Since getting a *W AMEX last year in addition to my AMEX Plat. card, I have been confronted with this same question of what to charge on what card. I have decided to do what several others here have posted and that is to use the Plat. card for International Business Class airline tickets and also those charges which I earn double points for. I use the *W card for virtually everything else.

I too find that the AMEX MR program has gotten progressively worse over the last couple of years.

Negative:
1. Marriott is leaving but that is no big deal because the redemption rates where not that good anyway.
2. US based airlines in the program are not my favorite. USAirways is having huge financial problems. DL has similar problems. CO has horrible award availability (Did the CO-Amtrak-UA transfer with my CO miles because I could never use them too so I doubt I will EVER transfer AMEX MR points into CO!)

Positive:
1. Air Canada has been added, which is good since it gives us another alternative for Star Alliance awards.
2. I can top of my SWA account with transfers from AMEX so that I do not loose SWA points after 1 year.
3. Virgin is still in the program.
4. Transfers to IC-Hotels can get you a night in Bora Bora for 30k vs. S* requirement of 20-30k Starpoints (60-90k AMEX MR points) per night. Hope to do this soon!