Hotel booking novice, need help.

I was trying to figure out how it all works. I was under in the impression that you had to get the group's credit card to be part of the rewards program. I see that this no not necessarily the case.

I would like to not get another credit card, if I can still get some benefit as is.

AE has best prices, but I get more points from my Chase card. Searching to learn more about the HHonors now.

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Another question, can I stack points?

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Definitely. HHonors points are accumulated through spending the night in their hotel and giving them money. Chase points are accumulated through spending money.


If you're happy with the Freedom card, I would add the Sapphire Reserve or Sapphire Preferred. That way you can transfer your Freedom points to Membership Rewards points, which can be much more lucrative. For instance I've transferred MR points to Air France for much more than the normal $.01/point valuation.

Since you rarely travel you may just want to consider which card gives you the most cash back/statement credit for each dollar you spend traveling.

You get more points per stay by using the hotel branded credit card. If you want to accrue points to stay at a Hilton you should be using a Hilton branded card or a card that allows you to transfer points to your Hilton account.

Thats what I slowly gathered. If I start staying more than I expect, that is exactly what I will do. I suspect I will stay less than 30 days a year for work (Hilton group). And when I go to NOLA or personal trip, I like to change it up a lot (not Hilton Group).

Hilton just released a new promo yesterday for a 2,000 points bonus per night. Make sure to sign up for it on the Hilton HHonors website.

HHonors Amex gives 10 points per dollar on top of the 10 points per dollar you earn for staying. Also, you get a 500 point bonus everytime you book online using the card.

Agree with what has been said. Pick a hotel chain, pick the best credit card for that chain and don't deviate. I've been a Diamond with Hilton for 7 years now. Someone gave me this advice back then and it's saved me at least 10-15k on vacations over the years, not to mention the benefits of being a diamond.

1) What will your travel sched look like? Would you stay 4 nights at a time often? If yes - go for the Citi Prestige Card. Good sign-up bonus and 4th night (in a row) is credited back to your statement. (The hotel charges you for all 4, and Citi gives you back the money for the 4th). So you get reimbursed for 4 nights by employer and pocket the 4th night in straight cash. Also you earn Hilton Points and Elite nights for all 4 nights. Unbeatable. Citi points can be used to transfer to Hilton if you life (although not very good value). Considering you are pocketing a decent amount of cash on the front end, the loss in value is more than made up.

2) Chase Sapphire Reserve - 100K sign up bonus. Use it for all your business travels. Then leisure, transfer to points to Hyatt 1:1 to stay at a chain other than Hilton, like you want.

Don't worry about status etc. Staying at Hampton Inn/DoubleTree etc with or without status makes no difference. If you are regularly staying at full service hotels - Hilton, Conrad or Waldorf then sure.

3) If you think this is too much for your liking, AmEx Surpass 75K Honors Points bonus, 12x points per $ spent at Hilton, 6x at grocery stores, 3x everywhere else. And gives you gold right away. On top of that, if you spend $40K on this card in a year, you get Hilton Diamond.