Should I Get the SPG Amex or Marriott Rewards Premier Card?
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
TPG reader Colin sent me a tweet to ask about a few limited-time credit card offers:
"Which sign-up bonus do you like better, 35,000 Starpoints or 80,000 Marriott Rewards points?"
Credit card sign-up bonuses come and go, and a great way to boost your loyalty accounts is to make sure you jump on the top offers while they're available. In the last month or so, Starwood and Marriott have come out with highly valuable, limited-time offers for their co-branded cards. I think both of them are worth a look, but if I have to pick one, the choice is clear.
The Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express is offering a bonus of 35,000 points after you spend $3,000 in the first three months, while the Marriott Rewards Premier Credit Card is offering bonus of 80,000 points after you spend $3,000 in the first three months, plus 7,500 points when you add an authorized user and make a purchase in the first three months. Clearly, 87,500 is a lot more than 35,000, but it's important to remember that points are not created equal.
After meeting the minimum spending requirements on the SPG Amex, you'd have at least 38,000 Starpoints. I list those points at 2.5 cents apiece in my most recent monthly valuations, which gives you an impressive total value of $950. Meanwhile, meeting the requirements on the Marriott Rewards card would net you at least 90,500 points. I list those points at 0.7 cents apiece, so the bonus is worth about $634. That's also a solid value, but clearly I'd prefer the Starpoints.
You also have to factor in how these bonuses compare to what's been available in the past. The Marriott Premier offer is strong, but we saw a similar bonus as recently as last summer. There's no guarantee that this card will offer 80,000 points again in the future, but at least there's some precedent. On the other hand, the SPG Amex offer is the best we've ever seen. Of course, there's also no guarantee that a better offer won't appear down the line, but I wouldn't hold your breath.
In a bubble I think the SPG Amex bonus offers better value, but your decision of which card to apply for may depend on your travel plans. If you have a Marriott award stay in mind, or if you're thinking of booking a Hotel + Air package to earn the Southwest Companion Pass, then the Premier card could be a better fit.
Some readers have asked whether earning Starpoints and Marriott Rewards should be a priority because of the impending acquisition. However, with this week's accepted bid from Anbang, there's now a fairly good chance that these two loyalty programs won't be combined, so I think there's no more or less incentive than there would be otherwise.
For more on maximizing these two cards and their respective bonuses, check out these posts:
- How to Use 35,000 Points from the SPG Amex Card
- 5 Ways to Use 80,000 Points from the Marriott Rewards Premier Card
- Starwood Accepts Anbang's Bid for Acquisition
If you have any other questions, please tweet me @thepointsguy, message me on Facebook or send me an email at info@thepointsguy.com.
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| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees