If you want to stay in an American-style hotel you will want to use the points for airfare. The transfer ratio to Starwood is poor (3:1).
In Canada the transfer ratio is 2:1 to SPG. If OP can open a Canadian Amex MR account, then move the MR points to Canadian account.....probably not easy.
Last edited by Cana2013; May 21, 2015 at 8:50 am