redeem choice at Preferred Hotel Group (like LHW) >
https://preferredhotels.com/private-...ipatinghotels?

Preferred's own program - https://preferredhotels.com/iprefer - 2% cashback

choice has points+cash, but i wonder about earning choice from credit card...

other cashback include >
mr and mrs smith (3% for £40/$60 a year and 5% for £400/$600 a year)

also >
accor has new independent hotels (not franchise) and Sofitel Legends historic hotels
http://www.oberoihotels.com/special-...advantage.aspx (kind of)

additional context re common use of "aspirational" >
common use of "afford" is now figurative rather than literal
vs majority here ('happily') choosing more spend on less travel