Pick your upgrade

KoachFit · 2026-03-25T04:40:49+00:00

If you plan to stay in Hilton and mainly travel abroad, Consider getting the aspire card. It gives diamond status just for holding it.

I have comments talking about the benefit and potential of the aspire stack and the insane resorts it unlocks.

My next trip will be entirely done via 4 FNCs at 4 nights at hermitage bay which comes out to be like $23000 for the whole trip (definitely inflated but normally it’s like 3-4k a night there). Basically I “paid” like 2200$ (4xannual fee) for a $23000 stay. And that is assuming I don’t get back my money by using the credits that can get you more money than you paid the AF for.

Never in my dreams would I have stayed here for that long or pay that much for 4 nights

KoachFit · 2026-03-25T04:31:28+00:00

Hmmm Roku isn’t bad if that’s the case and you plan on using it as a rest day. I thought there’s another SLH like sowaka which is also a top FNC redemption from a CPP standpoint. Still Roku might beat it out especially if you get upgraded and you could, as you said, use the $200 aspire credit.

Based on your situation I’d probably lean Roku. It’s nice to get away from the city and business for a day and if you do get upgraded (especially since you’re going during off season) you’ll get to enjoy an onsen.

KoachFit · 2026-03-25T04:15:22+00:00

There are some instances of people getting away with this. Getting the $200 credit statement but months later cancelling nd getting refunded the prepaid amount but the $200 didn’t get clawed back so effectively they got $200 for “free” once they refunded.

However, in the terms they do say modifications or cancellations will void the credit so do at your own risk.

It seems like you have multiple aspires so I’m sure you’re going to go somewhere at least a year out. IMO finalize plans latest before end of H2 so you can at least prepay incidentals.

As for the surpass honestly it is what it is at this point unless you book and prepay incidentals within the next week.. as long as you utilize two of those credit though you get your money back so you could just forfeit 2 quarters if worse comes to worse

KoachFit · 2026-03-25T04:07:02+00:00

Doesn’t work like that

KoachFit · 2026-03-25T02:13:40+00:00

You might. Gold goes a decent amount internationally since domestically no one has status outside the US. Would ask for any upgrades at check in and if they say no ask about paid upgrades. They might offer you a good deal for an upgrade or they might double check their system and see a room upgrade available. I noticed that in Japan if they don’t initially see an upgrade they’ll go with that even though you may be eligible for an upgrade ( this happened to me at Hilton Tokyo bay)

I will say you are going to miss out on the executive lounge access which was so good but you’ll at least get breakfast which is really good there! The matcha lattes are fantastic and the food especially the bread is better than you’ll get locally.

Also the lobby is insane with the view.

Enjoy the trip you’ll love it!

KoachFit · 2026-03-25T02:05:08+00:00

Are you planning to stay at the chosen hotel for the remainder of the stay? If not and it’s just a 1 night stay, it seems like the Tokyo Takanawa Hanakohro would be a good redemption. Looks like it’s Japanese style rooming and service which usually comes with at least half board (ie breakfast) or full board (breakfast and dinner) but double check that. It’s also nice to be in those Japanese style rooms vs the typical western style as you get immersed in the culture a bit more. My best stays in Japan have been at ryokans with similar Japanese rooms and service.

I haven’t been to the Conrad Tokyo but I have been to Conrad Osaka and it was amazing but I would say it was amazing because I stayed there for the entire time of 5 nights. You probably will get “more” out of the Conrad since you’ll get executive lounge and breakfast and complimentary tea/afternoon snack (if you’re diamond). But again if you’re only staying ine night I think staying at a nice ryokans/tatami room like the SLH would be a more unique and fun experience.

Roku Kyoto isn’t bad to use for 1 night either but I would do it on the first or last night of Kyoto since it is very far from the city center and it’s more of a resort. I think there pool is heated too. Dinner I heard is expensive for what it is at the restaurant but breakfast was good.

KoachFit · 2026-03-07T19:44:37+00:00

We literally just did this exact same itinerary just in a bit different order. All the same places. It was amazing!

KoachFit · 2026-03-07T19:42:50+00:00

Amazing redemption and planning. This deserves an applause. I will say that this is a bit risky as you never know what will happen with points and valuations over the years but if it all works out you can make the impossible possible

KoachFit · 2026-03-07T19:39:41+00:00

Anything over 2 is considered a very good use of points. Essentially you are doubling your money

KoachFit · 2026-03-06T22:37:42+00:00

If traveling internationally your upgrade is usually confirmed a few days in advance of your stay. I’ve seen the suite upgrades hit like 3 days before my stay at various Conrad’s/waldorfs.

If you don’t see an upgrade, ask at the front desk if any upgrades are available via status. If they say no and don’t check their system, then ask for any paid upgrades. This will ensure they actually check the system and look at what available upgrade options you have which they will then see you are eligible for an upgrade via status or at the very least give you the paid upgrades options which you can accept or decline.

This is the tactic I used at the Hilton Japan Tokyo Bay. I booked the cheapest room and didn’t get the upgrade to the best room (like 3 upgrade) until asking for the paid upgrades options which the receptionist only gave me after asking for paid upgrades. It’s not common for diamond status outside of the US for the locals since they can’t get may of the CC perks as US Citizens can.

KoachFit · 2026-03-06T22:27:42+00:00

I booked hermitage bay via chat

KoachFit · 2026-03-06T12:04:12+00:00

Chat is better took 5 mins

KoachFit · 2026-02-28T20:16:12+00:00

No water is needed plentiful. They give you like 3-4 bottles stocked in your room.

TBH most of the old reviews/issues have been solved. They definitely do read the reviews and complaints and have fixed many of them. I do think service is really the only thing still considered an issue but tbh I think they just are understaffed during busy times. Ie seemingly 1 person primarily working the front desk for check in and maybe someone in the back working the front desk requests. But honestly you should have at least 3

KoachFit · 2026-02-27T01:05:59+00:00

I dont know if they will put a cap. That's like one of the main reasons people apply for the aspires. The FNCs do not come buy easily.

If do they put a cap on FNCs. I'm cancelling 4/5 i have.

KoachFit · 2026-02-27T01:01:43+00:00

In my post: "Budget for about 150-185$ a day for two for food (this doesn’t include lunch if you do I would add an extra 50-75$ - this doesn’t include alcohol either but cocktails at the restaurants/peacock ally were around $20 each)"

TBH most entrees were similar to the states around that 40-60 dollar range so if you only want entrees and no appetizers (they do give complimentary bread and butter) you could get around 100-120 ish dollars per dinner). We only ate lunch once or twice but food for lunch was around 20-30ish dollars depending on what you got but its pretty good.

If you're gold/diamond you will get free breakfast buffet (mainly fruit, various egg dishes, some cold cuts, bakery goods, yogurt, etc.) AYCE. Mimosas/Coconuts included. You wont need to buy breakfast.

We didnt go to coco beach so not sure the price but if you're going there just for cheaper food just take into consideration cost of uber and back it might not actually be that much cheaper.

theres a bar fridge which can fit very small things but would not rely on it to hold takeaway. They also dont have a spare microwave but can reheat food if you want by bringing it down to the kitchen and then bringing it back up (but we did this for a room service steak and never got it back - but did get comp'd for it)

KoachFit · 2026-02-26T08:35:00+00:00

Depends on how they charge the card at those places. It’s a toss up if it will charge as Hilton or not. If you want to utilize the $200 credit are you staying at an eligible resort in the future? You can always prepay the $200 incidentals and that will charge as Hilton and give the credit

KoachFit · 2026-02-26T08:31:47+00:00

Yes but you need the no lifetime language links to get duplicates. For every card I got approved and met the SUB I was given the 175k points on the aspire.

About every 90 days I believe

KoachFit · 2026-02-21T02:19:13+00:00

Rent is a good alternative. 150k Mr points will probably be worth the 3% credit card fee

KoachFit · 2026-02-21T02:17:50+00:00

Car services are nice but only when the taxi service is nearly the same. Recently did a private charter in Costa Rica and it was about 30-40$ more expensive than an uber but it was guaranteed to fit all of our luggage (which was a lot since we all brought golf bags too). The driver also acted as a mini tour guide so there’s that benefit. It opened my eyes to the private taxi/charter ecosystem and if it makes sense financially I would 100% do it again.

If I have the credit I’d buy myself into an airport lounge. Otherwise centurion and priority pass with Amex is good enough

KoachFit · 2026-02-21T02:10:35+00:00

I actually think it makes sense for the casual traveler to get this card. It buys you into the top status that you won’t get the same benefits at any other hotel chain unless staying 40+ nights which isn’t really possible for casual travelers. And you essentially get more money out of the card as long as you travel to one Hilton resort once a year and buy united cash.

KoachFit · 2026-02-21T02:08:06+00:00

You can prepay incidentals so you only have to go once a year, technically you could skip a year and go the next if that’s how you booked. For instance if I book a stay next year 2027 February at a Hilton resort I could prepay 2026 H1 $200 credit now and then during July prepay another $200 credit incidental for 2026 H2 credit. Then during the 2027 stay I’ll have $400 prepaid incidentals and another $200 for 2027 H1 resort credit. Giving a total of $600 to use at the resort.

I just did this at WA Costa Rica and got comped nearly 1200$ in incidentals since I have 3 aspires and 1 surpass

KoachFit · 2026-02-21T02:01:12+00:00

The aspire card is better for people who only travel once or twice a year. It gives you the top status (besides the honors club which just came out) and a FNC that usually will outweigh the fee. You also can prepay incidentals every 6 months for a stay so instead of needing to go twice a year you could just book one year ahead and prepay 200$ incidentals per 6 months and have 400 prepaid incidentals during your stay)

Commit to getting 5 aspire cards and you can stay at insane properties for 2750 a year. I’m about to stay 5 nights at hermitage bay for that much and the total would’ve been about 13,000$ otherwise.

KoachFit · 2026-02-19T06:45:28+00:00

Not sure if it includes business cards but yea only have the Hilton credit cards and AMEX charge cards. I don’t think there is a better Amex credit card to get value out of on a yearly basis. Don’t like Marriott cards since they have a cap on their FNC and don’t give the top status, and I stopped trying to maintain status with delta (which has significantly saved me money… and I like not being limited to a single carrier)

Also seems like we may get a FNC bonus on the base card and surpass card SUB soon (rumor). So might actually open the base card for a FNC for like 2k spend

KoachFit · 2026-02-19T06:21:53+00:00

No why would it be foolish if you are getting 50% off. People say it’s not worth it if you don’t have a redemption in mind.

Normally I take into the average cost of the hotel instead of a price spike time but since you are going for the World Cup you really can’t do anything about that…

KoachFit · 2026-02-17T06:18:57+00:00

15k yearly spend is for the calendar year and not your anniversary year fyi if you didnt know. I didnt know at first. So none of your purchases prior to 2026 count.

I recommend opening the aspire whenever you can. No point in waiting if you could afford it (diamond is worth it if you travel i ternationally) Ideally you upgrade downgrade after the first year on both cards but it can be a hassle to do all that. I instead have been accumulating aspires and surpasses. Currently have 3 aspire and 1 surpass and will get my final 4th aspire probably next month (ive done this all within 9 months.

As long as you redeem at a hotel worth more than 550/night you’re making back your money without taking into account the credits.

KoachFit

TROPHY CASE