Originally Posted by
DeltaSilverBoy
Basically I am looking for the card that will allow me at least one night at one of these top top tier hotels, anywhere in the world. I would even consider booking a vacation specifically around whatever is the most expensive hotel I can find.
I have the AMEX SPG (for many years), Chase Marriott Visa (non-premier), and the Chase Hyatt Visa (recently acquired).
If the upfront free night is important, only the Chase Hyatt card offers that (of the cards I have).
Marriott and Hyatt cards provide automatic lowest tier "elite" status for whatever that is worth--free internet access and upgraded rooms for Hyatt worldwide, free internet only in Asia/Pacific for Marriott, late checkout for both brands.
I've actually been very happy with AMEX SPG primarily because of the airline transfer potential (virtually every airline on a 1:1 basis plus a 25% bonus if transferring 20,000 points). I also like Starwood properties in general. Starwood has made a major push into Asia, especially China. Unfortunately, no automatic free night or elite status except for what is called (very quietly) "preferred plus." I've never understood or seen any value to that. I've earned SPG Gold status by having stayed 10 times in a year (AMEX card now provides 2 stay credit towards that goal) or spent $30,000 using the card (and sometimes both in one year). Benefits of SPG Gold used to be unique, but now other programs especially Hyatt seem comparable.
For your purposes I would probably suggest the Chase Hyatt Visa.