I have 30 days of temp quarters coming up in a very small city and I have $123/night to spend on hotel plus food (must be itemized). I can spend it all on hotel at a nicer hotel (negotiated rate at FS Marriott) or stay at a not as nice hotel (FFI&S) at $77/night and have money for food. But I know I'm not going to spend all the food money. I get 20,000 more points as a plat at the $123/night plus I'm downtown (versus out near the airport at the FFI&S). I'd be getting free breakfast anyway and only have to spend money on lunch and dinner. I'm not that picky and would rather go to Subway (or the local minor league baseball stadium near the FS) and other inexpensive dinner places. Mrs. NJ won't be there, just me. Am I doing the right thing going to the FS?? I excluded the RI from the equation because they only earn 5 pts/night, vs 10 at the FS and FFI&S

If I understand right, its stay at the FS and you buy L & D yourself or the FI & can spend up to $46 daily on food. But you don't mind eating on the cheap (say $15 x 30 days = $450).

So you are paying approx $450 for those extra 20,000 points which are barely enough for a decent RI room somewhere, not a good exchange. Is that $46 daily limited to just food or can you enjoy alcohol too?

But you have the ambience of a downtown, entertainment and perhaps a CL you can grab a light lunch & dinner out of at times.

So, IMO, not worth it solely for the points. But on a 30 day stay, assuming you aren't working around the clock, a larger room, TV channel choices and entertainment options are a bigger factor for me although you could just as well drive in from the FFI too.

Maybe name the town & properties and others could help you with some local color? Good luck!

Mix weekday and weekend rates at FS prop using back-to-back reservations. I used to do this all the time at LAX Ren. Weekend rates can vary depending on hotel Thu-Mon, Thu-Sun, Fri-Sun, or Fri-Mon. Good luck.

Got the FS down to 109. Done deal! ^

Does the FS property have a CL?

Nice! When I was younger I wished I had a (reasonable) set per-diem where I could pocket any cash I didn't spend on food. I would have been the skinniest, healthiest person alive and made a game of it seeing what I could survive on. But that dream never realized, its a spend it or lose scenario for the last 15 years hence my extended waist...

Good job negotiating. ^

yep, and trip advisor has some good reviews of it.

FS Penn Square?

BB stadium close...check
Downtown...check
reasonable rates...check

So...my guess!