FT Forum Readers:

I have quite a few Amex MR points but limited spg points. Looking to book some nights with Starwood using points. Do you have clever ways of converting MR points to Starwood account at good excange rate, or otherwise booking a Starwood property (eg. washing MR points through some airline acct and booking hotels through that airline's travel site/mall? Certificates? etc.)

I know the transfer rate directly from MR to your SPG account is not great - but I'd rather make use of MR points somehow instead of just burning US$ on hotel rooms.

If there are not good options aside from the poor MR-->spg exchnage rate, then would it be better to use part points and part cash?

Merit of buying room with amex MR points from amex MR web site vs. transferring point to spg and booking W HK that way?

Target: W in HK for 5 nights in June.

Many thanks in advance for your helpful tips.

J