If you’re trying to decide between Hilton and Marriott loyalty programs, you probably want to know how Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy compare. With two of the largest hotel chains in the world, their programs have a lot of similarities – but also some key differences.
In short, Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy have similar elite tiers and ways to earn points, but differ in their reward redemption options and partnerships. Read on for an in-depth comparison of these two popular hotel rewards programs.
Earning Points and Miles
Points earned per dollar spent
Both Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy offer their members the opportunity to earn points for every dollar spent on eligible stays at their respective hotels. However, the number of points earned per dollar spent can vary between the two loyalty programs.
Hilton Honors members typically earn 10 base points per dollar spent, while Marriott Bonvoy members earn anywhere from 5 to 10 base points per dollar spent, depending on the brand and membership level.
Bonus point promotions
Both Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy regularly run bonus point promotions, allowing their members to earn even more points for their stays. These promotions can range from double or triple points for each stay to targeted offers based on member’s travel patterns.
Hilton Honors often offers its members the opportunity to earn additional points through promotions like “Points Unlimited,” where members can earn 2,000 bonus points per stay, starting from their second stay.
Marriott Bonvoy, on the other hand, offers promotions like “Endless Earning,” which allows members to earn up to 3,000 bonus points per stay, starting from their third stay.
Ability to earn airline miles
While both Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy primarily focus on earning hotel points, they also have partnerships with various airlines that allow members to earn airline miles. Hilton Honors has partnerships with multiple airlines, including Delta, United, and British Airways, giving members the flexibility to choose the airline loyalty program that best suits their needs.
Marriott Bonvoy, on the other hand, has a similar airline partner portfolio, including partnerships with airlines like American Airlines, Delta, and Emirates.
It’s worth noting that the ability to earn airline miles may vary based on the specific hotel brand and the airline partner. Some hotel brands within the Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy portfolios may offer more opportunities to earn airline miles, while others may have limited options.
It’s always a good idea to check the specific terms and conditions of each loyalty program and hotel brand for the most up-to-date information on earning airline miles.
Elite Tier Benefits
Number of tiers
When it comes to elite tier benefits, both Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy offer multiple tiers that reward loyal customers with exclusive perks. Hilton Honors has four tiers – Silver, Gold, Diamond, and Diamond Select.
Marriott Bonvoy, on the other hand, has six tiers – Silver Elite, Gold Elite, Platinum Elite, Titanium Elite, Ambassador Elite, and the invitation-only Bonvoy Ambassador Elite.
Having more tiers allows Marriott Bonvoy to provide a more tailored experience for their members, with each tier offering increasingly luxurious benefits. However, Hilton Honors’ four-tier system ensures that even their entry-level members receive valuable benefits.
Benefits like upgrades and late checkout
Both Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy offer benefits like room upgrades and late checkout to their elite members. The specific benefits may vary depending on the tier, but generally, higher-tier members enjoy more substantial perks.
Hilton Honors provides complimentary upgrades to higher room categories for their Gold, Diamond, and Diamond Select members, subject to availability. They also offer late checkout, allowing members to extend their stay by a few hours.
Marriott Bonvoy offers room upgrades to higher room categories for their Platinum Elite, Titanium Elite, and Ambassador Elite members, again, subject to availability. Additionally, they provide late checkout for these elite members, allowing them to enjoy a more flexible departure time.
Requirements for reaching tiers
Both Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy have specific requirements for reaching elite tiers. These requirements typically include the number of nights stayed or the number of points earned within a calendar year.
Hilton Honors’ requirements for each tier are as follows:
- Silver: 4 stays or 10 nights
- Gold: 20 stays, 40 nights, or 75,000 base points
- Diamond: 30 stays, 60 nights, or 120,000 base points
- Diamond Select: Invitation-only
Marriott Bonvoy’s requirements for each tier are as follows:
- Silver Elite: 10 nights
- Gold Elite: 25 nights
- Platinum Elite: 50 nights
- Titanium Elite: 75 nights
- Ambassador Elite: 100 nights and $20,000 qualifying spend
- Bonvoy Ambassador Elite: Invitation-only and 100 nights plus $20,000 qualifying spend
It’s important to note that these requirements are subject to change, so it’s always a good idea to check the official Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy websites for the most up-to-date information.
Redeeming Points
Both Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy offer various ways to redeem points earned through their loyalty programs. Here is a detailed comparison of the redemption options available:
Free night awards
Both Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy allow members to redeem their points for free nights at their respective hotels. Hilton Honors offers a wide range of redemption options, with over 6,000 hotels worldwide to choose from.
Marriott Bonvoy, on the other hand, boasts an impressive portfolio of over 7,000 hotels globally. Whether you prefer a luxurious resort or a budget-friendly accommodation, both programs have options to suit every traveler’s needs.
Airline mile transfers
If you’re a frequent flyer, you’ll be pleased to know that both Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy allow you to transfer your points to various airline partners. This means that you can convert your hotel loyalty points into airline miles, giving you more flexibility when it comes to booking flights.
Hilton Honors partners with over 40 airlines, including major carriers like Delta Air Lines and British Airways. Marriott Bonvoy, on the other hand, has over 40 airline partners as well, including United Airlines and Emirates.
So, whether you’re planning a domestic trip or an international adventure, both programs offer great options for maximizing your points.
Merchandise and gift cards
In addition to hotel stays and airline transfers, Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy also allow members to redeem their points for merchandise and gift cards. Hilton Honors offers a wide range of options, including electronics, home goods, and even Hilton-branded merchandise.
Marriott Bonvoy, on the other hand, provides members with a variety of gift card options, including popular retailers like Amazon and Starbucks. So, whether you’re looking to treat yourself or someone special, both programs have options to help you make the most of your points.
Partnerships and Perks
When it comes to partnerships and perks, both Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy offer a range of benefits to their members. Let’s take a closer look at what each program has to offer:
Co-branded credit cards
Both Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy have partnered with major credit card companies to offer co-branded credit cards that allow members to earn points for their stays. These credit cards often come with sign-up bonuses, accelerated earning rates, and various other perks like complimentary elite status, free nights, or airport lounge access.
For example, Hilton Honors has partnered with American Express to offer credit cards such as the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card and the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card. These cards offer benefits like automatic Hilton Honors Gold or Diamond status, free weekend nights, and statement credits for eligible purchases.
On the other hand, Marriott Bonvoy has partnered with Chase and American Express to offer credit cards like the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card.
These cards provide benefits such as annual free night awards, automatic elite status, and bonus points for Marriott stays.
Other travel partners like airlines and rental cars
Both Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy have extensive partnerships with airlines and rental car companies, allowing members to earn points for their travel expenses. These partnerships enable members to maximize their rewards and enjoy additional benefits when booking flights or renting cars.
For example, Hilton Honors has partnerships with major airlines like Delta, Emirates, and British Airways, allowing members to earn Hilton Honors points for their flights. They also have partnerships with rental car companies like National, Enterprise, and Alamo, offering exclusive discounts and bonus points.
Similarly, Marriott Bonvoy has partnerships with airlines like United, American Airlines, and Air Canada, enabling members to earn Marriott Bonvoy points for their flights. They also have partnerships with rental car companies such as Hertz, Avis, and Budget, providing benefits like discounted rates and bonus points.
Exclusive experiences and deals
Both Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy offer their members exclusive experiences and deals that go beyond traditional hotel stays. These programs provide access to unique events, concerts, sporting events, and even culinary experiences.
For instance, Hilton Honors members can use their points to bid on once-in-a-lifetime experiences like backstage passes to concerts, meet-and-greets with celebrities, or exclusive dining experiences. Marriott Bonvoy members can also enjoy similar experiences through their Moments program, which offers exclusive access to events like the Super Bowl or the Cannes Film Festival.
Furthermore, both programs offer regular promotions and deals that allow members to earn bonus points or enjoy discounted rates on hotel stays. These offers can be a great way to maximize the value of your membership and make your travel experiences even more rewarding.
Conclusion
In summary, while Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy share some similarities in how you can earn and redeem points, there are some key differences in elite tiers, airline partners, and redemption options. Consider your individual travel preferences to decide which program is a better fit.
No matter which you choose, being loyal to one hotel chain can pay off with valuable rewards and perks.
