I'm HH Diamond and PC Platinum, but there's not much difference between HH Gold and Diamond - just that I get 50% bonus points with Diamond and you would only get 25% bonus points with Gold. PC Platinum gives you 50% bonus points, but you have to stay 50 or more nights or earn 60,000 points to get to PC Platinum. You reach HH Gold with 16 stays, 36 nights or 60,000 base points. 60K points with PC properties are easier to get than 60K base points with Hilton. Obviously 36 nights with HH is easier to get than 50 nights for PC Platinum. I realize you're getting to this status level more quickly by getting the hotel's credit card so excuse that tangent.

With HH Gold you get complimentary breakfast and internet. There is no such guarantee with PC Platinum and Marriott which is the main reason I don't like Marriotts as much as Hiltons. I do like the Holiday Inn Express properties where you get an edible breakfast and free high speed internet.

If you stay at full service hotels, Hiltons are better if only for the fact that you can be upgraded to stay on the Executive Level with access to Executive Lounge which is like the Concierge Suite at Marriotts. Full service Holiday Inns can be old and outdated. You might get a nice upgrade, but don't expect to get anything else.

I like Hilton best, but this is very much a matter of personal taste. That's why the free cook-to-order breakfasts at most Hilton's win me over more than any other hotel chain.