Originally Posted by
Cledaybuck
When looking only at the SPG AmEx, they are reducing earn rate, but it has been increased Marriott branded Chase card. I happen to think the earning on the SPG AmEx were just a shorterm by product of merging two programs and the 3:1 conversion rather than some strategic decision by Marriott. It was nice while it lasted.
The real value of the SPG Amex wasn't the Marriott points conversion, 3:1, but the 1;1 transfer to airlines plus the 5k bonus on 20K SPG. The Business SPG's added 4x category helps a bit but having a very convertible earning at 1:1 with the SPG Amex. Personally given the awards charts available I preferred SPG points (and thus Marriott) to UR and MR because how much cheaper, in miles, I could bet comp flights.