I am pretty new to hotel reward cards...

I only travel for pleasure...so all my points come from cc purchases.

I have been a Marriott rewards member for about a year. I managed to accumualte enought points to stay 5 nights (4 redeemed + 1 free) at the Marriott on Canal St. in New Olreans for Mardi Gras. Cost 100,000 pts...25k per night...5th night free.

The same stay at either the Sheraton or either of the W properties in the French Quarter would have only cost me 40,000 points. In fact...I already booked the W for Mardi Gras 2012. 50k points for 6 nights. Amazing deal for a $400 a night room.