Likewise...

To me the biggest perk was guaranteed room upgrade & 4 pm check out, and that was worth 24k ( = equivalent of one decent hotel points stay ) but I don't think can justify 40k ( = one nice hotel points stay). Also, with Westin joining Marriott their gold status gets 4pm checkout at all hotels, so I really think will be moving all my "upper end" stays over there and just use IHG for when need a holiday inn express on the side off interstate etc