The 1000 dollar cheques for 135000 points can be a great deal. Consider I just stayed at the JW Marriott Dessert Ridge for 99 dollars a night with a 25 dollar resort fee for 5 nights. Total about 540 including Fees and Tax.
To stay on points it would be 120000 point and I would need to pay 125 dollars in resort fees. So I used 15000 point more to get the checks.
After paying for the room, I had over 500 dollars to pay for resort fees, Golf, Drinks, Meals…. In addition, I get points for the charges and credit for the nights.