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Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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Battle of the hotels: Why I think Marriott is the best
Summer Hull has been covering (and using) travel tips, rewards credit cards and loyalty programs for over a decade. She has flown close to a million miles, often on points and miles and with her family in tow.
February 16, 2020 • 8 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Quick summary
The article compares major U.S. hotel loyalty programs, with a focus on why Marriott stands out for the author.
Marriott offers a wide range of properties globally, from luxury resorts to family-friendly destinations, making it easy to find suitable accommodations.
Top-tier elite status with Marriott is relatively accessible and comes with valuable perks like lounge access, suite upgrades and complimentary breakfast at select locations.
Marriott's extensive footprint, with over 7,000 properties in 131 countries, increases the likelihood of finding a hotel where you want to travel.
What to consider
Some offers and promotions mentioned in the article may no longer be available.
Marriott Platinum Elite status requires 50 nights per year, but certain credit cards and promotions can help accelerate qualification.
Suite upgrades and free breakfast benefits may vary by property and are not guaranteed at all locations.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of how Marriott's loyalty program stacks up against other major hotel chains, including insights on elite status, property variety and redemption opportunities.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Editor’s note: It’s no surprise that TPG writers and editors are loyal when it comes to travel. So we decided to do a battle that covers the top four U.S. hotel groups. Check out the episode of the Talking Points podcast to hear us defend our picks. And click on the links below to read which hotels we chose and why.
TPG's Summer Hull explains why she’s sticking with Marriott — which comes out on top as the best hotel program for her and her family.
At TPG, we like to pit different travel programs and products against each other to see which ones are the best. This time around, we're comparing hotel chains and loyalty programs. I drew the task of explaining why Marriott Bonvoy is my top pick.
That wasn't entirely random. I've had Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status for the last few years, and even though I've had plenty of technical issues with the program since its merger with SPG, I'll still have Marriott Bonvoy Platinum status at least through 2020. I'm sort of a Bonvoy gal, even though it's been a love-hate relationship at times.
Here's why I like Marriott and why it might be the best hotel program for you.
This means that the free-night awards you get each year from cards, such as Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card (worth up to 35,000 points) and Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card (worth up to 50,000 points), are awards you'll actually look forward to using.
Top-tier elite status is easy to earn
When it comes to loyalty programs, life is better at the top. Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status is actually easy to earn and it comes with some fantastic perks. Whereas Hyatt's great Globalist status requires 60 nights per year, Marriott Platinum status only requires 50 nights per calendar year. On top of that, having a Marriott credit card gets you 15 elite qualifying nights, which means you only need 35 additional nights to earn Platinum status. Stack that with award stays (which count toward status) and targeted promotions for double elite-status nights, and your 50 nights add up quickly.
With a Marriott credit card, earning Platinum status requires less than three award or paid Marriott nights per month -- fewer if you get a promotion for bonus elite nights on your account.
With Marriott Platinum comes lounge access, five annual Suite Night Awards, a higher points-earning rate, a shot at space-available suite upgrades and a stay bonus, which usually is bonus points or ... free breakfast.
At my favorite Marriott brand, The St. Regis, free breakfast is a Platinum check-in amenity option and can sometimes be redeemed as room service. At The St. Regis New York, we enjoyed a truly indulgent room service breakfast thanks to Platinum status.
We indulged in breakfast served in our room at The St. Regis New York. (Summer Hull / The Points Guy.)
Marriott is everywhere
Marriott's worldwide reach is impressive. It has 30 brands, more than 7,000 properties and a presence in 131 countries. With its extensive number of locations around the globe, if you want to use or earn Marriott points and Elite status, you probably can. Although Hyatt is gaining ground, its footprint is still just a fraction of Marriott's, so it's harder to earn or use Hyatt points. As of September 2019, Hyatt lists less than 1,000 properties, making a Marriott hotel about 7x easier to find.
Upgrades -- OK, maybe
I'm stretching a little bit here, but technically speaking, you can book Marriott suites with points, get upgraded to a suite for free with Platinum status or use a Platinum Suite Night Award to confirm a suite. I've certainly been upgraded to a suite at a Marriott thanks to my status.
Upgrade at The St. Regis Bal Harbour. (Photo by Nick Ellis/The Points Guy.)
There's no question that Marriott Suite Night Awards aren't the same as Hyatt Globalist confirmed suite-upgrade certificates, but remember that Hyatt has fewer properties. Marriott has more properties and potentially more opportunity to use an upgrade certificate. Suites are great when they are available.
Many of my most enjoyable hotel stays in the last few years have been at Marriott properties. But the best isn't all in the past. Several of my most anticipated stays are also at Marriott properties. Combine the ability to book a luxury stay with points, Marriott's many hotels around the globe, and the relative ease of earning top-tier status with even a moderate amount of travel, and Marriott Bonvoy comes out on top as the best hotel program for my family.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
