topic Re: Priceline or Hotel Rewards Cards? in Credit Cards

Priceline or Hotel Rewards Cards?

godscountry — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 20:21:35 GMT

This month, I am about to do my first spree after living off cash for years. This is my official re-entry to the credit realm. I have a list of cards that I am going to app for. I book hotels primarily through Priceline, for myself, family, and for business as well. The Priceline card has been on my list naturally because you earn points towards "Name Your Price". Which I mostly use the "Express Deals" now but will be using NYP a lot more again for the points. The question is simple in theory so I hope it doesnt sound dumb, but is there any more of an advantage to me going with other reward cards over PL such as Marriott? I use PL and get Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, etc...hotels all the time for 40-60% off on the average. Of course these are standard rooms but I have always been happy with standard rooms at nice hotels.

Re: Priceline or Hotel Rewards Cards?

godscountry — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 12:00:43 GMT

bump

Re: Priceline or Hotel Rewards Cards?

mt2va — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 20:34:01 GMT

What are your credit scores? What does your credit report look like? A lot of the rewards cards require excellent credit and longer credit history to be approved. Do you have any current credit cards? This information will allow people to make suggestions.

Re: Priceline or Hotel Rewards Cards?

Anonymous — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 20:57:01 GMT

@mt2va wrote:
What are your credit scores? What does your credit report look like? A lot of the rewards cards require excellent credit and longer credit history to be approved. Do you have any current credit cards? This information will allow people to make suggestions.

The OP isn't asking about whether he/she could get specific cards, where credit history would matter. Seems to be asking more generically, do loyalty cards have an advantage over something such as Priceline. Especially given that standard rooms are ok.

Re: Priceline or Hotel Rewards Cards?

godscountry — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 22:34:50 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@mt2va wrote:
What are your credit scores? What does your credit report look like? A lot of the rewards cards require excellent credit and longer credit history to be approved. Do you have any current credit cards? This information will allow people to make suggestions.
The OP isn't asking about whether he/she could get specific cards, where credit history would matter. Seems to be asking more generically, do loyalty cards have an advantage over something such as Priceline. Especially given that standard rooms are ok.

Correct. My scores are over 700 at the moment and some things will be coming off this month. After which I will spree as I should be in the mid 700's.

Re: Priceline or Hotel Rewards Cards?

Longroad — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 23:04:16 GMT

In my opinion it has more to do with your spend. Do you use one brand more than others or do you search more for the bargains? Also some of the sign up bonuses on the brand cards are quite good. I personally use Marriott and Hilton properties almost exclusively so I went with the Marriott card and will hopefully be getting the HHonors card soon as a complement. Just depends on your needs and wants.

Edit: didn't read close enough. IMO I would go for the brand cards for the sign up bonus and free nights at anniversary. Although you won't get the extra points if you purchase the rooms at the discount places the way i understand it.

Re: Priceline or Hotel Rewards Cards?

longtime_lurker — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 00:18:17 GMT

@Longroad wrote:
In my opinion it has more to do with your spend. Do you use one brand more than others or do you search more for the bargains? Also some of the sign up bonuses on the brand cards are quite good. I personally use Marriott and Hilton properties almost exclusively so I went with the Marriott card and will hopefully be getting the HHonors card soon as a complement. Just depends on your needs and wants.

Edit: didn't read close enough. IMO I would go for the brand cards for the sign up bonus and free nights at anniversary. Although you won't get the extra points if you purchase the rooms at the discount places the way i understand it.

As a Hilton employee, I can tell you that this is true - no points are awarded. Credit for the stay is a huge YMMV - depending on whether or hhonors number was added before you checked in or afterwards. So this definitely factors in on the value of the priceline and expedia cards - people looking at those would most likely benefit more from Arrival or CSP if they have no specific brand loyalty. I know CSP gets the bonus on travel booked through expedia

Re: Priceline or Hotel Rewards Cards?

mattmix36 — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 00:30:26 GMT

The Marriott card is boss IMHO

Re: Priceline or Hotel Rewards Cards?

godscountry — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 01:01:02 GMT

@longtime_lurker wrote:
@Longroad wrote:
In my opinion it has more to do with your spend. Do you use one brand more than others or do you search more for the bargains? Also some of the sign up bonuses on the brand cards are quite good. I personally use Marriott and Hilton properties almost exclusively so I went with the Marriott card and will hopefully be getting the HHonors card soon as a complement. Just depends on your needs and wants.

Edit: didn't read close enough. IMO I would go for the brand cards for the sign up bonus and free nights at anniversary. Although you won't get the extra points if you purchase the rooms at the discount places the way i understand it.
As a Hilton employee, I can tell you that this is true - no points are awarded. Credit for the stay is a huge YMMV - depending on whether or hhonors number was added before you checked in or afterwards. So this definitely factors in on the value of the priceline and expedia cards - people looking at those would most likely benefit more from Arrival or CSP if they have no specific brand loyalty. I know CSP gets the bonus on travel booked through expedia

I mostly go for bargains. The cheapest price I can get. A lot of times I get Marriott, Hilton, HI brands for half price. I understand what you are saying about the rewards. I used to be an Hhonors member but just didnt book enough direct to become VIP. Likewise with Hyatt. They did add points to my stay even though I booked 3rd party..but this was years ago. Holiday Inn (Priority Club) never gave me any points because I didnt book direct but would always afford me other PC benefits such as early check in/late check out and free suite upgrades. I am gonna get the Priceline card and see how it works out with the Name Your Price rewards because I use that a TON. I was thinking of another branded card to go with but CSP was mentioned above and that is a card I am going to app for regardless. So...dont know if I will do a branded card at the moment.

Of the branded cards which do you guys like best? Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, etc...?

Re: Priceline or Hotel Rewards Cards?

Longroad — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 02:05:24 GMT

@godscountry wrote:
@longtime_lurker wrote:
@Longroad wrote:
In my opinion it has more to do with your spend. Do you use one brand more than others or do you search more for the bargains? Also some of the sign up bonuses on the brand cards are quite good. I personally use Marriott and Hilton properties almost exclusively so I went with the Marriott card and will hopefully be getting the HHonors card soon as a complement. Just depends on your needs and wants.

Edit: didn't read close enough. IMO I would go for the brand cards for the sign up bonus and free nights at anniversary. Although you won't get the extra points if you purchase the rooms at the discount places the way i understand it.
As a Hilton employee, I can tell you that this is true - no points are awarded. Credit for the stay is a huge YMMV - depending on whether or hhonors number was added before you checked in or afterwards. So this definitely factors in on the value of the priceline and expedia cards - people looking at those would most likely benefit more from Arrival or CSP if they have no specific brand loyalty. I know CSP gets the bonus on travel booked through expedia
I mostly go for bargains. The cheapest price I can get. A lot of times I get Marriott, Hilton, HI brands for half price. I understand what you are saying about the rewards. I used to be an Hhonors member but just didnt book enough direct to become VIP. Likewise with Hyatt. They did add points to my stay even though I booked 3rd party..but this was years ago. Holiday Inn (Priority Club) never gave me any points because I didnt book direct but would always afford me other PC benefits such as early check in/late check out and free suite upgrades. I am gonna get the Priceline card and see how it works out with the Name Your Price rewards because I use that a TON. I was thinking of another branded card to go with but CSP was mentioned above and that is a card I am going to app for regardless. So...dont know if I will do a branded card at the moment.

Of the branded cards which do you guys like best? Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, etc...?

All of them are good in there element. I love my Marriott card and hopefully will be getting the HHonors card from AMEX to maximize my points when I stay at those properties. Plus the sign up bonuses, status upgrades, and anniversary free nights are great. Just my $0.02