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Thanks VF, if I transfer SPG now I'll have 800K plus in MRs. Future travel is the quandary.
With respect to airline loyalty, we trend to American for our Texas to Hawaii travel, but for international travel I'd look first to non-domestic airlines, preferably business class or premium economy.
If I deposit to United, I assume those miles can be used across their Star Alliance Partners, i.e., they become a holding bucket.
I've mostly been accumulating points for the last two years, so haven't had to master the usage details yet, but 1 August does seem to be critical point at the moment.
Given my unknowns, would it also make sense to book a target hotel as far out as possible or is it a one-year usage window, with hope they would allow me to extend, i.e., thinking late 2019 and 2020.
Considering: Two 7-day or maybe three 5-day Category 7 certificates.