The Ultimate Hotel Credit Card Tier List: Ranking BEST to WORST | Amex, Chase, Barclays

[@AskSebby]

💳 Sebby's Card Picks: www.asksebby.com/credit-cards 💳 Amex Platinum Calculator: www.asksebby.com/credit-card-reviews/amex-platinum-card How to find a potential elevated Amex Offers: www.asksebby.com/guides/amex-plat-cardmatch

[@jnd2415]

Never understood people that complain about not getting more for a no AF card. You people want the world and don’t want to pay for anything.

[@kaiqizhang1037]

The Choice Previledge Card has once again been ignored 😅

[@Lifeissorich.]

Same with Sonesta

[@marklihsu]

What's a choice privilege?

[@08710909]

Trash 😂

[@zyzzuschrist3410]

Imagine burning up a 5/24 slot for anything Choice privilege

[@Lifeissorich.]

Sonesta Mastercard always gets overlooked but it's a major bonus for those in North America.

[@tazzaler]

Been waiting for a up-to-date video like this; definitely bookmarked a few of these for the macro plan.

[@MrDarkhawk1972]

I have a Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card and obtained it during their 5 night bonus (up to 50k per night), which landed me one of the fanciest hotels in Ireland. I am not sure how long I will keep it, considering I take maybe one or two trips per year. The annual free night bonus will offset the cost of the annual fee, so that's probably its only saving grace.

[@wilfredpapaya4739]

A brilliant video Sebby! 🐖

[@nicky_rads]

Solid vid as always ! The internet also says the IHG premier card is good for buying points with a 20% discount. Can then stack with free night + 4th night free to make things interesting. Keep the vids comings !

[@LK_EBM]

How do you get 20% off, and what's the CPP for buying points?

[@sk6056]

just as an fyi, I have the IHG premier and get offers at least twice a year to buy points for up to a 100% bonus. Still pricey in my book but it's nice for someone trying to top off for a special trip.

[@arequina]

I choose the AMEX Hilton because of the 100K bonus after completing the spend requirements.

[@Ronbap]

I’ve been waiting for a hotel card video thanks you helped me so much on my journey

[@dw4421]

🐷 I have the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless I applied this year which I plan on product changing to the Ritz Card. The fact that it has similar benefits to the CSR at $100 less makes it a better proposition. Then get the CSP, and I still have the Chase Trifecta UR to transfer to partnered airlines.

[@bubblewhip382]

🐷 40k 7:10 garbage at domestic is kind of harsh? $99 for a free night is break even or slight value at any holiday inn express that usually run $100+ after taxes.

[@LK_EBM]

Not worth it just to break even. You're better off keeping $99 and booking whatever and wherever you want.

[@MOBMJ]

this couldn't have come at a better time. I am looking to get a hotel car, my first hotel card. I don't have one.

[@Lifeissorich.]

New glasses for sebby 🤓👓

[@domgordon531]

Chase Sapphire Preferred/Reserve is probably an A tier hotel card as well, solely for the Hyatt transfer.

[@OK-Travels]

The $300 Ritz Carlton Credit is very easy to use actually. I booked a one way flight under $500 in Asia and it got reimbursed after a day of the call. I just said I paid for luggages.

[@thejokerspeaks]

🐷 S: Hilton Aspire A: Bonvoy Brilliant, Chase IHG One

[@worldwalker2709]

Wait the hyatt business gives you discoverist not explorist. Mistake

[@AskSebby]

Good catch!

[@couz96797]

If the Wyndham business still had status match with Caesar’s, it would be S tier.

[@jyk000]

🐷 Planning on doing a Mariott Visa (for the Ritz card) and WoH Personal shortly after for a MDD next month (will be @ 4/24). After that I’m set on Chase cards for the foreseeable future. Thanks for the pointer on applying for a Boundless, didn’t realize that what card you were upgrading from affected your chances. Thought it was just the $10k CLI (and 1 year of holding).

[@Rareform03]

I just started on my journey to stack Aspire cards back in June 🤞🤞🤞

[@mario.arsg345]

🐷 an airlines cc tier list next please. I’m debating between United Quest or one of the Amex Deltas

[@AskSebby]

Soon!

[@greentechgiraffe]

🐷🐖🐽 i thought why not go “whole hog” on the emoji’s!! 1. Id like to go boundless to Ritz Carlton 2. Still rocking my Chase Sapphire Preferred.. i guess thats it for now 3. Dont have a positive or negative comment about the inages

[@DC_Consulting_DC]

🐷 $60 each quarter off the room rate means $240 back for a $195 fee. 5X on everything makes it a decent catch-all card. We use the $36/$50 daily food credit at Hawaiian resorts.

[@davidw2739]

I would go for the Ritz-Carlton card if the travel credit was easier to use like the CSR; having to call in to utilize the credit is pretty silly.

[@Boxerexp]

question that no one can really answer. the no AF cards, could those be good to use as a points holder? I recently had a bunch of Hilton points expire. would they expire on the card as long as you used the card?

[@LK_EBM]

Don't you have a 2 year expiration? That's plenty of time to earn or use your points.

[@Boxerexp]

@ I think? There’s sometimes I don’t use bottles at all. Sometimes I do. Sometimes ihg, sometimes Hilton sometimes Marriott

[@ryanmartin7033]

Yes that would restart the clock. You could also buy points which also would reset the clock without applying for another card.

[@Boxerexp]

@@ryanmartin7033 is that on all point systems? if so perfect! and really cant hurt to get a card and throw gas on it or something.

[@BoywithLoveeee]

Hi sebby, thank you for always putting out these helpful travel videos. I’m wondering if I should keep the platinum or not. My renewal date is not until April but I have some big trips coming soon and I have to book flights for me and my family and looking to open another card to get the sign up bonus and I applied for venture x but got denied (810 credit score). I asked Amex if there’s a retention offer on my account and I was offered $350 credit or 35k Mr points. I felt like it is not worth it to keep the card for another year since I’m only using the uber, hotel credits full and the airline credit $120 only. I did apply for global entry for this year and got the credit but other than that I don’t use the rest of the credits. I like the hotel statuses and the priority pass but since we don’t have centurion lounge or nice lounge in Hawaii, I don’t value any of the lounge passes. Should I keep it for another year?

[@marinrodriguez7729]

I think the thing to ask yourself is "will i, and by extension your family, benefit from having this card one more year?" With your planned travel, what benefits will support your travel goals? Will you be able to use the points to offset the costs or make the trip more enjoyable? Are there lounges where you are going? All things to consider as it is a very personal decision based on you and your family. Best of luck and happy travels!

[@lonz0_0]

🐷 Sebby, hypothetically...do you perhaps, maybe, allegedly, have more than one Ritz Carlton card?🐷😂

[@TREX213]

If I recall, Greg or Nick from Frequently Miler had multiple RCs

[@noelscruggs5670]

lol I asked the same Q just not as a hypothetical but good tact

[@jeremiahcrowley8178]

The hyatt cat 4 are getting harder and harder to use, wish you could top off free nights with points to use. Most hotels I stayed at previously are now category 5 (mostly washington DC)

[@AskSebby]

Same. A top off with points would be nice!

[@jasonspain3554]

For my use case any Chase card that earns Ultimate Rewards is the best hotel card. I'm trying to run through all of Hyatt's best redemption properties like Hyatt Alila Ventura Big Sur, Andaz Peninsula Papagayo, Grand Hyatt Kuai, Hotel Du Louvre, and Park Hyatt Milan.

[@m0ttz755]

🐷 Hilton Aspire will be next, Need to figure out though if that $400 resort credit is worth it.

[@Stealther]

🐷🐷🐷 Our Hilton Aspire has been totally worth it and we are considering the Bonvoy Brilliant for when we prefer Marriott properties (most of the time if I’m honest!) Sebby, do they years you hold the Hilton Aspire card count towards your years of Diamond Status for earning Lifetime Diamond status?

[@FlintIronstag23]

Yes, the Diamond status from the Aspire counts toward 10 years you need for Lifetime Diamond. The hard part is the 1000 nights or two million base points you also need.

[@davidtrzil]

🐷 great review

[@hardchooligan]

Love your videos! Please do one breaking down the benefits authorized users get for each of the big cards. For example if I get the amex platinum and pay to get my wife an authorized user card, does she also get lounge access? Or do I still have to pay to bring her in anyway

[@MrDubs6000]

🐷 do you know if I am able to get the Ritz’s 85k FNC, after the 35k FNC from the Boundless kicks in then I PC, within the same year? Thanks

[@TheGreen415]

I bleibe you get the 85k the next anniversary. So you keep the 35k for now

[@MrDubs6000]

@@TheGreen415 so you’re saying when my annual fee for boundless posts, then I call for a PC to Ritz, then I only get the 35k FNC but not the 85k FNC? Do you know if you get the 35k FNC right away when the annual fee posts?

[@Julias1337]

Finally! Been waiting for this since the Amex hotel card tier list

[@AskSebby]

Hope it’s helpful!

[@Julias1337]

Sure is! I am on the same side of the fence as you for value. I have CSR, Plat, and Brilliant. Can get Aspire in 2025 and need to wait til 2027 for Ritz lol

[@blakinsideandout]

🐷 i just got a mailer offer for the gold 100K mr points. Ive had the gold before. Does a mailer override the lifetime wording on SUBs??

[@DanielRall]

You have to read the fine print on the mailer.

[@damionlaverne1253]

🐷 - just got the Hilton Honors Surpass card. I’m trying to climb the Hilton ladder. Almost got the Aspire, but the SUBs were similar points-wise with half the spend on the Surpass

[@ShadowRaptor8]

Wait so to confirm, you can have both the Personal and Business Amex Bonvoy cards? Sounds like you'd only get one free night, but can still use the business card for 7% off?

[@AskSebby]

Yes, you have to pick "One Lane," either Chase or Amex for the cards to get the bonus.

[@ZorinDobson]

🐷 I have the bonvoy business card and recently downgraded my aspire to a regular Hilton Amex since the majority of my stays are with Hyatt and I do also have the chase Hyatt card.

[@jmlinden7]

You're missing Best Western, Choice, Virgin, and Sonesta

[@wagnerwong9966]

Hyatt Explorist needs to do more

[@noelscruggs5670]

Seb, you know anyone with multiple Ritz? I know that would take a long time but I’m already at the point I could do it pretty quick was just wondering any data points on it. Thanks!

[@sk6056]

I like Sebby's videos but he lost me at Hilton Surpass & spending 15k to get a free night. OMG. I cancelled mine when it's yearly increased to $150/year

[@TO-et7xq]

🐷 2 Aspires, Bonvoy brilliant and the Ritz. CHAMP🐷

[@DanielRall]

Does the Ritz-Carlton club rate generally run higher than other rate options? I've never tried it but whenever I use rate codes that add potential value they always also add cost.

[@AskSebby]

The Club access rate is usually a lot higher, which is why we used the Club certificate.

[@EricMagazu]

🐖... thank you Sebby!

[@Polo1928-v2e]

What air line are choosing to use on the Amex Platinum for the incidental credit for 2025? 🐷🐷

[@AskSebby]

Probably United or Southwest.

[@Polo1928-v2e]

@ ❤️

[@weekendmixology3832]

Hey Sebby, how can I get the brilliant sign up bonus if own a ritz Carlton? Must I convert/downgrade it and wait a statement cycle ? And if that’s the case when or how soon can I re upgrade my boundless to my ritz ? Thanks!!!!

[@gilbertnicholas1582]

Downgraded my Aspire a couple weeks ago to the no annual fee card but I might upgrade it in the future if I do a big fancy trip

[@habeshafinance1710]

This is must have card if u travel and stay once or twice a year

[@mrcrazyvid1]

i do this all the time

[@gilbertnicholas1582]

​@habeshafinance1710 it was good to me in 2024 but in 2025 I'm rolling with Hyatt

[@gilbertnicholas1582]

​@mrcrazyvid1 that $550 was on my statement I was like F this 😄

[@AB-96]

Can you do an annual fee card tier list?

[@AskSebby]

On the to do list!

[@vividpaulus]

Probably I should switch club to Marriott. Hilton is so horrible.

[@iankm1]

Thanks for getting right to the point(s) I just had to unfollow someone for so much fluff to start the video.

[@habeshafinance1710]

I have Hilton aspire and platinum with CSR card I live united hub and I am thinking switching my CSR to united club card. What do you suggest

[@Dong_Kim]

Pig emoji. Which would you choose for you and a player 2: 2 Ritz , or 2 Brilliant, or one of each? Thinking one of each to get higher status and potential for club access. Thinking $600 in flight credit might be a stretch.

[@garym8059]

Does product changing to the Ritz Carlton card count against the 5/24?

[@mrcrazyvid1]

no

[@AskSebby]

No, same account.

[@grassjellychou8277]

🐷do you have a spread sheet to keep track of all the benefits ? 😅 such as reminder to use it…etc

[@AskSebby]

Soon!

[@thangn.8160]

So much going on! I'm still confused 🤔😕😅

[@deepdivedylan]

🐷 why did you not use the glasses emoji? Such a missed opportunity! F in chat for your glasses! 👓

[@deepdivedylan]

F

[@danielchuchu2020]

🐷 Between Hilton Surpass, IHG Premier One and World of Hyatt. Which card is best for mostly domestic, budget conscious travelers. (We travel ~twice per quarter domestically, U S., and once per year internationally)

[@mrcrazyvid1]

id say surpass due to the $50 quarterly credits and food/bev credit from gold status

[@marklihsu]

Hyatt because you can get stays for power points and can also transfer in from the UR system at reasonable rates.

[@AskSebby]

Maybe Hyatt since you can get good deals on domestic hotels with points.

[@tower07]

U didn’t mention the $50 United travelbank for IHG premier

[@getsugatenshoFTW]

It was mentioned at 8:18

[@NorthVandea]

Yes he did, timestamp 8:16

[@iTzDritte]

🐷 Where my Ritz-Carlton Rewards card homies at? S-tier for life! 🦁

[@johnsmith1953x]

*I have the AMEX PLATINUM* And let me tell you, the Hilton Hotels are NOT HONORING the free upgrades/cash/drinks when you go their as a platinum member.

[@silentsword4104]

File a complaint to both Hilton Corporate and Amex’s Platinum concierge.

[@worldwalker2709]

First and best by a MILE

[@AskSebby]

🙌

[@zyzzuschrist3410]

W

[@graywolf2600]

🐷 any suggestion for getting lifetime Marriott platinum?

[@silentsword4104]

Bonvoy Brilliant for the qualifying elite night boost and generous spend multipliers to earn the most points possible.

[@jimmyjames6492]

🐷🐷🐷

[@gibranespinoza6603]

🐷 A few years ago, I got the Aspire and Surpass in Februray and then was able to get a Hilton Honors card in early June. For 2025, my plan is to upgrade the Hilton Honors card to a Surpass and come Jan 1, will spend $15K on it for the FNC then just use it for the $50 Hilton credits and upgrading the OG Surpass to another Aspire. Goal is to have two Aspires and one Surpass to generate 3 FNC's every year at roughly the same time. I recently spent 3 FNC's last year for the Rome Cavalieri Waldorf and the Waldorf in D.C. and want to get 3 to use at the Waldorf in NYC that is reopening. Also considering getting the Brilliant (during elevated SUB) and the Boundless (to eventually PC to Ritz) this year. Question for you Sebby, if I get both of these cards roughly at the same time, do I only get the SUB on the card that I hit first? Also when I PC from the Boundless to Ritz, I assume I'll have to wait a full 12 months from the PC to see the 85K FNC and won't get it the same year I make the upgrade?

[@carsongunther]

🐷

[@Alvin_1914]

Squuuuuuuuuuad

[@AskSebby]

🙌

[@Antvann-1]

🐷

[@matthewsalabarria6090]

🐷

[@AJisfly]

🐷