Originally Posted by pjs1
1) So given that United and SPG are both offfering double miles, I take it I'd be paying $99 for 8,000 MP or SPG points for the first $4000 in tax. Have I got that right and does that seem a good deal/rate of return?
2) But SPG says there are only double Starpoints for the first $5,000 payment. In which case, if I make the second larger payment with SPG Amex card, does that I mean I get single points or none? And if I make it with the United card, wd I get 16,000 miles for the $8,000 tax payment for a $196 fee?!
3) But the SPG Amex info also confusingly says that the Bonus Starpoints will be limited to 5,000 per account. Are Bonus Starpoints different to Starpoints? If not, it implies that actually you can only get double points for the first $2,500...
I'll stop befor I confuse myself more!
Not a bad deal.
With Starwood, you always get a 25% bonus (20,000 points = 25,000 miles) so for sure do $5,000 with Starwood. Cost is about 1 cents per mile.
If you go past $5,000 you get miles but no bonus miles with Starwood. If you did the whole $12,000 on Starwood you'd get 17,000 points at a cost of under $300 (2.49%).
If all you plan on doing is taking airmiles, stop at $5,000 with Starwood and put rest on United. Real deal would be to put it all on Starwood and enjoy several nights in the hotels. I am doing two nights at LAX for 7,000 points (value about $350) and there are even better options.