Hilton vs. Marriott: Which Hotel Chain Suits You Best?

Both Marriott and Hilton are internationally well-known hotel chains with extensive property networks. They offer diverse accommodation options, rewarding loyalty programmes, and co-branded credit cards to enhance your travel experience.

The best choice for you depends on your travel preferences—whether it's your frequent destinations, reasons for travel, or how often you're on the move. In this comparison, we’ll examine Hilton and Marriott’s global footprints, loyalty programmes, and credit card partnerships to help you determine which brand aligns best with your needs.

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Both brands have an extensive network of hotels across major cities, tourist hotspots, and business hubs worldwide. However, Marriott leads in terms of total properties and geographic reach, while Hilton remains a strong competitor with a significant presence in key destinations.

Winner for hotel availability: Marriott

Marriott

Marriott stands as the world’s largest hotel chain, boasting nearly 10,000 properties across 139 countries and territories. With over 30 brands—ranging from ultra-luxurious stays like The Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis to budget-friendly options like Moxy Hotels—Marriott caters to every type of traveller, whether you're seeking premium comfort, business-friendly amenities, or affordable accommodations.

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Hilton

As one of the world's leading hotel chains, Hilton boasts an extensive global presence with over 7,000 properties. While it has a slightly smaller footprint than Marriott, Hilton offers a diverse portfolio of 20 brands, ranging from the upscale Waldorf Astoria to the budget-friendly Hampton by Hilton, catering to travellers of all preferences and budgets.

Best for earning and redeeming points: Hilton

Marriott Bonvoy

While both Hilton and Marriott offer extensive loyalty programmes, neither stands out as exceptional for point redemptions. However, Marriott Bonvoy has faced increasing challenges due to its evolving rewards structure, making Hilton’s programme the more appealing choice for many travellers.

In 2022, Marriott replaced its traditional award chart with a dynamic pricing model, meaning the number of points required for a free stay now fluctuates based on demand. This change removes any fixed point value, potentially making redemptions more expensive during peak travel seasons.

Despite these shifts, it’s possible to earn Marriott Bonvoy points in various ways. Travellers can accumulate points through hotel stays, credit card spending, dining, and more. Additionally, points can be transferred from programmes like American Express Membership Rewards at a 1:1 ratio.

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Hilton Honors

Similar to Marriott, Hilton has moved away from a fixed award chart. However, unlike Marriott, Hilton still provides a base pricing structure for standard room rewards, with rates starting as low as 5,000 points per night. This allows members to maximise their points for high-value redemptions.

That said, if a standard room reward isn’t available, travellers may need to book a premium room reward instead. Since these rates have no upper limit, they can sometimes require millions of points per night.

Hilton Honors points can be earned through co-branded credit card spending, hotel stays, dining, and other eligible activities. While various cards cannot be transferred to Hilton, American Express Membership Rewards points can be converted at a 1:2 ratio.

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Top pick for best hotel credit card: Hilton

Hilton credit cards

Hilton stands out among hotel loyalty programmes when it comes to credit card offerings—not just compared to Marriott, but across the industry.

A major factor in Hilton’s advantage is the exceptional perks provided by the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card. Additionally, many of Hilton’s co-branded credit cards come with generous welcome bonuses, making it easier for cardholders to earn substantial rewards right from the start.

Marriott credit cards

While Marriott's dynamic pricing model for award nights can make it harder to pin down exact redemption values, their credit cards still provide valuable perks

Top pick for family-friendly stays: Hilton

Hilton

Planning a family trip involves many considerations, and one of the biggest factors is complimentary meals. Hilton offers free breakfast across five of its brands, making mornings more convenient for families:

• Embassy Suites by Hilton

• Hampton by Hilton

• Home2 Suites by Hilton

• Homewood Suites by Hilton

• Tru by Hilton

For those staying at other Hilton properties, breakfast benefits are still accessible—especially for elite members. Guests with Hilton Gold status or higher can enjoy either a complimentary breakfast or a daily food and beverage credit, depending on the hotel.

If you hold the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, you also gain exclusive access to Hilton’s executive lounges, which provide all-day refreshments, including breakfast.

Another major perk for families is complimentary suite upgrades available to Hilton Diamond members. While upgrades aren’t guaranteed, they offer a chance for extra space—perfect for family stays. Additionally, Hilton features many all-suite hotels across its portfolio, ensuring more room for comfort.

Marriott

Marriott provides complimentary breakfast at six of its hotel brands:

• Residence Inn

• TownePlace Suites

• SpringHill Suites

• Fairfield by Marriott

• Element

• City Express

However, beyond these select properties, free breakfast is only available to Platinum elite members and above.

While Marriott offers a wider selection of brands overall, Hilton takes the lead for family travel, thanks to its more extensive breakfast offerings and better suite upgrade potential.

» Read more on 5 ways to save money at top hotels

Top Choice for Business Stays: Hilton

Hilton

While Marriott has a larger global presence, Hilton offers easier access to elite status, making it a strong choice for business travellers.

For professionals on the go, perks like early check-in, late checkout, premium Wi-Fi, executive lounge access, suite upgrades, and complimentary breakfast can significantly enhance the travel experience. These benefits help ensure a smooth and comfortable stay—especially for those with tight schedules.

Hilton makes it simple to unlock these perks. With the right credit card—such as The Platinum Card® from American Express—travellers can enjoy elite status benefits immediately without needing to meet stay requirements. Terms apply.

Marriott

Despite Marriott’s larger property count, both hotel brands have a strong global presence, meaning business travellers will likely find options from either chain in most destinations. However, Hilton’s mid-tier elite status offers more valuable perks compared to Marriott’s, giving it an edge for business stays.

For most travellers, Hilton stands out as the better option for hotel stays. While Marriott boasts a wider selection of properties, its loyalty program, dynamic award pricing, and fewer elite perks make it less appealing than Hilton and its Honors programme.

Click to view the rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Card.

For details on rates and fees for the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, visit this page.

For information regarding rates and fees for The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, click this page.

To check the rates and fees for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, refer to this page.

Making the most of your rewards 

Choosing the right travel credit card depends on your priorities. Here are some top travel credit cards for 2025, each catering to different needs:

• Max flexibility and big bonus: UOB PRVI Miles Visa Card

• Cashback on travel bookings: Standard Chartered Simply Cash Credit Card

• Luxury travel perks: Citi Prestige Card

• Bonus rewards and no annual fee: HSBC Advance Credit Card

• Bonus rewards and high-end perks: Standard Chartered Journey Credit Card

• Business travellers: Citi PremierMiles Card