Originally Posted by
Brugge
If you are going to be staying at Hiltons, you need either the Surpass or the HH RES, for the instant Gold status. They both have AFs, 75 for the Surpass, 95 for the RES. But the RES doesn't have a foreign transaction fee. Which only matters f you intend to use it overseas, and will, you know, actually PAY for a room.
It didn't sound to me like the OP was going to be staying at Hilton enough to make the Gold Status worth it. They were looking to get a card or 2.
I am Gold through 2016 and where we stay 8 nights is worth ~$800 for being Gold as the comp the upgrade ( $55 a night plus tax if you have to pay) and give a full buffet plus cooked to order breakfast daily ( $35) plus free internet. Can't beat watching baseball on the beach, lol