Starting 2016 Off Strong With Starwood Preferred Guest
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Starwood Preferred Guest is one of my absolute favorite rewards programs. Starpoints are widely regarded as the most valuable loyalty currency, and that is reflected in my monthly valuations. It's added several new chains to its portfolio, which now includes 11 brands, the newest of which being Design Hotels, as well as new airline transfer partners — unlike some programs which constantly devalue and lose partners. But one of the biggest reasons I love SPG so much is because of the way you can start the year strong with elite-qualifying nights and stays.
Because I'm a cardholder of both the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express and its Starwood Preferred Guest Business Credit Card from American Express, I'm already 20% of the way toward Platinum status requalfication — and I haven't even stayed in a hotel one night this year. It isn't one of the key advertised perks, but for each of the two co-branded cards, you receive credit for five nights and two stays each year — so a total of four stays and 10 nights each year. For that reason alone, I know I'll always keep these cards alive — they're well worth the annual fee ($95, which is waived the first year) and always pay off in the end, not to mention the other benefits that come with the cards and accruing valuable Starpoints from everyday spend.
SPG Platinum status requires 25 stays or 50 nights and can earn you late check out, room upgrades, complimentary club access, among other benefits. Starting my year off 20% of the way to reaching Platinum status is a huge bonus. Also, I'm 10% of the way to 100-night Platinum Ambassador, which will get me many more benefits on top of the standard Platinum status. Having this option available makes being an SPG Amex cardholder completely worth it in my eyes.
Other Perks
If you don't already have the card, the current welcome bonus is 25,000 Starpoints after spending $3,000 in the first three months and the $95 annual fee is waived the first year, making it a total no-brainer. If you wait until August/September, the bonus may jump to 30,000 points, as it has the past several years. As of August 2015, there is complimentary and unlimited Boingo Wi-Fi, complimentary premium in-room internet access and no foreign transaction fees on both cards.
The Starwood Preferred Guest Business Credit Card from American Express will earn you 25,000 Starpoints after spending $5,000 in the first three months. You'll earn the same previously mentioned benefits, as well as Sheraton Club access when you book rates that are eligible to earn Starpoints. For both cards, you'll earn up to 5 Starpoints for each dollar of eligible purchases at participating SPG hotels — 2 for charging your purchase to an SPG card in addition to the 2 or 3 for which you may be eligible as an SPG member — and 1 Starpoint for all other purchases.
My SPG Hoarding Situation and Looming Merger Anxiety
I use my SPG Amex cards for all spend where I'm not getting a bonus on another card. And, as you can see in the picture above, I've been hoarding them a bit, which is a bad long-term investment. So, I'm making 2016 the year of the #TPGSPGBURN as we near the Marriott merger. Who knows what will happen to Starpoints when the merger is complete, but I plan to burn them on some nice resort stays and SPG Moments in the meantime. Stay tuned!
How are you using your Starpoints this year? Use #TPGSPGBURN to join the conversation on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.