Originally Posted by itsme
As I understand it, and expect to do it tomorrow, if one pays $5K in taxes with the SPG AmEx, they will wind up with 10K points for a "convenience fee" of $124.50, or points at .01245 each.
Actually, as someone pointed out somewhere back in this thread, technically you'd get 10,125 Starpoints for your $124.50 convenience payment, or about 1.23 cents per point rather than 1.245 cents.
Originally Posted by itsme
(When redeeming awards, is it of any consequence if you are SPG Gold?)
Supposedly redemption for rooms is first come, first served. If there is any "slack" cut, it would more likely be for a SPG Platinum or higher than for an SPG Gold.