This is an excellent point. Given that most here tend to travel a bit more than the average bear, we sometimes get focused on points/status to the exclusion of everything else.

But with that said, there are ways to accumulate points in various programs even without a lot of traveling. I suspect there is more than one or two persons on FT whose main points earning vehicle are CCs instead of actual travel. So it is still possible to earn not only points but status as well by judicious CC use. Silver is possible with only CC use for Marriotts, but mid-tier Gold is possible with the SPG and top tier is possible in HH with CC use alone.

For NYC travel specifically, if you are looking for your best deal possible, you might be better off making a reservation with something like Priceline and just not worry about the few points you might be missing out with that trip.