Amex MR vs SPG points?

[Anonymous]

Hello guys I will be travelling this Christmas and I’m planning on booking my hotels with either the spg card of the platinum card.

*given booking the exact same hotel both prepaid no other discounts, only difference is points earned.

With spg card I earn 6 spg points and with Amex 5 MR points. MR points are certainly more valuable but is that extra spg point going to be worth anything?

Thanks.

[Shadowfactor]

There’s no good way to answer this in my opinion. Only you can make a decision based on your personal redemption preferences.
I’m sure @K in Boston will be able to give you a better answer as he is much more knowledgeable about SPG points than I am.

The answer will come down to how you value a point system and how you plan to redeem those points.

Both SPG/Marriott and MR are very flexible currencies, but one might be better if you plan to use the points a certain way.

Point ratios of transfer partners will also come into play.

[wasCB14]

IMO, 5x MRs is better. An additional 20% (6 vs. 5) with Marriott doesn't make up for the greater flexibility of MRs.

[NRB525]

This is the sort of question leading me to discount the AMEX Platinum, as a long term card.

If one stays at a mix of Marriott, SPG, Hilton and Hyatt, then one earns points for membership in the program regardless of card used. Having a brand-specific card, or in my case all three brands, opens up slightly better direct earning, on stays and elsewhere, for each plan. Status comes with the cards.

One reason for using an SPG card on SPG/Marriott stays is those points help round up points earned for the stay, round them up to a usable quantity of points. It may be a minor point, but a consideration. If you are 1,000 Marriott points from a redemption, having earned them with spend on the SPG card has some value.

[redpat]

OP, I suggest that you also checkout Rockmiles to see how many MR points you can get as an option. I have used them twice for +20x MR points per dollar for $5 more on booking, well worth it.  

$179 for 4K MR points

$199 for 4K MR points

It’s hit or miss but always worth a look.

[redpat]

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@wasCB14 wrote:
IMO, 5x MRs is better. An additional 20% (6 vs. 5) with Marriott doesn't make up for the greater flexibility of MRs.

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But you are losing 12.50x points on your stay also having Marriott gold w/ plat.  So that is 18.50 Marriott points vs 5 MR points.  

This is why I suggested looking at RM to see if you can beat 18.50 Marriott points and get at least 18x MR points or greater for the same dollars spent.

Remember 5x is through Amex travel portal and you don’t get Hotel points, status benefits or the stay counting towards status.