I totally understand where you are coming from, I am simply thinking of being able to squeeze the most out of the card at the least overall cost in being able to do so.

Fortunately, we can afford such vacays -- when we are actually able to schedule them -- but I do very much like the idea of being able to just jump in the car and take a long weekend at an out of town or in city location as very much desirable. Driving to an urban destination on a weekend and using ParkingWhiz or SpotHero to avoid those insane parking costs at the hotels and thus being able to easily use such a credit is also a very viable alternative.

I can say that my spouse and I just this last weekend spent a Saturday night at the Logan in Philadelphia doing just such a thing, and a $100 or even $50 credit would have come in handy!

Moreover, due to both our Diamond statuses -- we were upgraded to a 1 BR suite on the 8th Floor overlooking the Fountain nestled at the start of the Ben Franklin Parkway -- smack dab opposite the majestic Franklin Institute. That is where our Diamond status definitely drove the upgrade to a better room as opposed to just having Gold status from the Surpass.

So too, our having Diamond status was certainly a help for securing a 1 BR suite at the Bentley in Miami Beach for 3 nights -- albeit without a balcony room. But what we lacked for in outdoor space was more than made up for with the extra space inside, as well as a fully fledged kitchen!

Finally, I will tell you one Conrad where that credit would be beneficial -- The Conrad DC and its Sakura Club.

For the relatively fair cost of an additional $170 per couple, you get a full buffet dinner and breakfast and a credit back from AMEX for any sum will be a welcome addition.

Now, I know some will say, but we used to get free breakfast and we don't anymore -- and the operative words are we don't anymore -- so for that sum, you get a complete dinner and breakfast supplied to you -- and you earn points on that outlay -- and I challenge anyone to be able to beat that price-point at like minded establishments of that caliber for that same amount -- in such urban areas prices have really inflated a great deal and therefore, one likely will spend over $170 for a decent meal just for dinner and drinks, for you must remember that there is an open bar at the Sakura Club, as well as a whiskey tasting.

Unfortunately, as many are aware, the F&B credit can't be used to defray the Sakura Club's cost --- but an AMEX credit would be able to do so, so given its location near me, I am eager to use it at this property, as I have stayed at the Sakura Club twice in the past -- and it was a real treat!