Marriott, Hilton or Radisson: choose around your trips

Start with the map

The best programme is the one you can use at your destinations and dates. List plausible stays and compare location, total price and cancellation at participating hotels. A theoretical benefit loses value when it requires an inconvenient property or a dearer rate. Focusing on one chain can help earning, but should not mean choosing it at any price.

Marriott: do not overstate Gold

Marriott Gold ordinarily requires 25 eligible nights and provides a 25% base-point bonus. Upgrades and checkout until 2pm depend on availability; breakfast, lounges and suites are not general Gold promises. On eligible standard awards for five consecutive nights under one confirmation, Stay for 5, Pay for 4 removes the lowest-points night. Premium supplements still apply on every night.

Hilton: distinguish status and award type

In 2026 Hilton Gold requires 25 nights, 15 stays or USD6,000 eligible spending; Diamond requires 50 nights, 25 stays or USD11,500. Breakfast and food-and-beverage credits depend on brand and country, so do not assume a full breakfast on every stay. Fifth-night-free from Silver upwards covers Standard Room Rewards entirely in points, not Premium Room Rewards or Points & Money.

Radisson: accessible tiers, choices to compare

Radisson Premium requires 5 nights or 3 eligible stays, and VIP 30 nights or 20 stays. The lower threshold may suit a few recurring visits, but Premium does not provide VIP benefits. Discount Booster offers up to 20% off while reducing earning to 9 points per US dollar for Premium and 12 for VIP. Compare the net price before choosing an immediate discount or more points.

Compare the same starting balance

Italian MR transfer at Hilton 1:1, Marriott 5:4 and Radisson 2:5. A 10,000-MR balance therefore becomes 10,000 Hilton, 8,000 Marriott or 25,000 Radisson points; the largest number does not automatically buy more nights. Find the stay first, then calculate cash avoided, remaining cash and points required. Hotel transfers are estimated at 3–20 business days, during which the quote can change.