If you’re lucky enough to travel regularly, there’s a good chance that you’ve stayed in a hotel that’s either part of the Marriott family of brands, the HIlton family, or both.
These companies represent two of the biggest hotel chains in the world, so it’s no surprise that they’re loyalty programs, Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors have hundreds of millions of members.
In this head-to-head, we’re comparing these two compelling hotel loyalty programs to see which group of members is getting the best deals and to see if one stands apart from the other.
The Contenders
Marriott Bonvoy, with almost 230 million members, is the loyalty program for Marriott Hotels, boasting 9,500+ properties in 143 countries across 30+ brands.
Hilton Honors, maintaining a membership of over 235 million, is the loyalty program for Hilton and its 9,000+ properties in 141 countries across 25 brands.
To see how these two travel industry behemoths stand up next to each other, we’ll compare the following key categories:
Marriott and Hilton are both massive companies that encompass a number of brands. These range from casual properties to high-end properties as well as places that specialize in long-terms stays.
Additionally, both companies have one or two unique brands to entice travellers who are looking for something a bit different.
High-end properties
Both Marriott and Hilton offer visitors the opportunity to stay at some stunning high-end properties in varied locations, from world-class cities to tropical paradises.
Marriott
Perhaps Marriott’s most famous high-end properties include those that fall under the Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis brands, though the company boasts even more luxurious brands, such as JW Marriott, The Luxury Collection, and Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts.
High-end brands within Hilton’s portfolio include the famous Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels, LXR Hotels & Resorts, and more.
Among the companies many exceptional properties, a couple high-end standouts include the Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah and the Rome Cavalieri Waldorf Astoria, overlooking the historic city from its highest hill.
Standard properties
Marriott
As part of it’s collection of 30+ brands, Marriott offers a wide selection of properties that range from a simple overnight to a nice weekend away to long-term stays.
Hilton has partnered with the Small Luxury Hotels brand to bring visitors to one-of-a-kind properties around the world.
For example, visitors to Europe can choose to stay in refurbished castles and estates, or at the Castilla Termal Monasterio de Valbuena in Valladolid, Spain, shown below.
Earning Points
Both Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors offer a few different ways to earn points, so let’s dig in to these options to see how they compare.
Earn on hotel stays
Marriott Bonvoy
With Marriott Bonvoy, you can earn up to 10 Bonvoy points per $1 US that you spend on eligible charges. The majority of the brands under the Marriott umbrella earn points at this rate, with the list comprised of what are known as “full-service properties” such as Marriott Hotels, AC Hotels by Marriott, Delta Hotels by Marriott, Westin, Four Points, The Ritz-Carlton, and many, many more.
Additionally, a number of popular, more price-conscious brands (or “limited-service properties) like Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, and Four Points Express earn the lower rate of 5 points per $1 US spent. Also, stays with theStudioRes brand earn 4 points per $1 spent and stays in Marriott Executive Apartments earn 2.5 points per $1 US spent.
You will also earn more points if you hold Marriott Bonvoy elite status, with each status tier offering a more elevated rate than the last.
Marriott Bonvoy members can watch for special offers and promotions that give them bonus points on their stays.
On the other side of this comparison, hotels that fall within the Hilton Honors program offer similar earning opportunity, with general members earning 10 Hilton Honors points per $1 US spent on most stays.
Similarly to Marriott, Hilton’s earning rates are set lower for a couple of limited-service brands. In these cases, members earn 5 points per $1 spent at Tru by Hilton and Home2Suites.
Hilton Honors elite members also enjoy an elevated earning rate that increases as they move up the status tiers, and all Hilton Honors members can watch for special offers and promotions on the program’s website.
Earn with credit card spending
Probably the best way to earn hotel loyalty points is by spending on a co-branded credit card.
In Canada, Marriott Bonvoy offers two co-branded American Express credit cards:
These cards let you earn Bonvoy points on all your purchases at the following rates:
5 points per $1 spent at Marriott hotels
3 points per $1 spent on travel, dining, and gas
2 points per $1 spent on everything else
Unfortunately for Canadians, Hilton doesn’t currently offer a co-branded credit card; however, if you are active in the US credit card landscape, you can earn up to 14 points per $1 US spent on eligible hotel stays on Hilton credit cards.
Our valuationⓘMilesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$700Total$700Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreⓘApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
The Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card is the best credit card in Canada for free hotel nights.
New Cardmembers can earn up to 70,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points with the current offer:
Earn up to 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership.
Plus, earn 10,000 points after you spend $500 on your Card in your 13th month of Cardmembership.
The annual fee is $120, and there is no annual fee on Additional Cards, so you can add a partner or a family member at no extra cost.
Every year after your first Card anniversary, you receive an Annual Free Night Award good for a redemption of up to 35,000 points at eligible hotels and resorts worldwide. At a valuation of 0.9 cents per Marriott Bonvoy point, that certificate is worth roughly $315, which on its own more than covers the $120 annual fee. That is the main reason to keep this Card year after year instead of cancelling it.
To get the most out of the certificate, aim it at a night that would otherwise price close to the 35,000 point ceiling.
The Card also gives you 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year and automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. Those credits count toward the next Elite tier, so you begin every year 15 nights ahead of where you would otherwise start.
You move up to Gold Elite status automatically when you reach $30,000 in purchases on the Card in a year, or when you combine 10 qualifying paid nights within one calendar year with the 15 Elite Night Credits from your Card.
Marriott Bonvoy points are generally valued at 0.9 cents each. On that basis, the 70,000 point welcome offer is worth about $630, and an Annual Free Night Award used at its full 35,000 point ceiling is worth about $315.
Marriott Bonvoy points pull their weight on free nights rather than on gift cards or merchandise, which is why this Card should be judged on the hotel stays it produces.
You earn 5 points per dollar on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed for free nights with no blackout dates at more than 7,000 hotels around the world.
The Card carries a solid package of coverages: $500,000 travel accident insurance, flight delay, baggage delay, lost or stolen baggage and hotel or motel burglary at $500 each, car rental theft and damage up to $85,000 for rentals of up to 48 days, Purchase Protection for 90 days and a one year Extended Warranty.
Two things to plan around: the 2.5% foreign transaction fee on purchases made in a foreign currency, and the 21.99% purchase interest rate, which makes this a Card to pay in full every month. Like all American Express Canada Cards, no minimum income is published for this Card, and you can see whether you would be approved before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.
Legal
American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, we may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.
Annual fee
Primary card$120
Additional card$0
Annual income required
Individual$0
Household$0
Conversion fees
2.5%
Earning rate
5xMarriott Bonvoy hotels
2xAll spending
Value
1st Year Value$1,210
2nd Year Value$312
Travel insurance
Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $500
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000
Purchase protection
Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days
Our valuationⓘMilesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$800Total$800Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreⓘApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
The Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express®* Card is the best credit card for the self-employed, professionals and small business owners who travel.
With this welcome offer, you can earn up to 80,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points:
Earn 70,000 points after you spend $5,000 on your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership.
Plus, earn 10,000 points when you spend $1,000 on your Card in your 13th month of Cardmembership.
It’s a card we recommend you keep, because each year at renewal, you’ll get an Annual Free Night Award for up to 35,000 points, plus 15 Elite nights per year, counting towards your Marriott Bonvoy Elite status.
With this Card, you earn 5 points per dollar for all your spending at Marriott Bonvoy establishments, and you can earn 3 points per dollar for :
Gas
Dining
Travel
And 2 points per dollar on all other purchases.
Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.
Legal
American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, we may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.
Annual fee
Primary card$150
Additional card$50
Annual income required
Individual$0
Household$0
Conversion fees
2.5%
Earning rate
5xMarriott Bonvoy hotels
3xTravel
3xGas & EV
3xRestaurants
2xAll spending
Value
1st Year Value$1,406
2nd Year Value$347
Travel insurance
Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $500
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000
Purchase protection
Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days
Credit card welcome bonuses
Another great way to build up your hotel loyalty account is with credit card welcome bonuses.
Again, since Hilton doesn’t offer a Canadian credit card, there’s limited opportunity to earn here (though the US Hilton-branded cards frequently offer substantial welcome bonuses).
The American Express Marriott Bonvoy cards also enjoy regular welcome bonuses, with offers usually ranging from 50,000 to 80,000+ points if you meet the spending requirement within the set time frame.
With this earning option, you get 10,000 Marriott Bonvoy points for each friend you successfully refer, up to a maximum annual bonus of 150,000 points. Plus, this bonus rate is occasionally elevated, making it even more valuable.
Redeeming Points
Both programs use dynamic pricing for their award nights so there’s no fixed prices and the cost can go up during peak travel seasons or when a special event is in town.
To give you an idea of the redemption ranges, with Marriott Bonvoy, you can find redemptions for as few as 5,000-12,000 points a night…
…and for up to 140,000+ Marriott Bonvoy points a night for the most luxurious and unique properties (like the St. Regis Maldives over-water rooms).
Comparatively, with Hilton Honors, we’ve seen low-end price for redemptions at around 7,000 points a night, but more realistically, you’ll find redemptions starting around 20,000+ points…
…with the high-end properties ranging all the way to 100,000+ Hilton Honors points per night for a standard room, plus a few exceptional properties commanding well beyond that.
However, with both programs using dynamic pricing, these award nights can range drastically depending on availability, room type, and more.
In comparing redemptions across both program, it’s also important to note that the value of Marriott Bonvoy points and Hilton Honors points is not the same.
We value Marriott Bonvoy points at 0.9 cents each and Hilton Honors points at 0.7 cents each.
To approach this as more of an apples to apples comparison, let’s look at two similar properties in the same destination on the same date to see how the redemptions stack up.
Marriott Bonvoy – Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong
For 67,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, you can spend a night at Le Méridien Seoul in the Myeongdong neighbourhood.
At 0.9 cents each, these 67,000 Marriott Bonvoy points are valued around $603, which is just below the ~$620 cash rate listed for this stay.
Hilton Honors – Hotel28 Myeongdong, an SLH Hotel
Alternatively, the Hilton offers a night at the SLH Hotel28 Myeongdong for 70,000 Hilton Honors points per night.
At 0.7 cents each, the 70,000 Hilton Honors points have a value of approximately $490, which is also just a bit lower than the stay’s cash rate of around $515.
Elite Status
In terms of benefits, elite status can certainly add to the comfort and luxury of a hotel stay, and for many, these perks are a big part of why they prefer one program to the other.
For both the Marriott Bonvoy program and the Hilton Honors program, elite status is earned based on the number of qualifying nights you stay at their properties.
Our valuationⓘMilesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$1,700Total$1,700Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreⓘApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
The Platinum Card® is the best premium card in Canada for travellers.
With this welcome offer, you can earn up to 100,000 Membership Rewards® points:
70,000 points after charging $10,000 to your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership
30,000 points when you make a purchase between the 15th and 17th month after your Cardmembership begins
With this Card, you get:
2 points per $1 on eligible dining and delivery purchases in Canada
2 points per dollar on eligible travel purchases charged to the Card
1 point per $1 on all other purchases charged to the Card
You can use your Membership Rewards® points in many ways:
Transfer points to airline partners: Aeroplan, Avios (British Airways / Qatar Airways), Flying Blue, Delta SkyMiles, etc.
Transfer points to hotel partners, including Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy
Redeem points for statement credits to offset any travel purchase charged to your Card (1,000 points = $10)
Redeem points for statement credits towards other purchases (1,000 points = $10)
And more!
For example, with this welcome offer, if you decide to transfer your Membership Rewards® points to a partner loyalty program, you could earn up to:
100,000 Aeroplan points
100,000 Avios
100,000 Flying Blue Miles
120,000 Marriott Bonvoy points
With this card, you also have advantages for your travels:
$200 Annual Travel Credit
An annual meal credit of $200
A $100 statement credit for NEXUS membership
Complimentary access for you and one additional guest to more than 1,550 airport lounges in over 140 countries
Hilton Honors Gold status
Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
Access to the Fine Hotels + Resorts program
Last but not least, The Platinum Card® offers a wide range of insurance coverage: rental car theft and damage, $500,000 travel accident, emergency medical expenses (out-of-province or out-of-country), lost or stolen baggage, flight delays and misdirected baggage, hotel or motel burglary, Purchase Protection, Purchase Security.
Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.
Legal
*Terms and conditions apply. American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of the information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, we may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.
Annual fee
Primary card$799
Additional card$250
Annual income required
Individual$0
Household$0
Conversion fees
2.5%
Earning rate
2xTravel
2xRestaurants
1xAll spending
Value
1st Year Value$1,482
2nd Year Value$470
Transfer partners
AeroplanAirline
British Airways ClubAirline
Cathay Asia MilesAirline
Etihad GuestAirline
Flying BlueAirline
Hilton HonorsHotel
Marriott BonvoyHotel
Card benefits
Concierge service24/7
Airport lounge access$400
Travel creditsIncluded
Travel insurance
Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Trip CancellationUp to $2,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $2,500
Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000
Lost BaggageUp to $1,000
Flight DelayUp to $1,000
Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000
Purchase protection
Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days
Our valuationⓘMilesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$2,040Total$2,040Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreⓘApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
Earn up to 120,000 points with this welcome offer for the American Express Business Platinum Card:
80,000 Membership Rewards points for $15,000 net purchases within the first 3 months of membership
40,000 additional points if you make a purchase between the 15th and 17th month after enrollment
You can use your Membership Rewards points in many ways:
Transfer your points to airline partners: Aeroplan Avios (British Airways, Qatar Airways, Finnair, Iberia), Flying Blue, Delta Skymiles, etc.
Transfer your points to hotel programs (Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy)
Redeem your points for statement credits to offset any eligible purchase charged to your Card (1,000 points = $10)
And more!
120,000 points have a minimum value of $1,200 for a Statement credit, and much more if you transfer your points to a partner.
For example, with this welcome offer, if you decide to transfer your Membership Rewards points to a partner loyalty program, you would have the choice of earning up to :
120,000 Aeroplan points
120,000 Avios
120,000 Flying Blue Miles
144,000 Marriott Bonvoy points
With this Card, you earn 1.25 Membership Rewards points per dollar on all purchases. What’s more, you’ll enjoy a host of travel and business benefits:
Complimentary access for you and one additional guest to over 1,400 airport lounges in over 130 countries
$200 Annual travel credit
$100 Card Statement Credit for Nexus
Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
Hilton Honors Gold Elite status
Access to the Fine Hotels and Resorts program
Up to $120 in eligible Wireless Credits each year
With this Card you can maximize your cash flow with up to 55 interest free days. It is a card that is particularly appreciated by contractors when making large purchases in home improvement stores, for example.
Last but not least, Business Platinum Card® from American Express offers a wide range of insurance coverage: rental car theft and damage, $500,000 travel accident, emergency medical expenses (out-of-province or out-of-country), lost or stolen baggage, flight delays and misdirected baggage, hotel or motel burglary, Purchase Protection, Purchase Security.
Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.
Legal
*Terms and conditions apply.
American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of the information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, we may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.
Annual fee
Primary card$799
Additional card$250
Annual income required
Individual$0
Household$0
Conversion fees
2.5%
Earning rate
1.25xAll spending
Value
1st Year Value$1,815
2nd Year Value$311
Transfer partners
AeroplanAirline
British Airways ClubAirline
Cathay Asia MilesAirline
Etihad GuestAirline
Marriott BonvoyHotel
Card benefits
Concierge service24/7
Airport lounge access$400
Travel insurance
Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $1,500
Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000
Lost BaggageUp to $1,000
Flight DelayUp to $1,000
Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000
Purchase protection
Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days
Our valuationⓘMilesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$700Total$700Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreⓘApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
The Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card is the best credit card in Canada for free hotel nights.
New Cardmembers can earn up to 70,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points with the current offer:
Earn up to 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership.
Plus, earn 10,000 points after you spend $500 on your Card in your 13th month of Cardmembership.
The annual fee is $120, and there is no annual fee on Additional Cards, so you can add a partner or a family member at no extra cost.
Every year after your first Card anniversary, you receive an Annual Free Night Award good for a redemption of up to 35,000 points at eligible hotels and resorts worldwide. At a valuation of 0.9 cents per Marriott Bonvoy point, that certificate is worth roughly $315, which on its own more than covers the $120 annual fee. That is the main reason to keep this Card year after year instead of cancelling it.
To get the most out of the certificate, aim it at a night that would otherwise price close to the 35,000 point ceiling.
The Card also gives you 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year and automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. Those credits count toward the next Elite tier, so you begin every year 15 nights ahead of where you would otherwise start.
You move up to Gold Elite status automatically when you reach $30,000 in purchases on the Card in a year, or when you combine 10 qualifying paid nights within one calendar year with the 15 Elite Night Credits from your Card.
Marriott Bonvoy points are generally valued at 0.9 cents each. On that basis, the 70,000 point welcome offer is worth about $630, and an Annual Free Night Award used at its full 35,000 point ceiling is worth about $315.
Marriott Bonvoy points pull their weight on free nights rather than on gift cards or merchandise, which is why this Card should be judged on the hotel stays it produces.
You earn 5 points per dollar on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed for free nights with no blackout dates at more than 7,000 hotels around the world.
The Card carries a solid package of coverages: $500,000 travel accident insurance, flight delay, baggage delay, lost or stolen baggage and hotel or motel burglary at $500 each, car rental theft and damage up to $85,000 for rentals of up to 48 days, Purchase Protection for 90 days and a one year Extended Warranty.
Two things to plan around: the 2.5% foreign transaction fee on purchases made in a foreign currency, and the 21.99% purchase interest rate, which makes this a Card to pay in full every month. Like all American Express Canada Cards, no minimum income is published for this Card, and you can see whether you would be approved before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.
Legal
American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, we may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.
Annual fee
Primary card$120
Additional card$0
Annual income required
Individual$0
Household$0
Conversion fees
2.5%
Earning rate
5xMarriott Bonvoy hotels
2xAll spending
Value
1st Year Value$1,210
2nd Year Value$312
Travel insurance
Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $500
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000
Purchase protection
Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days
Our valuationⓘMilesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$800Total$800Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreⓘApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
The Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express®* Card is the best credit card for the self-employed, professionals and small business owners who travel.
With this welcome offer, you can earn up to 80,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points:
Earn 70,000 points after you spend $5,000 on your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership.
Plus, earn 10,000 points when you spend $1,000 on your Card in your 13th month of Cardmembership.
It’s a card we recommend you keep, because each year at renewal, you’ll get an Annual Free Night Award for up to 35,000 points, plus 15 Elite nights per year, counting towards your Marriott Bonvoy Elite status.
With this Card, you earn 5 points per dollar for all your spending at Marriott Bonvoy establishments, and you can earn 3 points per dollar for :
Gas
Dining
Travel
And 2 points per dollar on all other purchases.
Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.
Legal
American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, we may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.
Annual fee
Primary card$150
Additional card$50
Annual income required
Individual$0
Household$0
Conversion fees
2.5%
Earning rate
5xMarriott Bonvoy hotels
3xTravel
3xGas & EV
3xRestaurants
2xAll spending
Value
1st Year Value$1,406
2nd Year Value$347
Travel insurance
Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $500
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000
Purchase protection
Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days
Free Night Certificates
Free night certificates are a key perk of the co-branded credit cards and of elite status, so let’s see what each program offers:
Marriott Bonvoy members can earn free night certificates through the two co-branded credit cards in Canada and through their elite status.
Additionally, if you become a Titanium elite member, you can choose a free night certificate worth 40,000 points as an Annual Choice Benefit.
You can also top up your free night certificates by 15,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, allowing you to redeem for more valuable properties.
Hilton Honors members are only able to earn free night certificates as part of credit card benefits, and since there are no Hilton Honors credit cards in Canada, this basically takes these valuable perks off the table for most Canadians.
That said, if you do dabble in US credit cards, Hilton free night certificates are an impressive perk if you can get one. This is because, unlike Marriott’s certificate, Hilton doesn’t impose a value limitations on theirs.
This means that you can redeem your Hilton free night certificate for any property as long as you can find standard room award availability.
Do take note, though, that Hilton free night certificates can only be redeemed by phone.
Bottom Line
Considering that Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors are both massive programs with lots of nuance, this comparison has really only scratched the surface, and determining the best program ultimately has a lot to do with your personal brand preferences and which credit cards you have access to.
For Canadians, the Marriott Bonvoy program is the most easily accessible of the two programs, which we think gives it an edge in this head-to-head.
Thanks to the two co-branded credit cards, it’s easy to earn Marriott Bonvoy points on all your purchases, stack your account balance with a welcome bonus, and enjoy an annual free night certificate.
That said, since the programs are free to join, you can easily be a member of each and then see which you prefer after you’ve visited a few properties — such as one of the many that we’ve reviewed below:
FAQs
Which credit card should you choose for travel?
If you travel regularly, the credit card you carry makes a real difference – travel insurance, points earning, airport lounge access and no foreign exchange fees. Use our credit card comparator to filter through 200+ Canadian cards based on your needs, or browse the best credit cards in Canada, ranked monthly by the Milesopedia team. To earn Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors points via MR transfers, the American Express Cobalt Card is an excellent choice with its 5x on dining and groceries.
Our valuationⓘMilesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$255Total$255Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
$255
Welcome offerⓘGet 1,250 points after $750 in purchases per month for 12 months
Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreⓘApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
The American Express Cobalt® Card is the best credit card from American Express, whether you want points for travel or cash back.
American Express Cobalt® Card welcome offer
The welcome bonus is paid out monthly over your first 12 months. You earn 1,250 Membership Rewards points for each monthly billing period in which you charge $750 in net purchases to your card, in any category (1X, 2X, 3X or 5X). That adds up to 15,000 Membership Rewards points over the year, a welcome offer we value at $255.
Earning the full bonus means $9,000 in net purchases spread across 12 monthly billing periods. This offer rewards steady monthly spending rather than one large purchase.
You can use these points as statement credits on everyday or travel purchases, at the same rate either way: 1,000 points = $10.
You can also transfer them to Aeroplan, Avios (British Airways and Qatar Airways), Flying Blue, Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors. With the full welcome bonus, that is a choice between:
Here is what the card gives you, starting with the benefits cardholders use most.
5X points on eligible eats and drinks in Canada: groceries, restaurants and bars, home food delivery and convenience stores. A spend cap applies.
3X points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada.
2X points on eligible gas, public transit and ride sharing purchases in Canada.
1 additional point on eligible hotel and car rental bookings made through American Express Travel Online.
1X point per dollar on everything else, with no category restrictions.
Points that hold the same value either way: 1,000 points = $10 as a statement credit, or a 1:1 transfer to several airline and hotel loyalty programs.
No minimum income requirement, as with every American Express Canada card.
Additional cards at no extra cost: the first and every other supplementary card is $0.
The Hotel Collection: a room upgrade when available, 12pm check-in and late check-out when available, and up to $100 USD in hotel credit on amenities charged to the room for a stay of two or more consecutive nights, booked through American Express Travel.
Front Of The Line® presale and reserved tickets for concerts and theatre performances, plus offers and events curated for cardmembers through Amex Experiences.
A soft credit check before you apply: you can see whether you will be approved with no impact to your credit score. This applies to American Express personal card applications.
The 5X rate is the reason most people carry this card. In Canada it covers four kinds of merchants:
Groceries: Metro, IGA, Sobeys, Super C, Safeway, Whole Foods.
Restaurants and bars: sit-down meals, takeout and drinks.
Home food delivery.
Convenience stores: Couche-Tard, 7-Eleven.
The 2X rate covers gas stations such as Esso, Shell and Petro-Canada, along with public transit and ride sharing.
With the American Express Cobalt® Card, you earn between 1 and 5 points per dollar:
Category
Points per dollar
Grocery (Metro, IGA, Sobeys, Super C, etc.)
5
Home food delivery
5
Restaurants and bars
5
Convenience stores
5
Streaming services
3
Service station
2
Transport
2
Travel
1
Other
1
That works out to a 1 to 5% return on those purchases. For example, if you spend $1,000 per month across groceries, restaurants and food delivery, you earn $50 back per month, or $600 per year from that category alone. Transfer the points to a program such as Aeroplan instead and the return can be higher.
The card comes with a broad insurance package. The amounts below are the coverage limits; conditions, age limits and exclusions are set out in the certificate of insurance linked in the Insurance section above.
Travel insurance
Emergency medical: up to $5,000,000 for the first 15 days of a trip.
Travel accident: accidental death and dismemberment of up to $250,000 for you, your spouse and dependent children under age 23 when travelling on a common carrier (plane, train, bus or ship) and the tickets are charged to your card. Supplementary cardholders and their families are covered too.
Flight delay: up to $500 for necessary hotel, meal and sundry expenses bought within 48 hours when you are delayed or denied boarding for four hours or more and no other transportation is available. This $500 is an aggregate limit per occurrence, shared with missed connection and delayed baggage coverage.
Delayed baggage: up to $500 for essential clothing and sundries bought within four days when your outbound luggage is delayed six hours or more. This $500 is an aggregate limit per occurrence, shared with missed connection and flight delay coverage.
Lost or stolen baggage: up to $500 per occurrence for all insured persons combined, for checked or carry-on baggage and personal effects in transit, when the airline tickets are charged to your card. Within that limit, jewellery is capped at $300 per occurrence and golf clubs, including golf bags, at $250 per occurrence.
Hotel and motel burglary: up to $500 against the loss of most personal items if your hotel or motel is burglarized, when the stay is charged to your card.
Rental car insurance
Theft and damage coverage is included for a rental car with an MSRP, for its model year, of up to $85,000 excluding all taxes, for rentals of up to 48 days. To use it, decline the Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) or any similar option from the rental company and charge the full rental to your card. There is no cost for this coverage, and it replaces the daily insurance the rental company charges, usually $16 to $23 per day.
Mobile device insurance
Your device is covered for up to $1,000 per occurrence when it is charged to the card, for up to two years from the date of purchase. The payout is based on the depreciated value of the device, which falls by 2% of the purchase price for every completed month, less a 10% deductible. Theft and accidental damage coverage starts on the 91st day after purchase, because the first 90 days are covered by purchase protection.
Purchase protection and extended warranty
Eligible items charged to your card are insured against accidental physical damage or theft for 90 days from the purchase date, up to $1,000 per occurrence for all items combined. The card also extends the original manufacturer’s warranty by up to one additional year on eligible items, with indemnification limited to $10,000 per insured item and $25,000 per Cardmember per policy year for all items combined.
American Express Cobalt® Card fees
Card fee: $15.99 per month, which equals $191.88 per year, for residents outside Quebec. Quebec residents are billed $191.88 per year.
Additional cards: $0.
Purchase interest rate: 21.99%.
Cash advance interest rate: 21.99%.
Foreign transaction fee: 2.5%.
Minimum income required: none.
Because the fee is billed monthly rather than in one annual charge, you can stop and restart the cost in step with how much you are actually using the card.
Legal
American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, we may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.
Annual fee
Primary card$191.88
Additional card$0
Annual income required
Individual$0
Household$0
Conversion fees
2.5%
Earning rate
5xRestaurants
5xGroceries
5xConvenience
3xStreaming
2xTransit
2xGas & EV
1xAll spending
Value
1st Year Value$1,828
2nd Year Value$799
Transfer partners
AeroplanAirline
British Airways ClubAirline
Cathay Asia MilesAirline
Etihad GuestAirline
Flying BlueAirline
Hilton HonorsHotel
Marriott BonvoyHotel
Travel insurance
Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $500
Travel AccidentUp to $250,000
Purchase protection
Purchase ProtectionUp to $1,000 / 90 days
Extended Warranty+1 years
Mobile DeviceUp to $1,000 / 2 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days
How do you join Marriott Bonvoy?
To become a member of Marriott Bonvoy, all you need to do is go to the Marriott Bonvoy website and click “Join Now.” From there, you’ll be prompted to provide a small amount of personal/contact information, and then you’re ready to immediately start earning points.
How do you join Hilton Honors?
To join the Hilton Honors program, simply go to the Hilton Honors website and click “Join.” On the next page, you’ll be asked to provide a small amount of personal information, after which you can enroll for free and start earning points on your hotel stays and more.
Do Marriott Bonvoy points expire?
Yes, Marriott Bonvoy points can expire if you don’t have any “qualifying activitiy” on your account for a 24-month period.
In order to keep your account and points active, you need to earn, redeem, or transfer points at least once every 24 months.
Do Hilton Honors points expire?
Hilton Honors points can expire if there is no activity on your account for 24 months. To keep your points from expiring, make sure to earn, redeem, or donate some points before you hit the 24-month inactivity limit.
Is there a Marriott Bonvoy credit card in Canada?
There are two Marriott Bonvoy credit cards in Canada:
Our valuationⓘMilesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$700Total$700Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreⓘApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
The Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card is the best credit card in Canada for free hotel nights.
New Cardmembers can earn up to 70,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points with the current offer:
Earn up to 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership.
Plus, earn 10,000 points after you spend $500 on your Card in your 13th month of Cardmembership.
The annual fee is $120, and there is no annual fee on Additional Cards, so you can add a partner or a family member at no extra cost.
Every year after your first Card anniversary, you receive an Annual Free Night Award good for a redemption of up to 35,000 points at eligible hotels and resorts worldwide. At a valuation of 0.9 cents per Marriott Bonvoy point, that certificate is worth roughly $315, which on its own more than covers the $120 annual fee. That is the main reason to keep this Card year after year instead of cancelling it.
To get the most out of the certificate, aim it at a night that would otherwise price close to the 35,000 point ceiling.
The Card also gives you 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year and automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. Those credits count toward the next Elite tier, so you begin every year 15 nights ahead of where you would otherwise start.
You move up to Gold Elite status automatically when you reach $30,000 in purchases on the Card in a year, or when you combine 10 qualifying paid nights within one calendar year with the 15 Elite Night Credits from your Card.
Marriott Bonvoy points are generally valued at 0.9 cents each. On that basis, the 70,000 point welcome offer is worth about $630, and an Annual Free Night Award used at its full 35,000 point ceiling is worth about $315.
Marriott Bonvoy points pull their weight on free nights rather than on gift cards or merchandise, which is why this Card should be judged on the hotel stays it produces.
You earn 5 points per dollar on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed for free nights with no blackout dates at more than 7,000 hotels around the world.
The Card carries a solid package of coverages: $500,000 travel accident insurance, flight delay, baggage delay, lost or stolen baggage and hotel or motel burglary at $500 each, car rental theft and damage up to $85,000 for rentals of up to 48 days, Purchase Protection for 90 days and a one year Extended Warranty.
Two things to plan around: the 2.5% foreign transaction fee on purchases made in a foreign currency, and the 21.99% purchase interest rate, which makes this a Card to pay in full every month. Like all American Express Canada Cards, no minimum income is published for this Card, and you can see whether you would be approved before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.
Legal
American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, we may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.
Annual fee
Primary card$120
Additional card$0
Annual income required
Individual$0
Household$0
Conversion fees
2.5%
Earning rate
5xMarriott Bonvoy hotels
2xAll spending
Value
1st Year Value$1,210
2nd Year Value$312
Travel insurance
Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $500
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000
Purchase protection
Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days
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