10K AAdvantage Business bonus: same clawback risk, half the miles.

Marriott's 50% buy-points bonus through September 9, 2026 drops the cost to 0.83 cents per point (USD) at max, but that's still above our valuation of 0.6 cpp. The play is not to stock up; it's to top off for a specific high-value redemption like Al Maha Desert Resort or JW Marriott Maldives where cash rates exceed $1,000 a night. The 200,000-point purchase cap (bonus not counted) means $2,500 nets 300,000 points at the 50% bonus, enough for two to three nights at aspirational properties. Transferring to airline partners at 3:1 with a 5,000-mile bonus on 60,000-point increments yields miles at 2.0 cpp, which is expensive but unlocks exclusive programs like Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer for First Class Suites.

Ethiopian Airlines is offering a 50% ShebaMiles bonus on flights between Addis Ababa and Washington D.C., Chicago, New York, Newark, Atlanta, or Toronto. That's a 50% boost to your ShebaMiles balance on any eligible fare. Travel must be completed by Dec 10, 2026, so if you have a trip to Ethiopia or a connection through Addis Ababa on the calendar, book now to capture the extra miles. The bonus applies to the named North American gateways, so check your route before you commit.