Using them to pay other bills (if they could be paid by Amex) kinda defeats the purpose of getting extra Starpts by buying the TCs.
And, I would be concerned about loss in the mail or proof of payment later on if there is a problem.
What's wrong with cashing them in at the bank or depositing them there--or, even, using them while traveling?
+1
they should Never be used where a CC can be used. If a CC isnt accepted Amex or any kind where you will earn some pts of some kind or rebate, then and only then use the TCs to pay for something
Same here. Received the Starwood bill, which includes a bunch of changes to terms and conditions. Pertinent to our discussion is the following:
Quote:
Eligible Purchase Exclusions
Effective April 2, 2009, we are amending the agreement regarding the accumulation of reward points (or miles) appended to your Agreement by adding the following to the end of the sentence defining Eligible Purchases:
"or the purchase of American Express Travelers Cheques and American Express Gift Cheques or other cash equivalents."
Looks as though that's it. Two more rounds, maybe.
The above provision (no points or miles for TC purchases) led me to wonder whether, even if you didn't get the Starpoints, the $1000 would still count as "qualifying spending" toward the $30,000 in annual charges needed to get Gold SPG status, so I studied my billing statement more closely. Aside from wanting the Starpoints, the charges from the TC purchases were critical to some folks to help get them over the $30,000 threshold.
Surprisingly, I couldn't find the rolling total report usually occurring under the "Total Starpoints Earned" box. You know what I'm talking about -- the one that says how many dollars you've charged in the current year and how many more you have to go.
Last year, for instance, until you got to the $30,000 required for the upgrade, the report would say something like:
Quote:
Your qualifying Year-to-Date spending on your Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express is $23,455.00. To qualify for Starwood Gold Preferred Guest Status, you need to have $30,000 in qualified spend by December 31st.
After you reached the $30,000 the report would say:
Quote:
Congratulations! You have qualifying charges of at least $30,000 on your Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express and therefore are eligible to be upgraded to Starwood Gold Preferred Guest status.
Anyway, that report is missing from my current billing statement. It isn't there anywhere.
I'm wondering whether Starwood has pulled the program where qualifying charges on the card can earn Gold SPG status. Anyone know?
The above provision (no points or miles for TC purchases) led me to wonder whether, even if you didn't get the Starpoints, the $1000 would still count as "qualifying spending" toward the $30,000 in annual charges needed to get Gold SPG status, so I studied my billing statement more closely. Aside from wanting the Starpoints, the charges from the TC purchases were critical to some folks to help get them over the $30,000 threshold.
Surprisingly, I couldn't find the rolling total report usually occurring under the "Total Starpoints Earned" box. You know what I'm talking about -- the one that says how many dollars you've charged in the current year and how many more you have to go.
Last year, for instance, until you got to the $30,000 required for the upgrade, the report would say something like:
After you reached the $30,000 the report would say:
Anyway, that report is missing from my current billing statement. It isn't there anywhere.
I'm wondering whether Starwood has pulled the program where qualifying charges on the card can earn Gold SPG status. Anyone know?
You are automatically SPG Gold with the AMEX Plat card and many other benefits for $395 per year, like lots of MR points! I wouldn't pay the fee unless the benefits outweighed the cost!
Well, I took SPG and HHonors cards to the travel center to buy the TC's.
This time one card went through without a problem, the second required a whole bunch of fenagling by the AMEX credit department to go through. As to why the denial? No one had an idea. In the least I was able to run the card and get the additional $1000 TC's, however, not happy that I had to spend an additional 15 minutes...
Nonetheless an improvement over last month when both cards were denied out right, and both required the AMEX credit department to 'force' the charges through.
Programs: CO Silver Leisure Elite, I don't remember the last time I flew *A or OW, Hyatt Plat/Avis PC (PPC)
Posts: 274
Quote:
Originally Posted by johnfuji
You are automatically SPG Gold with the AMEX Plat card and many other benefits for $395 per year, like lots of MR points! I wouldn't pay the fee unless the benefits outweighed the cost!
Er, $450?
__________________
1 Nappy bag: $.03; 1 pair slip on shoes: $40; 1 bottle of airport water: $5
This wording has always been in the Agreement, but obviously not enforced.
Here is how the agreement reads BEFORE the change (needless to say that I confused as to why they feel the need to amend it):
"Hilton HHonors Platinum Credit Card from American Express
Usage of the Hilton HHonors Platinum Credit Card from American Express is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Hilton HHonors American Express Cardmember Agreement.
Cardmembers earn 3 HHonors bonus points for every eligible U.S. dollar (or U.S. dollar equivalent) charged to the Card anywhere American Express® Cards are accepted. Or U.S. Cardmembers earn an additional 2 HHonors bonus points for a total of 5 HHonors bonus points for every eligible U.S. dollar (or U.S. dollar equivalent) charged at (i) Hilton Family hotels and (ii) that are Everyday Purchases (as defined below).
• "Everyday Purchases" are Eligible Purchases in the U.S. at supermarkets, gas stations, and drug stores that are not departments of superstores or warehouse clubs, and the U.S. Postal Service, dining establishments, and for wireless phone bill payments. "Eligible Purchases" are charges to your American Express Account for goods or services that have not been returned or otherwise credited to your Account. Eligible Purchases do not include Finance Charges, fees, Cash Advances or other means of accessing your Account, convenience checks, Balance Transfers, or the purchase of American Express Travelers Cheques and American Express Gift Cheques or other cash equivalents. The award of Hilton HHonors bonus points by using the Card is contingent upon the merchant submitting your charge information with the appropriate industry code or any other necessary product or service identifier.
Hilton HHonors Silver membership, with benefits as described under Hilton HHonors Membership Tiers, will be provided to all Cardmembers for the duration of Cardmembership. HHonors members who are HHonors VIPs upon Card enrollment will receive all HHonors VIP privileges relative to their existing VIP membership.
If in any calendar year of Cardmembership your Eligible Purchases total $20,000 or more, you will be upgraded to HHonors Gold VIP status for at minimum of one year period beginning no later than April of the following calendar year.
• Cardmembers will receive 500 Hilton HHonors bonus points for each Qualifying Stay (as defined in the Hilton HHonors Terms and Conditions) at a participating Hilton Family hotel when the stay is booked online at any Hilton Family hotel web-site and paid for with your valid Hilton HHonors Platinum Credit Card from American Express.
To redeem HHonors points for reward stays under reward code AXON, you must be an active Hilton HHonors Platinum Credit Cardmember. Reservations must be booked by calling 1-800-920-5649. All standard HHonors Reward Redemption and Hotel Rewards terms and conditions apply.
• First purchase bonus of 10,000 HHonors bonus points is for new Cardmembers only. First purchase must occur within the first year of Cardmembership to receive the bonus.
First four stay bonuses of 2,500 HHonors bonus points are for new Cardmembers only. Stays must be eligible for receiving HHonors points, occur at a participating Hilton Family hotel and the stay must be paid for with your valid Hilton HHonors Platinum Credit Card from American Express.
• Hilton HHonors Platinum Credit Card from American Express is not available to residents of Delaware, Iowa or Maine.
American Express® does not currently market the Hilton HHonors Platinum Credit Card outside of the United States. Individuals who do not reside in the United States cannot currently become a Hilton HHonors Platinum Credit Cardmember.
• The HHonors points you earn with your Hilton HHonors Platinum Credit Card will not expire as long as you stay or use your Card a minimum of once every 12 months; subject to the Terms and Conditions stated in item #13 within the General section.
Your Card Account must be active (i.e., not cancelled) for any given billing period to earn Hilton HHonors bonus points using the Card. Hilton HHonors bonus points will be credited to your Hilton HHonors account after the billing period in which the Eligible Purchase is made. Allow four weeks for HHonors points earned with the Hilton HHonors Platinum Credit Card to appear in your HHonors account. American Express reserves the right not to award any Hilton HHonors points for transactions American Express determines are not Charges made with the good faith intention of consuming the item charged."
Programs: AA Plat Delta Gold Hilton Gold Hyatt Gold Marriott Plat SPG Plat US Gold
Posts: 245
Quote:
Originally Posted by Counsellor
Slightly off topic, but . . . .
The above provision (no points or miles for TC purchases) led me to wonder whether, even if you didn't get the Starpoints, the $1000 would still count as "qualifying spending" toward the $30,000 in annual charges needed to get Gold SPG status, so I studied my billing statement more closely. Aside from wanting the Starpoints, the charges from the TC purchases were critical to some folks to help get them over the $30,000 threshold........
+1
Likewise, the Traveler's Checks were incremental in getting me to $25,000 on my Delta Platinum AMEX & thus a 10,000 MQM Boost & thus Achieved Delta Gold Medallion Status till Feb. 2010.
To be fair though, it is completely ridiculous in the first place that we are(were) able to earn miles & "qualifying spending" on these TC purchases. You cant blame or get mad at AMEX for making these changes.
Hey what a great concept, let your customers know about changes in terms and conditions 2 months or more before you actually make them. Imagine if AMEX followed that sort of thing all the time? Or if all companies did? Sorry to get (even more) off topic...
I know this is very off topic so I apologize in advance but I looked at the AMEX site & can't see any more benefits of the Plat AMEX that my Bus Plat AMEX doesn't have. The Bus Plat AMEX also has a few rebates/discounts like 3% back from Delta. What are people paying $55 more per year for?
AMEX TC purchase went well at Honolulu location this week. In & out in minutes!!! If I'm not traveling, I hold for about 2 weeks then deposit into an immediate family's bank account. Thanks all!
Off-topic answer for an off-topic question!
