Thanks, everyone! The FS Marriott is the St. Louis Marriott West - and I do know that, although there is a RI closeby (and a Springhill Suites), I really really like this particular Marriott. The staff is very good, and we'll be there for 8 nights. We booked their presidential suite (basically, the only suite in the hotel) at a decent rate of $169, but need an extra room as the suite only has one king room, and one bathroom. The regular rate weekdays here is $159, but gov't is $110. The closeby RI is in dire need of remodeling I hear, and I like interior corridors. The Springhill is probably nice, but 8 days in a suite without a door is too much for me, I'm spoiled.

The points we're accumulating will be used within a couple of years, as my husband is earning at least 200,000 or more per year now. I just thought that a million would take us on an extra trip somewhere nice, and we do like Ritz hotels a lot

I really don't think he'll get credit for both rooms, but if he did, I would DEFINITELY pay cash. He still needs another couple weeks this year for plat. That would tip the scales for sure.

Another thing that was so cool, last time we stayed there we got concierge level and also two breakfast buffet coupons per night. Turns out, I just found out that it wasn't his plat that got the buffet coupons, it was the gov't rate! Those came in handy, as I had family stop by to join me for breakfast a couple of times, as we enjoyed the buffet in the restaurant (which was nice). So we won't get those on points I guess.

Why oh why am I being indecisive on this one? Those poor Marriott folks, the second room is already a mess. 5 nights on points, then 2 nights on weekend rate (with BOGO) then the last night our visa cert. I'm leaning towards saving those points.