For a limited time only between September 1 - September 15, 2011, all American Express transfers to Starwood will receive a 25% bonus. This will give you 417 SPG points for every 1,000 MR points.

To redeem for each category hotel, you will need to transfer the following MR points:

Category 1 (2,000/3,000 SPG points) = 4,797/7,195 MR points
Category 2 (3,000/4,000 SPG points) = 7,195/9.593 MR points
Category 3 (7,000 SPG points) = 16,787 MR points5 night redemption with the 5th night free (28,000 SPG points) = 67,147 MR points
Category 4 (10,000 SPG points) =23,981 MR points5 night redemption with the 5th night free (40,000 SPG points) = 95,924 MR points
Category 5 (12,000/16,000 SPG points) = 28,777/38,370 MR points5 night redemption with the 5th night free (48,000/64,000 SPG points = 115,108/153,478 MR points
Category 6 (20,000/25,000 SPG points) = 47,962/59,953 MR points5 night redemption with the 5th night free (80,000/100,000 SPG points = 191,847/239,809 MR points
Category 7 (30,000/35,000 SPG points) = 71,943/83,933 MR points5 night redemption with the 5th night free (120,000/140,000 SPG points) = 287,770/335,732 MR points

You can see more details on my post here.

 

Interesting.

 

Thanks, dealswelike.

That's a good analysis on your blog.

 

Even with this bonus and the current Delta transfer bonus, for my money, the smartest place to move Membership Rewards points remains Continental (with no bonus). This option ends 9/30.

 

This is a little bonus for those looking to turn MR's into AA miles before the lifetime program changes. Basically 1000 MR=roughly 520 AA vs. the normal 1000 MR= roughly 416 AA

 

Not great value. I find that BA miles tend to be the best transfer option for MR points.

 

I find that I have no use for BA miles. 100K miles and can't use them.

 

I calculate Starpoints at about 2.5 to 2.7 cents per point. Using this promotion would result in a transfer value of approximately 1.1 cent per Amex point. This is not a bad conversion rate, but not even close to the best. I would pass on this deal. See my Starpoint valuation here: http://wp.me/p1NgKb-e

 

Thanks OP! I've been hoping for some sort of bonus before the AA deadline. Of course, I dreamed of a better bonus but I'm happy with anything! Now to push for some last few MR points pre transfer!

 

Appologies for the stupid question, but does anyone know how to transfer MR points to SPG? I don't see an option to transfer points, only to pay for hotels with points. Maybe I am not looking in the correct spot on the MR website?

 

You do it from the AmEx MR site http://www.membershiprewards.com/ or www.americanexpress.com
Click the "Rewards" tab at the top, then select "Use Points"
Click the "Use Points" tab, then select "Hotels"
spg is the first option. Click it and on the following screen you will see the transfer points option.

Hope that helps

 

Is this for any Amex card, even those outside the USA? What about Australian Amex/MR points?

 

I would like to know as well. I'm in Australia.

 

After the announcement of new award charts in Nov, you may not say that.

 

Same feeling. It is not "can't" use them, it is very high cost to use them when comparing to other options. Mine are sitting there since Jan 2010, and now a massive devaluation may come our way!