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. If they put more than $5K for taxes on the card, they will wind up with more than 10K points, but the points beyond 10K will cost .0249 each, that is twice as much as the first ones. So up to $5K spend on taxes, a good deal; after $5K spend on taxes, perhaps a marginal one. (Not the same as buying US dollars for 80 cents each, unless absolutely certain that will be using the points soon for value >.0249 each, and would have chosen to spend the money that way in any event.)
Up until the (...), that's in full agreement with what I said.
The 80 cents comment was in a different thread, in response to a different post, on a completely different topic, and has nothing to do with the answer quoted.
Efrem posted "(a) you can often get them less expensively if you have enough time to accumulate the ones you need,"
I was pointing out that regardless of other opportunities to get points cheaper, unless you could accumulate an infinite amount through this other opportunity, this was still a chance to get points at below their value. The other opportunity shouldn't influence the decision to take advantage of this.
Originally Posted by itsme
As one without any experience redeeming SPG awards, I am encouraged to hear your positive feedback about your experience in this regard. (When redeeming awards, is it of any consequence if you are SPG Gold?)
I think you'll find near unanimous agreement that this is why SPG wins the Freddie Award for hotel programs every year. The accumulation rate is a bit lower than others, but the ability to redeem when you want, where you want, puts is head and shoulders above. Status doesn't impact the "if a standard room is available to sell, it can be redeemed for points" policy - anyone can do it.