doc - 1HH pt is not the same as 1MR point. It is very hard to compare the points of one program with the points of another program. It depends on what you use the points for. I use the points for hotel stays, with Marriott they have a wide range of properties. I have booked with Marriott for Fairfield Inn (5 nights 24K pts and 7 nights 30K pts) and Residence Inn (5 nights 80K for 2br). I hope to use the Hilton point strecher awards (100K for six nights).

Inspired by MileKing's "flipping" comments I am staying one night less at a Courtyard and subsituting that with one night at Hilton. So the first night is at a Hilton and then 4 nights at a Courtyard. I am losing 1000 Marriott points (having already qualified for the 35K Marriott bonus) but gaining 1000 airline miles and 4500 Hilton points. The difference in the room rate between the two is about a dollar.

[This message has been edited by PG (edited 01-31-2000).]

Yep, see what you're saying and I agree. Also that's why the Starwood Optima is more valuable to me personally than Hilton or Optima, since Starpoints can often be used for some pretty good hotels that are somehow in the cat 3 and even cat 2 level for minimum point redemption.