Both times I have cashed in Starwood for top cost hotels (Lanai and Key West), the hotel has offered much lower rates if we would pay instead of using points. I find that annoying since now what I considered my big point buy is deflated. When I cashed in Lanai for Manele Bay, the website was quoting almost $400/night. When we arrived, they offered us the room for $250/night. I would not have cashed in so many points for a normal $250/night hotel in their chain. Also, the Sheraton in Molokai would not give us the same rate walking up as had just been posted on the internet. Staff was adament. We could have driven 30 miles to town to use a computer and come back but what was that about? I complained to Starwood and got a letter of apology from the manager. That and 2 bucks gets you a latte. So I am not that impressed with Starwood. We have been twice to HWV on Gold and been treated like kings. I like the 2 fors from Hyatt but find their lack of hotels in general and definitely their not having a lower cost hotel in their chain are problems for retirees like my husband and me. Marriott is out of the question - too many nights. But in my husband's heyday in marketing, it was his chain of choice. AND, in my view, Priceline counts. Why use an award when you have a reasonably good chance of getting a decent hotel on Priceline for less than $100/night? Using www.biddingfortravel.com is an excellent way of knowing what you can get. I have found it has been remarkably accurate. Marriott Riverside Bangkok for $44/night vs $130 on Marriott's website. Next week. It would make no sense to use points. Plenty of cheap places, inc the hotel, for breakfast. So, since we are retired, I investigate all possible ways to get a room in any given city. Factor in points, lounge access, etc. Keep the HH Gold either by some cockamamie promo or by joining Senior HHonors which allows 8 stays for seniors. Gold is good. And good enough.

[This message has been edited by Karen2 (edited Mar 16, 2004).]