Delta and Hilton
Jun 29, 2010 | 10:26 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2010
Programs: DL - GM, HHonors - Diamond, Avis - 1st
Posts: 4
Delta and Hilton
I am a newbie to the forum and trying to figure out how to best maximize Delta and Hilton CC offers. Can I apply to both offered Amex cards? Is there a better method? Anyone know target FICOs?
Jun 29, 2010 | 11:12 am
#2
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 688
May I ask why you chose Delta versus other airlines? Delta is one of the worst for redeeming award tickets.
Jun 29, 2010 | 3:55 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Cary, NC, USA - AA Plt 3mm/DL Dia 2mm, Hil/Dia Life, Bonvoy/Titanium Life, Spire
Posts: 3,261
Hilton also has a Visa credit card through Citi.
See http://hhonors1.hilton.com/en_US/hh/...creditcards.do
I have both the AMEX Hilton and AMEX Skymiles. Both were obtained for the sign-up bonus, but are now used on a limited basis, depending on current promotions and usage for Hilton and Delta purchases. Per rtravler's comment, it is getting tougher to redeem Delta mileage awards and Hilton has just devalued their points by 20%. Cash back credit cards with 1~2% back and/or up to an additional 5% with special promotions is starting to be a better option.
You can find links within the credit card section in FT and many web discussions on which card may be best and current offers.
Good luck,
-outoftown
See http://hhonors1.hilton.com/en_US/hh/...creditcards.do
I have both the AMEX Hilton and AMEX Skymiles. Both were obtained for the sign-up bonus, but are now used on a limited basis, depending on current promotions and usage for Hilton and Delta purchases. Per rtravler's comment, it is getting tougher to redeem Delta mileage awards and Hilton has just devalued their points by 20%. Cash back credit cards with 1~2% back and/or up to an additional 5% with special promotions is starting to be a better option.
You can find links within the credit card section in FT and many web discussions on which card may be best and current offers.
Good luck,
-outoftown
Jun 29, 2010 | 4:08 pm
#5
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,070
To be helpful, it would be good to know:
- The approximate total spend you expect to make on the card(s)
- Whether you have any other source of points/miles, such as you already travel for business and would accrue xx,xxx miles or points
- Type of personal travel you would intend to take (intl vs domestic, general locations of interest, etc)
In general, if you are looking to get points to assist in both air and hotel travel, it seems the Starwood Amex card might be a better, single card as it can be used for air travel, while HH points cannot. This is not what I do, but I only want to maximize hotel stay opportunities, so what you really want to do with the points will make a difference in what would be the best approach.
There are some fantastic threads you can find via the search function that discuss card based point accrual. Recommend you search those out and read through them as background.
- The approximate total spend you expect to make on the card(s)
- Whether you have any other source of points/miles, such as you already travel for business and would accrue xx,xxx miles or points
- Type of personal travel you would intend to take (intl vs domestic, general locations of interest, etc)
In general, if you are looking to get points to assist in both air and hotel travel, it seems the Starwood Amex card might be a better, single card as it can be used for air travel, while HH points cannot. This is not what I do, but I only want to maximize hotel stay opportunities, so what you really want to do with the points will make a difference in what would be the best approach.
There are some fantastic threads you can find via the search function that discuss card based point accrual. Recommend you search those out and read through them as background.
Jun 29, 2010 | 6:19 pm
#6
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 688
To be helpful, it would be good to know:
- The approximate total spend you expect to make on the card(s)
- Whether you have any other source of points/miles, such as you already travel for business and would accrue xx,xxx miles or points
- Type of personal travel you would intend to take (intl vs domestic, general locations of interest, etc)
In general, if you are looking to get points to assist in both air and hotel travel, it seems the Starwood Amex card might be a better, single card as it can be used for air travel, while HH points cannot. This is not what I do, but I only want to maximize hotel stay opportunities, so what you really want to do with the points will make a difference in what would be the best approach.
There are some fantastic threads you can find via the search function that discuss card based point accrual. Recommend you search those out and read through them as background.
- The approximate total spend you expect to make on the card(s)
- Whether you have any other source of points/miles, such as you already travel for business and would accrue xx,xxx miles or points
- Type of personal travel you would intend to take (intl vs domestic, general locations of interest, etc)
In general, if you are looking to get points to assist in both air and hotel travel, it seems the Starwood Amex card might be a better, single card as it can be used for air travel, while HH points cannot. This is not what I do, but I only want to maximize hotel stay opportunities, so what you really want to do with the points will make a difference in what would be the best approach.
There are some fantastic threads you can find via the search function that discuss card based point accrual. Recommend you search those out and read through them as background.
Jun 29, 2010 | 8:09 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2010
Programs: DL - GM, HHonors - Diamond, Avis - 1st
Posts: 4
Thanks for feedback!
I am currently Silver Medallion working on Gold with Delta and Diamond with Hilton. Most of my travel is US domestic business, but I use the accrued points for personal. I was thinking about both cards to top off points and, for Delta, to help with my level advancement. As I travel with Delta and Hilton primarily, I had intended to use each card for its respective purchase to boost accrual.
I am currently Silver Medallion working on Gold with Delta and Diamond with Hilton. Most of my travel is US domestic business, but I use the accrued points for personal. I was thinking about both cards to top off points and, for Delta, to help with my level advancement. As I travel with Delta and Hilton primarily, I had intended to use each card for its respective purchase to boost accrual.
Jun 29, 2010 | 8:22 pm
#9
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: GNV which is not where we would like to be :)
Programs: ABP, Mr. Mom without the kids, Signor Mucci, DL PM, HH & Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 4,526
Welcome to FlyerTalk and the multitude of threads jimmyshaft. Don't be put off by the occasional gruff response as most of us will be willing to help.
Jun 30, 2010 | 6:59 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2010
Programs: DL - GM, HHonors - Diamond, Avis - 1st
Posts: 4
Thanks, Italy! :-)
@Dickinson - Any idea of target FICO for those? I heard 720 for Delta Reserve, others have said 690+. Also, are you using the Delta card to book flights and the Hilton for your hotels as I was planning? It sounded like a good balance to me, but I also understand that others have recommended using a single card for all activity.
@Dickinson - Any idea of target FICO for those? I heard 720 for Delta Reserve, others have said 690+. Also, are you using the Delta card to book flights and the Hilton for your hotels as I was planning? It sounded like a good balance to me, but I also understand that others have recommended using a single card for all activity.
Jun 30, 2010 | 7:43 am
#11
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 688
Thanks, Italy! :-)
@Dickinson - Any idea of target FICO for those? I heard 720 for Delta Reserve, others have said 690+. Also, are you using the Delta card to book flights and the Hilton for your hotels as I was planning? It sounded like a good balance to me, but I also understand that others have recommended using a single card for all activity.
@Dickinson - Any idea of target FICO for those? I heard 720 for Delta Reserve, others have said 690+. Also, are you using the Delta card to book flights and the Hilton for your hotels as I was planning? It sounded like a good balance to me, but I also understand that others have recommended using a single card for all activity.