This is good advice for frequent travelers. The high point awards with the frequent guest programs represent better value. With Holiday Inn, the conversion rate to miles is better if you redeem for an airline ticket - which is done (on some airlines at least) by depositing 25K miles to your airline account. Similarly, the 713 award with Marriott is a very good value (though soon to be devalued).

The exception to this would be for someone who does not travel much and would like the miles right away, opposed to some unattainable hotel reward. Another exception would be for promotions like the recent NW or current AA promotion, where one gets bonus miles for getting certain number of partner transactions. Also Starwood has occasional promotions for airline direct deposit, where it may be beneficial to get airline miles rather than hotel points for the duration of the promotion.

[This message has been edited by PG (edited 07-04-2001).]