Originally Posted by
sthubbar
Phasers,
Thanks for the continued detailed analysis. I'm having fun playing with this while and this is FlyerTalk, so I think it is acceptable to continue on with the advanced math.
I still think we aren't comparing apples to apples. When you say the additional 30,000 points is work $810, you are assuming the other points are equal in value, when they aren't. Here is a further analysis, using your BA conversion to make all points equal.
Chase total BA points = 166,000
90,000 SPG points * 1.25 = 112,500 BA pts
50,000 Chase pts * 1.07 = 53,500 BA pts
SPG total BA points = 212,500
90,000 SPG points * 1.25 = 112,500 BA pts
50,000 SPG points * 1.25 = 62,500 BA pts
30,000 SPG points * 1.25 = 37,500 BA pts
So SPG is worth 46,500 more BA points than Chase. The cost of these points is $1,440, so $0.031 per point. I understand this to be expensive, though not over the top, like $0.06 per point.
You are right that it will depend on how I use the points.
Thanks for all the fun.
Have you considered splitting between the two?
Perhaps all your SPG property purchases go on the SPG Amex, whereas everything else goes on the Chase Sapphire. It would break down as follows:
SPG Amex ($30k spend at SPG Properties since you effectively get 2 pts/$$):
150k spg (90k for stays, 30k for spend, 30k bonus for spg spend) = 185k BA miles (140k * 1.25 and then transfer the other 10k at 1:1 or save and transfer later when you have another 10k to add to it). And a cost of $810. Assuming you wait til you have another 10k, we can say this method earns you 187,500 BA miles.
Chase Sapphire ($20k spend):
20k pts * 1.07 = 21,400 BA miles.
This way you net a total of 206,400 to 208,900 miles for a total expense of $810. I don't think the last 3,600 to 6,100 miles are worth the extra $630. I'm sure you would agree there.