I'm w/Big Guy on this issue as well.

I too looked at that catalog and was (briefly) swept away at some of the items I could "buy" but then quickly did the math and realized just how much the items actually cost!!!!!

I chose a travel job because of the travel it allowed me and my husband over the past 7 or so years. Actually, I wouldn't bother with a travel job if they took points away from me (or made me use a corporate credit card, or made me stay at a place I didn't want to stay, etc.). But because I have the freedom to chose a hotel, so long as I stay within per diem, I choose the one that will give me gov't rate and also, has the most locations out of the country. For the first ten or so years of our marriage (18 years on 10/31/09), we went mostly on cruises--11 to be exact. Only two were 7 day cruises--most were 14+. Then when I started my travel job (Oct 2001), we were on the road to doing land vacations and that is when the points started to fit into the travel plans.

Just by points alone, my husband and I have traveled to Rome, Sorrento, Ireland, London, Barbados, Budapest, Amsterdam, Cancun, Cabo San Lucas (x 3)....these properties have been with Hilton (points), but I am now w/Marriott because it was getting harder and harder to get a gov't rate out of them. But in less than two months, we'll spend two weeks in Australia...all at Marriotts....mostly w/points.

I'm not saying we would not have been able to travel--but I can say this--w/out using points, we would not have traveled in the manner that we have...the perks are wonderful and when you get to exchange free nights for points, that is sweet. Some of the places we stayed were going for $700+ a night--I can tell you this, we would NOT have been able to pay out of pocket for those types of accomodations!!! Also, we seldom go anywhere for less than two weeks....so it really has enhanced are personal travel immensely.

You might not be able to use your points right now....but you may have a special anniversary coming up or some special age that you want to celebrate and you may just take your wife to a country that she's always wanted to go to and for FREE!!!!

Maybe 10 nights in Paris! Or 10 nights in Budapest, or London! Somewhere really special and expensive--that's how you get the best use of your points.

BTW, my Hilton days are numbered. I will lose status in a few months and I hope to maintain Plat w/Marriott. I'll be comparing the two properties from experiences OUTSIDE of California because when I travel for leisure, it is never in the USA--we figured we'd save those trips for when we get older and grow plain ol' tired of the 10-14 hour plane rides!!!

Welcome to Flyertalk.

Dawn