The OP's assumption is pretty much incorrect, IMHO. With all the hotel promos and CC bonuses of today, it is not more difficult to rack up points than miles. As to which is more valuable, it's been discussed over and over again. While I have absolutely no problem staying in a clean and cheap motel-like room (or flying couch for that matter), I will never understand why some folks go out of their way to get that F award only to "top it up" with a stay at a hostel. Just doesn't make sense to me.