Marriott vs. Hyatt: Which 5 Free Night Credit Card Offer Is Better?
Chase is currently offering up to 5 free nights on two of its most popular hotel credit cards:
the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card and the World of Hyatt Credit Card.
At first glance, both offers look incredibly generous. But which one actually delivers more real-world value?
The answer depends on how you travel, where you stay, and what you value most—points flexibility or elite perks.
Let’s break it down.
The Current Chase Offers (Quick Overview)
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
- Bonus: 5 Free Night Awards
- Cap: Up to 50,000 points per night (with top-ups allowed)
- Total Potential Value: Up to 250,000 Marriott points
- Annual Fee: $95
World of Hyatt Credit Card
- Bonus: 5 Free Night Awards (earned via spending tiers)
- Cap: Category 1–4 properties
- Total Potential Value: Up to ~75,000–90,000 Hyatt points
- Annual Fee: $95
Points Value: Hyatt Wins on Paper
One of the most cited differences between these programs is points value:
- Hyatt points: ~1.7–1.8¢ per point
- Marriott points: ~0.7–0.8¢ per point
On a pure cents-per-point basis, Hyatt clearly comes out ahead. A Category 4 Hyatt hotel can often cost $300–$450 per night, which makes five free nights extremely valuable when redeemed well.
However, raw point value isn’t the whole story.
Marriott Advantages: Scale, Flexibility, and Options
Marriott Bonvoy’s biggest strength is sheer size and flexibility.
1. Massive Global Footprint
Marriott has 8,000+ properties worldwide, far more than Hyatt. This makes it:
- Easier to use free nights in smaller cities
- Better for international and off-the-beaten-path travel
- Less restrictive when planning last-minute trips
2. Higher Upside with Top-Ups
Each free night is capped at 50,000 points, but Marriott allows you to add up to 15,000 points per night. This opens the door to:
- Peak season redemptions
- Better aspirational stays
3. Easier to Use for Casual Travelers
If you don’t want to hunt for perfect redemptions, Marriott’s flexibility makes it easier to extract value without frustration.
Best for:
Travelers who want maximum choice, international coverage, and easier redemptions.
Hyatt Advantages: Stronger Perks and Elite Experience
Hyatt may be smaller, but it punches well above its weight—especially when it comes to benefits and loyalty value.
1. Superior Elite Benefits
Hyatt’s elite program is widely considered one of the best:
- Free breakfast for elites
- Better upgrade success
- More consistent elite recognition
Top-tier Globalist members receive perks that Marriott elites often struggle to get consistently.
2. Higher Redemption Quality
Even at lower categories, Hyatt properties often feel:
- More upscale
- Better maintained
- More consistent in service
You’re more likely to get a high-quality stay at a mid-tier Hyatt than an equivalent Marriott.
3. Better Value for Strategic Travelers
If you plan redemptions carefully, Hyatt’s fixed award chart can deliver outsized value, especially in major cities and resort destinations.
Best for:
Travelers who value quality over quantity and want stronger elite-style benefits.
So… Which 5 Free Night Offer Is Better?
Choose Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® if you:
- Travel to many different cities or internationally
- Want flexibility and easier redemptions
- Prefer having more hotel options worldwide
- Don’t care about high-end Hotels
Choose World of Hyatt if you:
- Value higher point redemption value
- Prefer premium stays and elite-style perks
- Are willing to plan redemptions more strategically
- Like to feel actually getting something for there buck
- Fewer Resort Fees
- Simpler Award Chart
Final Verdict
There’s no universal winner—but there is a smarter choice depending on your travel style.
- Marriott wins on flexibility and global reach
- Hyatt wins on value and experience
If you want the easiest path to using all five free nights, Marriott is hard to beat.
If you want the highest potential value per night, Hyatt often delivers more bang for your points.
Either way, five free nights from a $95 annual fee card is one of the strongest hotel credit card offers available right now.
| Feature | Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® | World of Hyatt Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome Offer | 5 Free Night Awards | 5 Free Night Awards |
| Night Value Cap | Up to 50,000 points per night (15k top-up allowed) | Category 1–4 only |
| Max Total Value | Up to ~250,000 Marriott points | ~75,000–90,000 Hyatt points |
| Point Value (avg.) | ~0.7–0.8¢ per point | ~1.7–1.8¢ per point |
| Hotel Footprint | 8,000+ hotels worldwide | ~1,300 hotels worldwide |
| Best For | Flexibility & global coverage | High-value redemptions & perks |
| Elite Benefits | Inconsistent at lower tiers | Strong, especially for Globalists |
| Ease of Use | Easy to redeem | Requires more planning |
| Annual Fee | $95 | $95 |
