American Express Membership Rewards - Must be missing something re: Starwood card...




bigbadbuff
Aug 18, 04, 10:43 am
Looked around on several forums for a good while to choose a new card... settled on the *wood as it seems to be of its kind. A couple of questions...

1) I was given a limit of $4500. I will be making a $8k purchase in about a month and wanted to use this card. I would be able to pay it off immediately as the money is just sitting in a savings account right now. How is Amex on increasing credit limits immediately? I have no history with them, this is my 1st card. Have people had success calling them and explaining their situation and getting a limit increase? I've seen several posts that seem to say yes and no.

2) I had planned on using this card as my primary card... ie, paying car payment, cable, groceries, misc., basically anything I can with it. Even doing that, it seems like it will take a significant amount of time to build up *wood points to where they will be worth redeeming. Am I missing any 'tips' on how to maximize point accumulation? I've searched 15+ pages and don't see much talk about this. I can't imagine others are not in the same situation. Is it simply that unless you can charge a tremendous sum to it every month, you're pretty much relegated to waiting years for points to build up to a significant level? I would love suggestions on how to maximize point earning- other cards that are better for everyday use that are converted well into *wood points, threads already discussing this, purchasing strategies, airline FFP strategies, etc.

Thanks in advance, glad to finally be posting after lurking for years.


chalf
Aug 18, 04, 11:45 am
Check the Starwood forum for redemption tips. However, in general one can get [Category 1] reward nights for a few as 2,000 points, and Category 3 for 7,000 points. If you have even a moderate level of activity accruing enpugh points for 1+ free nights should be no problem. Of course IMHO the buy 4/5th free and mileage transfer awards are a much better value....

singlemalt
Aug 18, 04, 12:53 pm
How is Amex on increasing credit limits immediately? I have no history with them, this is my 1st card. Have people had success calling them and explaining their situation and getting a limit increase? I've seen several posts that seem to say yes and no.

Welcome, bigbadbuff!

Here's mandatory reading for those trying to get a credit limit increase from Amex:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=141186

Basically, they're a pain. Some of us have worked them for a few years to get to a reasonable credit limit.


bigbadbuff
Aug 18, 04, 4:08 pm
thanks guys, can't believe I've never seen that forum! :D :eek:



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