Originally Posted by
SpammersAreScum
One consideration for conversion would be that 100k SPG points converts to 125k AA miles but only 50k UA miles. Similarly, the 125k Amex via SPG would be 52k AA miles, but only 25k UA miles (also indirectly)
The SPG-Marriott merger creates good opportunities for indirect SPG-UA transfers. 56k Marriott converts to 25k UA, so 18,666 SPG = 56k Marriott = 25k UA. Or, 90k SPG = 270k Marriott = 7 nights in cat 1-5 Marriott + 132k UA.
Originally Posted by flyingmusicianlax
OP, if I were you, I would explore the possibility of just redeeming two awards for each one-way on AA. It's 70k AA miles to get to SE Asia in business and another 40k to get from SE Asia to Australia in business. That's 110k miles each way, per person, in business class. Use British Airways' website (you'll need to register a new account) to search for oneworld partner availability. Make sure you search segment-by-segment, otherwise you may get incorrect results.
I second this recommendation. A few benefits:
- Cathay has better award availability than AA
- Cathay flies from BOS, so no domestic connections needed (if you can find BOS-HKG avialability
- If desired, you could spend a few days in Hong Kong. No extra cost since you're booking separate awards with AA miles.
- You could transfer SPG to Alaska (90k = 270k Marriott = 120k Alaska + 7 nights in cat 1-5 Marriott), and use Alaska miles to book on the same Cathay flights. Alaska charges 40k one way in economy / 60k one way in business, and they do allow routing via HKG to get to Oz, so no need for separate awards.