earlier this year, but I decided to go with the Conrad instead. Next year, I will find a way to stay at a Ritz-Carlton.
I feel you on this, a lot of other the major UA-camrs love Marriott but i just don't see it. I started with Hyatt and enjoy them but currently doing the 3 card Hilton strat since it's an amazing elevated bonus right now. Great video and totally support and understand why you think this way.
Hilton cards are the best. And I've honestly been contemplating switching over to them as my main hotel program. Very little work to earn status and a decent size footprint
Nice video JP. I have Marriott gold status with the Ritz card, but my I get so much more value with the Hilton Aspire with Diamond status. I like Hyatt properties but don’t stay enough to get Globalist status.
Good option JP. I’ve only recently held the amex business bonvoy but i really like it. My last 2 redemptions i got 1.25 & 1.10 cpps on my bonvoy points. I also lucked out & got an auto upgrade from guest room to executive suite at a marriot prop in Austin Tx. They also gave me an F&B credit! I know varies on properties but was super nice.
I have found Marriot Platinum status to be clearly superior to Hilton Diamond... more upgrades (even in the US) and frankly better hotel service at the 4-5 * properties. Great breakdown👍🏾
One of my most memorable trips was a destination wedding in Ireland. At the time I was just starting points/miles so I went with the wedding block rate at the hotel, cheap flights and it was totally worth it! Now that I have the Ritz card I use it for car rentals, Marriott hotels when booked thru Marriott, incidentals at the hotel. If I see a Marriott on FHR at a fair price I will book that way. Looking forward to hearing about your trip
I'm excited about the destination wedding. No one knew the couple was doing a destination wedding until we got the invite 😆 I'm glad to hear the one you went to was super memorable. The Ritz-Carlton Card does have great protections and perks. That card, I think, can make sense to use.
Lifetime Platinum here. TPG valuations are great for those with little experience but I normally get double+. Park Tower Buenos Aires last month was outstanding. Moxy Belgrade this month gave me 1.74 and my August bookings in Anchorage only needed 35K certs plus 8K miles for $440 rooms...on our 4 $99 annual fee cards.
Wow, those are some good numbers 👏🏾 As I said in the video, I'm not the most knowledgeable person when it comes to Marriott, but it seems they are doing something right, because a lot of people like to stay at their properties.
OMG!!! If this wedding is in Asia(since you didn’t share, I don’t want to say where in case I am right)I think I know what weeding you’re talking about! What a small world! My sister and I are friends with the bride. I told her to get this same card and stay at the hotel of the weeding. Right before she was planning to pay cash. Now she wants to get into the points and miles game. I can’t go because I already had a trip to Tokyo W/my gf planned. If I did go I would have been so shocked if I saw you there. Also, I don’t find Marriott’s program as worth as other hotels.
I know I could be wrong, but if you think I’m right that would be cool to know! Also, I am writing this from an all-inclusive Hyatt in mexico for my 5 year anniversary. Even with the 40% bonus from chase, Hyatt was a better option than Marriott
@@jpknowledge8852 hahaha. I figured as much. After so many drinks my brain went, he’s from mass+going to a weeding internationally+it’s at a Marriott = same weeding.
You dont just earn 6× on your spent. I have titanium status and I get close to 23× on marriott spent. It does hep to get marriott stattus. Plus, I really e lnjoyed the free bags and upgrade to premuim economy on United for Titanimum status. I usually get 2x on the free certificate for the bonvoy business free night. I dont know may hotel program that provide airline status, thought it is the based status witu UA.
I'm not saying Marriott isn't giving a good return on spend, I'm saying the Marriott card isn't. You may get 23x, but only 6x of that comes from the card as a titanium elite, which is close to 25%. But as a Globalist with Hyatt I get 10.5x back per dollar spend, 4x comes from my card, which is close to 40%. That is why I use my Hyatt card card for Hyatt stays, but I feel if you got the Marriott cards for their perks, but not for spend would make more sense. United status perk is a nice feature. I hope I can get 2x back on the free night certificates. If I do, this will definitely be a keeper card.
@@jpknowledge8852 40% is great return on spend. I thought about getting the Hyatt card but it seems that people are better off with Chase branded cards for Hyatt points. And it is really hard to be globalist status on Hyatt unless you have lot of hotel stays. Marriott hotel oversea is actually great especially i Asia and South America. Hope that you get to enjoy Marriott stay in Europe.
@@jpknowledge8852 agreed, took me two years of annual fees on Brilliant to figure that out. Downgrading or cancellation it in November when the fee hits.
Mileage may vary but I would personally rank Hyatt as my preference and Hilton second. As you mentioned Marriott (and IHG) charge resort fees on award stays while Hyatt and Hilton do not. I think Hyatt has the best overall program with Hilton having the best cards. Example, I am staying at a Hilton (Curio) for 2 nights in Manhattan (which is a select / high cost market for Hilton) so for the $150 annual fee on the card I get $36 food credit per night ($18 for me and $18 for my wife) plus a $50 quarterly credit on the card so I recovered $122 of the $150 annual fee in one two night stay. To get a potential food credit with Marriott you need the $650 Brilliant. As I mentioned in another post, with Hyatt and all of the promotions (brand explorer etc.) I’ll get four “free nights” by December that I can use on one stay.
Hilton cards are fantastic. I would rather both the Surpass and Aspire over the Marriott brilliant. There is so much more value with Hilton over Marriott.
I have this card and love it. Great points set up.
@drchrisheidelberg Nice! I'm looking forward to my future Marriott stays!!
I have 2 Hilton Aspires and one Bonvoy Brilliants and one RZC - Mainly bc me and the wife do a couple two night staycations each year and stay at top tier properties. With two 85k awards and two Hilton FNCs we can stay at top tier properties basically for 60% off after you consider each annual card fee. It all depends on what want to do
Seems like a smart setup for your situation. A couple of fancy staycations a year sounds nice 😎
I’m on the Marriott path because it has more hotel options across the globe, and sometimes the location of the hotel in major cities has exceptional access to airports via public transportation, which saves money. You are right in that earnings via credit card isn’t great and only makes sense combined with Marriott hotel spend! Also, most Marriott hotels tend to be 25% more expensive than comparable Hilton and Hyatt in the same city. I personally call it a “Marriott tax.”
I have Titanium status and mostly only had upgrades to bigger rooms with nicer views. Suite upgrades are extremely rare from my experience, and only likely if you use your upgrade certificates!
The 50K certificate is amazing! I used mine from Chase to stay 3 nights in Weston Singapore and was upgraded to a one bedroom suite using the upgrade certificate. Saved $3300!
The large footprint is huge! Knowing that you can go where you want with points without having to inconvenient yourself in location is something that Marriott has over other properties. But I still would choose hilton over them if I can because I think their points and program have more upside than Marriott.
Hyatt globalist and marriott platinum. I'm definitely a hyatt fanboy but i have to say my experience at marriott especially Ritz-Carltons has been exceptional.
I have a 100% suite upgrade rate and i've stayed at some phenomenal properties in south america and asia.
I almost stayed at a Ritz-Carlton earlier this year, but I decided to go with the Conrad instead. Next year, I will find a way to stay at a Ritz-Carlton.
Definitely think the Chase Ritz card is worth it. Thanks for the info + video!
I think so, too. The perks of the card outweigh the annual fee for sure.
I feel you on this, a lot of other the major UA-camrs love Marriott but i just don't see it. I started with Hyatt and enjoy them but currently doing the 3 card Hilton strat since it's an amazing elevated bonus right now. Great video and totally support and understand why you think this way.
Hilton cards are the best. And I've honestly been contemplating switching over to them as my main hotel program. Very little work to earn status and a decent size footprint
Nice video JP. I have Marriott gold status with the Ritz card, but my I get so much more value with the Hilton Aspire with Diamond status. I like Hyatt properties but don’t stay enough to get Globalist status.
Hilton Diamond is where it's at. You don't have to do any work, and you get to reap all the rewards 😎
Good option JP.
I’ve only recently held the amex business bonvoy but i really like it.
My last 2 redemptions i got 1.25 & 1.10 cpps on my bonvoy points.
I also lucked out & got an auto upgrade from guest room to executive suite at a marriot prop in Austin Tx. They also gave me an F&B credit! I know varies on properties but was super nice.
Wow, that does sound nice. I hope I get something similar 🙏🏾
I have found Marriot Platinum status to be clearly superior to Hilton Diamond... more upgrades (even in the US) and frankly better hotel service at the 4-5 * properties. Great breakdown👍🏾
Nice! I haven't heard many people rave about Marriott platinum status. I really appreciate you leaving a comment about your experience
- thats good to know. I’ve enjoyed gold status, but want platinum
One of my most memorable trips was a destination wedding in Ireland. At the time I was just starting points/miles so I went with the wedding block rate at the hotel, cheap flights and it was totally worth it! Now that I have the Ritz card I use it for car rentals, Marriott hotels when booked thru Marriott, incidentals at the hotel. If I see a Marriott on FHR at a fair price I will book that way.
Looking forward to hearing about your trip
I'm excited about the destination wedding. No one knew the couple was doing a destination wedding until we got the invite 😆 I'm glad to hear the one you went to was super memorable. The Ritz-Carlton Card does have great protections and perks. That card, I think, can make sense to use.
Lifetime Platinum here. TPG valuations are great for those with little experience but I normally get double+. Park Tower Buenos Aires last month was outstanding. Moxy Belgrade this month gave me 1.74 and my August bookings in Anchorage only needed 35K certs plus 8K miles for $440 rooms...on our 4 $99 annual fee cards.
Wow, those are some good numbers 👏🏾 As I said in the video, I'm not the most knowledgeable person when it comes to Marriott, but it seems they are doing something right, because a lot of people like to stay at their properties.
OMG!!! If this wedding is in Asia(since you didn’t share, I don’t want to say where in case I am right)I think I know what weeding you’re talking about! What a small world! My sister and I are friends with the bride. I told her to get this same card and stay at the hotel of the weeding. Right before she was planning to pay cash. Now she wants to get into the points and miles game. I can’t go because I already had a trip to Tokyo W/my gf planned. If I did go I would have been so shocked if I saw you there. Also, I don’t find Marriott’s program as worth as other hotels.
I know I could be wrong, but if you think I’m right that would be cool to know! Also, I am writing this from an all-inclusive Hyatt in mexico for my 5 year anniversary. Even with the 40% bonus from chase, Hyatt was a better option than Marriott
The wedding is in Europe. I haven't been invited to any weddings in Asia.
@@jpknowledge8852 hahaha. I figured as much. After so many drinks my brain went, he’s from mass+going to a weeding internationally+it’s at a Marriott = same weeding.
You dont just earn 6× on your spent. I have titanium status and I get close to 23× on marriott spent.
It does hep to get marriott stattus. Plus, I really e lnjoyed the free bags and upgrade to premuim economy on United for Titanimum status.
I usually get 2x on the free certificate for the bonvoy business free night.
I dont know may hotel program that provide airline status, thought it is the based status witu UA.
I'm not saying Marriott isn't giving a good return on spend, I'm saying the Marriott card isn't. You may get 23x, but only 6x of that comes from the card as a titanium elite, which is close to 25%. But as a Globalist with Hyatt I get 10.5x back per dollar spend, 4x comes from my card, which is close to 40%. That is why I use my Hyatt card card for Hyatt stays, but I feel if you got the Marriott cards for their perks, but not for spend would make more sense.
United status perk is a nice feature. I hope I can get 2x back on the free night certificates. If I do, this will definitely be a keeper card.
@@jpknowledge8852 40% is great return on spend. I thought about getting the Hyatt card but it seems that people are better off with Chase branded cards for Hyatt points. And it is really hard to be globalist status on Hyatt unless you have lot of hotel stays.
Marriott hotel oversea is actually great especially i Asia and South America. Hope that you get to enjoy Marriott stay in Europe.
I tried to like marriott but the multipliers suck and cash stays always got beat by similar Hilton properties. I have a brilliant but never use it.
😄 The multipliers are terrible. Hilton just seems like a better program, and they have better cards as well
@@jpknowledge8852 agreed, took me two years of annual fees on Brilliant to figure that out. Downgrading or cancellation it in November when the fee hits.
At least you will get good value from the card 👍🏼 I would do the same if planning a trip and wanted to stay at a Marriott
Yeah, it is going to save me a decent amount of money, so I'm happy to at least have it for the first year
Mileage may vary but I would personally rank Hyatt as my preference and Hilton second. As you mentioned Marriott (and IHG) charge resort fees on award stays while Hyatt and Hilton do not. I think Hyatt has the best overall program with Hilton having the best cards. Example, I am staying at a Hilton (Curio) for 2 nights in Manhattan (which is a select / high cost market for Hilton) so for the $150 annual fee on the card I get $36 food credit per night ($18 for me and $18 for my wife) plus a $50 quarterly credit on the card so I recovered $122 of the $150 annual fee in one two night stay. To get a potential food credit with Marriott you need the $650 Brilliant. As I mentioned in another post, with Hyatt and all of the promotions (brand explorer etc.) I’ll get four “free nights” by December that I can use on one stay.
Hilton cards are fantastic. I would rather both the Surpass and Aspire over the Marriott brilliant. There is so much more value with Hilton over Marriott.
Hyatt is it for me. I can only focus on 1 loyalty program to get top tier (Globalist) status otherwise I wouldn't attain it.
Same! Hyatt for the win 🏆 🙌🏾