1. Don't know, but does it matter? There is no annual fee, so you can cancel whenever the points post, if you so desire, or just ignore it (if it doesn't clutter up your credit rating too much).

2. Because Visa earns 2 pts/$, 3 at HH hotels, while Amex earns 3 pts/$, 5 at HH hotels, and both have no annual fee

3. Your call, depending on your personal hassle:greed tolerance ratio (LOL). Since the only cost is your time, how much of your time is worth 10,000 points? (10,000 points valued anywhere from $50 to $100, depending on your redemption strategy.)

[This message has been edited by Rut Dog (edited 03-03-2003).]