Originally Posted by
tryanjordan
...
My question is: how much $$ should I ask for to use the points (there's an opportunity cost here as well; trying to save for a 280k travel package)? ...
That's a tough one. I wouldn't ask a friend to give me cash if I used points. Even though I agree with you that there's a significant opportunity cost, I still just couldn't do it.
If I were in your position, I'd use a cat 5 cert for one night, points for the next, and ask the friend to pay for the 3rd night.