Thanks for the info on the hiltons- I didn't know that was a possibility. Looks like we are going to do 2 trips. Can you use the 150,000 point Europe sampler award to only stay at 2 proerties? ( 4 nights one and 3 nights another).Thinking to trade in for a travel package and also a Europe sampler award. Fall 2008- week in Marriott timeshare in Spain and another 7 nights split between Paris and another European country. Fall 2009- week at the Marriott Sidney followed by visitng some relatives in Australia.
Will check out Hilton hotels also. Where can I go to see points needed for Hilton stays.

www.hhonors.com

The main award is 175k for 6 free nights. It's called GLONP2. You must hold an elite level to redeem this award, but Silver is a freebie level (just like at Marriott) and it counts for this purpose.

So, if you were serious about a Hilton property, I'd sign up for the HH Amex first (probably the easiest way to get free Silver status) so that when you call and talk to an agent about a GLONP2 award, you'll already have that status.

If you're really serious about doing a week or two at Hiltons, you should actually use the HH Amex for $20k in general spending - that gets you Gold, which has similar benefits to Marriott Gold.