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Ritz-Carlton card, which nets at least 6% on everything (factoring in devalues, it’s more if you go now) if you only redeem points for Maldives or Bora Bora, which I already did. This is not effective if you’re redeeming Marriott points on everyday places though.
I have and like the Ritz card but that is a had sell on the use case lol
It’s a use case that works if you were already going to those specific places, and provides unparalleled return, but if you’re not it’s totally worthless. Marriott points generally suck. But I was already doing that, and others are too; for that, it’s basically the best daily use card by a long shot.
Also I didn’t downvote you.
Hotel points are worth what they are worth and you have to just factor that in when you get them. The earnings rate for Marriott Hyatt and Hilton are basically the same for the $95 cards once you factor in the point value, and they will be a bit more for hotel spending than a card like the CSR. I will definitely have to look into the Maldives trip at some point though.
Also who care about down votes there's no karma here ;)
For Marriotts it’s a huge difference actually: per Cardpointers, my Marriott card gets effective 18% back, versus just 6.3% from my CSR. And that’s factoring in more devalues on Marriott points— last I used it, I was getting well above 3cpp. My next redemption is looking to be decently above 3cpp as well.
And yeah you’re right, no karma. Crazy, already better than Reddit was!
To clarify that's only for the Maldives reservation that you do. Generally, you are going to get 6x Bonvoy points per dollar spent and the value is 0.7-0.9 vs 3x at 1.5-2.0.
Yeah exactly, hence why I think it’s a pretty garbage card if you’re getting normal value for the typically kind of sucky Marriott point. Cardpointers had it at 0.7cpp which feels about right
For me the card pays for itself between the free night and the $300 incidental credit, plus some of the other benefits. I also have the Amex trifecta, which is not great for hotel stays besides the Fine Hotels and Resorts program so it meshes well with that.
Have you found FHR to be useful? It usually costs too much over the regular price and typically doesn’t offer much more than the hotel already would. The only ones I’ve found it good at are Amans where I don’t have status.
Also a neat little benefit with the Ritz card, unlimited guests at upcoming Sapphire lounges. Funny how Ritz cardholders get more benefits there than Sapphire ones do.
I have stayed at 6 FHR resorts in the last 2 years since getting the Platinum (using 3x $200 credits). All of them cost $200-$350 per night which was a bit more but well worth it for a weekend trip because early checkin to late check out nets you 28 hrs at the resort (12pm-4pm). The dining credit and breakfast make it roughly equivalent in price to the reasonably nice hotels that we would have stayed at. It gets less cost effective for multiple days but its great for a one night weekend trip. Really depends where you live though.
And lol that's great about the lounges.
Which hotels, if you don’t mind? All the resorts I frequent have like a $200 premium per night, and I already get breakfast and stuff, so the only real win is guaranteed 4pm checkout vs based on availability. I’d love to stop either burning the credit or only using it on Amans.
Mostly places near southern California:
Neat, thank you. Finding FHR options has been a challenge, wish there was a datapoint thread for those.
You inspired me to check FHR again, and I ended up booking Halekulani for next week. Amazingly, it’s the exact same price, making it a genuinely good value. A good property too, can’t believe I’ve never checked FHR for it. I went and double checked and I don’t think I’ve burnt an FHR credit before, but if I have, it double sucks to not have known this prior.
Cheers!
Awesome have a great trip!
When booking hotels my process goes:
Check Google for cost in the area, then in this order book what is reasonably around that price:
FHR/THC > Marriott > Hilton > Amex Portal > Hyatt > other chain direct site > Discount sites
I have the Aspire and Ritz cards right now (I plan to downgrade the aspire when I hit 1 year unless I get a retention offer).