The amount of points needed is relative. You earn 10 points per dollar when staying at a Marriott property, and 2 points per dollar when staying at a Starwood property, so 7,000 points for a free night at the Sheraton vs. a sliding scale of points at the Marriott (25,000 points for 1 night/46,000 for 2 nights/65,000 for 3 nights) might be about equivalent.