Some cards give points, some give cash back others give miles.

When choosing between a card that gives miles vs. one that gives points that can become miles, how do you determine value of the point vs. the miles.

For example, I have Marriott Rewards that gives points. Since we have Marriott timeshares we already accumulate lots of MR points. If I get enough points in a year I can turn them in for travel package with discounted rate for points on room and miles at a 1:1 rate. I get good value for the annual certificate that comes with $65 fee.

Delta has 1:1 for miles and an annual companion ticket that I've been able to use successfully so the $85 fee is okay on that too.

I generally use my miles when a ticket is over $400. Looking at US Bank FlexPerks and others that change points for miles (like Capital 1) I see that the amount of points needed is higher than the regularly required amount of miles for higher priced fares. As in a domestic flight in Business that was $900 would cost 90,000 points/miles instead of the 45,000.

So I'm wondering why these cards look so attractive to some flyer talkers.

Discussion?

Thanks,
gg