i suppose if there is "only" a conrad or a higher end hilton (or renaissance if I am working Marriott) in a place i am going, and no lower end hampton (or residence inn), I will most likely find a less expensive hotel EVEN if it means no points.

However, given the choice, I will take the HH hotel. I have often selected HH hotels across or down the road (as long as the rate is the same or less), rather than the host hotel when i travel for work, simply to accrue the points. Since I also plan meetings, I try to get them all with Hilton, as the meeting planner bonus points add up....and the upgrade is the BEST...I sleep better in a nice hotel than i do on a plane, so I like having that status - even some hamptons have really nice upgrades available :-)

ITTIA