That's not true. Few of my points in both programs have been paid for by a company or client. When I'm paying for a hotel, I look at the Hilton family first and usually choose Hampton Inn or Hilton Garden on the lower end. But I spend the points at high end properties like Hilton resorts in Hawaii or Hilton in London. I add a lot of points through credit cards and promos.

Like others have said, join all the programs. After a couple of years, you'll probably find you're gravitating to one or two chains, so then concentrate your earning there. Even though I have a membership in almost every hotel program, most of them have never been used or are dormant. I accumulate points in two programs (Hilton and Starwood) and have everything else set for miles when given a choice.

Only you can decide what kinds of hotels you want to stay in. I racked up a lot of points and free rooms in a different program, but bailed when its properties started going downhill. Also, my tastes in hotel rooms and amenities have changed through the years.