So I think they are both roughly the same now. You can redeem points sometimes at ridiculously cheap rates (weekend in a business area) and sometimes really high (beach during summer), but they are so much easier than airline miles. You can also often do a combination of points & $, for both now, and that can be the best deal (it also tells you how much points are worth in dollars). We have both credit cards and they generally are good investments since the annual fee ($95 I think for each) gives you a free night, not at the top high end but at a mid-level hotel. You also get status, gold I think, with both and are treated slightly better. But if your goal is to stay at a Ritz on the beach with free champagne, then pick one and spend a lot.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I like starwood. we have their credit card too.

Starwood have been taken over by Marriott.

Their point systems are still different although you can convert points between Starwood and Marriott. As pp stated, spg point value is better. You can stay at a nice hotel for 20,000-35,000 points. DH used to be Hilton platinum bc his work always put him in a Hilton. While we got upgraded, we rarely stayed for free using points. We stay free using spg pts all the time. You can stay at an aloft or four points for 7000 points, Westins for 10k, W 20k, st Regis 35k.

Anonymous wrote:I find it takes a ton of points to redeem at nice Hilton properties - for example, we love the Boca Beach Club and it requires 80,000 points/night. With SPG, the St Regis Bal Harbour is 35,000 points. If you use the Hilton credit card exclusively, I suppose you can accumulate points faster, but I prefer SPG. I also really like Hyatt. They have some nice properties - Park Hyatts, the Hyatt in Aruba, the Chesapeake Bay Hyatt nearby. Easy to accumulate points and if you don't have enough their points and cash option is very fair - more so than Hilton.

This may be true, but the way you earn points for each program is different. Staying at Hilton earns 10 points for every dollar spent. SPG is 2 points for every dollar spent. Credit card earning might be different, but that's one reason why you need "more" points at Hilton than SPG.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is it more difficult with a family? Are you getting two rooms? Or do they charge points by the person?

I am thinking that it is easier to get hotel rooms during the week but not on the weekends.

Or the places the OP goes with his family are more expensive and thus cost more points.

DH used to get free "coupons" for free nights stays at level 4 or lower for Marriott and we never used them because we never found a level4 or under hotel where we were going. Then our DC went to Purdue and we were able to use them on the way out (near the Ohio/IN border). However since we used them, they have not sent us anymore. He used to get 2-4 a year, now nada.

OP here. These are my concerns. Traveling by myself is great. However, I always have issues trying to obtain rooms when I travel with my family. Hilton's reward program varies depending on the city we travel to as well. It looks like I will continue using Hilton's Rewards for my own travels. It came in handy recently when my flight from Houston to BWI had to land in Norfolk. However, when I travel with my family I will probably stay at a Marriott property because they seem to have more properties in the cities we travel to and more room choices.

I find it takes a ton of points to redeem at nice Hilton properties - for example, we love the Boca Beach Club and it requires 80,000 points/night. With SPG, the St Regis Bal Harbour is 35,000 points. If you use the Hilton credit card exclusively, I suppose you can accumulate points faster, but I prefer SPG. I also really like Hyatt. They have some nice properties - Park Hyatts, the Hyatt in Aruba, the Chesapeake Bay Hyatt nearby. Easy to accumulate points and if you don't have enough their points and cash option is very fair - more so than Hilton.

Anonymous wrote:I have had highest status with both. Marriott have more properties around the world, but hilton's program is a little better.

OP here. This is true. I travel internationally quite often and Marriott has more properties. I also find that Marriott's international properties are better maintain than Hilton. I stayed at a few Hilton properties in London and they were all dumps compared to the Marriott properties in London. However, Marriott's international properties cost more.

My husband is Marriott Platinum and it helps our family of 5 out tremendously. Between Marriott and the Chase Reserve Sapphire card our ability to stay in airport clubs in any airport or book multiple rooms in level 6 JW's or a Ritz has been wonderful for us. We are always upgraded to concierge level and get discounts on boutique hotels inside of the Marriott when they have them.

I can't compare to Hilton as we have been Marriott people since we married.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is it more difficult with a family? Are you getting two rooms? Or do they charge points by the person?

I am thinking that it is easier to get hotel rooms during the week but not on the weekends.

Or the places the OP goes with his family are more expensive and thus cost more points.

DH used to get free "coupons" for free nights stays at level 4 or lower for Marriott and we never used them because we never found a level4 or under hotel where we were going. Then our DC went to Purdue and we were able to use them on the way out (near the Ohio/IN border). However since we used them, they have not sent us anymore. He used to get 2-4 a year, now nada.

Anonymous wrote:Why is it more difficult with a family? Are you getting two rooms? Or do they charge points by the person?

I am thinking that it is easier to get hotel rooms during the week but not on the weekends.

I have had highest status with both. Marriott have more properties around the world, but hilton's program is a little better.

Anonymous wrote:I like starwood. we have their credit card too.

Starwood have been taken over by Marriott.

I like starwood. we have their credit card too.

We do both and I don't see much if a difference. However, Hilton does allow you to use different numbers of points based on the room you want at the same property whereas Marriott only had as a flat point per hotel based on its category. So for example at Hilton I could use 50,000 points to get a king room and 70,000 points to get a king deluxe room. Marriott usually only has one type of room available. Hilton also does cash plus points which is nice if you don't have quite enough points for a free stay.

What type of room are you trying to get with Hilton? I don't find either of them very generous if you're trying to get suites or larger rooms.

Why is it more difficult with a family? Are you getting two rooms? Or do they charge points by the person?

Who has the best rewards program Hilton or Marriott? If you travel with a family of 4, then which one of these companies provide the best chance of you obtaining free hotel stays. I'm currently a Hilton member. Hilton is great when I travel by myself. I usually have no issues with having enough points for free hotel stays. However, when I travel with my family it seems like the availability of obtaining a room with free hotel stays are limited. Does Marriott have a better program?