I'm considering applying for the no-fee Best Western card. I don't stay at BWs frequently, but I like flexibility in my travel plans. I'm not as familiar with BW as I am with either Choice or IHG (or for that matter, Marriott, Radisson, and Hyatt where I also hold CCs), but I do have about 20K points with Best Western. I've reviewed some of the threads here and noticed that unlike Choice or IHG, there seem to be very few hotels at the lower reward levels. In doing a few inquiries for hotels in markets where I stay, though, I noticed that there were some properties that come in at 16-20K per night. I also expect that there are many other markets where BW has a presence, which is a factor for me, and which, until Hyatt's recent expansion moves, made me avoid that program.

So let me set forth my questions/assumptions about the program for the BW veterans:

1. Am I correct that BW has a decent footprint in the US, more specifically, in the mid-Atlantic, Florida, the Carolinas, and California where I do a lot of domestic travel?
2. What countries/areas internationally might BW be a good choice? Or a bad choice?
3. I've never gotten the impression that earning points with Best Western is particularly generous--am I missing something about earning?

I don't expect Best Westerns to be particularly luxurious nor do I expect much from status but those things are not important to me--after all, I'm used to the sometimes minimal standards/status benefits at Choice--but I'm interested in finding out, given my thought that BW might be a worthwhile adjunct to my other hotel programs, whether the general experience of other members with Best Western Rewards justifies applying for the credit card.

Thanks for your input!