Marriott Bonvoy vs. World of Hyatt: Which Is Best?

Marriott Bonvoy and World of Hyatt have notable differences when it comes to their portfolio size, benefits and elite bonus perks. While Marriott Bonvoy has more hotels in its program than World of Hyatt, Hyatt packs in extra perks, especially for top-tier Globalist members.

How Marriott Bonvoy and World of Hyatt differ

Marriott Bonvoy has over 30 hotel brands. Its footprint is more expansive than World of Hyatt’s, offering close to 9,100 properties in 142 countries and territories. World of Hyatt also has more than 30 brands, but only 1,450 hotels in 79 countries.

Marriott Bonvoy’s dynamic award pricing model makes it harder to know how many points you need for a hotel stay without knowing your exact dates. This means if you decide on a last-minute vacation and do not have enough points, you could be out of luck.

This is where World of Hyatt shines since it maintains an award chart, explaining the number of points needed for each hotel. There are eight categories of hotels with a specific number of points required for off-peak, standard and peak redemptions. This helps travelers have a better idea of the number of points they need to save for a hotel redemption.

Earning points and rewards

Winner: Marriott Bonvoy

Hotel loyalty programs traditionally award a number of base points depending on the amount you spend for the stay and the tier of elite status you have. The higher your elite tier, the more points you earn per dollar spent. Just keep in mind that you need to book directly through a hotel channel as you will not earn through online travel websites run by third parties, like Orbitz or Expedia.

Marriott Bonvoy

Most of Marriott’s brands award 10 points per eligible dollar spent. Some of its extended-stay or value-focused brands offer fewer points (between 2.5 and 5 points on stays at properties including Marriott Executive Apartments, City Express, Protea Hotels, Element and Residence Inn by Marriott). You can also earn 5 points per dollar on stays at Homes & Villas by Marriott properties.

Based on their elite status, members can also earn a bonus. It ranges from 10% for Silver members all the way up to 75% more points for Titanium and Ambassador Elite members. Members can also earn points on food and beverage spending during hotel stays (and at participating hotels, you can even earn points when not a guest at the hotel).

Earning Marriott Bonvoy points is not limited to traveling and staying at Marriott properties. If you have any of Marriott’s co-branded credit cards, you earn points based on regular spending as well as bonus points when using the card at a Marriott Bonvoy property. Not only can you earn points, but some top Marriott credit cards come with automatic elite status and a way to expedite earning an even higher tier based on your spending patterns.

You also can earn Marriott points by transferring points from credit card programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards® or American Express Membership Rewards. Numerous airline programs also allow transfers to Marriott Bonvoy, but only a few are worth it (like United or Air Canada) due to their 1:1 transfer ratio thanks to a special United-Marriott partnership where elite members can get a better transfer deal. These are not ideal since Marriott points are worth 0.9 cent, according to NerdWallet’s latest valuation.

World of Hyatt

World of Hyatt points are valuable and easy to earn if you travel frequently, have points with transfer partners or hold a Hyatt-affiliated credit card.

Let’s start with the obvious: Stays at participating World of Hyatt hotels earn points. Members earn 5 points per eligible dollar spent (except at Hyatt Studios, which earn only 2.5 points per dollar) and a greater percentage (up to 30% more if you have World of Hyatt Globalist elite status).

Like Marriott, food, beverage and spa charges at eligible properties also count toward points earning. If you are not a guest of the hotel, some properties still award points as long as you provide your loyalty number. (Keep your receipt just in case it doesn’t post properly.)

You can also earn World of Hyatt points by booking a home or vacation rental, transferring credit card points from Chase Ultimate Rewards®, booking a FIND Experience and being approved for a World of Hyatt credit card.

Hyatt’s credit cards also come with elite status and bonus points when staying with World of Hyatt hotels. Hyatt does not have as many consumer credit card options as Marriott Bonvoy, and there is no offering that gives Hyatt’s most beneficial elite status.

World of Hyatt and American Airlines have a special partnership that offers members who link their accounts the opportunity to earn and redeem rewards with either program. American’s most VIP ConciergeKey members also receive complimentary Globalist status.

Marriott Bonvoy wins for its larger global footprint, and because its higher Platinum status is attainable simply by being approved for one of its credit cards.

Redeeming points

Winner: World of Hyatt

If Marriott wins out on having the most properties and a faster path to elite status through credit cards, World of Hyatt deserves attention for its award chart (something Marriott Bonvoy does not have since it prices award stays on a variable basis) and clarity on the number of points needed for a redemption stay. After all, earning points is great, but spending them is more fun.

NerdWallet values World of Hyatt points at 2.2 cents each. Marriott Bonvoy points have a lower value at only 0.9 cent each.

Marriott Bonvoy

With dynamic pricing, the number of points required depends on the demand for that date and location. With points already worth less, according to NerdWallet valuations, this makes it harder to extract top value when making an award reservation.

Marriott does have a feather in its cap, though. Its fifth-night-free deal awards members who redeem points for five nights for the cost of four. World of Hyatt does not have a similar offering.

World of Hyatt

What gives this program its edge is simple: an easy-to-understand award chart with off-peak, standard and peak redemptions. An off-peak redemption for a night at a Category 1 hotel costs 3,500 points. This extends all the way up to a peak redemption for one night at a Category 8 hotel for 45,000 points.

One exception: Mr & Mrs Smith properties, which Hyatt recently added, fall outside the award chart and use dynamic pricing. According to Hyatt executives, this is because most Mr & Mrs Smith hotels are very small and have various room types. Since there is no standard room at many, it makes it hard to fit them into the award chart.

» Learn more: How to navigate World of Hyatt's award chart

Elite status benefits in each program

Best elite status: World of Hyatt

While World of Hyatt may have fewer hotels, elite status members get more for their money when they achieve higher elite status, handing it the win here. Marriott has more elite tiers (and more pathways to earn them), but NerdWallet's annual hotel loyalty analysis gives World of Hyatt the advantage for its top-tier perks.

Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott Bonvoy elite status is easier to earn. Not only because the loyalty brand has more properties where you can earn points, but also because its credit cards deliver automatic elite status from its lowest Silver tier all the way up to Platinum status (one of the higher levels in the program with benefits like lounge access and potential room upgrades).

But there is no option to get top-tier Titanium or Ambassador statuses by applying for a credit card. These tiers come with breakfast or lounge access, bonus points and room upgrades.

Ambassador Elite, the brand’s highest level, even comes with Your24 access (check-in and checkout at any time).

Lower tiers of Marriott status are also available via partnerships with United and Air Canada Aeroplan.

There are a lot of pathways to Marriott Bonvoy status, but these are traditionally to its lower or middle tiers. The primary benefits in tiers like Silver and Gold are bonus points, late checkout and, for Gold members, a welcome gift. But the best perks (like club lounge access, breakfast or room upgrades) kick in at Platinum.

As travelers stay or spend more with Marriott, they become eligible for extra perks through an Annual Choice Benefit. These include suite upgrades, nonprofit donations and the ability to gift Silver status. And Marriott status can deliver extra value if you fly United because of their partnership.

World of Hyatt

World of Hyatt gives elite status in only two scenarios beyond staying with Hyatt: either through its affiliated credit card (Discoverist) or if you have American ConciergeKey (Globalist). The latter is rare since it is an invitation-only program for American’s top customers.

Discoverist is the lowest tier and includes preferred room upgrades and bonus points. The more you spend on your credit card, the more tier-qualifying night credits you earn toward a higher tier. But that requires a lot of spending since $5,000 earns only two elite nights. This is in addition to five elite nights each year of holding the card.

Discoverist is nothing more than basic, which means Marriott’s lower tiers are slightly better. Even mid-tier Explorist, which comes with room upgrades, late checkout and bonus points, is not as good as Marriott’s Platinum tier.

But for those who have World of Hyatt top-tier Globalist, the experience is amenity-packed. It includes breakfast or club lounge access, waived resort fees and comped parking on award nights, bonus points, room upgrades and late checkout.

Milestone Rewards also provide benefits to members the more they spend or stay. They can include bonus points, award night certificates or American Airlines benefits.

But, according to NerdWallet valuations, it costs more to earn Marriott’s elite tiers than Hyatt’s, which is why Hyatt takes this prize despite both programs scoring similarly for their overall elite program. And World of Hyatt status might just be more valuable if you fly American Airlines thanks to their partnership.

» Learn more: The best value hotel rewards program

Travel credit cards

Best hotel credit card: Marriott Bonvoy

Credit cards can provide lucrative benefits, and Marriott Bonvoy has more options (with more perks) than World of Hyatt.

Marriott Bonvoy credit cards

Marriott Bonvoy has more card choices than World of Hyatt, which can serve different income levels and personal needs. Among the best perks are the cards that come with a free anniversary redemption night and bonus points in certain categories like dining, grocery stores and gas stations.

World of Hyatt credit cards

Unlike Marriott’s array of choices, there is only one card for consumers interested in more World of Hyatt points and perks. World of Hyatt Credit Card has a $95 annual fee, but its benefits are on the weak side.

Its bonus point shopping categories (beyond Hyatt) include 2 points per dollar when dining, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airline, on gym memberships and when using the card on local transit and commuting services. It also comes with one Category 1-4 Hyatt redemption night each year after the cardmember anniversary and low-tier Discoverist elite status.

» Learn more: The best hotel credit cards right now

Which is better for you: Marriott Bonvoy or World of Hyatt?

Even though both programs have strengths, the right choice for you depends on where and how you travel. Frequent travelers would be wise to combine all of their stays in one program so they can get a higher tier of status.

And if you want a headstart in either program, consider a credit card with automatic elite status, an expedited path to a higher tier or both.