topic Re: Best Amex hotel rewards card? in Credit Cards

Best Amex hotel rewards card?

Open123 — Sun, 08 May 2011 21:20:56 GMT

Between the Hilton Hhonors and SPG, which card would have better rewards for use overseas, namely in Singapore and Southeast Asia?

Re: Best Amex hotel rewards card?

smc733 — Sun, 08 May 2011 21:30:09 GMT

I can't speak for hotels, as I don't travel, so I don't know what is where, but I do know a LOT more people on here and other credit forums seem to clamor over the Starwood card...

Re: Best Amex hotel rewards card?

Red1Blue — Mon, 09 May 2011 01:58:10 GMT

I think Plantinum Charge also offers very good rewards.

Re: Best Amex hotel rewards card?

scottwagnon — Mon, 09 May 2011 03:12:10 GMT

if you study the details, the amex hilton hhonors is much better. cant wait to apply for it in mid july.

Re: Best Amex hotel rewards card?

Open123 — Mon, 09 May 2011 03:50:44 GMT

Initially, I was leaning towards the Starwoods card, but after looking more closely at the Hilton Honors, it appears their conversion rate--if limited to hotel stays--is a tad higher than Starwoods.

However, Starwoods has a better conversion to airline miles especially when 20k is transferred qualifying it for the 20% bonus.

For me, this will be used mainly for hotels. Anyone know if Hilton or Starwoods has better hotels in the SE Asia region, namely Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Jakharta?

Re: Best Amex hotel rewards card?

Anonymous — Mon, 09 May 2011 04:30:43 GMT

I would say SPG since their reward programs is really good and their hotels much better than the Hilton ones.

Re: Best Amex hotel rewards card?

Walt_K — Mon, 09 May 2011 18:43:47 GMT

@Open123 wrote:
Initially, I was leaning towards the Starwoods card, but after looking more closely at the Hilton Honors, it appears their conversion rate--if limited to hotel stays--is a tad higher than Starwoods.

However, Starwoods has a better conversion to airline miles especially when 20k is transferred qualifying it for the 20% bonus.

For me, this will be used mainly for hotels. Anyone know if Hilton or Starwoods has better hotels in the SE Asia region, namely Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Jakharta?

I seem to remeber hearing that Starwood had good properties in Asia, but I can't remember for sure and I haven't travelled there extensively. You should probably search flyertalk and milepoint for that kind of advice.

I just recently got the SPG card and like it alot. But I spent a lot of time debating between the it and the Hhonors card as well. I do want the flexibility to transfer points to airline miles, so SPG won out for me. If you're strictly looking for hotel redemptions, the Hilton card looks pretty solid. $20K spend on the Hilton card will get you Gold status which comes with free breakfast. If travelling with a companion, that can save you quite a bit of money. Contrast that with $30K spend for Starwood Gold status, which does not include free breakfast.

Re: Best Amex hotel rewards card?

JRomulus — Tue, 10 May 2011 04:35:11 GMT

If you are a Hilton Honors memeber you can transfer HH points for airline miles and vice versa right on the HH website.

Airline miles are worth a lot more than hotel points, maybe 2 to 1.

I will check the SPG point weight, curious how it compares to the HH system.

I am also considering either the Citi or the Amex HH card, since I stay with Hilton at least 6 nights a month on business.

Hilton has a lot more hotels than SPG, even though I love Starwood properties. You have to make a choice when it comes to hotels and airlines if you are going to maximize your points.

Interestingly, I did a comparison between the HH Surpass card with the $75 AF and the other without the AF.

With 48 stays per year, the extra 3 points you get for using the Surpass card (9 vs 6 for the other cards) equals between 10,000 -20,000 additional points, easily worth the $75 AF, even before the other benefits of Surpass.

Re: Best Amex hotel rewards card?

Anonymous — Tue, 10 May 2011 05:29:16 GMT

@Open123 wrote:
Initially, I was leaning towards the Starwoods card, but after looking more closely at the Hilton Honors, it appears their conversion rate--if limited to hotel stays--is a tad higher than Starwoods.

However, Starwoods has a better conversion to airline miles especially when 20k is transferred qualifying it for the 20% bonus.

For me, this will be used mainly for hotels. Anyone know if Hilton or Starwoods has better hotels in the SE Asia region, namely Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Jakharta?

Wow. Tough one. I would say, Hilton beats Singapore and Hong Kong while Starwood has better in South Korea and Jakarta. Though it would depend on your style/budget. If you like W hotels, then the one in Hong Kong is fantastic! Also, Thailand and Malaysia easily go to Starwood, though Japan sucks. I do think you should look at cash and points redemtpions though. There are some bargains out there! Good luck.