Thanks for the tips and kind words, Firewind. I agree new deals always come along, but I'm still pretty sure I'll never snag anything as remarkable as the ones I lost out on this time due to that strike.

Incidentally, despite the weak demand for travel that you mention, most Choice hotel markets that I've utilized in the past appear to me to have seen significant pricing increases from a few years ago. It is making it hard for me to justify "on a whim" quick local trips even with the bonus points offer.

I'll send a PM with some replies to a couple of your other comments that are not specific to Choice.