If you travel a lot, you often stay in hotels and know the advantages and disadvantages of large chains, motels or small boutique hotels. One advantage of the corporations is their bonus programs; frequent sleepers are rewarded with points and benefits. Alongside ALL Accor Live Limitless , Radisson , Wyndham and Best Western Rewards, Hilton and Marriott are leaders with their programs. Both have strengths such as the broad portfolio of different brands and the increasingly dense network. Both Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy have their own advantages and disadvantages.
Status Levels Comparison: Hilton Honors vs Marriott Bonvoy
One of the big differences between the two programs is the status levels. While Hilton only has Silver, Gold & Diamond, Marriott offers five official levels. Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Platinum are roughly comparable, although Hilton has the edge here. Firstly, you can reach this level after just 20 stays or 40 nights per year – with Marriott it has to be 50 nights. Theoretically, you could get both status cards with 70 nights, but you would have to consistently only sleep at Hilton and Marriott and at least stay at Hilton for a maximum of 1 night, as you can get status faster with the stays here.
Another advantage of Hilton is the credit card . Anyone who has a VISA from Hilton Honors gets Gold status without any activities. This “shortcut” is also available to American Express Platinum holders , and as a benefit you can get Gold level with both Honors and Bonvoy. In comparison, Hilton is once again ahead here, because they already give you breakfast ( or credit in the USA ) and lounge access if you are upgraded to Executive.
Not all frequent flyers stay in hotels 70 times a year, so you should carefully consider where you book and collect points. First and foremost, your status and the points you collect should really bring you useful benefits. If you stay a lot of nights, you could focus on Marriott and maintain your status with Hilton using your credit card.
Hilton or Marriott Hotel | Neither?
Even if you have to sleep away from home a lot, you don’t necessarily have to stay in a hotel run by one of the two major providers. There are alternatives from other chains, no-name hotels, guest houses, motels or private accommodation. Here you’ll be more likely to be surprised if you’ve never seen the accommodation before, but it’s easier to find lower prices.
The programs are also cost factors that have to be paid for. In some cases, the added value is minimal, and some bonus systems are complex and opaque. If you have found a suitable program and also use promotions, for example, you can definitely get more out of it.
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Is Hilton number one?
There is a lot to suggest that Hilton is the favorite. Gold status is relatively easy to obtain and it brings noticeable advantages. In recent years, the network in Germany has been expanded significantly, and the number of affordable labels in particular has increased significantly. Hilton Honors is running a permanent promotion, and you can currently get up to 2,500 points on top for every stay.
At Marriott, the path to Platinum status is a little longer; in Germany, there is no other option than a credit card or the possibility of achieving status with a minimum spend or stays. There are also promotions; there is currently a very exciting campaign running: Marriott Bonvoy counts the nights you stay twice until April and adds 1,000 points to it – for each night. However, the promotions at Bonvoy also tend to take a break for a few weeks or months.
Hilton Honors or Marriott Bonvoy: Which is your favorite hotel program? | Frankfurtflyer Comment
I currently have a high status with both chains, but this is unlikely to be permanent. If I had to choose, I would probably go with Hilton. With the pandemic came the goodwill offers, after my Hilton Diamond was extended, I focused on Marriott and, thanks to the lower requirements, also got a status there.
This has made me very dependent and I specifically look for brands from both companies. There are actually some really nice hotels from other providers. I have an account with all the other chains, but I have no or very low status there. If a nice hotel can be booked on the Frankfurtflyer Hotels portal , this is a good way to make a reservation there. You get a lot of benefits through special rates – even without status. You still collect points.