Since all my stays come out of my own pocket, I tend toward the Hampton Inn level, unless I stumble on a better rate.

SPG properties are much too pricey for me.

The current Hilton promo will result in 3 free nights at a cost of 7 stays in toto. I spend my Hilton points/free nights in Europe at Cat 6 properties, so those 3 nights are worth (to me) a whopping 120,000 points.

Not bad for a few nights in a Hampton Inn. (adv HH)