Starwood Preferred Guest - New Starwood member - question

Okay, I'm new to this and I have some questions.

I am SPG member and applied for the SPG Amex card and received the platinum card do I get
my SPG status upgraded because I now have this card?

I've heard conflicting stories regarding this so I was just curious.

Thanks Cheryl

I tried this when I first got my card and it took numerous calls and emails before I finally got it changed up to Gold. I had given up and was going to call one last time and got the most friendly SPG representative that took care of it for me. Hint: I called the number of the SPG Gold Customer Service line. That may have helped.
Good luck!

I didn't realize they'd up your status, just that they treat you the same as if you had the status ... I use the AMEX card at check-in and have been upgraded 2 for 2. I don't have any *wood status.

The Starwood American Express Platinum does not entitle you to Starwood Gold status.

The standard American Express Platinum (hint: annual fee $350) does entitle you to Starwood Gold status.

However, some CSRs with Starwood apparently either think otherwise or don't understand the difference between the two cards, because as the previous poster demonstrates you can sometimes get complimentary Gold status by calling and asking and mentioning the Starwood card...

The actual benefit that you are entitled to as a Starwood Amex holder is a status called Preferred Plus which is similar to Gold but does not earn bonus points (though you do earn bonuses with each of your stays, up to 10 I think, in your first year as a Starwood Amex cardholder).

Cheers,
Gary

Thank you Gary. I am just learning the ins and outs of this.

Oh, and Welcome to Flyertalk! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Cherylp3,

Welcome to Flyertalk! I don't know if this helps but, have you considered Starwood Vacation Ownership-it gives you Gold status for as long as you own the timeshare.

Suitestay!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by gleff:
The Starwood The standard American Express Platinum (hint: annual fee $350) does entitle you to Starwood Gold status.
</font>

Actually they just raised the annual fee to $395... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

I'm already in the Disney Vacation Club timeshare. I plan to have 2 stays by the end of this year. I'll make gold status eventually. =)

Actually... the Business Card is somewhat cheaper. The Business Platinum card from Amex is only 300 per year.

I own my own small business... but really being a business is simply a matter of declaring yourself a "sole proprietor". So you could apply for the Amex Business Platinum card.

You get Starwood Gold, and access to the airport clubs of Northwest, Continental and Delta.