pinniped, my thoughts *exactly*...surprising to me also that no other hotel program has tried to perfectly copy starwoods affinity program, per se, as well as the tie-in the ultra-powerful AMEX program.

Hotel programs just don't seem to get that the <no blackout> is a powerful inducement, and coupled w/ the AMEX leverage, makes them (starwood) untouchable in present format. Marriott's blackouts and then anemic Visa = a double negative for me.

I also agree HH is nudging closer than anyone at least for volume credit card users' perspective. If they *ever* confirmed Diamond could be earned the "new-fashioned" way - via charging - I believe they could really pick up some huge incremental affinity point sales (ie profit via their affinity program). Maybe this will happen in '07. Some hotel or airline ought to discover this untapped profit center.

Thought my conclusions were still in line w/ some of you active ccard affinity fiends. Thanks for the confirmations.

P.S. BTW - A friend just confirmed to me this AM he has a true 2% AMEX cashback card...second yr in a row he has earned a true 2% cashback on over half a milll in charging activity. he believes there is a small tier/ramp up scheme, but once it hits 2% it apparently stays there and does not cap or max out annually. I have asked him for the official AMEX affinity code for this program.

Finally, didn't mean to hijack this thread about freddie voting...if this post is off topic, feel free to whack it or move it. Maybe its time to create an all-inclusive folder for earning affinity points the NEW FASHIONED WAY - via credit card - irrespective of the actual hotel or airline or card type. I am not familiar w/ a folder for such discussion and am tired of bumping against those who earn the "old fashioned way" (butt in seat or butt in bed). We each have different goals and needs and invariably I get the feeling that SIB or BIB types resent those who come into the programs via these NEW FASHIONED avenues. Certainly there seems to be huge resentment that high activity on ccards should ever be linked to top tier of any program. This HAS to change. Profit is profit. For this year, 2007, I believe affinity programs will start to show more respect to this novel revenue stream and I hope you guys will help elevate this issue.