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Hilton vs. Marriott: Which Hotel Chain Is Right for You?
Though Marriott has more properties, Hilton comes out ahead in this showdown of hotel giants.
Peter Rothbart is a credit card connoisseur and award travel guru based in Seattle, Washington. A former aerospace engineer and long-time touring musician, he is now a freelance writer, covering a wide range of topics from travel and personal finance to art, sports, and human interest stories. His work has been featured at outlets such as Yahoo, Business Insider and The Points Guy.
After spending seven years in the U.S. Air Force as an Arabic linguist, Carissa is now a freelance writer using points and miles to fund a four-year (and counting!) adventure. She previously worked as a reporter for The Points Guy. Her writing has since been featured in numerous publications, including Forbes, Business Insider, and The Balance. When she's not flying, you'll usually find her in a Priority Pass lounge somewhere, sipping tea and cursing slow Wi-Fi.
Erica Harrington is a contributing editor at NerdWallet. She has more than 20 years of copy-editing experience. Previously, she served as the copy chief at Forbes Advisor and NerdWallet. In addition to personal finance content, she has edited stories about business, city and state politics, arts and entertainment, and national and international affairs. Erica also has taught English as a second language at corporations in Santiago, Chile. She has produced white papers for the United Nations. She is based in Atlanta.
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Hilton and Marriott are more than just hotel chains. Each has its own travel ecosystem complete with unique properties and destinations, loyalty rewards and elite benefits, co-branded credit cards and more. Choosing between them on any given trip can be as simple as deciding where you want to stay, but in the long term, it pays to consider which one best suits your needs holistically.
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Hotel network: Marriott is both bigger and ‘better’
Marriott and Hilton both rank among the world’s largest hotel chains, with each boasting over 9,000 properties in more than 140 countries. Marriott has a modest edge in the number of properties, but leads considerably in terms of total capacity, offering over 1.7 million rooms worldwide compared to Hilton’s 1.3 million rooms.
In addition to quantity, Marriott’s portfolio arguably leads Hilton’s in quality. Marriott offers six luxury brands: Edition, Ritz-Carlton, The Luxury Collection, St. Regis, W Hotels and JW Marriott, comprising 662 properties globally. In contrast, Hilton offers only 106 properties across its five luxury brands: Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, LXR, NoMad and Signia by Hilton.
Hotel loyalty programs: Earning rewards is easier with Hilton
Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors claim 237 million and 235 million members, respectively, and the similarities don’t end there. Both programs employ dynamic award pricing, so the cost of booking with points fluctuates alongside cash rates. Both programs also offer a fifth night free on award stays, accelerated earnings for elite members, and the option to book stays with a mix of cash and points.
The two programs diverge when it comes to the value of their rewards. NerdWallet’s latest points and miles valuations peg Hilton Honors points at 0.4 cent apiece and Marriott Bonvoy points at 0.8 centcents apiece. Those numbers approximate the redemption value of each loyalty currency, indicating that Marriott points are generally worth twice as much as Hilton Honors points when you use them to book hotel stays.
However, having more valuable points doesn’t mean Marriott Bonvoy is the more valuable program overall. Hilton Honors offers higher bonuses for elite members, superior earning rates on co-branded credit cards, and more favorable transfers from partner loyalty programs, so earning points is easier with Hilton than with Marriott. That offsets the higher average redemption value of Marriott points, making the two programs roughly comparable in terms of return on spending.
Nerdy Perspective
How do you use Hilton Honors points?
Tiffani Sherman
Contributing Travel Writer
I usually only use Hilton Honors points when I am staying for five nights because if I use points for four nights, the fifth one is free. That's the case for all Hilton Honors elite members. I think this is a good use of points because of the free night. I rarely will redeem points for a single night stay unless the price is so high that I don't want to pay any other way. I also usually redeem points in Europe or Asia because the values are usually better than in the United States.
I usually only use Hilton Honors points when I am staying for five nights because if I use points for four nights, the fifth one is free. That's the case for all Hilton Honors elite members. I think this is a good use of points because of the free night. I rarely will redeem points for a single night stay unless the price is so high that I don't want to pay any other way. I also usually redeem points in Europe or Asia because the values are usually better than in the United States.
Tiffani Sherman
Contributing Travel Writer
Craig Joseph
Lead Travel Writer
Hilton Honors points have saved me a lot of money during cross-country road trips. I've driven from coast to coast six times and can find a Hampton Inn or Hilton Garden Inn almost everywhere. Using points allows me to preserve cash to instead use on food, gas and experiences along the way.
Hilton Honors points have saved me a lot of money during cross-country road trips. I've driven from coast to coast six times and can find a Hampton Inn or Hilton Garden Inn almost everywhere. Using points allows me to preserve cash to instead use on food, gas and experiences along the way.
Craig Joseph
Lead Travel Writer
Carissa Rawson
Contributing Travel Writer
Every year I buy Hilton points on sale and promptly spend them at the Conrad Bora Bora. With enough advanced planning, award availability isn't hard to come by. Plus, this means I'm buying my Hilton points for 0.5 cents each and always redeeming them at around 2 cents each.
Every year I buy Hilton points on sale and promptly spend them at the Conrad Bora Bora. With enough advanced planning, award availability isn't hard to come by. Plus, this means I'm buying my Hilton points for 0.5 cents each and always redeeming them at around 2 cents each.
Carissa Rawson
Contributing Travel Writer
Tiffani Sherman
Contributing Travel Writer
I usually only use Hilton Honors points when I am staying for five nights because if I use points for four nights, the fifth one is free. That's the case for all Hilton Honors elite members. I think this is a good use of points because of the free night. I rarely will redeem points for a single night stay unless the price is so high that I don't want to pay any other way. I also usually redeem points in Europe or Asia because the values are usually better than in the United States.
I usually only use Hilton Honors points when I am staying for five nights because if I use points for four nights, the fifth one is free. That's the case for all Hilton Honors elite members. I think this is a good use of points because of the free night. I rarely will redeem points for a single night stay unless the price is so high that I don't want to pay any other way. I also usually redeem points in Europe or Asia because the values are usually better than in the United States.
Tiffani Sherman
Contributing Travel Writer
Craig Joseph
Lead Travel Writer
Hilton Honors points have saved me a lot of money during cross-country road trips. I've driven from coast to coast six times and can find a Hampton Inn or Hilton Garden Inn almost everywhere. Using points allows me to preserve cash to instead use on food, gas and experiences along the way.
Hilton Honors points have saved me a lot of money during cross-country road trips. I've driven from coast to coast six times and can find a Hampton Inn or Hilton Garden Inn almost everywhere. Using points allows me to preserve cash to instead use on food, gas and experiences along the way.
Craig Joseph
Lead Travel Writer
Carissa Rawson
Contributing Travel Writer
Every year I buy Hilton points on sale and promptly spend them at the Conrad Bora Bora. With enough advanced planning, award availability isn't hard to come by. Plus, this means I'm buying my Hilton points for 0.5 cents each and always redeeming them at around 2 cents each.
Every year I buy Hilton points on sale and promptly spend them at the Conrad Bora Bora. With enough advanced planning, award availability isn't hard to come by. Plus, this means I'm buying my Hilton points for 0.5 cents each and always redeeming them at around 2 cents each.
Carissa Rawson
Contributing Travel Writer
Tiffani Sherman
Contributing Travel Writer
I usually only use Hilton Honors points when I am staying for five nights because if I use points for four nights, the fifth one is free. That's the case for all Hilton Honors elite members. I think this is a good use of points because of the free night. I rarely will redeem points for a single night stay unless the price is so high that I don't want to pay any other way. I also usually redeem points in Europe or Asia because the values are usually better than in the United States.
I usually only use Hilton Honors points when I am staying for five nights because if I use points for four nights, the fifth one is free. That's the case for all Hilton Honors elite members. I think this is a good use of points because of the free night. I rarely will redeem points for a single night stay unless the price is so high that I don't want to pay any other way. I also usually redeem points in Europe or Asia because the values are usually better than in the United States.
Tiffani Sherman
Contributing Travel Writer
Craig Joseph
Lead Travel Writer
Hilton Honors points have saved me a lot of money during cross-country road trips. I've driven from coast to coast six times and can find a Hampton Inn or Hilton Garden Inn almost everywhere. Using points allows me to preserve cash to instead use on food, gas and experiences along the way.
Hilton Honors points have saved me a lot of money during cross-country road trips. I've driven from coast to coast six times and can find a Hampton Inn or Hilton Garden Inn almost everywhere. Using points allows me to preserve cash to instead use on food, gas and experiences along the way.
Craig Joseph
Lead Travel Writer
Carissa Rawson
Contributing Travel Writer
Every year I buy Hilton points on sale and promptly spend them at the Conrad Bora Bora. With enough advanced planning, award availability isn't hard to come by. Plus, this means I'm buying my Hilton points for 0.5 cents each and always redeeming them at around 2 cents each.
Every year I buy Hilton points on sale and promptly spend them at the Conrad Bora Bora. With enough advanced planning, award availability isn't hard to come by. Plus, this means I'm buying my Hilton points for 0.5 cents each and always redeeming them at around 2 cents each.
Carissa Rawson
Contributing Travel Writer
Marriott Bonvoy bases elite status on the number of nights spent at Marriott properties (with additional spending requirements at the highest tier). In contrast, Hilton Honors offers more paths to elite status by allowing members to qualify based on the number of nights, the number of stays, or the total amount spent at Hilton properties throughout the year.
Hilton also has a decisive edge when it comes to resort fees, as Hilton Honors waives those fees on award stays booked entirely with points and free night certificates (though not on Points + Cash awards). Meanwhile, Marriott Bonvoy charges resort fees even when booking award stays.
Hotel credit cards: Hilton offers outsized benefits
Both Hilton and Marriott offer a variety of personal and business credit cards. While their no-fee options are comparable, Hilton’s mid-tier and premium cards provide superior benefits at lower cost.
Among mid-tier options, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card card grants cardholders complimentary Gold status, plus the opportunity to earn Diamond status after spending $40,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year. The Surpass card also offers a free night award after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year, and comes with up to $200 in Hilton credits annually (split into quarterly credits of up to $50). Those credits alone can outweigh the card’s $150 annual fee. Terms apply.
Marriott has two nearly identical mid-tier options: the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card (issued by Chase, $250 annual fee) and the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card ($250 annual fee). Both cards grant complimentary Marriott Gold status, but unlike the Hilton Surpass card, they don’t offer a path to higher status via spending. Both Marriott cards also offer a free night award after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year, but those free nights are limited to awards that cost 50,000 points or less. Terms apply.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.
• 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.
Welcome offer
Earn 70,000 Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 4/15/2026. Terms Apply.
Earn 130,000 Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 4/15/2026. Terms Apply.
Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.
Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $8,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card in the first six months of Card Membership. Offer ends 4/15/2026. Terms Apply.
As for premium cards, the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card grants complimentary top-tier Diamond status and more than offsets its $550 annual fee with over $800 in credit toward various travel purchases annually. Cardholders receive an annual free night award each year upon account renewal, and can earn additional free night awards after spending $30,000 and $60,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year.
In comparison, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card grants complimentary Platinum Elite status, which is not Marriott’s highest tier, but offers benefits roughly similar to Hilton Diamond. Cardholders receive an annual free night upon account renewal valid on awards costing up to 85,000 points, and can select a second free night as an Annual Choice Awards earned by spending $60,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year. The Brilliant card comes with $25 monthly dining credits, Priority Pass lounge access, and a credit to cover application costs for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. However, the card also carries a higher $650 annual fee. Terms apply.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.
• 3 Marriott Bonvoy® points per $1 at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels.
• 2 points per $1 on grocery stores, rideshare, select food delivery, select streaming and internet, cable and phone services.
• 1 point per $1 on all other eligible purchases.
• 6 Marriott Bonvoy® 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 Marriott Bonvoy® 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 Marriott Bonvoy® 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.
New cardholder offer
Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases within 3 months of account opening with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card.
Earn 3 Free Night Awards after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within 3 months of account opening, and an additional 1 Free Night Award after spending $4,000 total on eligible purchases within 4 months of account opening with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card. Redeem your Free Night Awards for a one-night stay at properties with a redemption level up to 50,000 points per night, a total value of 200,000 points. Certain hotels have resort fees.
Earn 85,000 Bonus Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from your account opening.
Earn 200,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 5/13/2026. Terms Apply.
Family travel: Hilton wins with family-friendly policies
Three considerations take precedence when booking hotel rooms for family travel: having adequate space for a larger group, keeping meal costs down, and getting access to daily necessities like laundry and kitchen facilities. Both Marriott and Hilton feature brands that offer larger rooms, complimentary breakfast and other essential amenities, but Hilton takes the lead with two family-friendly policies.
First, at properties that don’t already serve complimentary breakfast, Hilton offers a daily food and beverage credit to Hilton Honors members with Gold status or above — and you can receive automatic Gold status as a Hilton Honors Surpass cardholder. The daily credit ranges from $15-$25 depending on the brand and doubles when you have two or more guests registered to the same room. Even better, you can put it toward eligible room charges any time of day, so it won’t go to waste if your family isn’t big on breakfast.
Second, Hilton allows guests to confirm available connecting or adjoining rooms during the booking process, enabling families to stay closer together and to take advantage of additional shared space even when suites or larger rooms aren’t available. Marriott also allows guests to request connecting or adjoining rooms, but those requests are subject to available room inventory at check-in and are not guaranteed in advance.
Business travel: A matter of personal preference
Both Hilton and Marriott offer benefits and amenities tailored to business travelers; which one serves you best depends largely on where, when and how often you travel for work. Road warriors who spend 50 nights or more in hotels annually can qualify for the upper tiers of Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy elite status. The two programs offer many overlapping benefits, but the unique ones listed below may help business travelers set them apart.
Marriott Bonvoy
Annual choice benefit (Platinum and above): Select from perks like suite night awards, free night awards and the ability to gift status to another member.
Your24 (Ambassador): Set your own stay schedule by choosing your check-in time and checking out 24 hours later.
Hilton Honors
Milestone bonus (Gold and above): Earn 10,000 bonus points for each 10 qualifying nights after reaching 40 qualifying nights annually.
Daily food and beverage credit (Gold and above).
Guaranteed 4 p.m. checkout (Diamond Reserve).
Confirmable upgrade rewards (Diamond Reserve): Confirm an upgraded room at booking for stays of up to seven nights.
To view rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Card, see this page.
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.
To view rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, see this page.
To view rates and fees of The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, see this page.
To view rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, see this page.
The information related to Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.
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