Editorial disclosure: CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card data comes from issuers' published terms; data as of September 27, 2026. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or content.
Both cards cost $0/yr. The Hilton Honors American Express Card leads on hotels; the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card on grocery stores.
Card data as of September 27, 2026.
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | Hilton Honors American Express Card | Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
| Hotels | 7X | 1X |
| Dining |
The Hilton Honors American Express Card wins in 10 of 10 categories. The Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card leads in 0.
Hotels
Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 7X vs 1X
Dining
Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 5X vs 1X
Grocery Stores
Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 5X vs 2X
Gas Stations
Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 5X vs 1X
Streaming
Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 3X vs 2X
Telecom
Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 3X vs 2X
Cable Tv
Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 3X vs 2X
Ridesharing
Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 3X vs 2X
Food Delivery
Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 3X vs 2X
Both scenarios favor the Hilton Honors American Express Card on net value (rewards, usable credits, fees, and welcome offer).
Everyday (non-bonus) spend earns 3X on the Hilton Honors American Express Card vs 1X on the other card.
| 5X |
| 1X |
| Gas Stations | 5X | 1X |
| Grocery Stores | 5X | 2X |
| Cable Tv | 3X | 2X |
| Food Delivery | 3X | 2X |
| Ridesharing | 3X | 2X |
| Streaming | 3X | 2X |
| Telecom | 3X | 2X |
| Everything Else | 3X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
Everyday purchases
Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 3X on all other spending vs 1X
Modeled net value (bonus categories at unconditional rates, caps applied). Spend mix: dining 15%, groceries 15%, gas 10%, travel 10%, everything else 50%. Statement credits use the same recurring usable estimates as each card's detail page; first-year-only credits count in year one only. Welcome offers valued at each card's program rate shown on this page.
Both scenarios favor the Hilton Honors American Express Card on net value (rewards, usable credits, fees, and welcome offer).
| Scenario | Hilton Honors American Express Card | Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card | Ongoing winner | Year-one winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light spender: $1,000/month | Rewards: $182 Credits (our usable estimate): $0 − Annual fee ($0) Ongoing: $182 Year one: $502 | Rewards: $97 Credits (our usable estimate): $23 − Annual fee ($0) Ongoing: $120 Year one: $435 | Hilton Honors American Express Card | Hilton Honors American Express Card |
| Heavy spender: $4,000/month | Rewards: $730 Credits (our usable estimate): $0 − Annual fee ($0) Ongoing: $730 Year one: $1,050 | Rewards: $386 Credits (our usable estimate): $23 − Annual fee ($0) Ongoing: $409 Year one: $724 | Hilton Honors American Express Card | Hilton Honors American Express Card |
Get the Hilton Honors American Express Card if you:
Editorial disclosure: CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card data comes from issuers' published terms; data as of September 27, 2026. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or content.
