Hilton HHonors Diamond or mix of other CCs and points?

[bradleysjones]

My wife and I do NOT travel for business and have no reimbursable expenses from business.  Our largest expense (rent) can only be paid through a VISA/MC.  We would just like to take 1-2 trips a year on points or heavily subsidized by points.

I just got the Hilton Reserve.  I can spend >40k a year on it if I can pay my rent on it and achieve Diamond status plus the associated points.  Also, I have noticed that most domestic HHonors redemptions don't provide just incredible value.  We would be doing most of our traveling in the continental US.

I also have the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Freedom (with Chase Exclusives), and the SPG Amex.  Is it worth it to concentrate solely on the HHonors program and Diamond status through spend or should I be diversifying my points balances with the other cards?

[Dan]

Diversify.

[sy guy]

I agree with Dan. I had been a SPG guy for years, thinking I was doing well using my SPG points. Then I realized that having a broad base of points to work across multiple programs with is better.  I am new to the card game, but since May have been approved for 16 cards (2 pending apps) across 5 banks - thanks 3BM's- so it is easy to catch up pretty fast. Now in addition to SPG, I have options with Hilton and Hyatt, and for the first time with multiple airlines. My goal after this binge is to figure out which programs work best for me, and target my future apps to those whose base I want to build on. Good luck