hhoope01-Great analysis. I probably stay 5 paid nights per year in a Marriott, max. Here is how I earned my MR points for the two year period 8/08-7/10 before I switched to SPG:

Non-Marriott Spending 146,643 MR points
Air/Car/Dining Spending 44,948 MR points
Marriott Spending 16,134 MR points

Total MR Points Earned Over 2 Year Period=207,725 points


For the two year period 10/10-9/12 after I switched to SPG for most credit card purchases and MR where AMEX not accepted, here are the points I earned:

Non-Marriott Spending 43,964 MR points
Air/Car/Dining Spending 6,363 MR points
Marriott Spending 5,396 MR points

Total MR Points Earned Over 2 Year Period=55,723 points

Non-Starwood Spending 137,454 SPG points (includes about $15,000 charges for dining out)
Starwood Spending 2,389 SPG points

Total SPG Points Earned Over 2 year Period= 139,843 SPG points

I am not sure exactly what this is telling me except I still have to use my MR VISA where AMEX is not accepted so I am still earning MR points. I guess I could use my VISA for dining purchases and get 2x MR points vs. 1x SPG points. That seems like a good thing to do.