American Express Membership Rewards - New Amex Platinum, Please HELP Me Figure It Out!!!

There appears to be a wealth of information about AMEX on these forums. I have had the SPG Amex for little over a year now, and had spent around $80k on it (about 75% of that being business related). I was turned onto it because I frequently stay at Starwood properties. I was very happy with the card since I was able to rack up points pretty quickly. I'm Exec Plat on American Airlines and because of that I pretty much always have 100,000+ miles in my account. On top of that, I had the AA Citi card and was getting miles for my mastercard expenses. I realized that the airline miles were becoming useless because either I couldn't use them since aadvantage seats were all sold out, or I had enough miles from just flying to get tickets. Hotels is where I was having a hard time racking up the points. The card help that. With 80K points last year, I was able to book 8 nights in a Cat4 hotel (Hawaii, Bahamas, Whistler, etc.). I've had 9 revenue stays at SPG properties this year, and it doesn't look like I'll get that tenth, but fortunately SPG says if you spend $30k on the card they'll give you gold.

When I was doing that research, I stumbled upon "The Platinum Card". I was turned on by the auto-gold SPG, Hertz, Avis, and National upgrades, as well as the Continental lounge. I have yet to pay (with cash or miles) for AA's Admirals Club. I just can't justify it even though I have so many miles. I figure one day I might not travel as much and those miles will come in handy. That said, I live in Austin, TX and the Continental lounge is right next to the AA gates so it'll work out real well.

I think those three (SPG Gold, Continental, and Rental Cars) are the only benefits that really appeal to me. SPG Gold isn't even that compelling since I can get that via the SPG Amex anyways. I'm paying $395 for the lounge access and the rental cars. I guess it isn't that great of a deal anyways since I could've just paid $350 for the Admiral's Club membership :(

I guess I was enticed by the status of the Amex platinum. I'm young, turn 25 on Thursday, but have done well for myself in business, and do travel a lot. One other thing that was compelling to me was the MR points system. However, countless research on Amex's site has not revealed how the system works for me. I struggle to redeem free tickets on AA unless I book 6-9 months in advanced (even then, Xmas and Thanksgiving times are hard to get). It's my understanding that the MR points work like cash with the airlines. Basically, no blackouts, no reserved reward seats, etc. If that's the case, I'd probably end up buying some airline tickets using MR as well.

Can you guys clear up how MR works, specifically for flights, hotel, and car. Is it based on the dollar of the ticket or room? How does earning points vs. spending them work? People talk of accelerators and bonuses; are those compelling?

My other choice is to just dump all of my MR back into my SPG account. Should I just do that?

Thanks guys! I just got approved yesterday so my card should be here next week, but I want to know how I should begin using it??

One final question, is the restaurant reservation concierge worth anything?

Thanks,
BrianV

Can you guys clear up how MR works, specifically for flights, hotel, and car. Is it based on the dollar of the ticket or room? How does earning points vs. spending them work?
www.membershiprewards.com

www.membershiprewards.com

Yeah I checked that site out, but since I don't have an account or any MR points, I can't see how many points it takes to reserve a hotel at any specific place? I'm mainly curious on how you redeem points. Is it:

1) A domestic airline ticket is a flat 25,000 MR (like most airlines)
2) A domestic airline ticket's point cost is directly relative to its cash price ($250 airline ticket costs 25,000 MR, a $200 ticket, 20,000 MR, etc.)?
3) Is there some weird algorithm?

What about hotel rooms. Right now, 10,000 Starpoints gets me a Cat4 room for one night. I've had Cat4 rooms cost $120 and I've had them cost $600; regardless of the cost, if it's cat4 it's 10k star points. That's a particularly good deal when the room is $300 plus, since an airline ticket is 2.5x higher than one cat4 night.

Thanks

When you look at www.membershiprewards.com you will see that Membersip Rewards points can be redeemed for air travel three ways:

1. Transfer to an airline program. Generally, 1,000 MR points become 1,000 airline miles, but you need to carefully review the list of participating carriers to see if any of them are worthwhile for your travel pattern. American Airlines in not a Membership Rewards partner.

2. Redeem for a specific award ticket from the website catalog. These are offered by a variety of carriers, including some who do not otherwise participate in Membership Rewards, but these certificates will be capacity controlled the same as any other airline awards.

3. Points can be redeemed to pay for virtually any airline ticket purchased from americanexpress.com website. The full value of the ticket is charged to your American Express account, and then offset by a credit based on the number of points that you redeem on the basis of 1 point = $0.01. If the ticket cost $500 you would need to redeem 50,000 points. There are few restrictions on this type of redemption because it is not really an award, you are merely redeeming points in lieu of cash.

If you like this approach you should also look at Diners Club Mastercard...

www.dinersclubus.com

...because they allow you to purchase an airline ticket anywhere, pay with their card, and redeem points on the basis 1 point = $0.0125. If the ticket cost $500 you would need to redeem 40,000 points. Diners Club points can also be redeemed for miles on more airlines, including AA, and the annual fee is only $95 which leaves $300 toward your AAdmirals Club Membership.

dennis

Also, it seems as if 30,000 MR points is roughly equal to 10,000 Starpoints. That said, do I earn 3 points for every dollar spent?

Yeah I checked that site out, but since I don't have an account or any MR points, I can't see how many points it takes to reserve a hotel at any specific place? I'm mainly curious on how you redeem points. Is it:

1) A domestic airline ticket is a flat 25,000 MR (like most airlines)
2) A domestic airline ticket's point cost is directly relative to its cash price ($250 airline ticket costs 25,000 MR, a $200 ticket, 20,000 MR, etc.)?
3) Is there some weird algorithm?

What about hotel rooms. Right now, 10,000 Starpoints gets me a Cat4 room for one night. I've had Cat4 rooms cost $120 and I've had them cost $600; regardless of the cost, if it's cat4 it's 10k star points. That's a particularly good deal when the room is $300 plus, since an airline ticket is 2.5x higher than one cat4 night.

Thanks

All of the above. You can transfer points to certain airline FF programs. There is a place on the MR site where you can link all of your FF accounts to your MR account and transfer as necessary. Or, you can hit the travel link and book a flight, then pay for it with MR points.

When you look at www.membershiprewards.com you will see that Membersip Rewards points can be redeemed for air travel three ways:

1. Transfer to an airline program. Generally, 1,000 MR points become 1,000 airline miles, but you need to carefully review the list of participating carriers to see if any of them are worthwhile for your travel pattern. American Airlines in not a Membership Rewards partner.

2. Redeem for a specific award ticket from the website catalog. These are offered by a variety of carriers, including some who do not otherwise participate in Membership Rewards, but these certificates will be capacity controlled the same as any other airline awards.

3. Points can be redeemed to pay for virtually any airline ticket purchased from americanexpress.com website. The full value of the ticket is charged to your American Express account, and then offset by a credit based on the number of points that you redeem on the basis of 1 point = $0.01. If the ticket cost $500 you would need to redeem 50,000 points. There are few restrictions on this type of redemption because it is not really an award, you are merely redeeming points in lieu of cash.

If you like this approach you should also look at Diners Club Mastercard...

www.dinersclubus.com

...because they allow you to purchase an airline ticket anywhere, pay with their card, and redeem points on the basis 1 point = $0.0125. If the ticket cost $500 you would need to redeem 40,000 points. Diners Club points can also be redeemed for miles on more airlines, including AA, and the annual fee is only $95 which leaves $300 toward your AAdmirals Club Membership.

dennis

Thanks. Most AA frequently flier tickets I end up getting cost more than $250, if it's less I typically pay cash. If 50,000 points = $50,000 spent, then that's no good deal at all; especially considering I can convert 20,000 starpoints into AA points.

As far as not being able to transfer into AA points, I could always transfer to Starpoints and then transfer to AA points (and get the bonus).

At this time, the ONLY advantage I see to this Amex Platinum Card is that you can use the points with several different companies, where as with the SPG card you're stuck with SPG or transferring to another airline.

I'm still thinking I'm not understanding the value of these MR points. If the MR points are 1 per every dollar spent, then how come more people don't have the SPG card?

All of the above. You can transfer points to certain airline FF programs. There is a place on the MR site where you can link all of your FF accounts to your MR account and transfer as necessary. Or, you can hit the travel link and book a flight, then pay for it with MR points.

What about hotels? Is it 1 point = $0.01 for that as well?

Do you earn 1 MR point for every dollar spent on the card?

Also, it seems as if 30,000 MR points is roughly equal to 10,000 Starpoints. That said, do I earn 3 points for every dollar spent?

The poor Membership Rewards to Starwood transfer ratio does not really tell you much about the broader value of the points.

$1 spending = 1 MR point = 1 airline mile.

The poor Membership Rewards to Starwood transfer ratio does not really tell you much about the broader value of the points.

$1 spending = 1 MR point = 1 airline mile.

Hmm, I think I'm going to call them and cancel the upgrade to Platinum. I'd be better of with the Starwood Amex and/or a Discover card that gives 2% back on ALL purchases wouldn't I?

Sure the benefits are nice, but I can get SPG Gold with the Amex card ($30,000 spent per year). I can use the money saved to buy AA's Admiral's Club (which I'd use a lot more than Continental, since President's lounge is always in different terminals at hub airports), and if I consolidate my car renting to Hertz or National I can probably get their gold status on my own?

What am I missing here? What other value do these points have?

Thanks!!!

<< If 50,000 points = $50,000 spent, then that's no good deal at all>>

I do not expect anyone here would disagree. Redeeming Membership Rewards points for $0.01 each is not a good deal, but you asked :) .

<<ONLY advantage I see to this Amex Platinum Card is that you can use the points with several different companies, where as with the SPG card you're stuck with SPG or transferring to another airline>>

I think you will find that nearly all the Membership Rewards airline partners are also Starwood partners, no real advantage there, and the Membership Rewards hotel partnerships are not as good as Diners Club.

While the standard earnings rate for Membership Rewards is $1 = 1 point, until recently there were categories where $1 = 2 points, and there are periodic promotions that also increase the effective yield. However, The Platinum Card is typically not included in these offers for reasons best known to American Express.

If you choose The Platinum Card it should be for the better customer service and the benefits, not the rewards which are adequate though not superior.

dennis

Hmm, I think I'm going to call them and cancel the upgrade to Platinum. I'd be better of with the Starwood Amex and/or a Discover card that gives 2% back on ALL purchases wouldn't I?

Sure the benefits are nice, but I can get SPG Gold with the Amex card ($30,000 spent per year). I can use the money saved to buy AA's Admiral's Club (which I'd use a lot more than Continental, since President's lounge is always in different terminals at hub airports), and if I consolidate my car renting to Hertz or National I can probably get their gold status on my own?

What am I missing here? What other value do these points have?

Thanks!!!

I would only get the upgrade to platinum if they were shelling out the 25K MR bonus. Maybe just wait for that.

When Chairman returns I may go with the following combo:

SPG Amex
Amex gold Rewards Plus
Chairman (if it's $400)

I would only get the upgrade to platinum if they were shelling out the 25K MR bonus. Maybe just wait for that.

When Chairman returns I may go with the following combo:

SPG Amex
Amex gold Rewards Plus
Chairman (if it's $400)

Yeah but 25k isn't even worth $400 to me.

My card has already been mailed, but if I don't activate it, I can call and have them refund the $395.

I'll give it more thought, but I just don't know if I can justify $395 for less rewards. Of course, I could keep both cards but then I'm truly paying $395 for Hertz Gold (which is easy to get on your own or pay $50 for) and Continental President's Lounge which I'd only use in Austin (where I'm very rarely delayed and arrive only minutes before my flight anyways).

I really appreciate the help here. On another subject, I am considering switching my loyalty from Starwood to Hilton. Starwood hotels are not everywhere I travel whereas Hiltons are more common. Their card seems pretty good, and they give you Gold status at Hilton for spending $20k per year. Gold status at Hilton seems to be higher than Gold at Starwood.

How are the rewards. From all of my comparisons, I see the rate of return on the Starwood card at about 4%.

My logic behind it, is that I pretty much always use it on Cat4 (10,000 point hotels), which almost always cost around $400 / month. You don't even pay tax with points so it could come to be even more. That's about 2.5x (or higher) better than the average airline or what I can compare the MR awards too.

In some cases, it's much higher than 4%. For instance, I stayed at the Miami Airport Sheraton one night for 2,000 points (lay-over to the Carribean). It was $180 per night on spg.com, but only 2,000 points. I also stay at the west Denver Sheraton all the time for 2,000-3,000 points. I can do four nights there for under $10,000; and the regular rate is usually $150-$200. In that case, the return is nearly 8%.

Membership reward points are useless for hotels. Stay with Starwood.

I am Centurion because of the airline status and certain other benefits. Before that I was platinum again for the lounge and other benefits.

Still through all that time I kept my Starwood card and put most spending on it. Only where bonus miles or extra warranty protection or auto damage protection did I use my Platinum or Centurion card.

Starwood gives with most airlines 25,000 miles for 20,000 points. It also has US and AA, neither of which are in the MR program. I just completed two nights in a hotel for 7,000 points that would have cost $300.00.

If AMEX would have given me 1 cent a point, the hotel room would have cost 30,000 points or converting to Starwood points 21,000. Yuck.

I just got back from China. A friend with Platinum used its 2 for 1 business class on Cathy Pacific and paid $7,580 total for two tickets. He figures he saved $7,580. I bought my tickets well in advance and had one extra plane change on the way back but my cost was only $3,100 per ticket or $6,200 total. However most business Class tickets to China cost more than that. Bottom line is that AMEX Platinum 2 for 1 can save big bucks but often you can do better.

Unless you fly DL, NW or CO a lot, the lounge access feature is not that valuable. In fact, if you do, you might simply join the club of the airline you use most often as the others will now honor it.

Anyhow, stick with Starwood for most of your charges.

The truth is the platinum card is really for those travel independently or those who are not too concern on miles/point etc.

The biggest draw for platinum (for me personally) are for the FHR benifit, cruise "privileges", emergency assistant thing etc.

If the only reason to for you to get a platinum card is gain lounge access or getting more hotel points & such, then the card is not for you.

you can only use the CO lounge if you are flying CO that day.

You mentioned that you were an EXP on AA you will not be able to use the co lounge when flying AA

Membership reward points are useless for hotels. Stay with Starwood.

I am Centurion because of the airline status and certain other benefits. Before that I was platinum again for the lounge and other benefits.

Still through all that time I kept my Starwood card and put most spending on it. Only where bonus miles or extra warranty protection or auto damage protection did I use my Platinum or Centurion card.

Starwood gives with most airlines 25,000 miles for 20,000 points. It also has US and AA, neither of which are in the MR program. I just completed two nights in a hotel for 7,000 points that would have cost $300.00.

If AMEX would have given me 1 cent a point, the hotel room would have cost 30,000 points or converting to Starwood points 21,000. Yuck.

I just got back from China. A friend with Platinum used its 2 for 1 business class on Cathy Pacific and paid $7,580 total for two tickets. He figures he saved $7,580. I bought my tickets well in advance and had one extra plane change on the way back but my cost was only $3,100 per ticket or $6,200 total. However most business Class tickets to China cost more than that. Bottom line is that AMEX Platinum 2 for 1 can save big bucks but often you can do better.

Unless you fly DL, NW or CO a lot, the lounge access feature is not that valuable. In fact, if you do, you might simply join the club of the airline you use most often as the others will now honor it.

Anyhow, stick with Starwood for most of your charges.

Thanks!

The first class companion isn't a big deal to me. I fly international with my company but can only expense coach :( which doesn't bother me since the few times I upgraded I didn't get use of it. My goal on international flights is to get on, fall asleep, and that's it. I get exit row and have plenty of room to spread my legs and rest. I save my first class upgrades for domestic travel with the g/f. I travel so much that I've just got down a system of getting on a plane and immediately falling asleep for the entire flight.

I appreciate your input, but I think the SPG card is still the best for my needs.

you can only use the CO lounge if you are flying CO that day.

You mentioned that you were an EXP on AA you will not be able to use the co lounge when flying AA

Are you sure about that? My boss has Centurion and led me to believe he can use President's when he's flying on AA.

EXP only gets you lounge access on international itineraries, not domestic.

If what you say is true about the lounge access, then there's another reason not to use this card.

Platinum Card members—as well as their spouses and children under the age of 21 or up to two traveling companions—can enjoy complimentary access to participating Continental Airlines Presidents Club®, Delta Crown Room Club®, and Northwest Airlines WorldClub® locations worldwide when traveling with the respective airline that is operating the club

<<I think the SPG card is still the best for my needs>>

Agreed, the Platinum Card does not sound as if it would be a good match. If you need a Mastercard or Visa to use when American Express is not accepted I would look at Citibank's AAdvantage Mastercard or, if you want a card with stronger benefits, Citibank's Diners Club Mastercard.

<<I think the SPG card is still the best for my needs>>

Agreed, the Platinum Card does not sound as if it would be a good match. If you need a Mastercard or Visa to use when American Express is not accepted I would look at Citibank's AAdvantage Mastercard or, if you want a card with stronger benefits, Citibank's Diners Club Mastercard.

I have the AAdvantage MasterCard but I'm probably going to cancel it before the next renewal. Right now I'm using a 1.5% cashback mastercard for all my non-amex purchases (which aren't more than $1,000 per month).

I'll definitely check out that Diner's Club one as an alternative.

Thanks!

Brian,

I think you've figured it out -- the Starwood Amex is far superior to the Platinum card. You can transfer your miles to many more airlines and you get 1.25 points to each dollar spent rather than the 1-1 platinum ratio. The only reasons I keep my platinum card is for the FHR program, the good customer service I have had in disputing a claim with a merchant, and the concierge.

I don't think there is any great status to having a platinum card. Almost everyone who has a gold for 3-6 months is asked to upgrade. It seems like the only qualification you truly need is the ability (and willingness) to pay the $395 annual fee. Also, as a young person, do you want to throw down a platinum card at dinner or lunch in front of your boss or client. What will that make them think of you?? Maybe that you are the type of person who wastes/flaunts his money? I don't buy the status argument. The only card that I think truly carries status is the Centurion (Black) card.

Also, as a young person, do you want to throw down a platinum card at dinner or lunch in front of your boss or client. What will that make them think of you?? Maybe that you are the type of person who wastes/flaunts his money? I don't buy the status argument. The only card that I think truly carries status is the Centurion (Black) card.

Well, you need the Platinum card in order to qualify for the Centurion card (unless they've changed that), so I guess you're damned if you do and damned if you don't?

Keep in mind the with the AMEX Plat Card you can only use the Continental Club if you are flying with Continental that day. So if you you are are flying AA you can't get in.

Yeah, as far as the AMEX SPG customer service, I've been very happy with the level of service I've gotten from them. Far better than my Citi cards.

The actual status of throwing down the card isn't important to me, by status I meant, status with partners, hotels, etc.

The lounge access is useless for me anyways. Even if the Centurion was offered to me today, I wouldn't take it. $2,500 is too steep for the things I'd never use it for. Unless it gave AA EXP and Admirals Club and SPG Plat, I wouldn't pay that kind of coin for it.

Unfortunately, living in Austin, AA is the only reasonable airline and they have non-stop to my home town (Los Angeles) where I frequently travel to.

I'm going to stick with the SPG Amex, or I might possibly switch to the Hilton and move my loyalty from Starwood to Hilton, mainly because Hilton has many more properties and Starwood is shifting their business around so I don't expect them to expand much over the next decades.

I just need to see how the Hilton points earning works and see if it is as attractive as starpoints.

Also, I've never transferred Starpoints to miles. Miles are VERY easy to get by just flying, and $20,000-$25,000 spent on your CC for a free domestic ticket (worth $100-$400 with many limitations) is a bad deal considering $20,000 gets you two free nights at a Cat4 hotel worth anywhere from $500-$1,200.

I just need to see how the Hilton points earning works and see if it is as attractive as starpoints.

The HH Amex is fairly attractive for earning points—IF you plan on only using them at Hilton properties. The transfer ratios to airlines are far in favor of the SPG Amex, so you have the flexibility of using those Starpoints for either hotel stays or airline transfers at a 1:1.25 ratio (25% bonus per 20k transferred) to far more partners than Amex MR offers.

Also, I've never transferred Starpoints to miles. Miles are VERY easy to get by just flying, and $20,000-$25,000 spent on your CC for a free domestic ticket (worth $100-$400 with many limitations) is a bad deal considering $20,000 gets you two free nights at a Cat4 hotel worth anywhere from $500-$1,200.

Re-do your math with international business/first class awards and you'll see the value in airline transfers from Starpoints. :)

When Chairman returns I may go with the following combo:

SPG Amex
Amex gold Rewards Plus
Chairman (if it's $400)

That's my current combo of choice (plus DL and HH cards, and a couple of small business cards including the new Business SPG.) I put most of my spend on the Amexes, and I use the Chairman Card for non-Amex purchases, the outstanding Personal Assistants, and the Priority Pass. ^

Re-do your math with international business/first class awards and you'll see the value in airline transfers from Starpoints. :)

Even with the 45k mile AA first class ticket, I find it hard to spend all of my miles, but I travel quite a bit. Also, spending $45,000 on a CC for one first class ticket is not worth 4.5 nights in a Cat4.

It seems a lot of you fly first class, and I do often with free EXP PLAT upgrades, but to me I could care less about first class (even on international). I find the food mediocre at best and I don't like to drink too much on planes. I travel over 100k miles per year (with only 1-2 international trips per year). 100k domestic miles is A LOT of traveling. Enough where there's nothing special about first class. Like I said before, in over 99% of my flights I'm asleep before the plane pushes back and I wake up when it lands. My body is trained to immediately fall asleep in those seats. I find in first class, I'm always staying up for the food/service (which isn't that great anyways).

Sometimes I fly first class w/ my g/f since it's a treat for her, but we'd rather use our points on nicer accommodations or save them for a day when my job doesn't have my traveling.

One thing that is often overlooked is the value of these points in general. 10,000 starpoints will likely always be a Cat4 hotel. Hotel rates are increasing far beyond the inflation rate. I think most hotel/resort rates are increasing by over 10% per year. Having a large stock pile of points that never expire actually increases in value pretty heavily every year. Even though I have nearly 200,000 air miles now (and I just spent 100,00 over the last couple of months on two trips), I don't find that spending twice as many points for a first class trip is worth it. My dad used to be the highest NWA level and as a kid we flew first class a lot. It seemed that first class back then was much better than it is now. Today, I see people in sweats on first class and food that is barely edible.

<<10,000 starpoints will likely always be a Cat4 hotel.>>

Starwood reclassifies the properties each year. As rates rise the properties creep into the next catergory and eventually they will have to add more categories with higher redemption levels or raise the point level for each category. There is ample discussion of this topic in the Starwood message section, but points are no protection against inflation.

dennis

<<10,000 starpoints will likely always be a Cat4 hotel.>>

Starwood reclassifies the properties each year. As rates rise the properties creep into the next catergory and eventually they will have to add more categories with higher redemption levels or raise the point level for each category. There is ample discussion of this topic in the Starwood message section, but points are no protection against inflation.

dennis

Poor assumption in my case, but I haven't noticed the 10k figure change since I started staying with Starwood over three years. I guess my analogy of using it compared to miles is bad. Miles typically don't go up or down much, it's been 25k for as long as I can remember.

Even with the 45k mile AA first class ticket, I find it hard to spend all of my miles, but I travel quite a bit. Also, spending $45,000 on a CC for one first class ticket is not worth 4.5 nights in a Cat4.

It's also nice to be able to top off your FF accounts if needed, so that is a very useful benefit of Starpoints even if you're not transferring a huge amount of them for redemption.

Plus what mia said about point creep at hotels...

You can ONLY use the Continental President`s Club when flying on Continental Airlines with the Plat.Amex. @:-)

You can ONLY use the Continental President`s Club when flying on Continental Airlines with the Plat.Amex. @:-)

Yes, but what the poster said was that his boss has a Centurion card, in which case you do not need to be flying on Continental.

First off, I'm surprised that no one mentioned that the AMEX Business Plat card is only $300/year.
Second, maybe your boss buys CO Y tickets to get in...

Second, maybe your boss buys CO Y tickets to get in...

No, he said his boss has a Centurion, in which case he doesn't need a ticket.

[QUOTE=BrianV]Hmm, I think I'm going to call them and cancel the upgrade to Platinum. I'd be better of with the Starwood Amex .... wouldn't I?
yes.


(which I'd use a lot more than Continental, since President's lounge is always in different terminals at hub airports), You will NOT get into CO presidents club that is "right next door" to AA gates at your home airport unless you are FLYING CO. Think of Amex Plat as "auto day pass" when flying Skyteam and not a full fledged membership

What am I missing here? Nothing you summed it up.

Also now $30,000 annual spend on *wood Amex will get you auto spg gold. ( as would having a pulse)

I'm going to stick with the SPG Amex, or I might possibly switch to the Hilton and move my loyalty from Starwood to Hilton, mainly because Hilton has many more properties and Starwood is shifting their business around so I don't expect them to expand much over the next decades.

I just need to see how the Hilton points earning works and see if it is as attractive as starpoints.

Well, *wood requires plat to get VIP treatment.
Whereas at Hilton GOLD --mid tier is virtually identical to top tier HHonors, diamond.

Here's what I would do:

1-try to get a "comp" or "status match" of your SPG gold to Hhonors gold.( do a search of these terms)

how many stays can you document to Hilton?


2-There is a special link for 50,000 bonus Hhonor points with a new Amex Hilton CC. --Apply for HilttonHonors and make sure you use this bonus link.

3-beginning in calender year 2007 -- you won't get credit for charges before January 1,2007--- put the first $20,000 you spend on Amex Hilton. This will get you Hilton Gold for the following year or "auto-gold" as you called it.

4-once you reach $20K, use SPG Amex for the next $30,000. This will get you SPG auto gold.

when you hear 50,000 bonus points for Hilton, divide a hilton point by 3 maybe 3.5 to compare to SPG pointvalue. Still this is a good sign up bonus for a fee fee card. (equi. 15,000 SPG points for spending $5K by march)


The short answer is that Hilton points are a very good value for HILTON award stays. forget all other award from hhonors. They are a poor value.

5-You mentioned that you had a LOT of AA Advantage miles. Something that I do , that is not well know is convert 150,000 AA miles a year into 300,000 Hhonors points.

This way you have free flights and free hotels when traveling with your G-f (Charles MD r u lurking?? :D ). diversification is good. I think that converting 1 AA mile ( when you have lots and lots ) into 2 HHonors points makes sense.

Essentially 150K-175K Hhonors will get you 6 CONSECUTIVE nights at any hilton in the world. So about 80 K aadvantage miles gets about six nights. In europe this can be a good deal considering the weak dollar and that the hotel awards INCLUDE tax and service charges.

Finally, the Hiltons abroad are MUCH nicer than here. (use to be two seprate companies).

Welcome again and keeping contibuting.

Hi guys,

I've searched FT and the web looking for a valid link to the 50k bonus offer but have so far been unable to find one that works. The only one I found, which doesn't work now, is this:
https://www201.americanexpress.com/cards/Applyfservlet?csi=4/15882/b/223

Is there a link out there that works or has this offer ended?