Hilton Honors vs. Marriott Bonvoy: Which Loyalty Program Is Best?

Look in almost any city and you’ll probably find hotels affiliated with Hilton and Marriott. They’re two of the biggest chains in the U.S. and are well-established around the world, from the United Arab Emirates to Zambia and many places in between.

So if you’re looking to join a hotel loyalty program, which one of these two should you choose? Whether you want a budget-friendly place to sleep or a full-service luxury stay, both chains' rewards programs have benefits to offer.

We'll look at Hilton's and Marriott’s availability, fees and elite status programs to determine which one comes out ahead.

Winner for number of brands and properties: Marriott

Marriott wins this category, with nine more brands than Hilton and over 1,000 more properties. It also operates in 14 more countries than Hilton, making it more likely you’ll find a Marriott brand.

Hilton

Hilton has 22 brands that operate about 7,400 properties in 124 countries and territories. These hotels offer travelers a variety of price points, from luxury stays at the Waldorf Astoria to budget-friendly Spark hotels.

Marriott

Marriott has over 30 brands and nearly 8,700 properties located in 139 countries and territories.

Similar to Hilton, the brand’s portfolio offers options across most budgets, from stays at top-notch brands like St. Regis and Ritz-Carlton to lower-key experiences at Moxy or City Express.

» Learn more: Questions to ask before joining a hotel loyalty program

Winner for lowest fees: Marriott

Hotels often charge extra fees for things like bringing a pet, on-site parking and using resort amenities. To compare fees across hotel brands, NerdWallet analyzed the cost of resort and parking fees as a percentage of the overall room rate.

NerdWallet rated Marriott’s fees at 2.7 out of 5, while Hilton came in at 1. Out of the seven hotels reviewed, Marriott placed toward the middle of the pack, while Hilton received last place.

Hilton

Hilton’s resort fees cost about 3.9% of the room rate, while parking fees add on an extra 12.8%, the highest of all hotels in NerdWallet’s analysis.

For those traveling with a pet, Hilton’s pet fees add up to an average of 26.79% of the room rate. This fee is the second-highest of all hotels studied, lower only than Marriott’s pet fees.

Marriott

Marriott charges resort fees for many of its properties, which average out to 2.53% of the room rate. Note that these fees are required for all guests, even those who are redeeming points for stays. Parking fees, which may cover valet or self-park options, typically average out to 11.5% of the room rate.

While resort and parking fees tend to be lower with Marriott, it may not be the best option if you’re bringing a pet. Its pet fees average out to 30.59% of the room rate, the highest NerdWallet found in its research.

» Learn more: How to avoid hotel resort fees (and which brands are the worst)

Overall winner: Marriott Bonvoy

When NerdWallet ranked seven hotel loyalty programs based on their rewards rates, credit card offerings and elite status offerings, Marriott and Hilton ended up with nearly identical scores: Marriott Bonvoy earned 2.5 stars out of 5 and Hilton Honors garnered 2.4 stars out of 5.

Marriott loyalists appreciate the program’s higher rewards rates while those who frequent Hiltons enjoy better perks for elite members. We’ll look at both of these features, as well as credit card offerings, in more detail below.

COMPARING REWARDS RATES

Both programs reward loyalty by issuing points based on the price of the room as well as other factors, including if a customer has earned an elite-level status in the program. Then, these points can be redeemed for free stays and other perks, including earning elite status.

To compare the rewards rate between the two brands, NerdWallet calculated the percent value you receive per every dollar spent. Marriott’s program wins with an 8% earning rate compared with Hilton’s 5%, the lowest of all hotels surveyed.

Hilton Honors

Hilton Honors members earn 10x points at all Hilton properties except Home2 Suites by Hilton and Tru by Hilton, which earn 5x points. You can earn points on up to four rooms per stay if they are all on one bill.

You can also earn Hilton Honors points by:

• Registering for points promotions.

• Spending on Hilton co-branded credit cards.

• Using Lyft when you link your Hilton Honors and Lyft accounts.

• Participating in the Hilton Honors Dining program. 

Hilton Honors allows you to transfer points to another member or pool them with up to 10 other members so you can combine your earning power.

To redeem points, Hilton uses a dynamic pricing model, so the number of points required for a stay will depend on the current cash price of the room. This can make it difficult to plan out how many points you’ll need for a specific trip. NerdWallet values Hilton Honors points at 0.5 cent each, which isn’t great, but if you can get a stay with a better redemption rate, you know you’re getting decent value.

» Learn more: The complete guide to earning Hilton Honors points

Marriott Bonvoy

Members earn 10x points at most Marriott brands except for the following, which earn 5x points: Residence Inn, TownPlace Suites, Element, Protea Hotels, City Express, FourPoints Express and Marriott’s Apartments and Homes and Villas.

You can also earn Marriott Bonvoy points by:

• Registering for points promotions.

• Spending on Marriott co-branded credit cards.

• Using Uber when you link your Marriott Bonvoy and Uber accounts. 

• Joining the Eat Around Town program.

• Booking Marriott tours and activities. 

Marriott Bonvoy allows members to transfer points to another member but doesn’t have a points pooling option like Hilton.

Marriott Bonvoy also uses a dynamic pricing model, so again, it’s difficult to know in advance how much an award night might cost. NerdWallet values Bonvoy points at 0.8 cent each, slightly better than Hilton.

» Learn more: How to earn Marriott points

HOTEL CREDIT CARDS

Hotel credit cards can be a great way to boost points and reach elite status faster, and many cards include benefits that can improve your stay, from late checkouts to welcome amenities, lounge access and complimentary elite status.

Both hotels’ credit card offerings are solid, with nearly every card providing complimentary elite status at some level. That said, most of Marriott’s cards also give cardholders a free award night each year, and some have the opportunity to earn additional nights through spending.

Hilton Honors credit cards

There are four Hilton Honors credit cards, all issued by American Express. Three cards are for personal use, while one is a business card. All four cards can help you earn more points toward free stays as well as provide automatic elite status.

Terms apply.

» Learn more: How to build the best Hilton credit card strategy

Marriott Bonvoy credit cards

Marriott Bonvoy offers a total of six credit cards — including personal cards and a business card issued by Chase or American Express. All but one card provides automatic elite status, and most cards give you at least one free night each year with the opportunity to earn even more through spending.

There is one additional consumer card and one business card in the Marriott credit card portfolio.

• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card has a $250 annual fee. It comes with complimentary Gold elite status and earns 6x points at Marriott hotels. It also includes 1,000 bonus points per stay, a free night worth 50,000 points (after spending $15,000) and 15 Elite Night Credits.

• The Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card has a $125 annual fee. It grants automatic Gold elite status and 6x points at Marriott hotels. The card also provides a free night award up to 35,000 points with the option to earn a second night, a 7% room rate discount and 15 Elite Night Credits.

» Learn more: 8 valuable benefits of Marriott Bonvoy credit cards

ELITE STATUS

Points can add up quickly for basic members of Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy, but customers with elite status can really rack up the points. Status also comes with privileges like free Wi-Fi, food and beverage credits and suite upgrades.

NerdWallet's analysis of hotel elite status programs shows Hilton's dominance, especially at the higher Hilton Honors™ Gold Status and Hilton Honors™ Diamond Status levels. While Marriott Bonvoy earned 3 out of 5 stars for its program, Hilton earned 4.8 out of 5, beating other competitors except World of Hyatt.

At the lowest levels (Silver and Hilton Honors™ Silver Status), the benefits are similar. However, there are big differences just one level up at Gold. NerdWallet values the benefits of Marriott’s Gold status at $136, while Hilton’s Gold benefits give status holders $904 worth of value.

Similar benefits don’t kick in for Marriott Bonvoy members until the higher Platinum or Titanium levels.

Hilton Honors

Hilton Honors elite status has three tiers: Silver, Gold and Diamond. Status is earned based on the number of nights, number of stays or total base points accumulated.

Here is what it takes to reach each tier:

• Silver: 10 nights, 4 stays or 25,000 base points.

• Gold: 40 nights, 20 stays or 75,000 base points. 

• Diamond: 60 nights, 30 stays or 120,000 base points.

All Hilton Honors members, even those without status, receive free Wi-Fi, waived resort fees on award stays, room discounts and 10x base points on stays.

Once you’ve reached Silver elite status, here are the benefits you can expect to receive:

• Fifth night free on award stays. 

• 20% points earning bonus on stays. 

• 15% spa discount. 

• Free bottled water.

Hilton Honors Gold status provides the following additional benefits:

• 80% points earning bonus on stays.

• Daily food and beverage credit or continental breakfast.

• Room upgrades and late checkout, if available. 

Hilton’s Diamond Status includes more perks:

• 100% points earning bonus.

• Executive lounge access. 

• Premium Wi-Fi.

• Room upgrades up to the suite level, if available. 

• Elite status gifting. 

• 48-hour room guarantee for last-minute reservations.

» Learn more: Your guide to hotel bonus point promotions

Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott Bonvoy elite status has five levels: Silver, Gold, Platinum, Titanium and Ambassador Elite. Status is awarded based on the number of nights stayed at Marriott properties.

Here’s how many nights you need to reach each tier:

• Silver: 10 nights.

• Gold: 25 nights.

• Platinum: 50 nights.

• Titanium: 75 nights.

• Ambassador Elite: 100 nights plus $23,000 qualifying spending per year.

All Bonvoy members receive free Wi-Fi and member room rates, as well as the fifth night free on any award stay.

Silver elite status grants Bonvoy members the following benefits:

• 10% more points.

• Priority late checkout. 

When you reach Gold elite status, you’ll also have access to:

• 25% points bonus. 

• Room upgrades when available. 

• 2 p.m. late checkout when available. 

• Welcome gift of points.

Platinum elite status provides these benefits:

• 50% more points. 

• 4 p.m. late checkout.

• Welcome gift of points, breakfast or an amenity.

• Room upgrades up to the suite level when available. 

• Lounge access.

• Annual choice benefit. 

Those with Titanium elite status receive:

• 75% bonus points. 

• 4 p.m. late checkout.

• Welcome gift of points, breakfast or an amenity.

• Room upgrades, up to the suite level when available.

• Lounge access. 

• Annual choice benefit.

• 48-hour room guarantee. 

• Premier Silver status with United Airlines.

For those who reach Ambassador Elite status, these perks are included:

• 75% bonus points.

• 4 p.m. late checkout.

• Welcome gift of points, breakfast or an amenity.

• Room upgrades, up to the suite level when available. 

• Lounge access.

• 48-hour room guarantee. 

• Choose your check-in and checkout time.

• Premier Silver status with United Airlines.

» Learn more: The best hotel elite status this year

When it comes to Hilton Honors versus Marriott Bonvoy, the latter has many compelling reasons to book a stay: Marriott has more locations, lower fees and a better rewards rate for its points. It also has a wide array of credit cards that offer elite status at various levels as well as free award nights.

However, if it is optimal elite status that you're after, Hilton wins, providing its loyalists with more perks sooner than Marriott and its Bonvoy program.

So which one is better? It depends on what’s important to you. If you want to simply earn and redeem points for free nights, Marriott Bonvoy has a higher rewards rate, so you’d probably get more value for your points there.

However, if earning elite status and its associated perks is what you’re looking for, Hilton Honors is your best bet.

All information about Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by NerdWallet. Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is no longer available through NerdWallet.

All information about Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card has been collected independently by NerdWallet. Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card is no longer available through NerdWallet.