Originally Posted by
dukerau
If you aren't staying in one chain enough to get status* then you should opt for the best deal every time and not be loyal to any one chain. You can factor in the points you will earn for the stay if you know you can get a certain value out of them.
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FWIW, some of the hotels I may stay at offer me a room for 15,000 points which, given the best rate they offer, makes the points worth about .8¢ each. Assuming they don't devalue them.