Adam,

I can't agree with you more. I was told when I joined that the best tip for getting the free night was to book in advance, maybe for an anniversary or a birthday or some other special event. Don't try to book a day or a week in advance for a saturday night in Melbourne when the AFL is on at both Eitthad or MCG, as there will be over 100K extra people in Melbourne trying to do the same thing. I was told once you have booked if you have to cancel that night the free night would be just put back on the card. When it comes to allocation, I am sure it works in the same way as an airline that has special internet fares. They may offer $59 Sydney / Melbourne, but not every seat on the Plane has that same price.

In my 1st year of membership, I had a family emergency in Cairns and booked my free night on the day of my arrival at the airport and that was a Saturday night. When I renewed, I booked my birthday @ the Sofitel on Collins, be it I booked 9 months in advance, but I got what I wanted.

Like other people have mentioned here, the best value on my card comes from dining. Recently I took 2 of my mates (total party of 3) to the Sofitel in Sydney for dinner. The bill came to just over $300 (we had a good time) and they took a bit over $100 off the bill!!! It was just shy of $200.

So as only a 2 year member, use the free night, and dine twice and you have paid for the card. Do it more often and your Laughing :)