Hilton HHonors - Getting new card for trip to Europe - HH or SPG?

I'm looking to take a trip to Europe next year and would like to start accumlating miles to help offset the weak $ for my hotels.

Currently I don't have any type of Hilton or SPG credit card.

I'm looking to see which one I would be better off getting (bonus points, etc, but also ease of use in redeeming. I've spent about 2 hours reading through threads, but can't seem to come up with a consenus.

I'm Silver VIP with Hilton, but will probably be losing it before my trip.

I figure I should be able to charge ~$30K to the new card before my trip.

Thanks for any input!

I think it depends on who has hotels you want to stay at and where they are located.

If you have your trip planned, look at the hotel websites and see which hotels are where you will be. Then look at how many points it will take to stay there at todays' rate. Then you'll have to try and figure out if you can accrue enough points on the credit card for the trip.

Are you using the card for hotels in Europe or to earn points for Europe? If in Europe, remember, that while you will earn points for using the HH Amex card overseas, you will pay 2.7% (!) for the privilege. I use my CapitalOne cash rewards card for foreign purchases. NO foreign transaction fee and 1% cash back. HH points aren't worth a 2.7% premium IMHO.

If you will charge $30k before your trip, that would have you at Hilton Gold prior to your travels.

As to spending on a card while there? +1 on the advice from the above poster. The points aren't worth 2.7%, with the possible exception of charging the hotels themselves to their particular card as the bonuses can make it worth the 2.7%.

If you will charge $30k before your trip, that would have you at Hilton Gold prior to your travels.

Only $20K is required for Gold.

Only $20K is required for Gold.

Yes, I am aware of that. The OP is the one who says he's spending 30k before the trip.

I think it depends on who has hotels you want to stay at and where they are located.

That's absolutely the key. Not every city (or even country) has both SPG and HH hotels (quite a few don't have either).

Also for OP's consideration: HH Gold would most likely get you free breakfast (I've seen reports of people denied that, but personally have always gotten it, either at the lounge, or via coupons at a restaurant) - if that's of interest to you, you can save quite a few Euros.

I'm looking to take a trip to Europe next year and would like to start accumlating miles to help offset the weak $ for my hotels.

Currently I don't have any type of Hilton or SPG credit card.

I'm looking to see which one I would be better off getting (bonus points, etc, but also ease of use in redeeming. I've spent about 2 hours reading through threads, but can't seem to come up with a consenus.

I'm Silver VIP with Hilton, but will probably be losing it before my trip.

I figure I should be able to charge ~$30K to the new card before my trip.

Thanks for any input!



Where in Europe exactly? And when?
If you stay in London or in UK HH definitely number one for hotels and fares range. In other countries it depends, but IMHO HH slightly better. You can also try a fast track to HHonors Gold with www.hiltonracing.com , but you need 4 stays in 90 days after enrollment in HiltonRacing to obtain the status.

If you will charge $30k before your trip, that would have you at Hilton Gold prior to your travels.

As to spending on a card while there? +1 on the advice from the above poster. The points aren't worth 2.7%, with the possible exception of charging the hotels themselves to their particular card as the bonuses can make it worth the 2.7%.

I believe $30K spend will also get you SPG gold...anyone confirm?

Correct.

$30k on SPG Amex ($45 annual fee) gets you SPG Gold.

$20k on either HH Amex gets you HH Gold.
$40k on HH Surpass Amex ($75 annual fee) gets you HH Diamond.

Either SPG Gold or HH Gold usually gets good treatment in Europe. As others have pointed out, it's probably best to look at the specific locations and hotels to choose which way to go.

also, you should keep in mind that redemption levels are going up at hilton from the 15th of january, 2010....so if you are planning on using points for your stays then you will need a lot more points than the current redemption levels....

Since you're planning ahead, it would be good to pick out your hotels first and work towards getting the points.

Either SPG Gold or HH Gold usually gets good treatment in Europe.

I’m HH Gold and SPG Gold, and travel mostly in Europe.
HH Gold will get you A LOT more in recognition than SPG Gold. At Hiltons I always get free breakfast and mostly an upgrade with lounge access. At Starwood hotels I usually just get an “upgrade” to a better room, without lounge access or breakfast.