The BEST Marriott Credit Card and Hilton Redemption Strategy

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So in this video, I’ll be answering questions from you, the community!

One of the biggest debates when it comes to Marriott credit cards is if the Ritz Carlton card is better or if the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card is better, and so we’ll discuss that further.

We’ll also cover what to do if you didn’t start your credit card journey with Chase, but now you want to, and how to structure that credit card roadmap.

We'll also cover a Hilton redemption to the Maldives, and the options you can take to get the best value for your own situation.

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📚 Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:34 Bonvoy Brilliant vs. Ritz Carlton Cards
04:52 Late Game: Chase Credit Cards
06:40 Hilton Maldives Redemption

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I am not a financial advisor, accountant, or lawyer and do not provide financial, tax, or legal advice. This video and any ideas presented in it are my opinions and are provided for entertainment purposes only. Please do your own research and consult your own financial, tax, or legal professional for specific advice.
 
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[Lifeissorich.]

The Bonvoy Brilliant is better because you're on track to getting lifetime Platinum where with the Ritz you're not. If you're going to get a premium card now isn't the time to nickel and dime.

[De_Guatemala]

As a lifetime Platinum, I have not seen enough benefit to my annual Titanium status to justify staying the extra nights for T status. I have one R-C card, working on a second, along with the business card.

[docsays]

great comparison Stan between the Ritz & Brillant. Currently rocking the amx business marriott, but one day i might have to go for the brillant to get platinum status & 85k FNC, just not sure i wana fork over that hefty AF. 🤔

[gearhead]

Hey Stan, thanks for the info. I wanted to ask if the Marriott points saver benefit helps with redemptions as a platinum/titanium member, also if you can make a video showing how that works it would be great. Thanks

[ryanccc]

I don’t have the YouTube classic example of “booking a lay flat business class flight to an overwater bungalow in the Maldives” but I do have a real world example. 😂. I got the Surpass over the summer for the ~160, 000 point award and the FNC and used that card to buy needed points on the 100% points sales which helped hit the SUB. I booked 6 nights at an all inclusive in Dominican Republic which would have cost my family of four about $750 per night so $750*6=$4, 500 but instead cost me 100, 000 points per night so 400, 000 in total. I booked 4 nights on points, got the 5 free since I booked on points, I used the FNC on the 6th and because it is a Hilton and I booked on points I didn’t pay resort fees. Edit: As you mentioned the points purchased are not free so the 240, 000 points (extra needed to get to the 400, 000) on the 100% sale cost me $1, 200 but that is much better than what I would have paid in cash at $4, 500+.

[Doriginal]

It depends on your lifestyle and budget. If I can buy 480k points for $2400 and then redeem them for rooms that typically costs $1-2k per night…bruh

[randomsonmymind]

Hi. If you stay in only time shares using bonvoy points, know that status won't be honored. Therefore I agree that the ritz carlton card is better.

[gregb]

Assuming you have a P2, make sure you're doing a referral on every card.

[GENX]

Platinum status makes the Brilliant the best bang for your buck if you are a marriot loyalist. Free breakfast or breakfast credits along with 4pm late checkout is worth far more than the effective annual fee on the Ritz imo. Also the room upgrades if and when you get upgraded can make the Brilliant a negative annual fee depending on the upgrade.

[MontyTheCardNerd]

Nice roadmap for how one can redeem a Hilton property at the Maldives! I did something very similar for my 5-night stay a couple years ago ... 2 SUBs, some points from transferring Amex MR at an elevated transfer rate, and purchased the rest with the 100% bonus.

Missed your live so I appreciate that you have these highlight videos.

[Suhslaze]

Was hoping to get your opinion, I have the chase trifecta finished and want to finish the capital one duo with the venture x but that will put me at 7/24 since I didn't realize that was a thing when I started. Do you think it would be worth waiting til I'm back under 5/24 to apply for more cards or just get Amex hotel cards I've been looking at and waiting even longer to get the ritz? Mainly the Hilton and Marriott cards are peaking my interest.

[DeadliestTJ]

5/24 question. Does upgrading count against it? I am considering upgrading my boundless to Ritz Carlton soon, but am also approaching 4/24

[BonVoyageMiles]

Great video Stan. As a a platinum the last two months I have been 4/4 on suite upgrades. And of those 3/4 for 4pm checkout. I only needed early checkin for two reservations both were 7am checkin. Hotels were The Dubai Edition for 4 nights, Design Hotel Santorini 1 night, Design Hotel Athens 1 night, JW Marriott Aventura Miami 1 night.

[balertriton]

What do you think of the new Bonvoy boundless offer of $125k points vs. the previous 3 free night certificates? I know there also has been a 5 free night certificate offer too. Trying to get in tot he Marriott game. Thank you as always!

[Leoprieto]

I have been reading reviews about the Chase Ritz Carlton Card difficulties in redeeming the Club Level upgrade benefit. I wonder how true this is.

[DelhiBelly]

I really wish there was a direct path to applying for the Ritz card, instead of having to go through the Chase Bonvoy. I’m happy with my Amex Brilliant personal and business. But would definitely like to add the Ritz to the collection

[thejokerspeaks]

How would I pay for 6 nights in the Maldives? #1, convert my Hilton Aspire into pseudo Hilton Business (something I'm considering). Blow $60K on it at the end of year 1, then another $60K at the beginning of year 2. Continue my normal Grocery and gas spend on the Hilton Surpass to hit $15K at the end of year 1. That should be 5 certificates from spend, plus the annual one from the Aspire. Spending $120K at 3X Hilton Honors creates an opportunity cost of $600, well worth 4/6 of those certificates.

[VernHamster]

hi, if I downgrade a card, does AMEX or any issuer send you both primary & AU cards in case you have a AU card? or do you request both cards separately? or AMEX lets you use the old AU card? thanks

[kyuukimi]

Hi Stan! Great video! I have a question for the timing to do PC for Ritz card. I got my boundless in Aug 2023, and if I’m going to PC this, when will be the best time? Aug 2024 or Aug 2024?

[huz]

Here is a better way, Get Plat Business card with 250k points offer and redeem for 500k Hilton points.