Hold on a second - I think you're all making a mistake on the advice. When someone wants to know which is the best program - be it airline or hotel - the next question is to ask what are the benefits that person is looking for the most and the fastest. If miles, there's certainly a best choice of programs, if awards, what type of awards. Yes, Starwodd is an excellent program, but if you are seeking a free hotel stay in Hawaii, you may find other programs are better ROI. In fact, there are programs that are better for small single and two-night stays here in the U.S., better programs for "vacation" use and yet others better for a variety of hotel service benefits. Again, Starwood is a very good program, but like all programs it has it's weaknesses, the question is - what do you want out of the program, then I may be able to give you some additional advice.....