So I have a trip that requires me to stay at a hotel for about 11-12 days and I will personally be paying for it. I can book the hotel directly through Marriott for about $1150 with taxes included.

If I book through AA’s site, I can get a room at the same hotel for the same time and get 14,000 base miles, but would pay $1,562. That’s about $412 more, but getting 14,000 base miles, which should be the same amount of loyalty points. I’ll be paying with an AA branded card, so I would also earn $1,562 in loyalty points on the card, and I have changed my earning from points to miles, so I’m left wondering if I can double tap by taking another $1,562 in loyalty points directly from Marriott. That would potentially be just over 17,000 base miles for $412.

If I chose the pay more get more deal, For $2,112 I would get 36,000 base miles. Now that is $550 more than the base offer, but $1,000 more than booking directly…..with the AA credit card and miles from Marriott (instead of Marriott points), I could end up getting over 40,000 base miles / loyalty points…..but is this extra $1,000 worth it.

I’m currently EXP but way behind on my miles for this year. I’m 43,000 miles away from Platinum, and with my upcoming flights, I should easily make it pass the threshold and solidly on my way to Plat Pro if I take the second option. What I’m trying to figure out is the value of the miles and is this spend worth it, vs me actually using the $1,000 on a plane ticket and traveling somewhere, but how likely is it to earn 40,000 base miles or more on a plane ticket up to $1,000

So are any of these 2 promos worth it. Which would you travel gurus recommend taking or not taking and just putting the money towards a plane ticket.

thanks for the advice