Hilton vs. Marriott: Which One Is Right for You?
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Marriott and Hilton are two well-known hotel chains with worldwide reach. Along with plenty of properties to choose from, both offer loyalty programs and co-branded credit cards.
Choosing the brand that’s right for you depends on your travel habits, including where you like to go, why you’re traveling and how often you’re on the road.
We'll compare the geographic footprints, loyalty programs and credit cards offered by Hilton and Marriott to see which one is a better fit.
» Learn more: The best hotel brands
Where can you find Hilton and Marriott?
Winner for hotel availability: Marriott
Marriott
Marriott continues to expand its footprint and to date boasts nearly 8,700 properties in 139 countries and territories around the world. Its hotels range from high-end options like St. Regis to value-focused choices like Moxy Hotels. There are 32 brands — which include the ability to rent vacation homes.
» Learn more: What makes Marriott unique?
Hilton
Although it’s one of the largest hotel brands in the world, Hilton trails behind Marriott with over 7,000 properties worldwide. Among its 20 brands, you’ll find luxurious properties such as Waldorf Astoria and more budget-oriented options such as Hampton by Hilton.
» Learn more: 7 reasons to Join Hilton Honors
Hotel loyalty programs
Winner for ease of points: Hilton
Marriott Bonvoy
Neither Marriott or Hilton are especially great when it comes to redeeming points, but Marriott Bonvoy’s steady degradation of reward stays has it falling behind Hilton’s rewards program.
In 2022, Marriott removed its award chart and moved to a dynamic pricing system for its hotels. This means that there’s no limit to the cost you could pay for an award stay because pricing is tied directly to demand.
NerdWallet values Marriott Bonvoy points at 0.8 cent each, which is better than Hilton, but not by much.
It’s possible to earn Marriott points in a variety of ways, including spending on credit cards, hotel stays, dining and more. Points can also be transferred over from American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards® at a 1:1 ratio.
» Learn more: Marriott Bonvoy program: The complete guide
Hilton Honors
Like Marriott, Hilton has eliminated its official award chart. However, unlike its competitor, Hilton still maintains a base pricing system for its standard room rewards. These can be as low as 5,000 points per night, which means your Hilton points can be redeemed for great value.
However, if you’re unable to find a standard room reward, you’ll need to book a premium room reward instead. With no cap, these rates can run you into the millions of points per night.
When NerdWallet analyzed award prices, Hilton Honors points were worth about 0.5 cent each.
Hilton points can be earned by spending on co-branded credit cards, dining and hotel stays, among other options. Chase points don’t transfer to Hilton, but AmEx points do, at a ratio of 1:2.
» Learn more: The best hotel rewards programs
Hotel credit card availability
Winner for best hotel credit card: Hilton
Hilton credit cards
When it comes to hotel credit cards, Hilton beats all of its competition — not just Marriott.
This is thanks to the industry-leading benefits offered by the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, though the large welcome offers that you can earn with many of its cards don’t hurt.
• 7 points per $1 on eligible purchases with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio.
• 5 points per $1 at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations.
• 3 points per $1 on all other eligible purchases.
Terms apply.
• 12 points per $1 on eligible purchases with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio.
• 6 points per $1 at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations.
• 4 points per $1 on U.S. online retail purchases.
• 3 points per $1 on all other eligible purchases.
Terms apply.
• 14 points per $1 on eligible purchases with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio.
• 7 points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines or AmexTravel.com and car rentals booked directly with select car rental companies.
• 7 points per $1 at U.S. restaurants.
• 3 points per $1 on all other eligible purchases.
Terms apply.
• 12 points per $1 on eligible purchases with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio.
• 5 points per $1 on other purchases made using the Hilton Honors Business Card on the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year, 3 points per $1 thereafter.
Terms apply.
Earn 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.
Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.
Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.
Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $8,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card within the first six months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 6/5. Terms Apply.
» Learn more: The best Hilton credit card strategy
Marriott credit cards
Although Marriott has its share of co-branded credit cards, its top-tier card falls short when compared with Hilton’s offerings.
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• 3 points per $1 at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels.
• 2 points per $1 on other travel purchases (such as airfare, taxis and trains).
• 1 point per $1 on all other eligible purchases.
• 6 points per $1 at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels.
• 3 points per $1 on up to $6,000 a year in combined purchases on grocery stores, gas stations and dining.
• 2 points per $1 on all other eligible purchases.
• 6 points per $1 at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels.
• 4 points per $1 on up to $15,000 a year in combined purchases at grocery stores and on dining.
• 2 points per $1 on all other eligible purchases.
• 6 points per $1 at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels.
• 3 points per $1 at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines.
• 2 points per $1 on all other eligible purchases.
Terms apply.
Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after spending $1,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card.
Earn 3 Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after spending $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card!
Earn 85,000 Bonus Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from your account opening.
Earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.
» Learn more: The best hotel credit cards right now
Family travel considerations
Best hotel for family travel: Hilton
Hilton
When it comes to family travel, there are multiple things you’ll want to take into consideration to make your trip easier. One of these? Food. Hilton has five brands that offer complimentary breakfast:
Embassy Suites by Hilton.
Hampton by Hilton.
Home2 Suites by Hilton.
Homewood Suites by Hilton.
Tru by Hilton.
Breakfast at other Hilton properties is also fairly accessible, especially if you hold elite status. Depending on where you’re staying, you and a registered guest can either get complimentary breakfast or a food and beverage credit each day of your stay if you have Hilton Gold status or higher.
Additionally, if you hold the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, you’ll also have access to Hilton’s executive lounges, which offer all-day food and drinks in addition to breakfast.
Finally, Diamond elite status also entitles you to complimentary suite upgrades. While these aren’t guaranteed, potentially having more room for you and your family can certainly be helpful. Otherwise, Hilton also has plenty of suite hotels among its brands.
Marriott
Marriott has six brands that include free breakfast:
Residence Inn.
TownePlace Suites.
Springhill Suites.
Fairfield by Marriott.
Element.
City Express.
Unfortunately, outside of these properties, you’ll need to have at least Platinum elite status to score a complimentary breakfast.
Although Marriott has more hotel brands available, fewer options for free breakfast means that Hilton wins for family travel.
» Learn more: Pro tips for smart and cheap family travel
Business travel considerations
Best hotel for business travel: Hilton
Hilton
Although Marriott has more properties than Hilton and a wider geographic footprint, easier access to elite status for Hilton Honors members can be beneficial.
This is especially true for business travelers, for whom benefits such as early check-in, late checkout, premium Wi-Fi, executive lounge access, suite upgrades and complimentary breakfast can make the difference between a comfortable stay and a miserable experience, especially on a tight turnaround.
Since these benefits are readily available if you’re holding the right card (including The Platinum Card® from American Express) and don’t require any actual stays to acquire, business travelers can start enjoying these perks immediately. Terms apply.
Marriott
Even though Marriott has more properties than Hilton, both hotel chains are massive, which means there will likely be one or more of each hotel in many locations. Aside from this, Hilton’s mid-tier elite status offers more valuable perks than Marriott’s, which tips the scales in Hilton’s favor.
If you’re choosing between Hilton vs. Marriott
For most travelers, Hilton is likely the better option for hotel stays. Although Marriott has more hotels, its loyalty program, dynamic reward pricing model and lack of elite status benefits put it in second place behind Hilton and its Honors program.
All information about the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by NerdWallet. The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is no longer available through NerdWallet.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024, including those best for:
Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express
Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
