Thanks DownUnderFlyer, that's the sort of opinion I am seeking. Have to decide this morning what I'm going to do, so all help is appreciated.

I usually get my points from flights, not credit cards, so havn't really had this problem before, and certainly not on this scale.

Am buying a few big things & will have to pay the seller's cc costs - I termed it surcharge - if I want to pay by cc. The upside is a heap of points. Downside is the $$'s mentioned above.

The upgrade would be the most likely thing I could do with this number of points. Or, it could give me a good chunk towards an award.