Best Bang for Amex Reward Points?

[Palum6o]

I've used my points for air travel in the past as well as hotel stays during vacation. I just got the 2008 catalogue and there's some nice stuff in there. I'm planning to hold on to my points for travel in the future. Is there a rule of thumb for the value of the points (1,000 = $10)? How do you get the best bang for your points?

[Jims5543]

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/preferredguest/index.html?PS=GWS_aa_Google_Starwood_Preferred_Gue st_122705


This is the Amex points card I use, we just did 2 free nights in Savannah last weekend at the Westin.

I like it a lot. Plus just because I own a Starwood Vacation ownership I am an instant Gold Member that gets me free upgrades to the best room available at check in, I have stayed in giant suites for the same points as a rack room.

I also just received 225K points for upgrading my timeshare from a fixed week to a Gold season floater, I now have enough points for 10 days in Italy, we are planning a trip in 2-3 years and yes the points are banked for 6 years.

[TimT]

A friend of mine converted his points and used them for the three day Skip Barber competion school.

[cairns]

Depending on how many you have call them up and negotiate first class travel. We have literally millions of Amex points and while they're not worth at all what they used to be it's still better than paying $15K plus for a first class seat to Asia or Australia.

[VincentVega]

Costco Amex, get a check every Feb. If you have to use points, vacation seems like the best use to me.

[930LDR]

Damn he must have had a lot of points to be able to spring for the Skippy School!

[Palum6o]

That sounds like fun, how many points is that for 3 days...?

[TimT]

I think he mentioned he had over 900K points on his corporate card (he owns a large truck body shop)