@onepeace25 wrote:I haven't gotten a new card in almost 2 year, and I'd like to add a hotel card to my portfolio. My only other card for travel / hotel is the Amex plat, but its a little lack luster for hotel stays especially mid level hotels. I've been debating between the two cards Ritz Carlton and Hilton Aspire. I usually stay at Hilton, but really only because the status offers a little more at my level. I stay at a hotel anywhere from 3-7 times a year. But this might go up in 2025 due to my Gfs brother joining a traveling baseball team. I'd love any input here, I'm aware the Ritz carlton would take soem time to product change into, ignoring this, what are yalls opinions between the two? Which is 'better'?
I mean, the Ritz is one of the best cards out there. I definitely had a lot of built up excitement leading up to being able to PC to ours. But if you are a Hilton loyalist, that won't really help you? If you're looking at sheer value though, Ritz is the way to go. https://thriftytraveler.com/guides/credit-card/how-to-get-the-ritz-carlton-credit-card/
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I think Hilton is the better program, I dont like what Bonvoy has been doing as of late and the earnings rate have just been trash on all the Bonvoy cards based on what bonvoy points are realistically worth at this point. You have 2 other Amex cards already so it shouldnt be a hard pull to get the Aspire or the Brilliant. The Aspire is easy to justify with the FNC plus $200 statement credits for Airline incedentals(read putting it in the United Travelbank). The Ritz isnt hard to justify but you still have to call in to get the travel credit applied.
Quick clairification for swankytiger's post: when the Aspire got revamped, it moved away from $200 Airline Incidental to a $200 ($50 per quarter) Flight Credit, so tickets do count and just has to be purchased direct from airline.
Regarding the initial question, as you typically stay at mid-tier hotel's for 3-7 trips per year (and potentially more this next year), would it be more beneficial to accumulate a higher quantity of free nights instead of a higher value free night? For example, would the Bonvoy Boundless ($95 AF) and Bonvoy Business ($125 AF) potentially work better for travel baseball weekend trips as you would get 2x 35k Free Nights with Marriott instead of 1 high value Free Night with either Marriott or Hilton?
When it comes to the cards you mentioned, both are very strong and easy to offset AF. FYI, I only have the Aspire right now but plan on getting the Ritz in 2026. The Ritz is $450 but if you can utilize the $300 Travel Incidental credit (potentially UA Travel Bank), it gets it down to $150 for an 85k Free Night. For the Aspire, utilizing the $50 Travel Credit each quarter lowers it down to $350 plus the uncapped Free Night (can only use for standard rooms at standard rates). The semi-annual $200 Hilton Resort credit ($400 total) can be hit or miss for people. I have found it easy to use, but going to depend on where you are staying and if there is a resort/how far away from where you want to be. If you can use it, you are $50 ahead. If not, it seems a bit of a tall task to offset a $350 AF purely off the Free Night (unless you organically pay for a 2nd Clear membership). I prefer Hilton properties myself, but the Diamond status (I qualify via nights per year as well) doesn't do too much domestic. The F+B credit is underrated, but Gold status gets that as well.
Both cards are strong and pretty easy to offset the AF. Aspire has a lower floor but higher ceiling IMO. Can't go wrong with either one.
RITZ although a longer path between those two but that is just me. Airline credit is easy to use and can be used for seat upgrades or possible ariline GC's and 85k for 150 effective AF can be a 500-800 room depending where and season etc. Not to mention club level upgrades, priority pass, etc. Talk to JPM one ring and answer if need anything on CC and many other perks why I choose Ritz as my hotel card. Granted i have a 49$ af IHG legacy card as well for free night as that is a no brainier as well 
. Used my last certificate at a St. Regis. Enjoyed it considerably.