Two exciting new benefits added to the SPG® Credit Card from American Express (U. S.)
Jul 30, 2010, 10:10 am
#1
Company Representative - Starwood
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Two exciting new benefits added to the SPG® Credit Card from American Express (U. S.)
On October 14, 2010, the Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express gets even more rewarding with two new benefits.
New - It will be even easier to reach elite status. SPG and Amex will provide Cardmembers with five night credits each year. That means only 20 nights to achieve Gold status or 45 nights to reach Platinum status.
New - Cardmembers can also receive a complimentary third night when they use their Card to purchase a two night minimum stay at participating Sheraton hotels and resorts worldwide. This is an exclusive offer only available to SPG Cardmembers.
These two new benefits will replace the existing annual 50 percent–off Award. The annual membership fee for the Card will increase to $65 from the previous $45, but the first year of Cardmembership is still free. (Cardmembers will not pay the new annual fee until their next anniversary date.) Cardmembers should expect a letter detailing the changes including the new benefits in the next day or so.
Cardmembers will continue to enjoy access to best-in-class benefits such as earning at least 4 Starpoints per dollar at participating hotels and resorts, and the ability to redeem Starpoints for stays at more than 940 participating hotels and resorts in more than 93 countries and for flights on more than 350 airlines -- both with no blackout dates. Visit SPG.com to book reservations or redeem Starpoints.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
New - It will be even easier to reach elite status. SPG and Amex will provide Cardmembers with five night credits each year. That means only 20 nights to achieve Gold status or 45 nights to reach Platinum status.
New - Cardmembers can also receive a complimentary third night when they use their Card to purchase a two night minimum stay at participating Sheraton hotels and resorts worldwide. This is an exclusive offer only available to SPG Cardmembers.
These two new benefits will replace the existing annual 50 percent–off Award. The annual membership fee for the Card will increase to $65 from the previous $45, but the first year of Cardmembership is still free. (Cardmembers will not pay the new annual fee until their next anniversary date.) Cardmembers should expect a letter detailing the changes including the new benefits in the next day or so.
Cardmembers will continue to enjoy access to best-in-class benefits such as earning at least 4 Starpoints per dollar at participating hotels and resorts, and the ability to redeem Starpoints for stays at more than 940 participating hotels and resorts in more than 93 countries and for flights on more than 350 airlines -- both with no blackout dates. Visit SPG.com to book reservations or redeem Starpoints.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Jul 30, 2010, 10:15 am
#2
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 9,672
Awesome!
Too bad there's no bump in qualifying stays (only nights).. maybe 2 stays or something.
Anyway, this is better than nothing.
Is the complimentary 3rd night a once per year benefit or unlimited?
Too bad there's no bump in qualifying stays (only nights).. maybe 2 stays or something.
Anyway, this is better than nothing.Is the complimentary 3rd night a once per year benefit or unlimited?
Jul 30, 2010, 10:21 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: CLE
Programs: UA GS+LT UC, AA EXP+LT PLT, Fairmont LT PLT, Marriott PLT, Hilton DIA, Hyatt Glob, Avis CHM
Posts: 4,670
Neither benefit is exciting, and the $65 annual fee (over double what it was just a couple years ago) is 
Jul 30, 2010, 10:22 am
#4
Join Date: Nov 2005
Programs: Via 1 Gold, SPG Gold, Hyatt Diamond, Priority Club Platinum
Posts: 34
Wow. That's nice to hear for our neighbours to the south.
Wish we could earn bonus points for staying at Starwood properties and take advantage of these two bonus benefits here with the Canadian SPG Amex.
Sigh.....
Redstorm
Wish we could earn bonus points for staying at Starwood properties and take advantage of these two bonus benefits here with the Canadian SPG Amex.
Sigh.....
Redstorm
Jul 30, 2010, 10:23 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2006
Programs: SPG Gold, Delta Platinum
Posts: 528
Is the Sheraton Buganvilias in Puerto Vallarta one of the participating Sheratons? I've already booked a four night stay there for next week using my card. How would I get this benefit?
Very good news in general, BTW.
Very good news in general, BTW.
Jul 30, 2010, 10:25 am
#6
Company Representative - Starwood
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Jul 30, 2010, 10:27 am
#7
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1
I wonder if you get the third night if you use points but your card to cover any additional costs. The 5 free nights is useless as most the people who have the card travel frequently and it's not difficult to reach or keep platinum
Jul 30, 2010, 10:29 am
#8
Company Representative - Starwood
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Jul 30, 2010, 10:30 am
#9
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: SPG GOLD
Posts: 413
on the fee increase and no comped stays.
Jul 30, 2010, 10:35 am
#10
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: GRB, MKE, ATW
Programs: DL DM & MM, Hilton Diamond, IC Plt Amb , Marriott LTP, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 571
Hoping also the 3 for 2 is not at rack rates. Don't like the annual fee hike either.
Last edited by NWAsilvELITE; Jul 30, 2010 at 11:11 am
Jul 30, 2010, 10:41 am
#11
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: UA 1K 3MM Lifetime, AA PlatPro,Marriott Titanium Elite Lifetime, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 741
What usually ruins this type of offer is that the rate for each of the two paid nights is near the rack rate for the hotel. If all normal discounted rates are allowed then it becomes more valuable.
Jul 30, 2010, 10:43 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: RDU
Programs: A few
Posts: 5,499
Will the 3-for-2 at Sheraton be on best available rate? Or will it be on a 'special' rate that will mean you essentially the pay same that you would have done anyway?
Jul 30, 2010, 10:47 am
#13
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: CLE
Programs: UA GS+LT UC, AA EXP+LT PLT, Fairmont LT PLT, Marriott PLT, Hilton DIA, Hyatt Glob, Avis CHM
Posts: 4,670
Jul 30, 2010, 10:48 am
#14
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: B6 Mosaic, Bonvoy LT Titanium (x SPG LT), IHG Spire, UA Silver
Posts: 5,844
Sounds like the regular Z3H/Z3R promo which exists now anyway for anybody. Basically they are taking away the SPG50 and charging a higher annual fee with very little given in return.
Jul 30, 2010, 10:56 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Los Angeles & Orange County, CA
Programs: Wouldn't you like to know?!
Posts: 23,822
...a complimentary third night when they use their Card to purchase a two night minimum stay at participating Sheraton hotels and resorts worldwide. This is an exclusive offer only available to SPG Cardmembers.
The annual membership fee for the Card will increase to $65 from the previous $45.... best-in-class....
SPG is getting Stingier by the minute. Seriously, did they recently hire somebody from SkyPesos to run Starwood Preferred Guest?