Originally Posted by
SusanDK
Another question --
It reads to me like the Hilton Aspire gives a free night certificate upon approval, plus every year thereafter. However, the Marriott Brilliant only gives a free night certificate upon renewal, i.e. not one upon initial approval.
Is this correct?
I have both cards. The Hilton aspire free night cert is more valuable to me. We have fallen in love with Waldorf Pedregal in Cabo. You have to be able to find a base room, not the easiest, but doable. Rooms there go for $1200++. We also use the $250 resort credit there. They have an excellent restaurant, El Farallon. There are a couple Hilton cards for just $95 fees where you can get a free night. I just got one of these so that I could book 2 award nights back to back at the Pedregal. The Marriott cert is 85,000 points and you can top it with up to 15,000 points. It depends on your stay pattern as to whether you've got a favorite property where you can use this.
As an aside, the Marriott $300 credit that parses out at $25/month at restaurants will be a nuisance to use. I'll do it because I don't like to leave value on the table, but I'm not keen on the switch from a $300 property credit.