Originally Posted by stevens397
I had spent most of my dollars on my Starwood AMEX and some on a Centurion. Thanks to this board, I got the MERRILL+ card - mostly for the free Ritz nights. I reached the +2 ($20,000) category two weeks ago. I will seriously have to reconsider my plans after reading this thread.
My Starwood points can be used pretty much anywhere, anytime. To divert my business to MERRILL only to find out I have 4 Ritz certificates I can't use would be very distressing. My plan when I started was to use the 4 nights for NJ teachers convention (early November) in Naples.
That said, as I posted elsewhere, the 20,000 level apparently will get American Airlines to match my Gold status on a few airlines. We'll see what that's worth.
The Merrill card is still a great deal for the Ritz nights. Considering that 20K starpoints get you 2 night cat 4 and the that the Ritz nights cost you no points you have approx 200.00 value in points for soemthing else. I called for July at Central Park. Inisiatlly they havd nothing available. I called a week later and there was availability. I think they have differend allocations on the rooms. Considering a regular oom in Central park goes for 550.00 a night 3 nights is worth 1650.00 plus tax which in NY is probably another 200.00 or more.
Rob