The ULTIMATE Hilton Credit Card Strategy: Why I Got the Basic Card (Yes, Really!)
Hey everyone, Philip here from Points of Phillip! You all know I'm deep into the points game, always looking for the best ways to maximize rewards. So, you might be scratching your head wondering why I, a Diamond Hilton Honors member, just signed up for the basic, no-annual-fee Hilton Honors card. Seems crazy, right? Well, buckle up, because thanks to a brilliant viewer suggestion, I've stumbled upon what I think is the ultimate Hilton credit card strategy!
Why the Basic Hilton Card? Seriously?
Okay, let's address the elephant in the room. This card isn't going to blow you away with perks. It offers:
Silver Elite Status (free water and the fifth night free on points redemptions).
7x points on Hilton purchases.
5x points at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations.
3x points on everything else.
Compared to my Hilton Aspire card (which gives me Diamond status and a free night, among many other benefits) or even the Hilton Business card (RIP), it seems… underwhelming.
Here's the kicker: The basic Hilton card had a limited-time offer of 100,000 Hilton Honors points after spending $2,000 in six months AND a $100 statement credit.
Why is this a big deal?
HUGE Signup Bonus: 100,000 Hilton points can get you a free night at a Conrad or multiple nights at other Hilton properties!
Edinburgh Dreams: My wife and I are planning a trip to Edinburgh next year, and those Hilton points will be a huge boost for our stay at The Caledonian!
Amex Secret Weapon: Unlike Amex's Membership Rewards or Delta cards, you can get the signup bonus on Hilton cards even if you already have the Aspire!
The Grand Plan: Maximizing Hilton Rewards
Okay, so here's the master plan:
Get the Basic Card, Snag the Bonus: Meet the spending requirement and rake in those 100,000 points and $100 credit!
Upgrade to a Second Aspire Card: Once I hit that signup bonus, I'm planning to upgrade the basic card (hopefully with an offer) to a second Hilton Aspire card.
Free Night Awards Galore: Each Aspire card comes with a free night award upon renewal. This means I'll have two free night awards, perfect for a stay at the Waldorf Astoria in New York (a dream of mine!).
Stack Those Credits: Each Aspire card also comes with:
$400 in Hilton Resort credits ($200 every six months)
$200 in Airline Fee Credits ($50 each quarter)
Puerto Rico Here We Come: My wife and I are heading to Puerto Rico and staying at two Hilton resorts. I'll use the resort credits from both Aspire cards to cover incidentals!
Airline Credit Hack: The Aspire's airline credit is super flexible. I've used it for lounge access, seat upgrades on Breeze, and even deposited it into my United Travel Bank.
The Long Game: More Hotel Cards!
Looking ahead, I'm planning to close my Amex Blue Business Cash card when it hits its one-year mark. Then, I'll be ready to grab either the Hilton Surpass (hopefully with a free night award this time) or even a Marriott business card.
The Bottom Line
This strategy is all about maximizing signup bonuses and stacking valuable perks. It might seem a little complex, but the rewards (literally!) are well worth it. So, what do you think of my plan? Let me know in the comments below!
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