topic Re: Hotel Cards for a road trip. in Credit Cards

Hotel Cards for a road trip.

AyaMai — Thu, 29 May 2025 02:51:41 GMT

Which 2 hotel cards are best to travel on a road trip across USA staying at a hotel such as Hampton Inn

Re: Hotel Cards for a road trip.

FicoMike0 — Thu, 29 May 2025 03:28:05 GMT

Hampton is hilton. Amex has three cards. I have the free card, 80,000 point sub, $2000'spend in 6 months. Might check the fee cards if you plan a lot of nights.

https://www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/?eep=28810&utm_cmpid=430098504&utm_adid=&utm_mcid=&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=%2Bamex&utm_campaign=p%3Ab%7Ca%3AAXCB%7C%5EB%7CD%7Cd%3ABrand+General-NPS%7Cm%3APhrase&utm_adgroup=Amex%7Cp%3AB%7Ca%3AAXCB%7C%5EB%7CD%7Cd%3ABrand+General-NPS%7Cm%3APhrase&utm_adgid=1230353808545941&utm_tgtid=kwd-76897340062532%3Aloc-190&utm_mt=e&utm_dvc=t&utm_ntwk=o&utm_adpos=&utm_plcmnt=&utm_locphysid=93970&utm_locintid=&utm_feeditemid=&utm_devicemdl=&utm_plcmnttgt=&utm_programname=brandnps&utm_cmp=BrandGen&utm_sl=&utm_acid=2024380652&msclkid=5208f81ff64314e1fb6890282576a2e4&utm_content=Amex%7Cp%3AB%7Ca%3AAXCB%7C%5EB%7CD%7Cd%3ABrand+General-NPS%7Cm%3APhrase&gclid=5208f81ff64314e1fb6890282576a2e4&gclsrc=3p.ds&gad_source=7

Re: Hotel Cards for a road trip.

FicoMike0 — Thu, 29 May 2025 03:41:10 GMT

If you want cash back, rather than nights, maybe a travel card. I have the usb connect, pays 5x points for hotels booked through them. Haven't tried it. The points can be redeemed for cents, to card balance or checking. I have done that, no problem. Offering 20000 points, $200, sub, $2000 spend in 4 months. They were giving away $500 when I applied, won't see that again.

as I've complained before, don't expect a cli from usb, I've been trying for over a year in two cards.

Re: Hotel Cards for a road trip.

redpat — Thu, 29 May 2025 05:56:04 GMT

Do your homework and believe it or not the best hotel card under the radar is actually an airline card, Citi AA Exec.

Has a current SUB of 100K.

Most, if not all hotel points have been severely been devalued.

This card will broaden your travel options, that's if you want any.....

Re: Hotel Cards for a road trip.

Varsity_Lu — Thu, 29 May 2025 09:42:23 GMT

I second the Hilton AmEx card. Like Mike, I have the free one. Personally, I really like Hilton hotels. Hampton Inn is a great value, especially if you have multiple people in one room. I took my kids on a little 3 night trip last weekend and the breakfast alone almost pays for the room when you have teenage boys eating. We ate breakfast at like 7:30, went to the pool for a while, and then came back and ate again just before 10:00. We didn't even have to eat lunch that day, so I saved a ton of money right there. The room was only like $115 a night and I got over 2,000 points for the stay. It was awesome. (I realize that 2,000 points is only like 1/25th of a stay, but still)

Re: Hotel Cards for a road trip.

FicoMike0 — Thu, 29 May 2025 14:19:41 GMT

Wow, the aa exec card does offer 10x for hotels! It's a little pricey at $595, though. Seems like it would take a lot of travel to get that back. What is the value of the points? The 100,000 point sub sounds nice, until you see it requires $10,000 spend on 3 months to qualify. I wouldn't get the fee back from the sub either, since I wouldn't qualify!

Re: Hotel Cards for a road trip.

redpat — Thu, 29 May 2025 14:30:26 GMT

@FicoMike0 wrote:
Wow, the aa exec card does offer 10x for hotels! It's a little pricey at $595, though. Seems like it would take a lot of travel to get that back. What is the value of the points? The 100,000 point sub sounds nice, until you see it requires $10,000 spend on 3 months to qualify. I wouldn't get the fee back from the sub either, since I wouldn't qualify!

@FicoMike0 Way more than 10x, more homework needed.....Lol!

Re: Hotel Cards for a road trip.

FicoMike0 — Thu, 29 May 2025 14:36:53 GMT

The $595 makes it pass/ fail for me.

Re: Hotel Cards for a road trip.

SouthJamaica — Thu, 29 May 2025 17:13:37 GMT

@AyaMai wrote:
Which 2 hotel cards are best to travel on a road trip across USA staying at a hotel such as Hampton Inn

I've had good experiences with the Amex Hilton cards. Hampton Inn is among the Hilton family of hotels. Another one I happen to like is Homewood Suites.

Of the 3 cards offered, the one that I have found delivers the most bang for the buck is the Surpass card, which does have an annual fee.

It's easy to earn Hilton points, but unfortunately they're not worth that much. I have found them to be worth about four tenths of a cent.

The only other hotel card with which I've had recent experience is the Chase World of Hyatt Visa card. That too IMHO is quite worth having.

It's harder to earn points but the points are worth much much more than the Hilton cards. In a test I ran last year the Hyatt points were worth 8x the value of the Hilton points. https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Hyatt-points-worth-8x-Hilton-points/m-p/6772197?search-action-id=301178454719&search-result-uid=6772197

The only problem with the Hyatt cards is that there seem to be fewer hotels available.

From what I hear, the IHG cards and Marriott cards appear to offer good value, and lots of additional hotels to choose from.

Re: Hotel Cards for a road trip.

Varsity_Lu — Thu, 29 May 2025 19:10:38 GMT

@SouthJamaica wrote:

It's easy to earn Hilton points, but unfortunately they're not worth that much. I have found them to be worth about four tenths of a cent.

0.4 CPP is my calculation, too. My thinking with the Hilton Card was this: 1. I got the no AF card with a SP approval so I'm not out anything, 2. They gave me a 100,000 point SUB which is like $400 toward hotel stays, and 3. I already like Hilton hotels anyway. Since I am already using them, I might as well get more point by using the free card. It's a win win win and I didn't have to wear shirt with baby's playing saxaphones!

Re: Hotel Cards for a road trip.

ptatohed — Thu, 29 May 2025 18:46:23 GMT

I'm enjoying my IHG card, despite the $95 annual fee. In fact, for Mother's Day, I sent my wife to a StayBridge in Temecula CA using my free anniversary night. It was a very nice studio suite with a full kitchen. 2 nights: Thurs = 20,000 points + Friday = 40,000 points - 40,000 (exact anniversary allowance) = 20,000 points for 2 nights. I love the Platinum status - I've taken advantage of the early checkin and late checkout. Other than my wife's StayBridge stay, I've only used the card/points to stay at Holiday Inns and Holiday Inn Expresses. I find the points to average about 0.5c each but can vary 0.4c to 0.6c. I've already seen the devaluation of points in my first year as the same room at the Holiday Inn Express in Valencia CA used to be low/mid 20k points, now it is mid/high 20k points. I still have about 90,000 points from my elevated welcome offer last year! I usually do cash + points to spread out the points.

Re: Hotel Cards for a road trip.

AlbertoJadenz — Fri, 30 May 2025 03:54:19 GMT

@FicoMike0 wrote:
Hampton is hilton. Amex has three cards. I have the free card, 80,000 point sub, $2000'spend in 6 months. Might check the fee cards if you plan a lot of nights.tubidy
https://www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/?eep=28810&utm_cmpid=430098504&utm_adid=&utm_mcid=&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=%2Bamex&utm_campaign=p%3Ab%7Ca%3AAXCB%7C%5EB%7CD%7Cd%3ABrand+General-NPS%7Cm%3APhrase&utm_adgroup=Amex%7Cp%3AB%7Ca%3AAXCB%7C%5EB%7CD%7Cd%3ABrand+General-NPS%7Cm%3APhrase&utm_adgid=1230353808545941&utm_tgtid=kwd-76897340062532%3Aloc-190&utm_mt=e&utm_dvc=t&utm_ntwk=o&utm_adpos=&utm_plcmnt=&utm_locphysid=93970&utm_locintid=&utm_feeditemid=&utm_devicemdl=&utm_plcmnttgt=&utm_programname=brandnps&utm_cmp=BrandGen&utm_sl=&utm_acid=2024380652&msclkid=5208f81ff64314e1fb6890282576a2e4&utm_content=Amex%7Cp%3AB%7Ca%3AAXCB%7C%5EB%7CD%7Cd%3ABrand+General-NPS%7Cm%3APhrase&gclid=5208f81ff64314e1fb6890282576a2e4&gclsrc=3p.ds&gad_source=7

Nice, that 80,000 point sub sounds like a solid deal for a no-fee card. Definitely makes sense to look into the higher-tier ones too if the trip includes multiple stays. Appreciate the reminder!

Re: Hotel Cards for a road trip.

redpat — Fri, 30 May 2025 10:31:42 GMT

@AyaMai

Waiting for your response because it appears you have all the Hotels cards and tons of IHG points to boot.

So, which 2 cards would you use? Lol, you should know, Brilliant, Aspire , IHG or take all three?

Re: Hotel Cards for a road trip.

KatzNDawgs — Fri, 30 May 2025 22:13:08 GMT

A little hidden gem is the Bilt card. No annual fee, 2x all travel, several nice transfer partners. Does require 5 swipes/mo, but that can just be on gum/coffee. And if you rent, you can rack up points like crazy.

Re: Hotel Cards for a road trip.

FicoMike0 — Fri, 30 May 2025 22:37:30 GMT

@Varsity_Lu wrote:
@SouthJamaica wrote:

It's easy to earn Hilton points, but unfortunately they're not worth that much. I have found them to be worth about four tenths of a cent.
0.4 CPP is my calculation, too. My thinking with the Hilton Card was this: 1. I got the no AF card with a SP approval so I'm not out anything, 2. They gave me a 100,000 point SUB which is like $400 toward hotel stays, and 3. I already like Hilton hotels anyway. Since I am already using them, I might as well get more point by using the free card. It's a win win win and I didn't have to wear shirt with baby's playing saxaphones!

That was exactly my thinking, a sub with no hp. I just got a cli on it to $5900, which is ok for the little I spend on it.

Re: Hotel Cards for a road trip.

redpat — Sat, 31 May 2025 01:34:26 GMT

When I was on the Marriott and Hilton hamster wheel the only way to get some real value was to booking award nights getting 5 nights for 4 award nights. The 5th is free. Only thing it has to be consecutive nights booked.

Now everyone has gold, platnum or diamond status, so even getting upgrades have been so watered down.

I've been getting late check outs by just asking and most Hotels will let you check-in early anyway. You just need to be nice....

Hotel points and status is no longer a value proposition.

Re: Hotel Cards for a road trip.

AyaMai — Sat, 31 May 2025 01:49:56 GMT

@FicoMike0 wrote:
If you want cash back, rather than nights, maybe a travel card. I have the usb connect, pays 5x points for hotels booked through them. Haven't tried it. The points can be redeemed for cents, to card balance or checking. I have done that, no problem. Offering 20000 points, $200, sub, $2000 spend in 4 months. They were giving away $500 when I applied, won't see that again.
as I've complained before, don't expect a cli from usb, I've been trying for over a year in two cards.

I was in the middle of the process applying for this card, then decided not tothis shows everytime I open my US Bank account "Finish your application". Then few months later applied for U.S Bank Altitude Go & U.S. Bank Shield approved with 20K limit each but was denied for limit increase on Cash + 1K limit

Re: Hotel Cards for a road trip.

AyaMai — Sat, 31 May 2025 02:25:30 GMT

@ptatohed wrote:
I'm enjoying my IHG card, despite the $95 annual fee. In fact, for Mother's Day, I sent my wife to a StayBridge in Temecula CA using my free anniversary night. It was a very nice studio suite with a full kitchen. 2 nights: Thurs = 20,000 points + Friday = 40,000 points - 40,000 (exact anniversary allowance) = 20,000 points for 2 nights. I love the Platinum status - I've taken advantage of the early checkin and late checkout. Other than my wife's StayBridge stay, I've only used the card/points to stay at Holiday Inns and Holiday Inn Expresses. I find the points to average about 0.5c each but can vary 0.4c to 0.6c. I've already seen the devaluation of points in my first year as the same room at the Holiday Inn Express in Valencia CA used to be low/mid 20k points, now it is mid/high 20k points. I still have about 90,000 points from my elevated welcome offer last year! I usually do cash + points to spread out the points.

My stay in Hampton Inn & Suites Temecula in October was a disappointment but my stay at Hampton Inn Irvine Spectrum Lake Forest was great in April. I have Platinum status through IHG InterContinental Ambassador, which I booked a weekend this month at the new InterContinental Bellevue at the Avenue with 4:00 PM check out. I am locked out till January 2026 to apply for my first Chase card.

Re: Hotel Cards for a road trip.

AyaMai — Sat, 31 May 2025 02:52:01 GMT

@redpat wrote:
@AyaMai
Waiting for your response because it appears you have all the Hotels cards and tons of IHG points to boot.

So, which 2 cards would you use? Lol, you should know, Brilliant, Aspire , IHG or take all three?

Do note that I do not have any Chase cards in my name which include IHG and World of Hyatt. Yes I have Hilton Aspire though my stays at Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach, Curio Collection by Hilton "OK", Cape Rey Carlsbad Beach, a Hilton Resort and Spa "Terrible" & Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines, "great location, outdated feeling, Menu breakfast terrible". Next April will stay at Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort to use my semi annual $200 credit. SInce I do not fly, hotel and tranferable points cards are most I am interested in besides cashback.

Re: Hotel Cards for a road trip.

AyaMai — Sat, 31 May 2025 02:56:54 GMT

What's your opinion about Key+ by Wells Fargo, do you think it is better than Autography Journey.