Last Sunday I found myself in Raleigh, North Carolina needing a hotel room for one more night.

The Days Inn where I was staying wanted $103 for that night, and I'd have to move to a smoking room, which didn't interest me at all.

I looked at some nearby chain hotels, and the Sheraton wanted $229 plus tax or 7,000 Starpoints, which I valued at $175.

I checked kayak.com for other options, and I didn't find anything I liked.