Depends how cush my bank account is when I am planning a vacation!

Seriously - I recently was in Maui for a convention at the Hyatt with ocean view room for $220. I could have stayed there for business and then switched to a Marriott for the rest of my trip and stayed on points. However I know that the $220 rate was very good for a Maui Ocean View room, and my bank account is doing ok right now, so I paid the money and kept my Marriott points for next years trip when I may not be so lucky.

As a different example, About 10 years ago I used Delta miles for a free tickets that would have cost me about 200-300. The agent tried to talk me out of it since they "knew" it wasn't a good used of my miles. My response was it was better than spending the money I didn't have.

Thus my corrollary to mile/point programs:
the greater the bank account the more one seeks from the program.

Which is interesting since this tends to result in "banking" points, which is in contrast to my second law:

All programs will see reward point inflation and corresponding redemption increases.

Thus - the more you save points for a "big ticket" award, it will actually take longer/more points to acheive.

Cruel!!

hersh