Like you I’m in the U.K. I was in a similar position to you 10 years ago, I had some experience of Hilton and of Marriott. I found prices were similar and Marriotts properties to be in better condition than Hilton’s. Marriotts points accumulated at a Lower rate than Hilton’s but redeemed at lower rates. Overall the earn and burn on points seemed similar. I went with Marriott and am now Lifetime Plat. If I’d chosen Hilton I’d be only halfway to lifetime Diamond, a status any American can get by holding Hiltons Premium credit card - and get 14 points per $ too! But we don’t get that here.

Today Hilton points are worth about half Marriotts, and that’s assuming you can get a regular room, otherwise Hilton redemption rates are crazy-mad. Luckily being in Europe does mean that it is easier to find standard room redemptions than in America. Here in the U.K. the accumulation rate is similar between the two, Marriott PP is 17.5 per $ plus 6 points per Ł using the British SPG AMEX. That is 30 points per Ł. Hilton is 20 per $ but their anaemic U.K. credit card only pays 3 per Ł, so ends up at 30 per Ł as well. Hilton’s promos aren’t any better than Marriotts now. Both get room upgrades, both get free breakfasts at full service, both get lounge access. The only advantage Hilton has is the 10,000 bonus points on staying 40, 50, 60 and 70 paid nights. Even so, Hilton just can’t catch up with Marriott earn and burn rates here in the UK.

One advantage Hilton had was slightly more properties than Marriott but with the SPG purchase Marriott now numbers 100 hotels here and has recently signed up a significant owner of U.K. properties which are being rebranded to Delta adding another 20. By the end if this year Marriott will number 120 U.K. properties meaning it’s ferry easy to find a place to stay and accumulate those nights.

Here in the UK, the advantage very much lies with Marriott.

I think it depends on what your goals are and where you stay.

If you stay in predominantly mid-tier brands I’d say the Hilton experience offers more with properties like HGI, Hampton Inn, and DoubleTree having more consistent value than 4 Points, Courtyard, etc.

If you stay predominantly in full service brands I’d say that Marriott is a better way to go, Marriott Marquis, Sheraton, and Westin hotels I find to be a cut above.

I concur with others that Hilton points are incoherent and hard to understand. I also concur with everyone that Hyatt has the best hotels and hotel program, hands down. Sadly, their network is quite limited and it doesn’t fit into my usual staying needs. I keep a minimal status with them, just to maintain a relationship with them, but it will unlikely ever suit my service needs exclusively.

I’m also London based and use Hilton a lot in the US and Asia. Currently have Diamond status and always get a room upgrade in Asia - normally to a suite. In the US it tends to just be a nicer room in the same price band. The complimentary breakfast and Exec lounge access that status brings are useful - lounges tend to be more substantial in Asia than the US. I’ve also used point to reduce room rates a couple of times - this option seems to be available even when full points redemption rooms aren’t available. It’s quite a good option in the run up to Christmas when New York room rates go way above the corporate allowance.