Hang it up on Hilton or IHG?
Feb 24, 2023, 1:33 pm
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Rochester, MN
Programs: UA Silver, Hilton HHonors Diamond, IHG Plat
Posts: 1,830
I fully realize you can keep at least mid level status with their respective cobrand cc's. But I'd rather concentrate cc earn on one or the other. Diluting spend between two or more programs gets you diddly in any of them.
Feb 24, 2023, 2:25 pm
#17
Moderator Hilton Honors, Travel News, West, The Suggestion Box, Smoking Lounge & DiningBuzz
Join Date: Jun 2000
Programs: Honors Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle, National Exec Elite
Posts: 36,027
In a dozen domestic U.S. trips over the last couple of years (non-aspirational), I found the Holiday Inn Express properties to be better maintained, cleaner and usually 15 to 20K points per night versus similar Hampton Inn properties that usually wanted twice that. I also find the HIX breakfast substantially better than the Hampton's.
Feb 24, 2023, 3:31 pm
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,857
Neither my IHG Select nor my Aspire are used very much for spend, unless there is a promo. Even IHG hotel spend goes on the CSR. Hilton mostly goes on the Aspire, but for other categories I have usually better options. So the cards aren’t a great source of points.
Feb 24, 2023, 9:58 pm
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Rochester, MN
Programs: UA Silver, Hilton HHonors Diamond, IHG Plat
Posts: 1,830
I do have the CSP (so great for IHG) but other than dining, it's bonus categories suck for everyday use.
Feb 24, 2023, 10:29 pm
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,857
Feb 26, 2023, 12:07 am
#21
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: JFK/LGA
Programs: AA EXP/5 MM, BA Blue Bayou, HH LT Diamond
Posts: 5,828
I went through this exact dilemma about 15 years ago and went with Hilton, primarily due to the footprint of my travel at the time. Also the vagaries of qualifying for Royal Ambassador were vexing. FWIW my decision was validated by the addition of lifetime Diamond status in the years since (did i say FWIW? 
)
The only time I really regret the decision is when in Paris as the IC there is really nice.
)The only time I really regret the decision is when in Paris as the IC there is really nice.
Feb 27, 2023, 10:23 am
#22
Join Date: May 2010
Location: LAN/DTW
Programs: IHG Diamond, HH Diamond, Avis Pref, DL Silver, National EE
Posts: 188
I've been Diamond with both since 2019, all through actual stays and no status achieved by credit card. Over 90% of my stays are paid for by work and I call on tons of out of the way places, all in the USA. There's almost always a Hampton Inn or Holiday Inn Express nearby. My current strategy is to stay more nights at Hilton and when I do stay with IHG, the max additional points are purchased. It's gonna be close this year but hope to get status again for both. Even if I don't get Diamond again, the footprint of using both works best for me.
Feb 27, 2023, 6:05 pm
#23
Join Date: May 2022
Posts: 2,263
I personally prefer to keep both.
If I have a 3 night stay I will try and focus more on IHG since I get 4th night free, giving me an unlimited late check out (usually leave 7-8pm if its driving distance). If I am staying 4 nights I look for Hilton/Marriott.
The cards pay for themselves with their benefits, so IMO, keep both. You are probably getting your money's worth. If not, drop to the free card dont cancel. You still get some benefits with no fee
If I have a 3 night stay I will try and focus more on IHG since I get 4th night free, giving me an unlimited late check out (usually leave 7-8pm if its driving distance). If I am staying 4 nights I look for Hilton/Marriott.
The cards pay for themselves with their benefits, so IMO, keep both. You are probably getting your money's worth. If not, drop to the free card dont cancel. You still get some benefits with no fee
Feb 28, 2023, 9:46 pm
#24
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Window Seat
Programs: National Executive, HHonors Gold, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Visitor
Posts: 2,495
In a dozen domestic U.S. trips over the last couple of years (non-aspirational), I found the Holiday Inn Express properties to be better maintained, cleaner and usually 15 to 20K points per night versus similar Hampton Inn properties that usually wanted twice that. I also find the HIX breakfast substantially better than the Hampton's.
Mar 1, 2023, 7:45 am
#25
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DAY
Programs: Rapid Rewards, Skymiles, Hilton HHonors, SPG/Marriott Rewards
Posts: 4,952
Similar experience for me. HIX properties seem to have come out of COVID feeling fresher and with more energy. I also find better consistency of bed comfort and shower quality at HIX. I still think Hampton is a very solid brand, and if Hampton was equal in cost to HIX, I may well select it, but when Hampton costs more than HIX, the decision is clear: HIX.
Mar 1, 2023, 8:48 am
#26
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: SW Florida
Programs: DL Gold, HHDiamond, IHG Plat Regular Joe Everywhere Else
Posts: 538
I have Diamond status with Hilton and just acquired Platinum at IHG through a promotion. I have the Hilton AMEX Aspire but do not have any IHG branded credit cards. You may be closer to lifetime diamond with Hilton than you think. All spending on the AMEX last year and this year count as base points in addition to your base points earned on stays. 2 million base points plus 10 years diamond gives you lifetime status.
Aside from that, the $250 airline credit on the Aspire and free night cert. are worth keeping the card in my opinion.
Aside from that, the $250 airline credit on the Aspire and free night cert. are worth keeping the card in my opinion.
Mar 1, 2023, 9:54 am
#27
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,752
That and the $250 free resort credit leave me money ahead. In recent years, I've become a fan of Waldorf Astoria Pedegral in Cabo. I use my free night cert and I eat at their excellent restaurant El Farallon using the $250 credit. I get back more than I pay in my annual fee for the card.
Mar 1, 2023, 12:09 pm
#28
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: SW Florida
Programs: DL Gold, HHDiamond, IHG Plat Regular Joe Everywhere Else
Posts: 538
That and the $250 free resort credit leave me money ahead. In recent years, I've become a fan of Waldorf Astoria Pedegral in Cabo. I use my free night cert and I eat at their excellent restaurant El Farallon using the $250 credit. I get back more than I pay in my annual fee for the card.
Mar 2, 2023, 9:32 am
#29
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,018
Both of these programs are easy to keep top status for the price of a single stay. Hilton Aspire will pay for itself with one resort stay. IHG you can get Diamond Ambassador for $200 which gives you BOGO for an Intercontinental weekend stay. I'm not loyal to either, but it's relatively cheap to have status in both.