I have both, status with both, and IHG is better. While some Hiltons are still nice, they have fallen far, especially since Covid. I know each is unique, managed differently, etc. But I do travel internationally and domestically nonstop (I literally live in hotels) and see a lot. In fact, just last night it took me 1.5 hours to cancel a Hilton reservation via Twitter DM. It was a negotiated rate for 45 days. I made it with the GM when I left the hotel. However, she never conformed it in writing (I have the reservation, but not the negotiated rate). I finally gave up on her. I'd booked a back up--at an IHG. But because it was set in the system by the GM, it was not anything I could adjust online. The process was so irritating, it made me want to cancel all my upcoming Hilton reservations.

Now, the above is an outlier and anecdotal, but I am also working through some longer term IHG stays in the UK this summer. I get replies within an hour or two via email (which I prefer) from IHG. They are just easier to work with all around.

FOOTPRINTS: I am unsure. But they seem close enough that if I had to pick that would not be my factor. Over the past few years, I have found myself leaving a Hilton hotel for an IHG more than once. This even happened in Cairo at the most dirty and disgusting place. I was welcomed to the IHG property and instantly upgraded to a one-bedroom suite. (Did I mention I get way more upgrades at IHG than Hilton--which usually tries to upsell me in the app, if it offers any at all?).

POINTS/VALUE: IHG points go further, even though Hilton points are, arguably, easier to accumulate.

CREDIT CARDS/STATUS: My IHG card is $99 a year (Chase). It's a good card with a free night, TSA/GE credit, some travel protections. Pays for itself. Comes with Platinum. Most of my views here were as a Platinum (not sure you can get Plat via card for $49 now? Think that was the old Club card.). I earned Diamond through stays, and now I like it even more, to be honest.

My Hilton card is Amex (Surpass), and was $95 (what I paid this year). It goes to $150 next year, and I will cancel prior to that, as it holds little value. It used to have Priority Pass lounges, which helped when no Admirals Clubs were available (or international OWE lounges, but that was rare), but that went away as they raised the price. No free nights unless we spend $15K (but during Covid I charged both surgery and part of a car, they extended the free night, and I did enjoy a free stay by adding 95K and one paid for a long NYE weekend at the Waldorf in Chicago. Free nights are not capped if you do earn them if a standard room is available.) The Amex Hilton mid-level card comes with Gold, which is meh. I will downgrade to the Silver card.

BOTTOM LINE: My primary hotel choice is Hyatt (Globalist) when I can use it, but of course more limited footprint. However, my number 2 is IHG. Behind that is Marriott actually (And this year, I'll earn higher Marriott status this year, too.) I must say Marriott has been better to me at lowly Chase-card Gold than Hilton, which says a lot). #4 is Hilton.

ELITE BENEFITS: Keep in mind that IHG hotels are more generous with things like late check outs, as well. Hilton is the only chain that doesn't even attempt to offer it. Little nitpicks like that matter when you have a late or delayed flight. Hilton always makes me feel like I am begging or negotiating a deal.

OVERALL: Some Hiltons are fine, even great, of course. As a generalization from a person who is in a hotel 365 nights a year, this is obviously my view, but it is informed (and others will differ and be correct, depending on where they stay), Hilton is nickel and dime-ing more and more, and it shows. Frankly, after 1.5 hours on chat to cancel a reservation, I am just really cranky in general. Oh, and now, today after that debacle, the hotel called because they heard there was an issue... That, that is the core of it. Think of it the way you would airline IRROPS. Do you want a legacy carrier, despite their issues, or do you want Frontier?

I absolutely would not make Hilton my number one unless I were traveling to specific places where I was sure the hotels were excellent. IHG is not some majestic superior chain but if you want to be treated better, don't go to Hilton as a primary. As with anything, YMMV.