Good News! Amex Adds Benefits | Bad News: Hilton Devaluations

[@AskSebby]

Sign up for Otis with my link withotis.app.link/e/AskSebby and get your first share free when you fund your account - terms apply.

[@joemama69448]

I've been enjoying the paypal credit, it's ultra flexible and easy to use. I wish that it was permanent!

[@ReDEclipsE28]

I’ll meet you back at the Conrad Maldives, we enjoyed it and the refurb deluxe beach villa was awesome. Split between the regular overwater villa and we liked the huge beach villa more. The WA Maldives essentially just took away the 5th night free, 4 x 30k more points = 120k.

[@FaisalBilal]

If Amex really wanted to make the platinum better. Make 10x on groceries and gas perminant.

[@chewie94116]

Is Hilton only changing point demand for Maldives? That's not too big a deal unless it affects all Hiltons.

[@jmmelvin73]

I don’t think I like this pattern of Sebby delivering bad news about devaluations. And back to back no less! 😔 Still very thankful for you always keeping us in the loop, Sebby!!

[@ShadowRaptor8]

It's just going to get worse. Issuers see that people have been stockpiling points during the pandemic, point inflation was inevitable.

[@seandelaney1700]

@@ShadowRaptor8 Why you bring up a good supply/demand point, the reason it is inevitable is because the system is designed this way. The investors control the stock price which is how management is rewarded, until this changes, CEO greed creates short term thinking "Whatever it takes to create/take profit in my tenure". Or am I thinking of elected government?

[@day5364]

When you booked the WA Maldives with weekend certificate night and points were they on separate reservations?

[@bnagata]

The rental car companies in Hawaii ended up with parking lots full of unused rental cars when the pandemic killed travel in 2020. They ended up shipping the cars out to other markets and as a result have very little inventory with travel restarting. Some tourists have resorted to renting U-Hauls due to the high prices of rental cars.

[@OhSryOwned]

Holy mackerel! I can't believe I never found your channel sooner. Incredibly helpful, extremely detailed, and thoroughly researched. You, my friend, have another lifelong subscriber.

[@AskSebby]

Thank you!! :)

[@heprovides5604]

The higher the demand for something (travel), the higher the cost. The ebb and flow of trade.

[@joey.chavez333]

Please do a video on the new offers on the Hilton cards. The no annual fee went from. 80,000 to 130,000, the Surpass 130,000 to 180,000. The offers became available May 05(yesterday). Ty Sebby!

[@seandelaney1700]

Good point Joey, as the points become devalue they need to "print" more, or this is another benefit of their devaluing, their offers look better, unless of course you are a subscriber here.

[@blackwingfan123]

there is also an American Express branded lounge that only allows Platinum holders to enter in Sacramento International Airport (SMF) in California

[@AskSebby]

Good to know!

[@williamt6964]

That would be the Escape Lounge. Very good lounge and they have 2 in that airport. One in each terminal

[@seandelaney1700]

Google shows them as "Temporarily Closed". I'd take the Escape Lounge at MSP over the SFO Centurion. Tranquility and quality buffet, like a lounge is supposed to be.

[@dylankeith2833]

I live on Oahu, HI and do Uber as a side hustle. I literally dropped a couple off at a U-Haul center today to pick up their rented U-Haul to drive around the island since they couldn't afford to rent a normal car.

[@wangz1ggy]

There is an AMEX lounge in Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) Dominican Republic 🇩🇴

[@AngelaSuFinance]

noo right as I was considering getting a Hilton card 😭

[@thecreditcardmd]

I’m sad that the Conrad Maldives 95,000 points only applies to Beach villas and not the overwater bungalows. Do you think it’s still worth booking them and hoping for a diamond upgrade to a water villa?

[@BlackCity718]

You should do a video about taking out a load and what are the requirements!!

[@financebros7803]

Just what you want to hear after opening a Hilton Card finally lol 🙃

[@samr6148]

Helpful information as always, thanks! BTW, something in the lighting or your glasses makes it look like you are hitting the Melange (the spice). Pretty neat FX!

[@johnperkins5450]

I miss the old corner set up from your old place, but the video quality you have now is amazing - nice job! 👍🏼🎥📺

[@mo-jk7om]

I know I'm going to look like a fool but... how do you get the calendar view for the Hilton room award? I cant get that when I'm logged in to my account.

[@cleb.2465]

Hilton Crockford hotel Resorts World in Las Vegas has rooms at 95,000 points I did see 150k for opening weekend.

[@saxmanb777]

Amex Plat needs to add more point bonuses for spending on other than airlines. My company buys my airline tickets on their card so I basically put nothing on my Plat card. They need to match the CSR with 3x on travel or something. I still keep it because of the club access though.

[@marcosramirez8175]

Just got the Business Platinum… have you ever heard of it being a “performance card”? I spend about 16k weekly for my business and the rep told me the max charge on it is 3k. What gives? For now I’m making payments as soon as charges clear. But that’s pretty annoying

[@girishkondaparthy]

I was planning for Maldives from last year and it’s keep getting cancelled due to COVID..

[@rickhousesamurai]

Highlight of the day is waiting for the Sebby knowledge drop and figuring out how to update my long game

[@jtsnike1]

What is the tool you use for calendar view for points for night starting at 9:41 in the video. @ask sebby

[@JohnnySmoove]

AHH. I JUST GOT MY AMEX HILTON SURPASS.

[@101criminal]

Same !

[@bigjim1488]

Just in time for bad news!

[@QuickQuips]

Oh well. 150k points help.

[@susanlenny8970]

I'm very thankful I got to stay at the Waldorf Maldives in February thanks to seeing yours and Mandy's video in 2019!!! :D

[@jcbadgett]

We went to the Conrad Maldives. It was fine; as you said older. It was the second Maldives resort we stayed at on that trip St Regis first which was a nicer property, save the underwater restaurant. We wanted to do Al-Maha then WA Maldives this year, but I don't think we get in now. Conrad would be a great meet-up, we would go back for that.

[@cheddarcheese]

I show up to the airport 3 minuets before boarding, IDK why I would want to spend more time at the airport.

[@JohnnyTrulove]

Hi. thanks for the video. Had amex gold back in 09 but ended up closing it after a couple of years. This year, I applied for blue cash card and got approved. would really like to get the gold card again, do you think I can be approved?

[@cjmhall]

The only difference I noticed between Centurion lounges and the American Express lounge in Sydney was that Centurion offers a full buffet while the Amex lounge does not. You can get a pastry and a coffee and that's about it.

[@JacksonWelch]

Amex is really sus with that GoPro offer. I used it a few months back buying $300 worth of stuff but it was split into multiple transactions and amex wouldn't give me the credit.

[@HLe10]

Is the Priority and Lounge Key Pass the same? Do they both access the same lounges?

[@JoseTheRover]

Finally!!! you got a great mic!!!

[@mrgiovanny]

You're just an awesome guy Sebby! Thank you for the 411, you are my credit hero! 😎

[@AskSebby]

:)

[@android7764]

Question. Since the Amazon Prime Rewards card is issued by chase, if I get denied is it a reasonable strategy to call the chase reconsideration line?

[@paulmaul007]

I like the Shure SM7B Microphone Setup Sebby...

[@AskSebby]

Thanks :)

[@TheOneBigRed]

Does Amex Platinum still charge $50 for lounge guests?

[@TRUPRROMEO]

How do you get weekend tickets??

[@dystopia4947]

Looking for a travel card cant decide between Sapphire reserve vs hilton aspire, or amex platinum. I have chase and amex cards already im 3 of 5 on 5/24

[@shahtel]

Nice new camera? Which is it? Also what microphone?

[@jrpyro310]

I have the sapphire preferred and Citi double cash.. no new cards in 2021 anyone have any recommendations? Credit score is 786

[@Kidynamo123]

So IHG and Hilton points bad. Got it 👍

[@rachelh930]

There is absolutely no point to get the Hilton surpass unless you plan on staying in water bungalows. We used this card in Bora Bora and Mo’orea and it was wonderful. This card is only good if you live in the burbs and have a family. If you are living in a major city keep the CSR. The point / value system sucks for Hilton has gone major downhill. CSR for life! I plan on destroying the Hilton card after Maldives.

[@WhereTo2Next]

What is the best airline for MR airline redemption to get to the Maldives?

[@msheehan634]

I would love if they added more heavy offers. The Home Depot and Best Buy credits were amazing but even more of the spend 100 get 60 back is a nice ratio to try a brand or product that you normally wouldn't have

[@yeyem6678]

I dont go to homedepot and i dont really buy anything at bestbuy and people i know dont go to those stores. I think adding gas rewards would be better. I mean it is also considered travel.

[@juliogonzalez9442]

I've been to mexico.city Centurion lounge and I like it very much, food is not buffett style, but you can order pretty much anything they offer.

[@AskSebby]

Thanks for the insights!

[@seandelaney1700]

Hah, I have just been reading the reviews on these and they are often pretty disappointed. I suppose much of it has to do with whether you like being waited on and if you get good service.

[@4Jeffv]

On the Amex offers, do you find that you can use some as organic spend to get a couple hundred back every year? I guess the first year is free so I could alway just get it and see

[@toccoa]

TYVM! You unfortunately, albeit correctly, pointed out that I don't have a Centurion Card. My hope is the rumored card between Platinum and Centurion (preferably in a Delta version) launches. Any speculation on that card is of interest. The platinum card benefit I want that is slightly viable is some sort of Delta Medallion status. Things have been on hold for 15 months, when do you see new cards and programs start to launch?

[@themoneyfarmer6168]

My fear is that more devaluations are coming soon. Many people were STACKING points last year

[@Droopytown]

Yup. Unredeemed points are a financial liability to these companies that have been struggling since the pandemic. That’s why people should’ve been focusing on cashback cards or flexible point programs. I didn’t open a single hotel or airline card since covid started.

[@ThAtOnEpErSoN142]

What filter are using sebby? What's going on with your face at 8:38?

[@datnguyenp]

Is 5/24 still a thing? I was at 7/24 and got approved for CSP immediately as I submitted the application earlier today

[@datnguyenp]

I guess I was approved because I already have some history with Chase with the Amazon Prime card and the Freedom student card

[@MarkReese]

I see Hilton points...EVERYWHERE 😆 The new welcome offers are ridiculous!

[@AskSebby]

More points to account for devaluations 😬

[@MarkReese]

@@AskSebby - Haha yep! Buy hey, as long as the 2 work in tandem, I suppose it’s all right 😄👊

[@seandelaney1700]

@@AskSebby And thus more inflation ala The Fed.

[@artraft5142]

These cards are like following the Shares of Companies, like Which Hotel Chain would provide best value and what they need to do in order to be in the top of their game.... When people can say, "I just want a clean bed"

[@ShivamTrivedi7]

Never been this early to a Sebby video. Love your content. Because of strategies and credit card math I learned on your videos, I am on track to get a Companion Pass on Southwest in a couple of months with under 15k in spend because of the ridiculous Southwest Priority card intro bonus earlier this year. Love getting rewarded for money I was going to spend anyway!

[@AskSebby]

Awesome!

[@jefuryo]

Sebby, do you think military still get the waived fees? I'm trying to recommend it for my co-workers...

[@tnecvol75]

Yes. Fees waived.

[@kennb33]

I'm going to follow the x3 Hilton card strategy with my player 2. Planning to put December 2023 wedding spend on the cards. Hoping we can honeymoon January 2024 in Maldives or Bora Bora with points and certificates. Just worried by 2024 there will be 10 more devaluations lol.

[@thecwwshow8036]

How have you liked it?

[@garyjsimm]

I look to you for all my card benefits. Thanks

[@ZachsCreditCardGuide]

A meet up could be interesting. I may have to add in the Hilton cards to my plan!

[@KenronTheGamer]

My favorite deal I have is the Crunchyroll one I got.

[@jacobrios4716]

Love the video like usual, to me it feels like the demographic AMEX is targeting is couples/ singles without children. (No more complimentary guests in lounges, Vegas hotels, etc). But I was actually hoping you could explain what the weekend certificate is a bit.

[@oeckstei]

True. Like how does one acquire this weekend certificate? Is a free night on a weekend?

[@seandelaney1700]

Interesting point, with all the Millennials choosing Chase, could it be they are worried their card is becomes "Dad's card", which would set them up for future trouble? ie. less members leads to less benefits, more expense and a spiral downwards.

[@chrisp7110]

If Hilton extends that to other properties, then they would do it to other demanding ones only. Atleast that is my advice

[@cobra4455]

Lufthansa is pronounced Luft + hansa

[@conitsha6793]

Do most people tip the bartender in the airport lounge?

[@ascaglione]

No obligation to, but if there's a line behind you, tip and watch everyone behind you open up their wallet as well. Fun social experiment!

[@james-p]

I usually tip $2 for a mixed drink, $1 for beer or wine.

[@seandelaney1700]

I try and have a few bucks around for this, particularly if someone reaches out and offers to get me a drink. But like here in Mexico they are paid higher so it's not a "have to".

[@james-p]

@@seandelaney1700 Yes, tipping seems to be a uniquely American thing. I'm always worried about it when I travel outside the US because it's so ingrained in me (I'm American) - it's like I MUST leave a tip or I feel like I've cheated someone. I wish we didn't have that stupid system, but it looks like we Yanks are stuck with it.

[@seandelaney1700]

@@james-p Like many things in life it's great in concept but horrible in reality. As an American I can't imagine how much easier life is for those who don't do so. Unfortunately like much American, we are bringing our custom to the world. Uber knew the stress and hassle it induced, but sadly Lyft did not. It's also awkward when I'm travelling with someone who doesn't really tip and I am asking them to because I am from a tipping culture. I think I have finally realized that despite what the Western guidebooks say, tipping is not expected here, which of course is how it used to be in the US. I am in a tourist town but mostly just Mexicans.

[@jeffchung6832]

Sebby, would you rather have 3 aspire cards or 3 marriott brilliant cards? I currently have 2 and 2 but a 5th slot just opened

[@AskSebby]

Really depends on which properties you prefer. For me it would be comparing JW/St Regis vs. Conrad/WA.

[@Brian-zu8qh]

I thought Amex didn’t allow a 5th card?

[@jeffchung6832]

@@AskSebby st regis is cat 8 while 50k annual night would be more like a cat 5 or 6.

[@crisa.1528]

I currently have 1 and 1. How can I upgrade my surpass to another Aspire with a bonus offer?

[@jonathanfactor6688]

Great video thanks right now I use the united airlines explorer card the best buy card the city rewards plus card and the m life las vegas card from the bank of Omaha I am not sure what amrican express credit card to get yet.

[@MetroJet2000]

5:50 Ugh, why Avis? They’re easily the worst rental company. In regards to the Hilton devaluation, at least I don’t intend to travel to the Maldives any time soon.

[@junxianwu1598]

good thing you mentioned the maldives. maybe you should do a video on how we should fly to the maldives given the pandemic now and not that many flights available to book using points

[@JW-io8nb]

Any of the gulf carriers... Etihad, Qatar, Emirates. They have been flying during the pandemic since July 2020. AS miles for EK, AA miles for QR/EY.

[@just.beingJulie]

man... this week is no bueno for me! I have the Hilton and IHG card.... Points are getting worthless... But a meet up would sound fun. Maldives is on our bucket list but that flight from SFO is a killer 28hrs.

[@ty5967]

Good info, thanks

[@shawnjimenez2078]

Lmao 2nd day opening KZbin and you referencing devaluation with a card I have. Nice updates though! Sad I couldn’t go to a Lufthansa lounge. Wait there’s a group that does what? Teach me more Seb lol sounds underground

[@Lazizbaldwin]

Yikes I paid 95k per night at Waldorf Maldives in November of 2020 for grand reef villa for 6 nights

[@CaseyBurnsInvesting]

What mic is that Sebby?

[@AskSebby]

Shure SM7B

[@appleforever6664]

SPAMMER!

[@soojoe]

That Munich lounge is nice! Great breakfast 🍳.

[@annaisapalindrome]

Agree! Even took an extra pretzel to go 😋

[@joshx413]

Webull is one of the worst ways to purchase doge coin IMO. As much as I hate them. Robinhood seems to be the best

[@marcialbode7770]

Omg American accent saying German word sounds so funny I’m sorry sebby lol

[@alikaalex]

Sebby’s pronouncing it “loo-fahn-zah”, but I’ve always pronounced it “looft-hahn-zah”. Have I been wrong all these years?

[@marcialbode7770]

Well I’m German so of course it’s easy for my but it’s luft with the t yes your right Alex

[@AskSebby]

I try!

[@EvinRattner]

Buddy…..this is not the correct pronunciation of Lufthansa’s name.

[@seandelaney1700]

As a fresh subscriber it is a we bit surreal to be viewing this from a hostel in Central Mexico, as I watch three beautiful young people create cookies to sell about town. It seems almost everyone subsidises life with what we term a "side-hustle". But then they are young and often in the arts. I suppose point earners, CEO's et all are just "subsidizing" their life as well.

[@sjuaree685]

Thanks dawg!

[@htfirefuze8653]

Thank GOD i got denied for the amex platnium! I went straight to chase saphire reserve!!

[@JustinJourneys]

AYEEEEEEEEEEEEEE LETSSSSSSSSSSSS ROLLLLLLLL SEEEEEBBBBBBBB 🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽

[@MrRedneckman100]

Was the 777 like.

[@naughtyorgneiss]

*Covid-21 has entered the chat:*

[@Alvin_1914]

Squuuuuuad!

[@AskSebby]

🙌

[@trufghdsyjvgfdd5281]

my girl is awesome!

[@andresramirez1266]

INFLATION is coming! INFLATION is coming!

[@jesuso2588]

16th!!!!

[@BankAccountBonusCentral]

First!

[@AskSebby]

🥈

[@DJ-pt7wg]

Second

[@Ferdinand_FE]

First

[@AskSebby]

🥇