Have you calculate the possibility of using the 4K on a ticket for earning miles and perhaps status to prolong this and give you more time?

Also have you checked the current starwood promotion going on? Some receive "do 3 stays for 10K points" - three nights in a more cheap starwood might net your more easily points.

Instead of burning the miles in award flights it might be nice to use the vips on paid flights as well as transfer your points to hilton to pay for your rooms.