How can I maximize 180,000 SPG points?

IMO only fools redeem their SPG points for air miles!!!!!!!!!

The Cash and Points option can be a GREAT way to maximize your points value. A $500 room at the St Regis on Kauai is 20,000 pts/night or 8,000 pts + $150. I'd personally rather save the 12,000 points as that would translate to about 3 cents/point. Alternatively booking 5 nights you get the 5th free so it's not a horrible way to burn through them if you want. I've got about 150,000 points and I still use C&P just because they are such a good deal although not all hotels offer them or have availability.

Flying within the US is relatively cheap. Especially from a hub such as Chicago. I think you'd get pretty poor use out of your SPG miles if you used them for domestic tickets and that's assuming you could transfer them and get a saver award which isn't always the easiest! The thing too about SPG to airline partners that sucks is their point transfer isn't immediate. I just transferred some Chase UR points to United and it happens instantly so I knew I could use those points to book a flight. 15,000 points for a $500 flight With SPG it takes some time so for all you know the flight you thought you were gonna get is no longer available.

Damn, I really wish SPG points could be bought/sold like the Chase UR points because I'd totally buy them off you! Many people feel they're the most valuable points out there, heavily because of their C&P option.