should i go from Platinum to spg?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 709
should i go from Platinum to spg?
i have the Platinum card currently and am debating if i should cancel and get the spg card. can somebody please give me some advice? i have tried to use the plat benefits, free airline tix prices were a joke, ive called at least 5 times for reservations for restaurants in nyc on their list and didnt get anything, the fhr program is ok but i only stay at these places maybe once a year if that.can i get the same airline xfer options with the spg card that my plat has? what does the plat really give me that the spg cant and vice versa for the spg card. thanks for the help.
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
You get SPG Gold and CO/NW/DL lounge access (only when flying on that carrier that day). If you don't use those, save yourself the few hundred $$ and switch.
If you are planning to switch, make sure that you have a plan for your MR points.
S.
If you are planning to switch, make sure that you have a plan for your MR points.
S.
#5
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Louisville, KY, USA
Posts: 2,583
If you use Platinum lounge benefits and the SPG Gold, keep it and get the Starwood Card. It only costs $30 per year. Do all your charging there. If you do not use your platinum benefits, change to a cheaper card like the green or gold to preserve your MR points until you can use them. Still, get the Starwood card.
#6
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: DL 2MM PM;VSGld;EKGld; HilDia; HrtzPC; AvisPC; PP; AmbPlt; JumeiGld; MeliaPlt; TajPlt; ShangriDia
Posts: 953
Originally Posted by mshaikun
If you use Platinum lounge benefits and the SPG Gold, keep it and get the Starwood Card. It only costs $30 per year. Do all your charging there. If you do not use your platinum benefits, change to a cheaper card like the green or gold to preserve your MR points until you can use them. Still, get the Starwood card.
#9
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: DL 2MM PM;VSGld;EKGld; HilDia; HrtzPC; AvisPC; PP; AmbPlt; JumeiGld; MeliaPlt; TajPlt; ShangriDia
Posts: 953
Originally Posted by precision80
on the spg card, do you not earn MR points? what is it spg points? can i xfer my MR point to spg points. what would happen to them if i closed the plat and got the *wood?
As I understand, MR points transfer into Starwood at an extremely disadvantageous rate.
If you want to cancel AMEX Platinum, you basically have to cash out of MR before you cancel your card to be sure you benefit from the points.
The Starwood program is an advantage compared to MR because it can be cashed into more airline miles programs than MR has relationships with and as I understand, you receive an automatic 25% bonus when you transfer at least 20,000 starpoints into an airline program. (Thus, $20,000 in AMEX SPG charges would transfer as 25,000 NW Worldperks miles.) The major downer is that Starpoints transfer I believe into United at a 2 points for 1 mile rate.
#11
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend; Moderator: American Express, Capital One, Citi, Chase, Credit Card Programs, Diners Club, Signatures
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,884
Starwood card does not participate in Membership Rewards. $1 charged = 1 Starpoint; 1 Starpoint = 1 mile in a couple dozen airline programs, but Starwood adds a 5,000 miles bonus when you transfer a block of 20,000 = 25,000 miles. However, Starwood does not offer double points for supermarket, pharmacy, gasoline, cellphone or postage. This means you may end up with fewer miles, even with the 5,000 mile bonuses, depending on your spending pattern and which airlines you wish to use.
I suggest you read this thread for a thorough comparison of the two programs...
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=523503
...in my estimation it isn't a choice, they are both valuable, but Platinum is not the best card for earning MR points.
dennis
I suggest you read this thread for a thorough comparison of the two programs...
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=523503
...in my estimation it isn't a choice, they are both valuable, but Platinum is not the best card for earning MR points.
dennis
Last edited by mia; Mar 5, 2006 at 6:03 pm