There are various travel rewards credit cards with annual fees ranging from zero to several hundred dollars. Credit cards with annual fees tend to have better earning rates, additional travel perks and annual benefits.
While many points and miles enthusiasts prefer the perks that come with premium cards, no-annual-fee cobranded cards can still be a decent option for casual travelers.
If a no-annual-fee hotel credit card is on your radar, consider the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card (see rates and fees) and the Hilton Honors American Express Card (see rates and fees). Both cards get you entry-level elite status and have comparable bonus categories to help you earn points with every purchase.
Let’s compare the Marriott Bonvoy Bold and Hilton Honors Amex to help you decide which entry-level card best suits your needs.
Marriott Bonvoy Bold vs. Hilton Honors Amex comparison
| Card | Marriott Bonvoy Bold | Hilton Honors Amex |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome offer | Earn 60,000 bonus points and a free night award worth up to 50,000 points after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Certain hotels have resort fees. | Earn 100,000 bonus points plus a $100 statement credit after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. |
| Annual fee | $0 | $0 |
| Earning rates |
|
|
| Per-point value (based on TPG’s June 2025 valuations) | 0.7 | 0.5 |
| Benefits |
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*Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
**Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Services Company, Inc.
Marriott Bonvoy Bold vs. Hilton Honors Amex welcome offer
The no-annual-fee Marriott and Hilton cards both have compelling bonus offers.
New Marriott Bonvoy Bold cardholders will earn 60,000 bonus points and a free night award worth up to 50,000 points after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Certain hotels have resort fees.
The Bold’s welcome bonus is worth up to $770, per TPG’s June 2025 valuations.
This is one of the best offers we’ve seen on this card, so if you’re in the market for a no-annual-fee Bonvoy card, we recommend applying now.
TPG credit cards writer Chris Nelson recently redeemed 47,000 Bonvoy points per night for a three-night stay at the JW Marriott Hotel Beijing.
Hilton Honors redemptions are quite similar to Marriott Bonvoy’s, since award nights are also dynamically priced.
The Hilton Honors program also provides a fifth free night on award stays as an elite member, so it’s best to research different dates for your property of interest to get the best value for your hard-earned points. Unlike Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors has a nifty tool, Points Explorer, to help you find award prices based on location or types of vacations you’re interested in.
TPG credit cards writer Augusta Stone recently redeemed 130,000 Hilton Honors points for a two-night stay at Canopy by Hilton London City. This is a great redemption as the property is within walking distance of the Tower Bridge.
As a rule of thumb, make sure to calculate how many points you’ll need for a stay to help determine if redeeming points is worth it versus paying cash. I’ve amassed nearly 800,000 Bonvoy points and am contemplating redeeming them for a stay in the usually expensive Maldives or transferring my points to an airline to redeem for premium-cabin airfare.
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Winner: Marriott Bonvoy Bold. Marriott has more properties in total, so it should be easier to find redemptions for your points.
Should I get the Marriott Bonvoy Bold or Hilton Honors Amex?
The Marriott Bonvoy Bold and Hilton Honors Amex are entry-level cobranded hotel cards that offer decent value for being no-annual-fee credit cards. If you’re not after top-tier elite status and are looking for just the basics or are just starting out with a hotel credit card, you can’t go wrong with either option. The choice comes down to which brand you prefer and whether either card’s limited perks will be of use to you.
: How to choose a hotel credit card
Bottom line
The Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card and Hilton Honors American Express Card are entry-level, no-annual-fee cards that deliver basic benefits and some travel protections. Even though these cards provide a pathway to a higher elite status, they aren’t anything spectacular.
Frequent travelers could find it worthwhile to apply for a cobranded card with a higher annual fee to access many more benefits.
As a frequent traveler, I do not have a cobranded hotel card. However, I do have The Platinum Card® from American Express, which provides me with Gold elite status with both Marriott and Hilton and makes the card worth it (enrollment required). This could be a card worth considering if you want elite status with both brands and premium travel perks.
That said, if you’re just starting out, these cards are a good choice to start your loyalty journey with either program.
To learn more, read our full reviews of the Marriott Bonvoy Bold and the Hilton Honors Amex.
Apply here: Marriott Bonvoy Bold
Apply here: Hilton Honors Amex
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Amex, please click here.