Hilton vs Marriott Rewards: What’s the Best Hotel Loyalty Program

Traveling and discovering new places becomes even more rewarding with hotel membership in a loyalty program. The hospitality industry is growing fast, as evidenced by its growth to a nearly $4.7 trillion market size in 2023, with expectations to grow to $5.8 trillion by 2027. This data shows the increasing relevance of hotel points for travelers.

Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors stand out among these options, offering specific advantages for various travel preferences and styles. This guide will analyze both programs and provide insights to help you identify which one best matches your travel goals.

Hilton vs Marriott Rewards: What’s the Best Hotel Loyalty Program

Marriott Bonvoy is known for its wide range of options to rack up points, from co-branded credit cards to many booking possibilities. This flexibility is a hit among travelers who love having options. Perks like room bumps, sweeter spots, and complimentary morning meals make it a great choice.

Conversely, Hilton Honors grabs attention with its straightforward approach to gaining and using points. This simplicity is a big win for folks who prefer not to jump through hoops. The cherry on top? Their elite members also enjoy benefits such as better rooms and free breakfast, making each visit memorable.

Choosing the top hotel loyalty program boils down to what you value more: Marriott Bonvoy’s versatility or Hilton Honors’ simplicity. Let’s look deeper into the different aspects of Hilton Honors and Marriott points.

Transferable Partners

Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors have partnered with various loyalty programs, making it easier to bring your points over. However, Marriott takes the clear lead in this department.

Marriott Bonvoy rolls out the red carpet with partnerships that include:

• Amex Membership Rewards at a 1:1 ratio
• Chase Ultimate Rewards also at a 1:1 exchange
• Diners Club International Club Rewards slightly different, with a 1.25:1.5 ratio

On the Hilton Honors side, you have:

• Amex Membership Rewards offers a 1:2 ratio, which is pretty neat.
• Diners Club International Club Rewards at a 2:1.375 ratio

For those looking to level up their Marriott or Hilton hotel points, picking one of the top travel credit cards that earn Membership Rewards or Ultimate Rewards could be a smart choice. Thanks to its friendships with American Express and Chase, Marriott has a bit of an edge here.

This opens up more routes to earn Marriott Bonvoy points, offering a more comprehensive selection of credit cards to fit your points-earning strategy. Hilton Honors, missing out on the Chase partnership, has a more limited path for point-through credit card spending.

Earning Potential

Marriott Bonvoy offers a clear earning structure for hotel stays, with points collection rising significantly with elite status. Starting from 10 points per dollar for general members and going up to 17.5 points for Titanium and Ambassador Elite members, the program rewards loyal customers generously.

On the other hand, Hilton Honors is versatile in point-earning options, extending beyond hotel stays to include dining, travel, and partnership activities. With the potential to earn 8 points per dollar at participating restaurants (for VIP status members), bonus points for Lyft rides, and specific points for event spending, Hilton Honors caters to a wider range of activities.

For those focused primarily on hotel stays and who can achieve higher elite status, Marriott Bonvoy may offer better-earning potential due to the high number of points per dollar spent, especially at the higher elite status. The program’s structure benefits frequent travelers committed to the Marriott brand.

Conversely, Hilton Honors might appeal more to those who value flexibility and diversity in earning points. ItsIt’s partnerships and varied point-earning opportunities for different activities can potentially cater to a broader audience, including those who may not travel as frequently but still wish to earn points through everyday activities.

Finally, the better program depends on your travel patterns, spending habits, and loyalty program tier. If you prefer staying at hotels and getting elite status, Marriott Bonvoy could offer greater rewards. However, if you’re looking for a more all-around range of point-earning opportunities, Hilton Honors might suit your lifestyle more.

Co-Branded Credit Cards

The various co-branded credit cards further sweeten the deal, offering generous welcome bonuses that unlock multiple free nights for new cardholders.

Cards, such as the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card, enhance the deal with up to 6 points per dollar spent on Marriott purchases and additional points for spending in varied categories like dining and flights.

Hilton Honors has a similar approach, rewarding its members for every dollar spent within its network of hotels. The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card and the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card offer hefty welcome bonuses and rewarding spending on hotel stays and everyday purchases.

These cards dramatically increase earning potential, offering up to 14 points per dollar on Hilton purchases and catapulting members toward elite status, opening the door to even more earning opportunities.

Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors have crafted their loyalty programs to cater to a broad audience, from casual vacationers to road warriors. Marriott edges ahead with its diverse array of co-branded credit cards and a wide range of spending categories, appealing to those who value flexibility in earning points.

Hilton, however, counters with higher point rates on hotel stays and the attraction of significant status upgrades through card membership for those who prioritize quick, observable benefits.

Redemption Options

Both Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors offer plenty of choices when deciding how to use your hard-earned points.

Marriott Bonvoy lets you use points in several ways:

• Hotel Stays: These are the primary uses, but the value per point can vary widely.
• Car Rentals and Flights: Through the Air and Car portal, offering a unified booking experience. However, the conversion rates may not always represent the best value.
• Experiences: Offers unique opportunities, but these are often high in points cost.
• Online Shopping and Gift Cards: While convenient, these options typically offer a lower value for points than travel redemptions.
• Donating, Gifting, or Transferring Points: Adds flexibility but considers the transfer ratios and potential value loss.
• Points to Partners: Transfers to airline partners can be valuable but require research to ensure good deals.

Hilton Honors also provides some great redemption opportunities:

• Hotel Stays: Similar to Marriott, with fluctuating point values.
• Car Rentals: Partners with specific companies, which may limit options.
• Experiences and Lyft Rides: Add practical daily use cases, but again, watch the points-to-value ratio.
• Shopping on Amazon or Hilton Portal: Offers everyday utility but typically at a poor exchange rate.
• Donating, Gifting, or Transferring Points: Provides versatility in using or sharing points.

When you look at Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors, it’s really important to consider what those points are worth and what limits there might be. Over time, points can lose their value, which means what you can get with them today might not be as good tomorrow. Also, if you’re eyeing something special, like a fancy room upgrade or a luxury stay, you’ll need more points to make it happen.

Finding the perfect time to use your points can be tricky, too, because not everything is available when you want it, and sometimes the number of points you need can change. Plus, even after you’ve spent your points, you might still have to pay extra fees.

All this can make using points a bit disappointing, especially when you’ve been saving them up for a while. Needing many points for simple things, like a more excellent room, can feel like a letdown. And being limited to certain hotels or watching your points get less valuable over time can make using cash seem like a better choice.

Elite Status Benefits

Marriott Bonvoy offers a tiered elite status system. Starting from Silver and going up to Platinum and beyond, each level unlocks more benefits. Room upgrades and priority check-in start becoming standard as you move up, with complimentary breakfast becoming a staple at higher tiers.

To reach these levels, you need a certain number of nights stayed per year. For example, to hit Gold status, you’re looking at staying 25 nights a year, and the perks get better as you invest more nights.

Hilton Honors also has a tiered system, from Silver to Diamond, each offering increasing rewards. Room upgrades and breakfast come into play early in the Hilton system, with priority check-in as a given. The number of stays or nights to reach each level is quite clear-cut, making it easy for members to set their sights on their next tier. For Hilton, hitting Gold, which offers a significant jump in benefits like breakfast and better room options, requires 40 nights a year.

Both programs highlight room upgrades, complimentary breakfast, and priority check-in as key benefits of reaching higher tiers. The main difference lies in how you get there and the additional perks at each level.

Marriott Bonvoy’s tiers are structured to reward longer-term loyalty with a broader range of benefits at the higher levels. Hilton Honors makes some of its best perks accessible at lower tiers, making it appealing for travelers who might not spend as many nights but still want significant benefits.

Customer Experience

The customer experience, from the moment of booking to checking out, is a key aspect of any hotel loyalty program. Let’s examine what members say about Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors, focusing on customer service, website usability, and overall satisfaction.

Marriott Bonvoy has made a name for itself through its extensive portfolio of hotels and its commitment to customer satisfaction. The program offers various channels for customer support, including phone, email, and social media, ensuring Hilton Honors members have access to help whenever needed.

Members’ Feedback often highlights customer service representatives’ professionalism and responsiveness, especially for those with elite benefits like Hilton Diamond status or holding the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card.

The usability of the Marriott hotel chain website and mobile app is another strong point. It offers straightforward ways to redeem points, book stays and check on elite benefits, contributing to a positive user experience. However, some members have noted issues finding availability for free night certificates or specific redeeming points options. Thus, there is room for improvement in displaying options and flexibility.

Hilton Honors, in comparison, is praised for its customer-centric approach. The program prides itself on ensuring that Hilton Honors points are easy to earn and redeem, particularly when guests use credit card points for travel. The Hilton business card and Hilton credit cards, such as the Hilton Aspire Card and Hilton Surpass Card, offer extra support and benefits for the ultimate customer satisfaction.

Like Marriott, Hilton’s digital platforms receive recognition for their user-friendly design, aiding in everything from booking to exploring Hilton properties. Yet, Hilton Honors faces its hurdles, with some guests pointing out differences in elite benefits and occasional hiccups in customer service responsiveness.

On the other hand, Hilton’s personalized touch, seen in the care from Hilton Honors loyalty programs and benefits like executive lounge access and complimentary suite upgrades, make a great case for the Hilton portfolio.

Locations

Marriott Hotels International boasts an extensive portfolio organized into luxury, premium, select, and longer stay classifications, ensuring they cater to every type of traveler. The luxury segment includes renowned names like Bulgari, EDITION, JW Marriott, St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, The Ritz-Carlton, and W Hotels, known for their impeccable service and stunning experiences.

The premium category features Autograph Collection Hotels, Delta Hotels, Design Hotels, and others, offering a mix of comfort and style. Marriott’s select hotels, like AC Hotels, Courtyard by Marriott, and Moxy Hotels, provide quality accommodations without the luxury price tag for those seeking more practical options. And for longer stays, options like Residence Inn by Marriott and TownePlace Suites offer the conveniences of home.

Hilton’s portfolio spans over 6,500 properties across 119 countries, having 18 diverse brands. From the luxurious Conrad Hotels & Resorts and Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts to more affordable options like Hampton Inn by Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton caters to many travelers. Hilton Grand Vacations offers extended stay options with the comforts of a high-end residence.

Both Hilton and Marriott’s luxury offerings, such as the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island and The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, show the standard of hospitality. On the other hand, their more affordable brands guarantee that even travelers on a budget can enjoy the benefits of their loyalty programs. T

The diversity in their portfolios means Marriott and Hilton have something for everyone, from the business traveler needing a city-center hotel to the luxury seeker looking for a private getaway.

How to Sell Your Miles For Cash

Selling your hotel points for cash with Top Dollar Payouts is straightforward. Here’s a quick run-through:

1. Start by Filling Out a Form: Head to the Top Dollar Payouts website and complete a form with details like how many points you’re looking to sell, your name, email, which loyalty program the points are from, and your contact info. Remember, the smallest points you can sell change depending on the loyalty program.
2. Get a Quick Quote: You won’t wait long once you submit the form. In about 15 minutes, you’ll get an email giving you a first look at how much cash you could get for your points and a link to what you need to do next.
3. Talk It Over: Someone from Top Dollar Payouts will contact you to review your initial quote. This chat is about ensuring you get a fair deal for your points. You will receive reminder emails to keep things moving.
4. Share Your Account Info Safely: They’ll ask you to send your account details through a secure link. This is so they can check your account properly and make sure everything’s good to go.
5. They Check Everything Out: The Top Dollar Payouts team will closely examine your account info to catch any issues or fraud. This helps keep the deal safe and fair.
6. Get Your Money: If all checks out, they’ll move on to getting you your money. If you’re using PayPal, you might see your cash in as soon as a day, though sometimes PayPal might hold it for a bit.
7. Or Choose Bank Wire: If PayPal isn’t for you, they can send your money through a bank wire transfer instead. They’ll confirm a flight booking first before sending the money.

Conclusion

Selecting the best hotel loyalty program requires careful consideration of various factors, including earning potential, redemption options, elite status benefits, and customer experience. Both the Marriott Bonvoy program and Hilton Honors offer amazing benefits and cater to different travel preferences.

Thus, you should choose the program that fits your needs and priorities well to maximize travel rewards and improve your hotel stays. However, just understand that these hotel loyalty points might not be worth much in real life, and cash will always be a better option.

Sell your hotel points for cash today with Top Dollar Payouts.

FAQs

Are Hilton points worth more than Marriott points?

When comparing the value of Hilton points to Marriott points, it’s generally seen that Marriott points hold a bit more value. This is due to how each program calculates point worth and redemption options. While the difference isn’t massive, Marriott points offer slightly more bang for your buck regarding booking stays and other perks.

Is Hilton or Marriott bigger?

Marriott International is larger than Hilton, boasting over 7,000 properties worldwide. This expansive network covers many brands and accommodations, making Marriott a powerhouse in the hospitality industry. Hilton, while a major player with a significant global presence, doesn’t quite match Marriott’s sheer size and reach.

Does Marriott Bonvoy include Hilton?

Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors are separate entities, each with its loyalty program and network of hotels. They operate independently, offering their members distinct benefits, rewards, and experiences. Marriott and Hilton brands cater to a wide range of tastes and budgets but are managed by their respective companies without any crossover in loyalty programs.

Is Hilton now part of Marriott?

Hilton remains an independent company and is not part of Marriott International. Both are leading names in the hospitality industry, each managing a diverse portfolio of brands. Hilton continues to expand its presence with various accommodations to suit different traveler needs, separate from Marriott’s offerings.

Who owns Hilton Hotels?

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. oversees the Hilton brand, among others. This American multinational company has a rich history. It was founded by Conrad Hilton in 1919. Today, under the leadership of Christopher J. Nassetta, Hilton continues to grow, managing a vast portfolio of hotels, resorts, and timeshare properties across the globe.

Get a free obligation quote for your points with Top Dollar Payouts today.