Originally Posted by
PumpkinSmasher
Yes, my wife has an SPG account as well. Would buy 30K and then have her gift 15K to me.
Excellent, I have 440K MR & 3K SPG left (xferd 75K to KrisFlyer for 2 J awards) and thought of going that way too but decided to just go with a single Cat 8 TP and attach it to a week-long stay in Sydney during peak Southern Hemisphere summer. Ultimately, I would prefer an SPG property there but happy with the Marriott too if I can't change later. Marriott is currently Cat 8 going to Cat 5, SPG 5 staying at 5. Worst case scenario I overpay 30K, best case I get the preferred hotel and 30K back. I can live with that.
I don't want to completely deplete my MR account. It is nice to have a small stach for those last minute trips or for short stopovers when pricing is at a premium.
If maximizing value, the extra AS Miles would be the way to go if you are looking for international premium cabin flights. As an MVPG75K I don't redeem for awards within the AS network but I do earn about 240K RDM annually with AS so I am not so focused to spend additional dollars for the extra TP.
That is my evaluation for me.
If you are familiar with the AS program and it suits your needs, the $900 SPG purchase (regardless of the value of the certificate) is still much cheaper that the ~$3450 to buy 120K AS miles (un-bonused) through Alaska. 120K is enough for J North America - Australia return on one partner if you find availability.