I suppose I have moved part of the way in your direction in recent years, but for a different reason - I have made some money. This means, for instance, that I would not put my family up at an InterCon - even on points - if there was a Four Seasons in the same city. Even where an InterCon is a good choice, I would probably pay for a suite rather than redeem for a standard room. Spending hotel points has therefore got more difficult, but of course there are always airline mile transfers and (with Priority Club) giftcards as well.

I still need my airline miles, though. Whilst I have no problem ponying up the cash for discounted J fares, I'd prefer F and I need cancellation ability due to my job. This means that airline miles are still very valuable for me, as the cost of flexible F still makes me wince.

What I don't do now, though, is 'suffer for my art' - the ability to earn points or miles on a flight or at a property does not drive my choice as much as it did.

Your broader arguament does not really work for most FT'ers, though. If you travel with your job, you are going to accumulate miles and points whether you like it or not! And, as you're going to accumulate them anyway, you might as well maximise as best you can.