Questions and Answers

I currently have a Delta Reserve Amex because I can get Silver Medallion Status just by spending in the first 2 weeks of the year. The benefits of Medallion Status mean a lot because I can typically fly on a flexible schedule allowing me to pick flights where I have a high certainty of getting upgraded. I live near a Delta Hub (SLC) and think the companion ticket easily offsets the Annual Fee. I will typically move to Gold Medallion after a few trips.

I am considering a Ritz-Carlton Reserve Card because I can easily achieve the 75k annual spend to get to Platinum Status and now that this matches with SPG I think this might be a good option for me. I believe the complimentary stays more than offset this Annual Fee.

I travel a handful of times per year for work but I take a few longer personal vacations per year (including internationally). I have a very high yearly spend capability on cards (>$5m). What is the best card to leverage that spend to maximize travel benefits or other monetary benefits for my situation?

I would recommend you look into the AMEX Platinum for business. This card pays 1.5 times on purchases $5,000 and over which I’m guessing you have. Also the flexibility of using the pay with points and 50% rebate on this card would make it ideal if you simply wanted to pick up an go without worrying about finding an award ticket. In addition you get all the AMEX travel services as well as status for SPG and Hilton.

[QUOTE=”MarkS, post: 27061, member: 2121″]I would recommend you look into the AMEX Platinum for business. This card pays 1.5 times on purchases $5,000 and over which I’m guessing you have. Also the flexibility of using the pay with points and 50% rebate on this card would make it ideal if you simply wanted to pick up an go without worrying about finding an award ticket. In addition you get all the AMEX travel services as well as status for SPG and Hilton.[/QUOTE]

Is there any way to get to Platinum across both Hilton and SPG? The Ritz Carlton Rewards Visa gives Platinum status witch matches now with SPG status and Marriott.

Welcome [USER=2851]@Nafe[/USER]

Card that earn Hilton status.
[URL]http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2016/04/25/hilton-credit-card-elite-status/[/URL]

Top status with Hilton is Diamond, not Platinum.
[URL]http://hiltonhonors3.hilton.com/en/explore/benefits/index.html[/URL]

[QUOTE=”No Name, post: 27074, member: 268″]Welcome [USER=2851]@Nafe[/USER]

Card that earn Hilton status.
[URL]http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2016/04/25/hilton-credit-card-elite-status/[/URL]

Top status with Hilton is Diamond, not Platinum.
[URL]http://hiltonhonors3.hilton.com/en/explore/benefits/index.html[/URL][/QUOTE]

Any opinion about Diamond Hilton v. Platinum SPG (Ritz and Marriott) benefits? I travel where both are but wonder if the High End SPG properties are a better value than with the Hilton group.

In general Ben doesn’t find Hilton Diamond worth it as it’s not THAT much better than their Gold status. This post is a few years old and there have been some program changes but I think the sentiment still stands: [URL]http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2013/12/29/is-hilton-hhonors-diamond-worth-it/[/URL]

And Hilton points are much easier to accumulate via credit card spend vs. SPG points though they’re not nearly as flexible as SPG.

Where you might find Hilton useful is if you want to use the points for non-standard redemptions. While it cost a boatload of HH points, I was able to redeem them for a 2BR condo in Fiji for 3 adults, each wanting our own bed. We have trouble with other chains who, even if they upgrade us, only provide suites that have, say, a king + sleeper sofa. But if you usually travel solo or as a couple anyway, then that’s not an issue.

I agree with the Amex Business Platinum, and think that would be a great option if you wanted to keep it as simple as possible.

If you’re looking to diversify your spending, here’s a list of cards that offer incentives for high amounts of annual spend:
[URL]http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2017/01/03/credit-card-spending-bonuses/[/URL]