I live across the country so when I go to the east coast it's usually for longer. I confess I avoid those months because I worry about getting stuck somewhere due to a storm - so many of those lately. I think the advice of "front loading" the calendar is a good one.

I have a few stays thanks to traveling up to ski but unfortunately the bulk of my ski stays is via award stays at Hyatt - a bummer those don't count. Too expensive to do on my dime and I can never find points and cash during peak season.