Starwood mileage transfers

What about Starwood mileage transfers?

What makes SPG unique as a program is that you can convert Starpoints into airline miles efficiently, at a 1:1 ratio. Then for every 20,000 points you transfer you get a 5,000 point bonus, meaning each Starpoint can be worth 1.25 miles. That can be a great use of Starpoints, and really makes the points much more versatile. If Starwood devalues their own redemption rates, the option to transfer to dozens of airline programs is still there.

Meanwhile Marriott offers Hotel + Air Packages, whereby you can redeem points for a package including a set number of nights in a hotel plus a set number of airline miles. It’s also a great use of points.

However, I would assume only one of these offerings will survive — either the ability to transfer points to airlines at a lucrative ratio, or the ability to book these lucrative packages. Assuming the current Marriott “currency” survives, it goes without saying that 1:1 airline transfers won’t survive. We can just hope some other lucrative mileage transfer option continues to be available.

http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/11/17/marriott-starwood-merger-questions/