American Express Membership Rewards - Starwood vs. Platinum

Hi,

I currently have both the Starwood Amex and the Plantinum Amex. My thoughts is that building up points on the Platinum is not as good as the Starwood as when I transfer to Starwood it's only at a 1/3 ratio. Is there any benefit to accruing on Platinum. Note, I don't travel that often and have found a Starwood hotel available most everywhere I travel. Is one better to transfer into Airlines?

Thanks.

for me, using plat points >
1. E0
2. 60K point advance
3. cashback option

The SPG card is generally better for transferring into airlines as well as for SPG earning. The main exception is CO, where MR points are worth 2x SPG points.

The programs are very different. If you are just using the Platinum card for MR points then you are paying WAY too much for that luxury. If you use the other benefits then it may be a wash. Based on your plan to use the points for hotel stays, SPG is almost certainly a better deal.

Is there any benefit to accruing on Platinum. ... Is one better to transfer into Airlines?


Starwood is generally better for airline redemptions, with these exceptions:

Membership Rewards transfers to six airlines that do not accept transfers from SPG: AirTran, AeroMexico, El Al, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest. There are also the Eos awards that Kagehitokiri mentioned.

Membership Rewards transfer to Continental Airlines at a better rate than SPG. Membership Rewards also offers periodic bonuses on transfers to Delta.

...CO, where MR points are worth 2x SPG points.

I calculate 1.6x because you still receive the 25% bonus on the reduced mileage:

20,000 SPG = CO 12,500
20,000 MR = CO 20,000

Thanks, Chase!

good reminder of those exceptions mia ^

?? What am I overlooking? I use my PLAT for 1:1 transfers to Delta, and I don't think I can transfer 1:1 from SPG, can I? (Mostly use SPG for 1:1 to American...)

To the OP: It helps if you think of each credit card program as its own currency, in a manner of speaking. Some things are more easily "bought" with one of them than the other. But absolutely what these folks say is true, you can't beat SPG Amex for earning hotel room bonuses.

(I've stayed in two Sheraton properties free within the last month thanks to SPG; not only were the rooms had for only the price of incidentals, they were recently renovated, and located in the best areas of the hotels. SPG treats its Gold members like, well, precious metals! ;))

p.s. You get automatic SPG Gold status along with your PLAT membership. FYI in case you hadn't already read that.

Sure, you can transfer from SPG to DL on 1:1 basis or 1:1.25 for 20K SPG.

SPG to Delta is 1:1.25. 20,000 Starpoints = 25,000 Skymiles.

Any good offers for signing up to the SPG Amex?

Can you use Purchase Protection and Extended Warranty with SPG?

Can you use Purchase Protection and Extended Warranty with SPG?

Yes

https://www143.americanexpress.com/cards/home.do#CARDS/158/1/3/0

The airport lounges and companion tickets make the regular platinum amex worth far more to me. The points are a bonus, but with all the travel I do, I don't need more hotel points.

I'm sure this is very basic - what is EO? Thanks!

The SPG card is generally better for transferring into airlines as well as for SPG earning. The main exception is CO, where MR points are worth 2x SPG points.

The programs are very different. If you are just using the Platinum card for MR points then you are paying WAY too much for that luxury. If you use the other benefits then it may be a wash. Based on your plan to use the points for hotel stays, SPG is almost certainly a better deal.

Do SPG points transfer into airlines immediately like AMEX? Otherwise how does one hold a reservation? DL no longer holds res by phone. You either have the miles or not.

You say the programs are very different: Do you mind expanding on this?
Thanks!

...what is EO?...

http://www.eosairlines.com

Do SPG points transfer into airlines immediately like AMEX?

No, but bear in mind that Membership Rewards points also do not transfer instantly to every partner airline.

I'm sure this is very basic - what is EO? Thanks!

Eos, an airline that flies all business class between NYC (JFK and I think EWR) to London. They are looking to expand to other cities in Europe. Can someone confirm that?

for me, using plat points >
1. E0
2. 60K point advance
3. cashback option


Cash back option?

No, but bear in mind that Membership Rewards points also do not transfer instantly to every partner airline.

But, as I was just explaining in a PM as to why I prefer MR over SPG, the ones that do go instantly are *very* useful.

Can a Canadian get a SPG Amex or must you have a US address?

Available for U.S. residents only.

https://www.starwoodhotels.com/preferredguest/account/starpoints/get/partner_earn.html?IndustryType=SPGCC&PartnerCode=PTR30

Canadian card is issued by MBNA...

https://wwwa.applyonlinenow.com/CACCapp/Ctl/entry?sc=beqp&lc=en_CA

If the airlines will not hold a reservation longer than 24 to 48 hours, how are the * points useful? What are the chances of the reservations still being available 2 weeks later?

If the airlines will not hold a reservation longer than 24 to 48 hours,

American Airlines will hold an award reservation entered online for two weeks: If you are not ready to purchase your ticket now, you may HOLD your reservation until Apr 29, 2008.

AA may hold for two weeks, but what does one do with say DL that will only hold for 24-48 hours. Can't get those *wood in quick enough? Thanks