When you are on a reasonable expense account, and stay at hotels frequently, you are missing out on a great benefit if you don't participate in the hotel programs. I have earned and redeemed hundreds of free nights at high quality hotels in great locations around the world. And up until this round of Hyatt's "Faster Free Nights" , you could even earn free nights on PL stays.

There is no doubt that some people's travel habits would not earn them a lot of free hotel nights. Conversely, my current travel load produces only a few free airline tickets per year, but I easily accrue over 20 free hotel nights.

And IMHO, the hotel award are much more lucrative. I have saved loads more money on free hotel rooms than I have on free flights.

And I don't care what airline you are on, a long-haul flight in F is still a pain in the rear. It is not an experience that any rational person looks forward to. Domestic is even worse. (And I have NEVER had a meal on an airline (including SQ first) that I would sit down and pay for on the ground.)

Now two weeks in an oceanfront suite at Hyatt Regency Kauai is a reward most people could look forward to.