Thany you...

I do not expect to actively use the card, at least not at this time. At $85 per year after the first free year, I would not even keep it to the renewal, when that fee would be required. At $45, after the first free year, I would likely keep it (inactive). Both provide an annual free night upon renewal.

The bonus points, to me, are worth 1 nt, per 20,000 pts. We find award stays at that level. We do not find award stays at 10,000pts. The higher level point stays (over 20,000) unusally come with parking fees and sometime resort fees (sometimes these apply, sometime not). A recent stay downtown San Diego, found us in a Residence Inn w/breakfast and free parking, even though we could have stayed in a more expensive Marriott, but paid $15-30 for parking and no included breakfast. Also many of our stays are in smaller markets, that do not have the Category 5 and above.

We have been happy with our HI (Priority Card), which we ended up getting 6 nights free for with the help of the special bonus codes provided on FT.

Looks like both cards will net me 3+- free nights for sign-up and the $45 card will give me the one night renewal night for $45 a year.

Is that how you see it?

We do stay at motels fairly often. Usually a trip once a year will be for 30 days with 18 or so different motels. Then we also make a few single night stays to visit my Mom, take a local overnight trip (without night driving) etc.

I could not find (even search) the 70,000 pt bonus card