Sure...you can requal year after year just by using the HH Amex. I figure - worst case - I'll do that for a couple of months per year (then go back to my normal card, the SPG Amex). But sometimes they get loose with promo codes for completely free Gold status.

It makes me wonder if the new enhanced award availability for Golds is sustainable, long-term. Anybody who wants Gold can get it without really doing hotel stays. Anybody who wants a large pile of HH points can get them quickly through a variety of means. Seems like there is a danger on the horizon that too many people will be redeeming too many rooms. I know Starwood has a system in place to compensate properties well when peak occupancy award rooms are redeemed. I wonder if HH has something similar. (They must, right?)

For people who do actually do hotel stays, they're earning 30 to 45 points per dollar. The HH program went through a big devaluation about 3 years ago. I hope they aren't set up for another big one.