Originally Posted by hhoope01

Actually, if you can generate Marriott points to the 200K plus area, Marriott's miles conversion outstrips SPG.

I tend to have around a 2.5 Marriott pt to 1 SPG point ratio (or something close to that.) And SPG converts to airline miles around a 1.25 to 1.0 miles to SPG pt. With Marriotts Travel Package awards, you can get a 1-to-1 miles to points ratio. That gives Marriott almost a 2x better airline miles ratio (in terms of earning and burning power.)

But the kicker is that you have to be able to rack up 200K plus points (as that is where the 120K miles awards start.) And you have to be able to use a 7-night hotel award (comes with the TP award.) Note that MVCI owners (Marriott's timeshares) have the option of a 5-night award version.

So if miles conversions is a primary concern AND you can earn the points, Marriott's program actually has the better conversion awards.