Agree with Daveland. Also bear in midn the usefulness of points. SPG points can be used at all starwood properties and most major airlines at an advantageous transfer rate. Hilton points can be used at, well, Hilton. (I'm sure you can transfer to some partners, but am also pretty confident it's not as many as with SPG.)
Still fi you don't earn a ton of points, $30 isn't worth paying to protect their lifespan either.