Cash und Creditcardpointsaccrualments?

I agree that a C&P reservation is probably best unless you think some other better redemption opportunity may be coming your way. Gotta spend the points sometime. Might as well do it during a time when you don't need the stay credits toward elite status.

OTOH, I'm actually expecting to see some hotels DROP in category around Feb/March. (Because their cash rates are also dropping.)