I've got a Marriott Rewards number. One year, when I travelled a lot, I made silver level. Now I don't travel near as much.

I probably stay at hotels anywhere from 15-25 night a year for business travel. Usually this amounts to about 6-10 short trips a year. This year's possibly going to be on the high side of that estimate. When I travel on business I've got a certain per diem, so I have more leeway in which properties to pick. Usually I could afford a mid-level (i.e., Courtyard) property.

Then I have leisure travel for another 5-10 nights a year. On these trips, I try to go real cheap. Often I'll use Priceline. Sometimes I'll stay at the cheaper extended stay places (i.e., not Residence Inn). I find I can get a cheap extended stay place for about the cost of a Fairfield Inn, usually. And I like my kitchens why I travel.

So I'm wondering, is Marriott silver even a reward I should continue striving for? I do actually like Marriotts, when I can afford them, but sometimes they're not the most convenient property for me in town. As far as I can tell, gaining silver only gets me 20% more points for stays. And you have to get a lot of points to get free rooms.

I'm looking at this situation now because I might be going to Hawaii for 7 nights on business. I could stay at one of the Marriott properties, which would line me up pretty well for silver for the year. Or I could stay at the Hilton Village, which looks like a nicer property than the Marriott. If I stay at the Hilton I'm pretty much assured not to make silver this year... but does it really matter?

I'm confused. What's a good hotel program to hook up with if I'm looking at 20 stays a year on average, say?

20 nights or stays!

Sadly, Marriott silver will generally not, IMHO, do much for you- but if you want it just get a Marriott VISA and enjoy Silver for a year gratis!

Oops, my bad, I meant 20 nights, not 20 stays.

Actually, it looks like I could get Gold level Hilton membership, free, for a year. Maybe I should do that. I don't know. Hotels are complicated.

Yes, and you could also easily get SPG Gold too! Either get a Starwood Optima card or simply a referral from a current SPG Platinum!