Let me tell you about my coworker Tim.  Tim was using the corporate card for all of his expenses, and I would give him a hard time every time he pulled it out.  Then one day, he smiled and pulls out a brand new shiney Capital One Venture card.

“How about that?” he asked.

“What are you using for hotel?”

“This.”

“Not good enough.” I told him.

We broke it down.  His go to hotel in Minneapolis was the Embassy Suites.

Travelling around 36 weeks a year, and staying 2-3 nights each trip, we did some math.

36 weeks * 2.5 nights * $175 per night = $15,750 a year spent just on hotel.

With the Capital One Venture, this would be $315 in travel awards. (2% of $15,750)

“See? Not bad!” Tim jeered at me.

Next we took those same numbers and applied it to the Amex Hilton Aspire card.

$15,750 * 14 PPD / 37,000 points = 5.96 free nights at that same hotel at $175 a night = $1043 in value.

So without changing anything but the credit card Tim used for his hotel stays, he could get over $700 in value difference!

This is WITHOUT considering the points Tim would get from his stays at the Embassy Suites, NOR the 50% bonus points for his Diamond Status with the Aspire Card.

This card may not be the right card for everyone, but for Tim it sure made a lot of dollars and sense.