Let's particularize the problem.

1. My hotel expenses are not reimbursable nor even deductable. I work with a per diem structure, which is the same whether I sleep in my car or take a suite at the local JW. Naturally, the incentive is to minimize my lodging expenses.

2. I spent 18 months in Michigan at a Fairlield Inn at $30/night. Following that, I was in Minneapolis and Massachusetts at $42 and $44 respectively. I could have probably knocked a few bucks off by staying at Motel 6 or Super 8, but I was willing to pay the premium for the Marriott benefits and the points.

3. The cheapest rate here for the FI is about $85/night, and the CY and RI are around $125 and up. The difference between that and, say, Motel 6 is $50 to $100/night.

4. I leave the hotel at 6:30-ish in the morning and get back at around 7:00 at night. I don't entertain clients or hookers. I don't sit and drink and brood. I don't take work home with me (it's tough enough to get me to work during the day ). I watch a little TV, talk to my wife, read a little, and go to sleep. Someplace that's safe and meets these minimum resuirements is not hard to come by.

5. For the price difference ($50-$100/night), I can buy very nice breakfasts and still have a bundle left over. At the end of the year, I'm looking at anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000 (after tax dollars, too) that stays in my pocket. With that kind of money, I can certainly pay for some very nice vacations independent of whatever points I may have.