Choice Hotels will status match PC Platinum to Choice Platinum (I just did it).

For me, it is a struggle to reach platinum, requiring at least 20 nights/year and signing up perfectly for just the right promos. I stay in low rate areas and can't use the PC credit card for work.

I'm in it for the free nights, and love that I can get them all over the country in out-of-the-way places (try that with Marriott or Hyatt). Pointbreaks hasn't worked for me (yet).

I like the Hilton brand, but the free nights are just not as easy as with PC.