Originally Posted by
Need
Because for people like me who earn all the reward from credit card spent, now I could earn from SPG Amex and transfers 1 to 3 to use Travel Package for close to $1 to 1.5 miles with 7 nights of free hotel on everyday non category purchases. How many credit card will let you get 1.5 airline miles/$ with free hotel stays before the merge?
None that I know of.
Last year I spent 100K on RC card but it was not enough points to buy one travel package. This year I am definitely switching to SPG Amex...and get me 300K MR points for the packages. I will lost Plat for 2018 but who knows what will happen to the programs in 2018 anyway.
I think the travel package is a great motivator for members to earn and save points. Remember, MR members receive at least 5-10 points per $ spent, not counting elite status. SPG members receive 2 SPG points = 6 MR points per $ spent. So, the shocking math is not so bad for them.
The credit card spending is a huge arbitrage opportunity. One has to be foolish to use the MR Visa on anything other than Marriott stays or airline (since it comes with great benefits). So, SPG AMEX is definitely the way to go on other spending. I wonder how long it will take before they change that.