Rewards: Marriott vs Hilton?

[Captain Cactus]

I am starting a new job that has me traveling a good amount.  I’ll be doing about 50 overnights per year, possibly up to 70 per year.  Question:  what’s the best hotel loyalty program?  Marriott or Hilton?  Why?

[Cromacster]

Points wise, I don't find Hilton the best, but I usually stay at Hilton properties when traveling for work.

For a points card I use a SPG, which I find to be one of the better rewards cards.  I convert most of my credit card points to Delta miles (20,000 CC points gives me 25,000 Delta miles)  SPG was recently purchashed by Marriot.  I'm not too familiar with Marriot rewards but it seems like it should be similar to the SPG.

[trollwithamustache]

ditto SPG for having a reputation for being the best.

I do Hilton because they are close to the places for work, and on the rewards side they have a couple hotels super close for family visiting, which makes Hilton the most useful for us. Note on the rewards side, it seems like Hilton and Marriot skew older, SPG and Hyatt younger in terms of clientel staying at the fancy resorts if that matters

[BrightFIRE]

I'd recommend checking out Flyertalk.com. Despite the name, it's really a frequent traveler forum and they have subforums about each of the different hotel loyalty programs. You'll get a much more informed answer over there, including this specific question. https://tinyurl.com/ybe8t3dt

Before you worry about who has the better program, though, I'd look to see who has hotels where you will be working. If there are no Hilton brand hotels, your decision is already made. BTW, Marriott and SPG are merging their loyalty programs this week (literally today), but I believe SPG will get to keep its name, so look for both Marriott and Starwood properties at your destinations.

[jlcnuke]

I'd recommend checking out Flyertalk.com. Despite the name, it's really a frequent traveler forum and they have subforums about each of the different hotel loyalty programs. You'll get a much more informed answer over there, including this specific question. https://tinyurl.com/ybe8t3dt

Before you worry about who has the better program, though, I'd look to see who has hotels where you will be working. If there are no Hilton brand hotels, your decision is already made. BTW, Marriott and SPG are merging their loyalty programs this week (literally today), but I believe SPG will get to keep its name, so look for both Marriott and Starwood properties at your destinations.

The second half of this post is the best information so far imo. I use IHG because 99% of my travel has an IHG, but the other brands only cover ~60% of where I end up for work.

[Smevans]

I travel every other week for work. I stick with Hilton for the reason that I can find one anywhere I travel. Other hotels are not always in the location I am heading to.

[Captain Cactus]

Thanks everyone for the input!

[TomTX]

My two primary loyalty programs are Hilton and IHG. Marriott/Starwood is 3rd.

IHG has periodic "Accelerate" promotions that are often easy to rack up lots of points. Hilton has more variable promotions - but they tend to have more overlapping ones. I've had times where I was earning 2k "base" points for a room, with 10k "bonus" points on top.