topic Re: Next Hotel Card - IHG or Marriott? in Credit Card Approvals

Next Hotel Card - IHG or Marriott? Update: IHG Approved

MASTERNC — Fri, 16 Feb 2018 07:23:00 GMT

With the changeover of the Hilton credit card from Citi to AMEX and the increase of the threshold for a free night from $10k spend to $15k, I am finding the math is not worth me trying to reach that target for a free night, and I am looking for another hotel card to provide that free night and also capture a sign-up bonus. I have some IHG points from business stays (and a discounted points purchase for a trip to NYC that never happened), and also have Marriott points. After Hilton, Marriott is my second most frequent brand, but I already have the SPG AMEX (and the Silver status). I like the idea of the Kimptons (and have also liked the InterContinentals) but these hotels aren't in all cities, and I'd prefer Hampton over a Holiday Inn Express or a Hilton/Doubletree over a Crowne Plaza.

Any suggestions which card is better?

Mod note: I've updated your subject to reflect your approval; feel free to change/edit if you would like. --UB

Re: Next Hotel Card - IHG or Marriott?

Kree — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 19:37:44 GMT

Is SPG silver equal to marriot gold? I seem to remember SPG has different tier names. If it isn't the Ritz card gets you sharable gold. Also Marriot has 75k right now, so might be worth getting just for the points. Marriott is also 3k per free night, so much lower than Hilton.

Re: Next Hotel Card - IHG or Marriott?

MrDisco99 — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 20:18:28 GMT

IHG's annual free night at any tier property for only $49 AF is hard to beat.

Re: Next Hotel Card - IHG or Marriott?

wasCB14 — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 21:39:30 GMT

IHG wins for category...and therefore geographic...flexibility on the renewal night.

Re: Next Hotel Card - IHG or Marriott?

SkyCommander — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 21:58:13 GMT

The AF is lower on IHG card and has a better award night redemption while Marriott card restricts it to a cat 1-5. I had to choose between Hyatt and Marriott for my first hotel card and chose Hyatt because I found the award night easier to use than I would with Marriott. Also consider the long term benefits of the card besides a signup bonus.

Re: Next Hotel Card - IHG or Marriott?

JackBeNimble1 — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 06:15:40 GMT

IHG provides a lot of value. It comes with Platinum Elite status, which regularly pays off with room upgrades. I've had several relatively swanky stays at Holiday Inns because they've upgraded me to executive suites free of charge. Intercontinental and Kimpton hotels are quite nice and Crowne Plazas usually aren't too shabby either (ymmv). The annual fee is only $45 and the annually recurring free night can be used at any of its properties. It's also great knowing that there are IHG properties in seemingly every town and city across the country — making it convenient for roadtrips — and in many locations around the world. All that said, for me, it's best as a backup loyalty program. Hilton's program is the one I lean on the most. Good luck!

Re: Next Hotel Card - IHG or Marriott?

MAZDA3 — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 06:14:36 GMT

IHG for sure. And don’t overlook the Hotel Indigos. Recently used my Chase free night cert at the Indigo Downtown Denver. Was upgraded to a one bedroom suite as a platinum. Beautiful hotel!

Re: Next Hotel Card - IHG or Marriott?

JackBeNimble1 — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 06:20:28 GMT

@MAZDA3wrote:
IHG for sure. And don’t overlook the Hotel Indigos. Recently used my Chase free night cert at the Indigo Downtown Denver. Was upgraded to a one bedroom suite as a platinum. Beautiful hotel!

Thanks for the info, Mazda3. I almost stayed at the Indigo hotel in Denver and wondered if it was as good as it looked. I live in San Francisco now but am a Colorado native. So I'll be sure to put the Indigo to use soon!

Re: Next Hotel Card - IHG or Marriott?

Anonymous — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 06:22:52 GMT

May be obvious, but keep in mind the Marriott card falls under 5/24 but the ihg does not.

Re: Next Hotel Card - IHG or Marriott?

Anonymous — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 11:57:36 GMT

@Anonymouswrote:
May be obvious, but keep in mind the Marriott card falls under 5/24 but the ihg does not.

How do you know that it’s not 5/24?

Re: Next Hotel Card - IHG or Marriott?

MASTERNC — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 14:37:50 GMT

So sounds like IHG is the way to go. Now comes the second question. The standard offer is 60k points after $1k spend but I have a special offer of 80k points for $2k spend. The marginal difference for the extra $1k doesn't seem to be much, and I have heard the standard offer has been 80k after $1k before. Any thoughts as to which one I should do?

Re: Next Hotel Card - IHG or Marriott?

simplynoir — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 15:05:44 GMT

@Anonymouswrote:
@Anonymouswrote:
May be obvious, but keep in mind the Marriott card falls under 5/24 but the ihg does not.
How do you know that it’s not 5/24?

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/chase-524-rule-explained-detail-need-know/#What_Cards_Aren8217t_Affected

Scroll down for the exemption list as well.

Re: Next Hotel Card - IHG or Marriott?

simplynoir — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 15:09:15 GMT

@MASTERNCwrote:
So sounds like IHG is the way to go. Now comes the second question. The standard offer is 60k points after $1k spend but I have a special offer of 80k points for $2k spend. The marginal difference for the extra $1k doesn't seem to be much, and I have heard the standard offer has been 80k after $1k before. Any thoughts as to which one I should do?

It gets offered every once in awhile if you're willing to wait but IMO I would just go ahead and get the 80k/$2k spend offer since point wise I think that's the highest they go anyways unless something will prevent you from making that spend like other card SUBs you're going for at the moment.

Re: Next Hotel Card - IHG or Marriott?

Anonymous — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 17:52:11 GMT

Dun dun dun dun dun duuuuuun!

I present to you: this link I found a bit back on IHG's site that gives the standard 60k bonus offer *but also* a $50 statement credit

https://creditcards.chase.com/a1/ihg/ihg60plus?CELL=6J1C&cm_sp=OSMAM-6C-US-EN-RR-A-MNR-60K-FGLT-J1C-ChaseMasterCard

Re: Next Hotel Card - IHG or Marriott?

MASTERNC — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 17:56:06 GMT

@Anonymouswrote:
Dun dun dun dun dun duuuuuun!

I present to you: this link I found a bit back on IHG's site that gives the standard 60k bonus offer *but also* a $50 statement credit

https://creditcards.chase.com/a1/ihg/ihg60plus?CELL=6J1C&cm_sp=OSMAM-6C-US-EN-RR-A-MNR-60K-FGLT-J1C-ChaseMasterCard

Already went for the 80k offer and was approved. Oh well.

Re: Next Hotel Card - IHG or Marriott?

Kree — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 18:01:51 GMT

The extra 20k is worth more than $50

Re: Next Hotel Card - IHG or Marriott?

Anonymous — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 18:23:18 GMT

$50 bonus is still a nice one on top of the 60k for when the 80k isn't available - i guess i didnt read posts in this thread closely enough but i wasn't aware the 80k offer even was available. besides that, it really depends on how you value the points. from the perspective of $50 covers an annual fee for year 2 and that effectively gets you a "free" annual night certificate, it's arguable that the $50 is worth more than 20k points.

still, either way, 60k + $50 is better than 60k alone, but that 80k offer is nice when available. i wonder if there's a link somewhere for 80k + $50?

Re: Next Hotel Card - IHG or Marriott?

MrDisco99 — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 20:25:50 GMT

When I got mine the public offer was 80K points for $1K and they matched me to a well known targeted offer of 100K points for $2K.

20K points is worth around $100 and worth an additional $1K spend (about 10% return).

I’m using my points on 3 nights in Jerusalem and one night in St. Augustine and I still have some to spare. I haven’t even gotten my annual free night yet. This card was well worth the app (and recon)!

Re: Next Hotel Card - IHG or Marriott?

jbsilva21 — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 20:49:49 GMT

I agree with MrDisco99. There is an ask sebby video that outlines the IHG card. Seems like a great value for $49.00.

Re: Next Hotel Card - IHG or Marriott?

iced — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 21:32:59 GMT

My advice is you should pick a card based on your preferred hotel, not the other way around. If you like Marriott more, why not build around that?