I'm looking to take a trip to Europe next year and would like to start accumlating miles to help offset the weak $ to pay for my hotels.
Currently I don't have any type of hilton or SPG credit card.
I'm looking to see which one I would be better off getting (bonus points, etc, but also ease of use in redeeming. I've spent about 2 hours reading through threads, but can't seem to come up with a consenus.
I'm Silver VIP with hilton, but will probably be losing it before my trip.
I figure I should be able to charge ~$30K to the new card before my trip.
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You need to get a card like the Schwab Visa that does not charge a foreign exchange fee -- most cards charge 2% or 3%, which offsets any points or bonuses you may get. The Schwab card will also pay you 2% ca$h back. You could simultaneously set up a Schwab checking account and get their Visa debit so you can easily get cash for free from ATMs.
To each his own of course, but in all my trips to Europe I never stay at large chain hotels. I think you'll miss out on a lot of the Europe experience if you stay in Hiltons and Marriots.
Edited to add: I reread your post and understand you meant a cc to use *before* your trip. Again, I wouldn't try to earn hotel bonus points. Instead, you could flip Citi AA cards and get free airfare. Just be sure to use the Schwab card once you're there.
Message edited by: UncaMikey on 2009-10-31 16:13:50 CDT
Hotel cards make sense over Cash Back cards if you stay in one brand of hotels frequently (and charge the stays to the card) or you are not traveling frequently and need to earn some points to keep a pile of hotel points from expiring.
You can make out as well or better than Cash Back cards if you know how to play the game. Flyertalk (a frequent traveler online community) is full of people who really know how to play these games and can give you advice maximizing your point earnings and your point redemptions.
UncaMikey said: To each his own of course, but in all my trips to Europe I never stay at large chain hotels. I think you'll miss out on a lot of the Europe experience if you stay in Hiltons and Marriots.
I mostly agree, but it depends where you are staying. If you can get the SPG and earn enough points to stay at the Westin Madrid Palace you will not be disappointed; though over the top it is a quintessential Spanish and hence European experience.
Get the Schwab Visa. Charge your $30k beforehand, earning $600 in CashBack you can spend on hotels for your trip. Then use the Schwab card in Europe, earn 2% back, and pay no forex fees. Is there any card even remotely as good?
most starwood properties in western europe are cat4+ which mean you will need about 10k points for a night. it will be cheaper not stay in a hotel. try hostel or pensione
I like the SPG card. I have used points to stay in Amsterdam, Paris and London and based on rack rate (I know... who pays retail?) my SPG points were worth from 3-6 cents each (10K bonus points and then spending 30K in a year could yield $2400 worth of hotel stays as opposed to $600 cash). That was before the euro took off, so your points go farther than your dollar. But it was also before starwood increased the point cost of hotels, so that's a bit of a wash. The best deal by far is the "points and cash." Our hotel in Versailles was $600 rack rate, but only $90 + 4800 points (over 10 cents a point). Those deals are not always available, but with some advance booking, they usually are. Also if you spend $30K in a year, you get automatic Gold status that often gets you a free room upgrade.
SPG is mostly Sheraton, but some great, unique hotels are part of the "luxury collection." Check the SPG website for the cities you plan to visit and see if you like the choices.
SPG also claims no blackout dates and I have found that to be true.
If you think you could reach $40,000 spending before your trip, you may want to consider the hilton HHonor Surpass card. It has an annual fee of $75, but it will give you Diamond status if you spend over $40,000. Diamond status is not that much better than Gold in the US, but I heard it helps a lot in Europe in terms of upgrading to better room.
Depends on where you are traveling in Europe. If you are sticking to the big cities, then you can get both. I am finding that there are a lot of Holiday Inn properties here in Europe.
johnnybs said:I am finding that there are a lot of Holiday Inn properties here in Europe.
Holiday Inn belongs to IHG's Priority Club program which is a great points program with tons of bonus point opportunities for actual hotel stays throughout the year. However, their credit card offerings leave much to be desired. The (HHonors and SPG) AMEX cards are far superior point earning vehicles for hotel points when used for non-hotel (everyday) spending.
Message edited by: myadvice on 2009-11-02 14:20:56 CST
Thanks for all the responses! I'll definitly have to look into the Schwab card. Does anyone know if I book with Priceline for Europe hotels before the trip if I would have to pay any exchange rate fees?
To clarify, I was looking to earn the points before the trip and redeem during the trip.
I'm not sure yet where will visit. We are going to visit my Sister in southern Germany and hope to have a bout 12-14 days total (first time)
davef139 said:hilton is devalueing thier point system in 2010 sometime also.basically it's another 5K points or so for a free stay. another sign of the "tough economic times".
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