Yes and yes.

Yes, I think there is a rule against direct travel on FF redemptions, so in a way yes I am being punished for being in the hub. At least this is my suspicion. I wonder if there is anything I can do about it.

Yes, I am Lemon Thrower from Warchant. I just finished booking my hotels. I had some poor service at the Doubletree, so we are staying at a variety of places--Courtyard, Ramada, Doubletree and Laquinta. Courtyard on Raymond Diehl had a AAA rate of 80.10 most nights. I reserved every weekend in Sept, Oct. and Nov., and will just cancel when the sched comes out. I even booked Friday and Sat under different reservations, to avoid the 2 night minimum--if the football game is at noon, I will stay Friday night and drive back after the game, and if the game is at night I will drive down before the game and stay Sat. night.

Have you had any luck redeeming Hilton points at the Doubletree in Tallahassee during college football weekends? I am getting married at a Hilton so I should rack up quite a few points. BTW, if you have not already done so, you should take advantage of the 2 no-fee Hilton credit cards and get an easy 17,500 HH points.