Hey all!
I've been collecting a decent amount of Credit Cards these past couple years: Chase Amazon VISA, Citi Double Cash, Discover IT, Chase Sapphire Preferred, AMEX Gold, AMEX Everyday, Apple Card, and most recently, Capital One Venture X.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I've always figured that most of the reward points that I've obtained up until now with the cards I specifically had were best used for flights. In that spirit, I've been eyeing a few hotel cards because I've finally been given the opportunity to do a lot more travel these next few years and plan to stay in hotels. The most likely card that I'll apply for is the Chase Marriott Bonvoy, but I'm open to other considerations.
However, when I look up articles on what really are the most effective hotel cards (in a very general sense to see if maybe another card would suit me more), most articles would say that the Chase Sapphire Preferred or the Capital One Venture is the best "hotel card". Are the hotel cards redundant if I have both (Venture X instead of Venture)?
I would really love some insight before I submit an application. Thanks!
@InnoVadoR wrote:Hey all!
I've been collecting a decent amount of Credit Cards these past couple years: Chase Amazon VISA, Citi Double Cash, Discover IT, Chase Sapphire Preferred, AMEX Gold, AMEX Everyday, Apple Card, and most recently, Capital One Venture X.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I've always figured that most of the reward points that I've obtained up until now with the cards I specifically had were best used for flights. In that spirit, I've been eyeing a few hotel cards because I've finally been given the opportunity to do a lot more travel these next few years and plan to stay in hotels. The most likely card that I'll apply for is the Chase Marriott Bonvoy, but I'm open to other considerations.
However, when I look up articles on what really are the most effective hotel cards (in a very general sense to see if maybe another card would suit me more), most articles would say that the Chase Sapphire Preferred or the Capital One Venture is the best "hotel card". Are the hotel cards redundant if I have both (Venture X instead of Venture)?
I would really love some insight before I submit an application. Thanks!
One thing to watch out for is point valuation. I looked at a few hotel cards and they all seem to have high point multipliers, but when you look at redemption rates they were all below 1cpp. Just make sure it works for you. I think for me I will get one for the signup offer and see how I feel after the first year.
I'd encourage you to look into Hyatt instead of Marriott, especially because you already have the CSP.
A few quick thoughts on the World of Hyatt card:
- the free night is worth about as much as the Bonvoy boundless free night on paper (35K points * 0.8cpp = $280) (Avg. Category 4 Award = 15K points * 2cpp = $300)
- you get Hyatt entry level status which comes with two perks that I think highly of, guaranteed 2 PM late check out, ends points earning on American Airlines flights (Conversely, Marriott, silver status is worthless, because the late check out is not even guaranteed, and that is the only perk worth writing home about at that level.)
- Hyatt does not charge resort fees on award stays, so your approximately $300 free night is really worth that much (Marriott resort, fees, seem to be creeping upwards, I recently spent over $300 for a three night stay at a nice, but not world-class hotel)
- on top of perks that justify the annual fee in my opinion, the car, it is actually an attractive proposition for daily spending, netting you 4% on dining and gas among other moderately relevance categories if you assume is at my 2CCP valuation is correct
To each their own, but I went with the FNBO BestWestern Mastercard (50k point sub + x2 points per dollar every purchase + x13 points per dollar every BW purchase + an annual 20k points every year you spend $5k+)
Hotel rooms start at 5k points per night and points never expire.
No foreign transaction/conversion fees.
I like BestWestern and their rewards system. Some people like a bit higher class hotel chains, but I'm good with middle class.
For reference: https://www.card.fnbo.com/landing/bestwestern/bestwesternlto/index.html
I personally really like the IHG Chase card, carries an annual fee but you get a free night / year and points add up quick! they have a lot of hotel brands under the IHG name which gives good options too.
@InnoVadoR wrote:Hey all!
I've been collecting a decent amount of Credit Cards these past couple years: Chase Amazon VISA, Citi Double Cash, Discover IT, Chase Sapphire Preferred, AMEX Gold, AMEX Everyday, Apple Card, and most recently, Capital One Venture X.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I've always figured that most of the reward points that I've obtained up until now with the cards I specifically had were best used for flights. In that spirit, I've been eyeing a few hotel cards because I've finally been given the opportunity to do a lot more travel these next few years and plan to stay in hotels. The most likely card that I'll apply for is the Chase Marriott Bonvoy, but I'm open to other considerations.
However, when I look up articles on what really are the most effective hotel cards (in a very general sense to see if maybe another card would suit me more), most articles would say that the Chase Sapphire Preferred or the Capital One Venture is the best "hotel card". Are the hotel cards redundant if I have both (Venture X instead of Venture)?
I would really love some insight before I submit an application. Thanks!
I'm not an expert but I've found the Amex Hilton cards to be pretty good cards.
@simplynoir wrote:Unless you're a brand loyalist ...
I would do the math between the credits given, status, and yearly free night given and see if it's worth it for you
Good advice from @simplynoir. I just wanted to highlight a couple of points. If you are a brand loyalist (or are willing to become one), having one brand where you focus spend (or maybe two if you travel a lot), the hotel cards can offer enhanced status, perks, free nights, and higher in-hotel earnings that you would find with other travel cards. I would definitely recommend them for brand loyalists. For examples, even before accounting for the higher points earnings associated with the loyalty status provided by the credit cards, the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant earns 6x points on Marriott spend; the AMEX Hilton Aspire earns 14x points on Hilton spend, and the Chase World of Hyatt earns 4x points on Hyatt spend. Factoring in average point valuation, that can be 5% to 8% rewards on top of the enhanced earnings with loyalty status. It all adds up, but especially with heavier concentrated spending.
If you don't travel a lot or are not a brand loyalist, hotel cards can still make sense if you're willing to keep up with another card. Many of them give a free annual night that more than pays for the annual fee if you take advantage of it, and that's before any other benefits or promotions.
