Hi all, I have been away for awhile but I have an app cycle coming up in Jan, so I am trying to get my credit report in shape. It looks like I will have overall util of 3-4% on my credit report at time of apps (not carrying balanaces but just what is due after statement cut). Initially I was going to app for the amex everyday preferred, citi hilton, chase hyatt and barclays arrival plus. I am thinking about going with only the first three at this point. I will be cancelling the Amex PRG to avoid AF, downgrading my CSP to CS (I have ink bold) and downgrading the BCP (I won't be using this card after getting amex everyday preferred) to avoid AF as well in Jan. Also, I will cancel my citi exec card by March, hence another reason I want a hilton citi card in order to keep that relationship open with citi as well as the hotel benefits for an upcoming trip. I have not been following card news and I am wondering if there are better cards I should be going for? Focus is on travel (in addition to the above cards I have cap 1 venture, amex spg, chase freedom).
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@Anonymous wrote:Hey dude, even though you want to maintain a relationship with Citi, I think the non-AF Hilton HHonors from Amex is much better than the Citi one if you genuinely want a good Hilton card. The sign-up bonus is easier to achieve, you get more points for Hilton-affiliated purchases, and you get more points for everyday purchases. For the AF Hilton HHonors cards, Citi is marginally better, especially when combined with the non-AF Amex since the categories don't overlap. Just my two cents in regards to Hilton HHonors cards.
I have multiple amex cards already and I don't like having all my eggs in one basket (plus the citi card will have wider acceptance). In addition, I'd rather have two weekend nights then points (since the points arent worth all that much). Also, the citi version has no FTF unlike the amex, for a hotel card it would be asburd for me to get one with a FTF since it will be for international travel. This is not a card I intend to put heavy spend on, so the value of points back on spend is not as much of a consideration as getting the two free nights. Maybe I will try to make the 10k spend to get the free annual night, which only applies to the citi card (although I am not necessarily committed to this yet). If I had frequent stays at hilton coming up my analysis may be different. After the first year I would reassess and maybe downgrade the citi card depending on if I will meet the spend bonus.
