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.
TPG featured card
at Bilt's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 1X | Choose to earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee |
| 2X | Earn 2X points + the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases |
Pros
- Choice to earn up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
- Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and the option to earn Bilt Cash
- $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
- $200 Bilt Cash annually
- Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Moderate annual fee
- Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
- Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 2X points on everyday spend
- $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
- $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
- Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
- Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
- Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.