I think I asked some time ago about rail programs (VIA Preference, as well as whatever equivalents are in the US, Europe, and around the world). As I recall there wasn't any interest, although I'd find it interesting to hear how different programs work, whether it's worth joining for infrequent travel and so on.

I also wonder about "Wyndham ByRequest". I know they don't give points (just 500 airline miles) but I didn't realize they even _had_ a program until this morning! (I still would have stayed at Sheraton, even just using one Free Friday plus the points from my stay will drive the price down by $60-$70/night, and both the Sheraton and Wyndham were the same price).

The reason I suggest ByRequest may be a worthy candidate is that the benefits they tout seem to be somewhat equivalent to the treatment Starwood Platinum members are supposed to get during their stay (not points, not free stays, not even guaranteed availability I don't think, but a welcome amenity, express check-in (key waiting, like Hertz), upgrade to best available room). How consistently they achieve that, as well as tangential discussions of the properties' qualities, seem to make up a significant portion of the Starwood forums, so would presuambly be of value wrt Wyndham.

Thank you for reading.

andrew