Hilton Aspire vs SPG Luxury : Perks

[staticvoidmain]

Without loyalty to any one brand, which provides the better value as an SD card? I am mostly asking about the benefits/perks, especially the statuses that come with them. I am mostly intereted in the following:

1. Value of Hilton Diamond status (top-tier) vs Marriot Gold status. The way I am seeing it, the Diamond offers [a lot] more value although I am not sure how that translates to real-life.
2. Free night stays, also comparing hotel options and overall qualities of hotels.
3. Usage of annual credits.
4. Others?

I am not interested in the earning rates. Also, I am new to hotel statuses, and I like to be pampered. Also worth noting, I am considering on apping for the Amex Plat in the future.

[NRB525]

Each card is $450 annual fee, so you do need to plan for some level of usage. True SD is not advisable. And commiting $450 to one and not the other does build in some expected loyalty to that one brand.

The no-AF Hilton card gives Silver status, with some perks. The $95 SPG card also gives some basic status and a free night. Have you considered those as better SD alternatives?

[staticvoidmain]

I am considering the $95 SPG. I am thinking of the future should I choose to go for either of them. (I get the SPG, then it would just be an upgrade path, whereas with Hilton, it's a new app and I'd have to cancel SPG). I do believe there is value to them even if they are in SD.

[redpat]

OP if you like to be pampered it costs $$$.  The amex plat might be the best option using FHR for the $100 property credit, free breakfast for 2, late check-out as late as 4:00 and upgrades if available.  Plus with plat you get marriott and hilton gold.

Marriott/SPG gold perks stink now and hilton gold is a better option.  Aspire is a great card but a waist if you put it in the SD. 

Also, don't expect to be upgraded into suites by just having the Aspire card on every booking.  

[NRB525]

I went from Hilton no-AF to an upgrade offer for the $95 Hilton, and the same card got an upgrade offer to Aspire, which I took, so the upgrade path for Hilton is most definitely there.

If you want to switch brands, yeah, new app, but upgrades within the family work fine.

[PointsBonus]

Short answer the Aspire.
The Diamond status alone is worth it. Why ? Just because of the earning rate from Hilton on their points system.
That’s the short answer. The long answer, PM and I can tell you all about them.

Currently a Lifetime Platinum with Marriott and ... technically Lifetime Diamond with Hilton ( as long as I have the Aspire card 😂)

[simplynoir]

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@PointsBonus wrote:
Short answer the Aspire.
The Diamond status alone is worth it. Why ? Just because of the earning rate from Hilton on their points system.

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Their award night costs cancel out the earning rate there. There's a reason why Hilton points are the Sky Pesos of hotel points.

[K-in-Boston]

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@simplynoir wrote:

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@PointsBonus wrote:
Short answer the Aspire.
The Diamond status alone is worth it. Why ? Just because of the earning rate from Hilton on their points system.

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Their award night costs cancel out the earning rate there. There's a reason why Hilton points are the Sky Pesos of hotel points.

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Disclaimer: I'm obviously a Marriott fanboy.  The actual value of the points and no availability of properties in many areas would be the two main things that kept me from going to Hilton.  While the Marriott/SPG cards themselves may only earn 6 points per dollar, as a Gold member you do get 12.5 points per dollar on top of that.  Marriott points are worth 5-10 times as much for airline transfers as Hilton points. 

I've never had success in finding good value for Hilton award stays.  I just looked again, and let's go with Boston on Independence Day.  60,000 Marriott points gets you a night in the Ritz-Carlton, while you'd need 244,000 Hilton points for the Ames.  To put that into perpective, with the 5th night free it would cost 4,000 points less for FIVE nights at the Ritz-Carlton that it would for ONE in a similar Hilton property.

[PointsBonus]

I am 100% with you , I am sincerely a Marriott Fan 150%, the points paid for out wedding and a few honey moons. But I have to admit the perks with Hilton is good also, again, like you said, depends on the location.

Both good cards to have ( I have both )

[redpat]

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@K-in-Boston wrote:

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@simplynoir wrote:

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@PointsBonus wrote:
Short answer the Aspire.
The Diamond status alone is worth it. Why ? Just because of the earning rate from Hilton on their points system.

---

Their award night costs cancel out the earning rate there. There's a reason why Hilton points are the Sky Pesos of hotel points.

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Disclaimer: I'm obviously a Marriott fanboy.  The actual value of the points and no availability of properties in many areas would be the two main things that kept me from going to Hilton.  While the Marriott/SPG cards themselves may only earn 6 points per dollar, as a Gold member you do get 12.5 points per dollar on top of that.  Marriott points are worth 5-10 times as much for airline transfers as Hilton points. 

I've never had success in finding good value for Hilton award stays.  I just looked again, and let's go with Boston on Independence Day.  60,000 Marriott points gets you a night in the Ritz-Carlton, while you'd need 244,000 Hilton points for the Ames.  To put that into perpective, with the 5th night free it would cost 4,000 points less for FIVE nights at the Ritz-Carlton that it would for ONE in a similar Hilton property.

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K, we go to bean town a lot on the 4th stay at Hilton in financial district for $180 - $200 or 60k pts a night very close to Marriott long wharf which runs $275 - $350 or 50k pts.  Backbay is similar w/ Marriott, Westin, Sheraton 50k and Hilton 55k and close to the same price range as first mentioned.  I just pay the HH cash price and wouldn’t waste Marriott or Hilton points and stay at Hilton.

I never cared for Ritz’s location, Ames is much better, IMO.

I have seen Ames at 70k many times w/ room cost running 450+ HH rates which is .7 per pt.