Are HOTEL Credit Cards WORTH IT? (The TRUTH)

[@MarkReese]

⚠ *CORRECTION @ **5:58**:* The "2X" return should be 3.4% on the Venture card. ⚠ *CORRECTION @ **15:06**:* The "2X" return should be 3.4% on the CSP + Venture cards. ⚠ *TO CLARIFY @ **17:00**:* The higher multipliers shown include the *Card Rates* + *Elite Bonus* only. I did NOT include any _Base Points_ because those have nothing to do with the cards themselves. Rather, you earn those simply by being a member of the hotel loyalty program (even if you pay with a non-hotel credit card). 📲 MAXREWARDS - Manage credit cards & rewards! markscreditcards.com/maxrewards 💳👉VIEW CREDIT CARD OFFERS! markscreditcards.com/offers 🛍RAKUTEN - Earn Cash Back! markscreditcards.com/rakuten ⬆(More links in Description below video!)

[@MarkReese]

💡 *ADDITION:* Hotel credit cards are NOT worth it if you don't stay at hotels (for all my Airbnb, VRBO, etc. fans out there) 😁👍

[@jlatham]

What’s your choice for best credit card for Airbnb?

[@MarkReese]

@@jlatham - Any of the following can be good choices: - Chase Sapphire Reserve (3X) - Chase Sapphire Preferred (2X) - Chase Ink Business Preferred (3X) - Amex Green Card (3X) - Capital One Venture (2X) - Capital One Venture X (2X) - U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve (3X) - U.S. Bank Altitude Connect (4X) ^ I haven't seen enough data to confirm the 2 U.S. Bank cards, but they _should work_ for Airbnb under their 'Travel' categories.

[@KarateMasterKY]

The custom cash codes airbnb as travel for 5%, confirmed twice

[@MarkReese]

@@KarateMasterKY - Legit, thanks for letting me know!

[@kimgrod]

Thanks, Mark. Gave me a lot to think about. And, yes, please make an airline version.

[@MarkReese]

Glad you found it beneficial! I made the airline one awhile ago, here's the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZmylaNuhsusq9Usi=HMKWij82Sjwrk7Gx

[@LoserSkits]

I’ve watched a lot of CC videos and this is honestly the best breakdown I’ve seen yet, my dude!

[@MarkReese]

Glad you liked it! 🎬

[@deeesmeralda8577]

I agree,Mark always do a good job visually.

[@jamilbanks481]

Mark, you never disappoint. Thank you for enlightening us with your hard earned wisdom! And yes, I am currently binging your videos with an intent to leave this comment on each one. Thank you again Mark!

[@MarkReese]

Thanks so much! Glad to hear you're getting value from the videos 💯

[@bdawg7878]

One thing I love about your videos is the charts breakdown. Probably the only KZbinr that does it. Keep it up man 🤙🤙

[@MarkReese]

Appreciate hearing that, BDawg! 🥇

[@严傲沁]

Great video! I think another good way to compare co-brand cards with 'regular' cards is to directly compare the amount of points they earn in the same category (but in the same 'currency', same kind of points rather than the estimated cash value). So in the Hyatt and CSP case, Hyatt earns you 2x hyatt points on restaurants and CSP gives you 3x UR points. Since UR points can be transferred to hyatt, making the 3x categories the same 'currency', CSP earns 1 additional hyatt point than the hyatt card. This can also be applied to UA cards vs CSP, or Delta cards vs Amex gold, etc.

[@MarkReese]

That's a great way to look at it, too! 💯

[@BasedInBrazil]

True however The Chase Hyatt Card offers a 2nd free night after $15000 dollars in spend. The IHG card also gives you 10,000 Points and $100 ( Which I use on point sales ) after spending $20,000. Combined with that 4th free night on point bookings if you spend 9 nights+ a year then the IHG Cars definitely worth having. Book IHG stays on Top Cashback for 7%+ and counts as booking direct.

[@jimmyjames6492]

The $95 AF hotel CCs are worth it IMO if you can get good value from the FNC. With all the devaluations, changes, etc - I think it makes more sense for most people to be hotel free agents nowadays. Thanks for the info + video!

[@MarkReese]

Good points above, Jimmy 👍

[@donaldrobertson5747]

For single travelers or as a couple would agree or those that only redeem as one-two night bursts. For families and those that like to redeem in larger number days at time, hotel is best use of points for any travel rewards. 1 room holds 2-4 people versus airline redemption of 1 seat each way. Also couple of the hotel brands have 4th or 5th night free on award stays upping value of said redemption.

[@TheRDGuarantee]

This video was incredible! Thanks for taking the time to break down the math behind the point structures!

[@MarkReese]

Thanks, glad you found it beneficial!

[@NCKyle1980]

On a recent stay in NYC to see Wicked on Broadway I definitely enjoyed combining annual fee free Hilton Honors with the complimentary Gold status from Platinum card and a promo they had going for 2x base points. $569 stay got me over 20,000 Hilton Honors points total. Yea the points aren't worth a lot but for that cheap of a stay even at .3 CPP that's over 10% return on spend. I was elated when all the points posted. 🎉😊 hope you are well, sir. Thank you for all you do for us, Mark.

[@MarkReese]

Fantastic return on that stay, nicely done! 💯

[@LK_EBM]

I really want the Aspre card before it's devaluation, but I also want to fall below 5/24 for Chase Inks! Tough choice!

[@MarkReese]

Welcome to The Game 😅

[@IonicTechYT]

Awesome video as always, Mark! Did you factor in the hotel status you get by owning these cards which effectively change the multipliers when you spend on their hotels?

[@MarkReese]

Sure did! See 16:40 🎬 I included the card earning rate + elite bonus on base points. I left out the base points themselves since you can earn those regardless of if you use a hotel credit card or not

[@darkexcalibur87]

This is EXACTLY the analysis I was looking for. Thanks for all your hard work on this!

[@MarkReese]

You're welcome, glad it was helpful to you!

[@Xilent_Nexus]

Mark, excellent video! I think another good thing about Hotel CCs is simplicity. Pay and get points directly to your program account. When transfering MR point to Hilton, you get a worse redemption rate.

[@MarkReese]

Simplicity is a good point!

[@jeremycooper9715]

The quality in this video is amazing!

[@MarkReese]

Thanks Jeremy!

[@ericwithoutsosic]

You put in so much efforts and times for this one - such useful info. I have the personal Hyatt, business Hilton, and Marriott Boundless. Still thinking to add a couple Hilton or even IHG on the horizon. Truly appreciate your content and they’re super helpful.

[@MarkReese]

Glad you found value in it, Eric! Great that you've got some hotel cards, too 👍

[@fallenmidori]

this video was really helpful comparing hotel credit cards and reward credit cards for me. i'm usually a visual learner so seeing the numbers side by side helps with looking at the options that are available and what can benefit me in the long run.

[@MarkReese]

Glad the presentation format helped you!

[@nubianpwr]

Another "tour de force" Mark👋🏾👍🏾 I'm sticking with the flexible currencies for now. Although if I ever decided to bite, I kinda have a crush on the Hilton Aspire and the old Ritz Carlton cards (hate that I gave it up yrs ago).

[@MarkReese]

Flexible currencies rock for spending! 🤙

[@clausellray3949]

Whoa great break down on all those cards thanks for sharing and keep the content coming

[@MarkReese]

Thanks Clausell!

[@jeppusahn]

Great video. Would have loved to see an intro bonus comparison, showing average/high intro bonus offers for each card and how the value compares

[@MarkReese]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@MillisConstruction]

Great video! Would definitely watch one on the top end hotel cards versus the top end all purpose cards as well 😉

[@MarkReese]

Glad you enjoyed it & thanks for the video suggestion! 🎬

[@FlintIronstag23]

I think the Amex Green would have been a better choice for this comparison. It's $150 annual fee is closer to the AFs of the other cards. Also, it is a travel card while the Amex Gold is more of a dining and grocery card.

[@MarkReese]

Fair point, Flint! 👊

[@barco581]

And then it gets tricky as points issued by all of these different cards are not worth the same. And then sometimes when redeeming hotel points like Marriott, points are sometimes valued differently. Before redeeming hotel points, it is a good idea to check the room rate. And sometimes cards can compliment each other such as getting Gold Status at Marriott with Amex Platinum, which gives 15% more bonus points than the Silver Status from the Bonvoy Card, and then putting all food and drink spending on the Boundless for 6x. Overall you can probably get a bit more value using a hotel branded card but you do lose redemption flexibility as compared to Amex.

[@MarkReese]

That's right, point values can vary widely!

[@kathyspencer7882]

Great video, Mark! You always do all your homework so we don’t have to! 🙌🏼

[@MarkReese]

Thanks Kathy!

[@DavidRodriguez-ou9fy]

Very interesting. Looks as if a lot of research went into this. I pays for me to have the Hilton Surpass card because I'm a Grand Vacation owner as well. I would like a AM Ex gold or platinum some day but just don't want to pay the crazy high annual fees! I think I get straight up more value with Surpass knowing my goal is to get nights and go on vacation with the family.

[@MarkReese]

HH Surpass is an excellent hotel card 🏆 Great to hear you find value in it.

[@Keeks33]

This was such a great video! Thank you Mark. I'm trying to decide right now whether I want to keep my Gold card or use a hotel card as a daily driver. I know the value of the Gold is superior. But since I'm a Marriott loyalist, I really like the perks of having a Marriott card that gives a better ROI for Marriott spend, a free night and status. Thanks for giving me more information to consider.

[@MarkReese]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@911eVoX]

Everyone has marriott status though

[@JM-gs5lk]

Thanks so much! This is the most helpful video and channel on KZbin for Credit Cards!

[@MarkReese]

You're welcome & thank YOU!

[@just_a_guy3303]

Needed another card from amex I was thinking delta but now checking out the hotel cards wasn't sure if it was worth it. 55K subs grow the beard out 😆

[@MarkReese]

😂👊 Good luck on the application if / when you decide to go for one! Also, I just made a post about the Hilton Honors cards on the Community tab of the channel. Check it out (offers are expiring soon).

[@CesarJoel]

My favorite personal card is the Hilton Aspire and my favorite business card is the Hilton Business. Hotel cards are great and can provide great benefits.

[@MarkReese]

2 excellent hotel cards right there 💯

[@mrb152]

Marriott Business is much better, and not just because Marriott has better hotels.

[@CesarJoel]

@@mrb152 Hilton Business is better than the Marriott Business (not even close). I do think the Marriott Business is the best Marriott card. I prefer Hilton properties and Hilton cards are much better (not even close).

[@911eVoX]

Thanks for the breakdown, Mark. I fell out of the credit card game after I got tripped up by about $7.5k in annual fees I couldn't pay off late last year

[@MarkReese]

Yikes. Good reason to exit. Time to focus on 💵

[@911eVoX]

@@MarkReese I have tons of points from the welcome offers but can't use them because I'm broke. Working on getting a new job because I can't get an more new cards. These banks flat out refuse me and when I call into recon they say my debt to income is too high even though I put $30k estimated for my sole prop business even though I'm not making anything right now. I take all your advice, Mark. It has left me with quite a bit of debt, but I know you're here for us.

[@tiffanyodean]

This video was so helpful. I am currently considering getting the Hilton Honors card but after watching this, I can see how the Amex Gold card would be a better card overall. With that card, I can use it at any hotel as opposed to just one. This would be my first AMEX card so trying to make the right decision for me.

[@MarkReese]

Glad to hear you found it helpful, Tiffany!

[@CITYSLIM24]

Take into consideration the sign up points. I just got the HH card with 150K bonus points. I already had 100k Those points will help a lot.

[@runforrestrun2428]

I already have the world of Hyatt card and the only other hotel card I want is the Marriott boundless. Hyatt has very nice properties for low amount of points and I recently stayed at the Westin and Jw Marriott in Anaheim and both of those hotels were very nice! I mainly stay at Hyatt hotels and resorts but I’m starting to look at Marriott places

[@MarkReese]

Great to hear! 💯

[@maryturkmen1264]

You just prevented me from opening a hotel credit card, I'll keep utilizing my platinum & reserve points :) thanks

[@MarkReese]

Glad to help!

[@KhangAro0]

This video has insanely great information

[@MarkReese]

🏆

[@AndrewRS001]

Great content, Mark! Keep up the excellent work.

[@MarkReese]

Thanks Andrés!

[@joseRodriguez-pk9ld]

Sheesh you put in the work in this video 💯 really helped thanks!😎

[@MarkReese]

Glad it helped!

[@Ljberkow]

The Amex Hilton Surpass is practically free, so annual fee can even be negative. Add in status and free night and you’re way ahead. AMEX gold gives you zero status, so goodbye to your $30 breakfast credits per day for two. Your .5 cents is undervalued because you’re not factoring in tax or fifth night free. These travel cards either go to flights or hotels, so my theory is pick a hotel and go with that. If you don’t mind being “married” to a brand, the hotel cards make sense. Hilton and Marriott are everywhere.

[@MarkReese]

I value Hilton points on their own, and the figure is an average. Inflating them for the 5th Night Free benefit would assume people always do 5-night stays, which is not the case.

[@yt1234567100]

nice VDO, you are the best about giving info

[@MarkReese]

Thanks Subin!

[@mikebell958]

Great video on hotel card topic, Mark. I haven't watched one of your videos in months.

[@MarkReese]

Thanks for the support, Mike! 🥇

[@Kwon5631]

Can you do a comparison of all the marriott cards? I cant choose which one to get 😂 and you do the best, thorough comparisons 🙏🏻

[@MarkReese]

I've been thinking about it!

[@jaguar916]

Great video! Would you consider doing this for business cards? I'd love to see what the break down would be.

[@MarkReese]

Thanks Jay! I'm considering a 'best business credit cards' video 👍

[@louisp3822]

Love the Hilton aspire card. But if amex decided to change it like current rumors. I’m gonna have to have a long conversation with myself to keep it or not.

[@MarkReese]

We'll see what happens 😬

[@armytruth6860]

The Marriott boundless is an amazing card for me. Getting 35K for hotel for only $95 is great. A hotel within my point generally get me a $150 hotel without spending any money.

[@MarkReese]

Right on!

[@DavidGarciajrtx]

A cool thing to compare is benefits of purchasing through Amex’s fine hotels and resorts vs spending directly with the hotel to utilize your status with them. I think that would be the deciding factor for hotel credit cards!

[@MarkReese]

Good point, David! Only valid for those who hold the Amex Platinum / Centurion Cards, however, as those only the only cards providing access to the FHR program.

[@loungemen662]

You killed it! Awesome breakdown!

[@MarkReese]

Thank you!

[@charliedurham4248]

I use my Surpass and Hilton Business AMEX for everyday spend up to $15k each due to FNC. If it is worth $500, then than is worth an additional 3.3%, right? It works well for me bc I like to cruise fairly often, which often means flying in one day early. One night at a time at a nice hotel (usually cruise port cities have pretty nice Hilton properties) makes availability pretty easy to find. It seems like a pretty good setup to me. Also, I have the Aspire card, so Diamond and the resort credit kinda traps me in the Hilton world. Congratulations, Hilton, you have me caught in your loyalty web

[@MarkReese]

Great to hear the Hilton card lineup is providing you with strong value, esp. for those cruise stays! 🛳️

[@nichtsistkostenlos6565]

I do a lot of one night stays at different hotels because I do multiple cruises every year and I always fly into port the day before, so hotel cards that provide free nights are always great keeper cards that maintain their value well above the annual fee year over year for me.

[@MarkReese]

Excellent use of hotel cards! 💯🛳

[@landocalrisian2014]

Nice work Mark!

[@MarkReese]

Thanks Lando!

[@zsm5833]

idk if theres a chance it might not be enough points to redeem thru transfer partners across flights and hotels. For instance you have enough points to have nice business/first class ticket but not enough left to redeem for hotels. If that's the case hotel cards might be able to play a role here. imo lets say if you mainly prefer staying at Marriott branded hotels, then at least to have one hotel card like the Bonvoy Brilliant and treat it as a backup card might be a good option since those hotel cards give you status and free nights.

[@MarkReese]

Bank cards w/ transferrable points + hotel cards can work well together 👍

[@l.a.rivasesq.8841]

This was very comprehensive! Thanks again for this valuable video.

[@MarkReese]

Glad you found value in it!

[@chrisoverbey5937]

Just stumbled on this one, and this one is GOLD 💵💵💵

[@MarkReese]

Glad you liked it! 🏆

[@chrisbrown8748]

I don’t have a hotel card yet but I’m considering a IHG or Hilton card in the future it’s just not a priority for me at the moment.

[@LK_EBM]

IHG card bonus is at an all time high. If you want it, now's a great time.

[@MarkReese]

Sounds good!

[@Speckz513]

I took tons of notes of this video to study the point values. Thanks Mark!

[@MarkReese]

Well done! Glad to help.

[@stephenlacher587]

Thanks for all the work you put into that.

[@MarkReese]

You're welcome!

[@gordonallen9095]

Just starting to discover hotel CC's. As a AMEX platinum card holder, I already have gold status with Hilton and Marriott. Is there any upside in obtaining a Hilton or Marriott CC, or would it simply be "redundant?"

[@MarkReese]

To me, hotel cards can make sense for the following, provided you value them: a. Reward multipliers b. Free night certificates c. Elite status (in this case, higher status than the Amex Platinum Card could provide, as seen with the HH Aspire and Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ... or status in other programs that the Amex Platinum Card does not provide)

[@gordonallen9095]

@@MarkReese Thanks for the insight.

[@gsctrading7215]

Excellent presentation.

[@MarkReese]

Thank you!

[@a1bambamg6]

Good video bro I was just wondering should I get a hotel card and run up points for years and eventually use them down the line

[@MarkReese]

Hopefully this video helps you make the right decision for you 💯

[@911eVoX]

The Hyatt card bonus is literal shit. I'm waiting on this to be more tempting. Not going to waste my time spending on the hyatt card for just an additional point when I could be putting spend on another higher point earning card.

[@MarkReese]

Then don't apply for it.

[@911eVoX]

@@MarkReese I like your breakdown, though. Literally a 1.5% different in earning using hyatt card over the chase ink preferred

[@chikaadiele3155]

Wow I had never seriously considered a hotel card before! 1. You mentioned travel lifestyle. I travel 75% of the year for work and mostly stay at IHG since the company has a preferred rate. Would it make sense to get one of the IHG cards to use for the hotel bookings and then stick with my Amex gold/chase sapphire reserve for all other spend to maximize rewards? 2. Would you consider IHG a good brand for economy/budget travelers in terms of redemption? I know Hyatt is a good one but just wanted to check for IHG! 3. Aside from spend and the intro bonus for the first year, how do you offset the annual fee each year for the IHG card?

[@MarkReese]

1. Up to you. If you value earning IHG points and/or the Platinum Elite benefits, then yes, adding the IHG Premier card can be a good idea. 2. IHG can be decent for economy / budget travelers, primarily when point rates are discounted for cardholders. Like with most hotel chains, there are great / good / ok / bad / really bad redemptions. It can vary. 3. I use the annual night certificate to offset the annual fee.

[@featherpony]

I have the Wyndham Earner Business Card. It actually works fine with gas purchases.

[@MarkReese]

Excellent card for gas purchases 🏆

[@SinCitizenGent]

This was amazing. My first capital one card was the best points stockpiler the whole time?! (I specifically looked for car rentals, which I do on trips a lot). Can you add the us bank altitude connect on the comparisons?

[@MarkReese]

Glad it was useful! I don't plan on adding the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect, at least not now. The focus is more on points w/ transferrable options.

[@callmeNeno]

You’re awesome! Great content

[@MarkReese]

Thanks Neno!

[@Mylittleponyplushies]

Which credit card can I stack my free night rewards

[@MarkReese]

Are you referring to using them for the same stay / same property? In that case, they'd need to be from the same brand (e.g. Marriott + Marriott).

[@shawndawashington8623]

You are amazing! Thank you again!

[@MarkReese]

Glad to help!

[@DB6904.]

Hi Mark, when you were approved for the choice privilege credit card, did you get your 30,000 points right away, or did you have to wait until the next calendar year??? Thank you!!!

[@MarkReese]

Yes I was 👍 The 30K anniversary bonus starts after Year 1 is complete (i.e. not right away).

[@DB6904.]

@@MarkReese thank you, maybe I will wait to apply, I wanted this card to take advantage of the 30,000 points every September of each year... If I missed this I apologize, do the points ever expire? Thank you again!!!

[@MarkReese]

@@DB6904. - Choice Privileges points never expire as long as you have account activity (i.e., earn / redeem) at least once every 18 months.

[@resonator06]

Great video. Love all the comparison charts. Got my first hotel card with Hyatt, and am just figuring out all the perks. One thing I'm confused about, though, is the points via free hotel membership programs. For the Hyatt card, at 17:12 in the video, you show it at 4.5x = 6:75% with Automatic Elite Status Earnings. I wonder if you take into account the World of Hyatt membership, which gives 5x. As I understand it, that 5x is on eligible rates, i.e. not portals. Including that 5x member base points and 4x hyatt credit card bonus points and 10% bonus points (0.5x), we'd get 9.5x = 14.25%, right? If we book through a portal, I think we'd lose all that and just get the 8.5% or whatever from the portal. Am I thinking about that right?

[@MarkReese]

Correct, Hyatt awards 5X base points as well. However, I left that out because they don't have anything to do with the credit card (i.e. you'd still earn them by being a WOH member & using any credit card you like) ✌️

[@resonator06]

@@MarkReese I see the reason not to include it. But from the video, I might think the portals give the highest percentage and I can choose between slightly higher portal percentage or more perks booking direct. Actually, the portals disqualify the base points, so they are a lower percentage. I understand the scope isn't these free memberships unrelated to credit cards, but maybe it should be. It's part of the same decision of what the optimal way to pay is. Or maybe another video about hotel memberships vs portal discounts.

[@theeverydailyshow]

​@@resonator06 agreed. As I mentioned to Mark earlier, I think the best way to go is a combo of everyday card and hotel card and even airline card. 1 card won't handle most situations the best.

[@MarkReese]

@@resonator06 - Excellent thought process above. Yes, this video was focused on whether or not hotel credit cards (as individual products) are worth it. The topic of maximizing _total value_ for a hotel booking would be a different focus as that would involve valuing portal rates, program perks, base hotel points (if earned), etc. It could be compounded further by adding additional portals (like Rakuten), additional credits (like Amex/Chase/Citi offers), promo rates, etc.

[@JLitodiaz]

You are the “Chart” master !!!

[@MarkReese]

😎👊

[@bisonfan715]

I think the Surpass actually pays higher at hilton properties because it grants Gold status which is 80% of base points back stacked on top.

[@MarkReese]

Elite status = extra boost 🏆 I didn't factor that into the multipliers because it's a separate benefit.

[@Ricocase]

Why not biz Hilton?

[@booksteer7057]

Too much math. All that matters is the cash value of the rewards I get for spending a certain amount of money each year. If I put $20K on card A and another $20K on card be, all I need to know is which one gives me $500 of value back and which one gives me $1,000 back. If I get more points for buying booze than I get for buying airplane tickets, that's also useful to know.

[@MarkReese]

Great to keep things simple 👍

[@fogrunr5075]

I'd rather have a diversity of basic earners that each have a diversity of two or three Hotel transfer partners.

[@MarkReese]

👍👍

[@mehran888]

Mark, you are great!!!

[@MarkReese]

Thanks Mehran!

[@Ryan-iq2zd]

I own the Chase Trifecta (flex, unlimited, preferred), Amex Gold and the Venture X. I’m looking for a new card to add to my arsenal. Which card would you recommend? These are the two I’m looking at: - World of Hyatt - Hilton Surpass I would appreciate and tips and feedback. Awesome video bro’.

[@MarkReese]

Rather than adding a card "just because," start with the reason first. What are you trying to achieve?

[@Ryan-iq2zd]

@@MarkReese it’s not “just because”. We stay at a lot of hotels. I live in Vegas. So we do staycations a lot and do getaways to California. So i figured a hotel card might be worth it.

[@MarkReese]

@@Ryan-iq2zd - Got it. Are you willing / able to spend $15K per year on the Hilton card in order to get the free night?

[@vigi401]

I have the CSP, considering the Hilton cards just because they are not a transfer partner. I have the Wyndham Business Card just for status. Basically all I'd use the Hilton Cards for.

[@MarkReese]

💯👍

[@FinickyHorseGameStudios]

Great work!

[@MarkReese]

Thank you!

[@KennedyS123]

Excellent content🎉

[@MarkReese]

Thank you!

[@jettjohnson4995]

Just got my second aspire card today

[@MarkReese]

Legit, congrats Jett! 💯

[@drrob001]

Enjoyed the video as usual. For me hotel card isn’t worth it,

[@MarkReese]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@rudra1087]

I think the only hotel card that won't keep you calculating all points change to book an award is hilton aspire. Rest all of them you need to make sure that their is availability where you are traveling and the rooms are below the free night certificate points limit. Most of marriot properties are not averaging around 40 to 50 k points which means you need to spend a lot more to get extra points to top off for the free night , For me it is hilton aspire and surpass that are the best ones out there for hotels. Even hyatt has changed the categories of many hotels, which will make it harder for you to find one to use the fnc and they also have way less properties to choose from. Also I don't understand why so many people and youtubers value marriot brilliant. It's not worth 650 annual fee at all. The fnc covers only 85k points where as most high end properties are 100k to 120k. For as long I can transfer the airline fee credits every year for united travel bank. I will keep my aspire card. Might even get a second one if it makes sense in the future

[@MarkReese]

The free night awards from the HH Aspire + HH Surpass are fantastic 💯 Gotta love the lack of a cap on the value. People may have their own reasons for liking the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant. For me, it's an excellent tool to work towards lifetime elite status, which is a big focus for me at the moment.

[@rudra1087]

@Mark Reese // Credit & Finance could you please explain briefly if possible how can you get lifetime platinum which this card? Also do you think they might change the rules in the future for obtaining lifetime status? Thank you for very well presented video. Really like the cash back equivalent for all the cards

[@MarkReese]

@@rudra1087 - To achieve Lifetime Platinum in the Marriott Bonvoy program, there are 2 qualifying criteria: 1. 10 total years of being a Platinum Elite. These don't need to be consecutive years. 2. 600 total lifetime nights. These include paid nights stayed, award nights stayed, elite night credits (ENCs) from credit cards, and ENCs from limited-time promotions. The Bonvoy Brilliant card comes with automatic Platinum Elite Status + 25 ENCs every year, and both of those count towards the qualifying criteria for Lifetime Platinum 👍 NOTE: You can also earn up to 15 more ENCs from a Marriott business credit card. Combined with the Bonvoy Brilliant, that'd be 25 + 15 = 40 ENCs from credit cards alone each year. I don't have a way of knowing if the Lifetime requirements will change in the future.

[@theeverydailyshow]

​@@MarkReese right on Mark

[@ugoeze7360]

Will you compare the higher end hotel cards with the higher end travel cards, or would the comparison be more or less the same as this video?

[@MarkReese]

I'll consider it ✌️

[@theeverydailyshow]

​@@MarkReese yes, a comparison of the best, top cards.

[@shahnulislam9897]

Thank you for the video. Thats a lot of maths lol

[@MarkReese]

You're welcome! 💯👨‍🏫

[@sameerjain2]

Who said that Amex gold has a return rate of 1.7c No way have I seen a return more than 1c on that card even for travel

[@MarkReese]

That's accomplished via transfer partners. It's possible to get 2¢, 4¢, 6¢, or more when done strategically. Learn more here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5aUiJSvrteqpKc

[@lisapark1758]

Would you choose hilton or marriott credit card?

[@MarkReese]

Both.

[@wigandweirich308]

Question for the non-resident alien, globetrotter, German citizen living in Germany on spending categories: In some cases US or worldwide is indicated after the spending category factor, in other cases nothing is indicated regarding the applicability (US versus or and/or worldwide). May I assume that travel (airfare, hotels, rental cars etc.) is always worldwide? I've seen one specific case (Amex Gold) only where worldwide was indicated for restaurants/dining after the 4x factor. Which of all categories across all cards where noting is explicitly mentioned on the applicability are valid worldwide (in addition to travel)?

[@MarkReese]

Per my understanding, rewards categories should work worldwide if no restriction is specified. However, I cannot guarantee this across all cards from all issuers. Also note that the cards I cover on this channel are for U.S. residents. I cannot speak about the German card market at this time.

[@wigandweirich308]

@@MarkReese"Also note that the cards I cover on this channel are for U.S. residents " - This not correct - They are for everybody who can get them, i.e the non-resident alien, German citizen living in Germany based on an US address, US cell phone no, ITIN and a corresponding good FICO or other score.

[@MarkReese]

@@wigandweirich308 - Good point 👍

[@飛向宇宙-o1s]

When you book hotel, will you use a certain hotel credit card or a credit card that can earn the hotel points?

[@MarkReese]

I personally use hotel credit cards when paying for a stay, provided I have the hotel card for the chain's program. If the chain doesn't offer a card, or if it's a program I don't care about, then I'll use a standard 'bank card' that has a hotel multiplier (e.g. Citi Premier Card earning 3X).

[@deliverydoctor]

This is not really complete. There is no account of the milestone rewards or benefits at each status level. This is more of a comparison of the return on spend of each card. If you are traveling a lot and sticking to one chain, you may have more benefits than just the return on spend when using the hotel credit card.

[@MarkReese]

That's because milestone rewards are not a credit card benefit. Rather, they're a part of the hotel loyalty program. This video was focused on credit card products, not the broader loyalty programs.

[@ds5651]

Yes. Hyatt is my favorite Marriott then Ihg are second.

[@MarkReese]

💯💯

[@MannyCovington]

The hotel cards are worth it for me if they provide a free night!

[@MarkReese]

You know it!

[@theeverydailyshow]

Hey Mark, great topic! Looks like all of the annual fees but for the Amex gold is $95? Is it fair to include one that charges almost 3 times the other's fees? And with the Marriott card, for example, are you including all of the Amex and membership multipliers in your comparisons charts for that card? Just want to understand the process and what the comparisons are actually comparing. Hope that made sense.

[@MarkReese]

1. Amex Gold = $250, IHG Premier = $99, all others = $95 at the time of recording this video. 2. I included the Amex Gold Card as it's one that so many people ask about. Perhaps a fairer comparison would've been the Amex Green Card. 3. What do you mean by, "...are you including all of the Amex and membership multipliers?"

[@theeverydailyshow]

​@@MarkReese Yes, I agree with you on the Green card. You touched on #2 later in the video. Will you earn base points going thru a card's portal, like Chase?

[@MarkReese]

@@theeverydailyshow - I'm not aware of a way to know for sure if hotel base points will be earned via 3rd-party portals. Sometimes you can...sometimes you won't. It can vary based on the program, the property, and the portal...so a lot of variables in play. If using a portal, the best shot to try to earn base points is to include your hotel loyalty# on the reservation (if there's a text field to include it) and/or ask the front-desk agent to add it when you check in.

[@theeverydailyshow]

@@MarkReese Fair point and suggestion. I think most portals don't offer base points, like Chase, before or after. That's the incentive to get their card. Just makes getting their card better. Not necessarily for daily spending multipliers, but hotel benefits. I think that's the conclusion here for me is that these cards work best together, not separate.

[@theeverydailyshow]

As you might see, I really like this topic so I actually scanned some of the other comments and replied in some cases. Unusual for me to do that. But I was curious what was said on this one. 🎉

[@wangz1ggy]

I have the Citi premier but won’t use it to buy flight cuz of the flight protection for the I use my sapphire card

[@MarkReese]

Makes good sense 👍

[@zeek3580]

Can you compare the new choice cards that just came out

[@MarkReese]

No plans for the near future, but perhaps at some point.

[@Tony36847]

I always use my CSR at Marriott properties rather than my Marriott brilliant. I prefer 3 UR points which I value at 6 cents vs 6 Bonvoy points that I value at 4.5 cents

[@MarkReese]

CSR = excellent choice of card 💯

[@Ricocase]

​@@MarkReeseafter annual fees? Ur =?

[@MarkReese]

@@Ricocase- I don't factor in the cost of annual fees when it comes to the value of points. UR = Ultimate Rewards points from Chase.

[@Ricocase]

@@MarkReese mind blowing, does csr outweigh ritz at marriotts? Not even sure that want ritz. Same trend for hilton, csr > biz hilton at 0.6 ccp?

[@MarkReese]

@@Ricocase - Depends how you use CSR's points. If you earn at 3X and redeem at 1.5¢ per point, then it's a tiny bit better at Marriotts than the Marriott credit cards, but the Hilton cards are better for Hilton stays. If you redeem strategically via transfer partners, CSR's 3X points can beat both Marriott and Hilton.

[@joshuagraham2163]

Would love to see choice rewards card on this

[@MarkReese]

Same conclusion.

[@danbam465]

IHG card gives you 26-X points at ihg hotels not 10

[@MarkReese]

Not quite. The card gives you 10X. The IHG One Rewards program also awards 10X for those who are enrolled, even if they don't have an IHG credit card. Then, Platinum Elites earn an additional 6X due to their status. So, adding those up, you get 26X. The marketing language used makes it seem like the card itself earns 26X, but that's simply not true. Anyone without an IHG card can still earn 16X provided they're enrolled in the free program and have Platinum status.

[@danbam465]

​@@MarkReesei guess technically lol . Thanks for the videos Mark your the MAN!!

[@ljacobs357]

No.

[@MarkReese]

😬

[@arthurfranklyn2268]

Do you keep your hotel status if you cancel the hotel credit card?

[@MarkReese]

Nope ✌️ I'm not sure if the status will end the exact day you cancel or if there's a delay. Regardless, status will not continue to renew each year once the card is canceled.

[@Kunnigupta]

Why we have considered only 6 points for marriott Bonvoy purchases? Should it be 17 points?

[@MarkReese]

Marriott points have a higher average value than Hilton. You could say the same for Hyatt (only 4X). However, Hyatt points are worth more on average than both Marriott and Hilton (by a lot).

[@Kunnigupta]

@@MarkReese i mean apart from 6 points we also get 10 points for being marriott Bonvoy member. Why don’t we consider that into calculation. That makes it 16x points

[@MarkReese]

@@Kunnigupta - This video is focused on the card products, not the loyalty programs, so I don't include base points in the program. Those 10X base points are separate and can still be earned even if you don't have a Marriott credit card. If you want to include them, that's fine, but you'll have to do the same for Hilton & all the others to keep the comparison equal. All programs offer base points.

[@peterg6638]

Whats the best card to travel to Asia?

[@MarkReese]

That doesn't exist ✌ You'll likely want to get cards that earn flexible / transferrable point currencies. Examples include: - Amex Membership Rewards points - Citi ThankYou points - Chase Ultimate Rewards points - Capital One Venture / Spark miles - Bilt Rewards points.

[@kevingiang5606]

hotel cards are worth it just for the free night awards. free come up!

[@MarkReese]

One of the best perks! 🏆

[@deljay1840]

Short answer, No.

[@MarkReese]

😬

[@mrb152]

Marriot Bonvoy business. 6x Marriott, automatic gold status, free night credit every year and currently 125,000 Marriott points. Doesn’t even count against 5/24.

[@Bush_Goremen]

👍💪