I'm looking at points required per night at the Marriott program vs. the new Hilton program in 2010 an frankly Marriott is looking good when you think you will have to spend 25,000 points for a level 3 Hilton hotel and Marriott only cost 15,000 (without any point savers).

The only question I have is about point accumulation. It seems that Hilton is offering a good promotion if you get the Amex surpass card, 40,000 points for New members and then 2500 points for the next 8 stays if they occur in 18 months. You wind up with 60,000 points plus they have a stay 4 promotion going on where you can accumulate another 25,000 up to 75,000 for 12 stays.

Marriotts program may be better in turns of less points required per night but if I charge every thing to say an amex surpass card, that would allow me to get 9 points per dollar spent which makes me think that the Hilton program might be better for accumulating points faster.

Any thoughts?