You are 100% spot-on about pushing them for an upgrade in a friendly way. My wife prefers a king size bed. The hotel we wanted to book only had "2 queen bed" rooms available. But they also had a king bed corner suite. Called the hotel. Asked about king rooms. They said they were sold out. Thinking to myself...well...sorta yes, sorta no. Then I mentioned my Hilton Gold status, and all of a sudden the king corner suite was on their radar. Mentioned I'm a larger fellow and feel more comfortable stretching out in a king bed. Asked if we could have the corner suite for the 2 queen room basic price. They said, "I was just going to offer you that." So we got a $153 corner suite for $107. It's honestly just a slightly larger room than the basic king bed room. But we appreciated the gesture of the upgrade. The free breakfast is a fantastic perk that adds a lot of value to the stay.
Great data point! I always think it's a good idea to have an idea of what rooms make sense for an upgrade so you can give them that nudge for the upgrade when needed. And I agree about the breakfast!
Ya you get a comp upgrade when it’s available but don’t be a dick if nothing is available. These front desk and managers at hotels don’t make shit and do not need entitled assholes making their jobs more difficult.
This was a great video, just subscribed 💕 we’re 6 nights away from diamond! We travel full time so I’m looking forward to seeing how this current hotel accommodates us with our new diamond status. I’m really hoping they give us the penthouse, the capacity is so low, they’re practically giving the rooms away. Kind of disappointing to hear that the status isn’t treated as such but I’m hoping for the best 🤞🏾
Executive Lounge in Hilton Belgrade is my favourite. It is small enough to interact with other guests and the variety of drinks (alcohol also:) and food is perfect.
@@Lighthousefamily32 Depends on location . Basic lounges are just house wine , beer and a few snacks . Flagship locations ( Manchester City centre uk ) have spirits available and much more food .
Upgrade is subject to availablity at the time of check in and it will be one category higher than the room the guest booked Status match given for one time only and HH expects the guest retain the HH tier status
Recently got Hilton Diamond & booked a few nights at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando....first time we’ve been there, and probably the nicest hotel we’ve ever been to....just booked one of the basic rooms, but crossing my fingers for an upgrade to a suite w/ a balcony perhaps....
Just to clarify, the breakfast inclusive for both gold and diamond is only “continental” breakfast only. If you wish the full buffet at the main restaurant (not lounge) I believe you need to pay $10pp extra.
That will all depend on the property in my experience. I’ve definitely been given full buffets in the restaurant before (other times just a set amount for dishes). So I think it often comes down to the hotel’s policy. 👍
Great video as usual - really like your no-nonsense style and how you go into details and hit the right points. Quick question: I have Hilton Diamond (Aspire) and my wife has Gold (Ascend). We are a family of 4 going to Vienna and staying at the Hilton Vienna in August - hoping for an upgrade, lounge, breakfast etc. We will be booking 2 rooms, and wondering if it makes sense for me to book 2 as a Diamond member or for me to book 1 and for my wife to book 1 (as Gold). Not sure if it even would make any difference. Appreciate your thoughts on how best to maximize perks for both rooms.
I've ran into this same thing before. We booked two rooms (one as Gold and one as Diamond) to guarantee breakfast for everyone. But then we contacted the hotel to link the reservations and they ended up upgrading everybody the same.
Good overview of the Gold vs. Diamond. I plan on traveling at least once every two months this year. I already have the Amex Hilton card (no annual fee). I am still debating about upgrading to the Amex Hilton Aspire card for Diamond status, or getting the Amex Platinum for Gold status.
Thanks! I think it comes down to how you value lounge access for Hilton stays versus all of the benefits of the Platinum Card. If you're big on airport lounge access that might be a better fit. Or you can be like me and go with both!
Looks like I'll upgrade to the Aspire by the end of 1Q'19 and get the Amex Platinum by the end of 2Q'19 so I can get the Global Entry credit in time for my big overseas trip this year. That would work!
Sure. So as a Hilton Diamond member you'll earn 20X for every $1 spent at Hilton properties and then an additional 14X with the Aspire Card. So you can earn a total of 34X Hilton points per $1 spent at Hilton properties with the Aspire.
Well, I know they have done so in the past. There's always a chance it could change going forward but you can find the current status match info here: statusmatch.hiltonhonors.com/
Hey there, I think I was talking about how easy it is to offset the annual fee with travel credits -- check out this video for more on those credit: ua-cam.com/video/RR-h-YNtA7Q/v-deo.html
I just signed up for the Ascend card and kinda regretting not getting the Aspire card. Do you know if AMEX would let me upgrade without having to getting a new card and running my credit again?
You could always try but the CARD Act will likely require you to hold on to the card for one year before upgrading since your annual fee would be increasing.
On average how many points do you need to get a free night? I know in Milwaukee they grant Executive Lounge to Gold Members. How would I find other Hilton properties that offer the lounge to Gold as well? Very helpful you are
With Hilton, it really can vary by a lot. I'm doing a new video that will cover some of that. I'm not sure how to look up properties that offer lounge access to gold other than just researching individual hotels. Flyertalk is pretty good for that.
@@UponArriving Do you happen to know of any spg credit cards that give instant diamond status? I think that's the easiest way to get their 💎 status correct?. You can then get a match to diamond with hilton I also believe. Also, with the hilton aspire card, do you have to spend $40,000 each year to retain 💎 status, or do you have it forever once getting approved for the card.
I've been diamond due to my stays for over 6 years, and the upgrades are hit and miss. You usually get good upgrades at hotels you frequent due to familiarity.
M. Arambul - they get the same breakfast down in the hotel restaurant, or course. The point was, for the hotels that also serve breakfast in the executive lounge, it’s not necessarily better than the breakfast offered in the restaurant. So, the perceived benefit may not be the reality. Hope that helps.
![АЛАУДИНОВ у Скабеевой: эти их ВСУ нас НЕ ДОГОНЯТ 😁 [Пародия]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/an0anqU4WGQ/mqdefault.jpg)
You are 100% spot-on about pushing them for an upgrade in a friendly way. My wife prefers a king size bed. The hotel we wanted to book only had "2 queen bed" rooms available. But they also had a king bed corner suite. Called the hotel. Asked about king rooms. They said they were sold out. Thinking to myself...well...sorta yes, sorta no. Then I mentioned my Hilton Gold status, and all of a sudden the king corner suite was on their radar. Mentioned I'm a larger fellow and feel more comfortable stretching out in a king bed. Asked if we could have the corner suite for the 2 queen room basic price. They said, "I was just going to offer you that." So we got a $153 corner suite for $107. It's honestly just a slightly larger room than the basic king bed room. But we appreciated the gesture of the upgrade. The free breakfast is a fantastic perk that adds a lot of value to the stay.
Great data point! I always think it's a good idea to have an idea of what rooms make sense for an upgrade so you can give them that nudge for the upgrade when needed. And I agree about the breakfast!
Ya you get a comp upgrade when it’s available but don’t be a dick if nothing is available. These front desk and managers at hotels don’t make shit and do not need entitled assholes making their jobs more difficult.
This was a great video, just subscribed 💕 we’re 6 nights away from diamond! We travel full time so I’m looking forward to seeing how this current hotel accommodates us with our new diamond status. I’m really hoping they give us the penthouse, the capacity is so low, they’re practically giving the rooms away.
Kind of disappointing to hear that the status isn’t treated as such but I’m hoping for the best 🤞🏾
Another dynamite review. You always break things down so well keep up the great work.
Executive Lounge in Hilton Belgrade is my favourite. It is small enough to interact with other guests and the variety of drinks (alcohol also:) and food is perfect.
Do they provide free drinks at the lounge? What exactly do u get access to in these lounges
@@Lighthousefamily32 If u ever visited a lounge at any airport, it's the same logic.
@@Lighthousefamily32
Depends on location . Basic lounges are just house wine , beer and a few snacks .
Flagship locations ( Manchester City centre uk ) have spirits available and much more food .
Upgrade is subject to availablity at the time of check in and it will be one category higher than the room the guest booked
Status match given for one time only and HH expects the guest retain the HH tier status
Recently got Hilton Diamond & booked a few nights at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando....first time we’ve been there, and probably the nicest hotel we’ve ever been to....just booked one of the basic rooms, but crossing my fingers for an upgrade to a suite w/ a balcony perhaps....
Just to clarify, the breakfast inclusive for both gold and diamond is only “continental” breakfast only. If you wish the full buffet at the main restaurant (not lounge) I believe you need to pay $10pp extra.
That will all depend on the property in my experience. I’ve definitely been given full buffets in the restaurant before (other times just a set amount for dishes). So I think it often comes down to the hotel’s policy. 👍
Marlon Ninja Mendiola Diamond always gets free breakfast, everything included
Great review! Thanks also for the good recap of the Chase reconsideration line process and nuances.
Thanks -- I really appreciate it!
I work at a Hampton and a 4pm checkout would never happen. Paris Hilton herself couldn't get later than 2pm.
Great video as usual - really like your no-nonsense style and how you go into details and hit the right points. Quick question: I have Hilton Diamond (Aspire) and my wife has Gold (Ascend). We are a family of 4 going to Vienna and staying at the Hilton Vienna in August - hoping for an upgrade, lounge, breakfast etc. We will be booking 2 rooms, and wondering if it makes sense for me to book 2 as a Diamond member or for me to book 1 and for my wife to book 1 (as Gold). Not sure if it even would make any difference. Appreciate your thoughts on how best to maximize perks for both rooms.
I've ran into this same thing before. We booked two rooms (one as Gold and one as Diamond) to guarantee breakfast for everyone. But then we contacted the hotel to link the reservations and they ended up upgrading everybody the same.
Brilliantly helpful video brother! Thanks for sharing all your analysis. Really appreciate it!!!!
I like your videos, you really know what your talking about, i just subscribed 👍
Thanks, I really appreciate it! Glad I'm making sense to some people!
Good overview of the Gold vs. Diamond. I plan on traveling at least once every two months this year. I already have the Amex Hilton card (no annual fee). I am still debating about upgrading to the Amex Hilton Aspire card for Diamond status, or getting the Amex Platinum for Gold status.
Thanks! I think it comes down to how you value lounge access for Hilton stays versus all of the benefits of the Platinum Card. If you're big on airport lounge access that might be a better fit. Or you can be like me and go with both!
Looks like I'll upgrade to the Aspire by the end of 1Q'19 and get the Amex Platinum by the end of 2Q'19 so I can get the Global Entry credit in time for my big overseas trip this year. That would work!
@@jalabi99 Sounds like a plan! Where are you headed to?
Singapore for my cousin's wedding like a poor man's _Crazy Rich Asians_ LOL
Lmao!
Please explain the 34x back.
I don't get it.
Sure. So as a Hilton Diamond member you'll earn 20X for every $1 spent at Hilton properties and then an additional 14X with the Aspire Card. So you can earn a total of 34X Hilton points per $1 spent at Hilton properties with the Aspire.
Could you do a video of the good and mediocre Hilton executive lounges you’ve been to?
Are you sure hilton will match ihg platinum to hilton diamond? If yes please show me how. Thanks
Well, I know they have done so in the past. There's always a chance it could change going forward but you can find the current status match info here: statusmatch.hiltonhonors.com/
Can amex holders in the us nominate a non us citizen to get a secondary card ?
You mentioned it is easy to waive the annual fee on the aspire card... what is the process for that?
Hey there, I think I was talking about how easy it is to offset the annual fee with travel credits -- check out this video for more on those credit: ua-cam.com/video/RR-h-YNtA7Q/v-deo.html
I just signed up for the Ascend card and kinda regretting not getting the Aspire card. Do you know if AMEX would let me upgrade without having to getting a new card and running my credit again?
You could always try but the CARD Act will likely require you to hold on to the card for one year before upgrading since your annual fee would be increasing.
youll be prorated annual fee
On average how many points do you need to get a free night? I know in Milwaukee they grant Executive Lounge to Gold Members. How would I find other Hilton properties that offer the lounge to Gold as well? Very helpful you are
With Hilton, it really can vary by a lot. I'm doing a new video that will cover some of that. I'm not sure how to look up properties that offer lounge access to gold other than just researching individual hotels. Flyertalk is pretty good for that.
@@UponArriving Do you happen to know of any spg credit cards that give instant diamond status? I think that's the easiest way to get their 💎 status correct?. You can then get a match to diamond with hilton I also believe. Also, with the hilton aspire card, do you have to spend $40,000 each year to retain 💎 status, or do you have it forever once getting approved for the card.
so what is your favorite hotel program at the moment?
Very helpful. Thanks.
Thanks for the tips! Im looking forward to maximizing on points
N is picture
Can Marriott gold status match to gold Hilton statues?......
yes
I've been diamond due to my stays for over 6 years, and the upgrades are hit and miss. You usually get good upgrades at hotels you frequent due to familiarity.
Can you do an update?
Wait are you saying that Diamond members don’t get the free breakfast that Gold members get?
M. Arambul - they get the same breakfast down in the hotel restaurant, or course. The point was, for the hotels that also serve breakfast in the executive lounge, it’s not necessarily better than the breakfast offered in the restaurant. So, the perceived benefit may not be the reality. Hope that helps.
@@dandawson8128 well actually gold members get the walmart eggs and and diamond get the grass fed hormone free eggs.
Credit card bonuses!
Quick questions is the diamond status on the aspire only for a year or as long as you have the card ?
As long as you have it
do the upgrades come with an extra fee?
When you talk about longes the food is free that correct ?
Yes
The lonely bear 🐻😂
That's my kangaroo!