Jun 12, 2015, 7:15 pm
Last edit by: KENNECTED
This thread is for discussion of the new benefits & fee structure announced in June 2015. For general discussion of the SPG Amex, see SPG American Express [Master Thread].
Will the additional cardholders on my Starwood Business Amex account get access to the Sheraton Club lounge? What about guests in additional rooms I'm also paying for?
Will the additional cardholders on my Starwood Business Amex account get access to the Sheraton Club lounge? What about guests in additional rooms I'm also paying for?
"This benefit is for Basic Card Members only on Starpoint Eligible Rate reservations...Sheraton Club lounge access is limited to the eligible Card Member and a guest staying in the same room for the duration of the stay, regardless of how many rooms have been reserved." (See Starwood FAQs.)
Which hotel brands with the Sheraton name will offer the lounge benefit?The benefit is offered at all Sheraton-branded properties, including Sheraton Grand hotels, with the exception of any Luxury Collection property. It is not available at Four Points by Sheraton hotels.
Wiil I still get Club access if I book my stay with points or cash+points?Per Starwood Lurker in post #104, yes.
American Express and Starwood enhance cobrand credit card benefits
Jul 31, 2015, 1:00 pm
#316
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Got the email today regarding the 1,000 bonus points promotion, and also noted the free Boingo benefit - hadn't noticed that before. Went to the website to register, entered my SPG Amex number, and got back a message that "this card is not eligible". Website says to call the number on the back of your card.
I call the Amex customer service number on my card, she looks something up, and says they have a "special number" for the Boingo American Express Preferred Plan and they'll help me. Transfers me there.
Tell my issue to the agent there, and she says I need to talk to American Express - they determine if the card is eligible. So no help.
Frankly, don't think the benefit is valuable to waste any more time on the runaround - but this is so typical of these Amex tie-ins where something goes wrong and each party points to the other one as responsible. Instead of providing a benefit, all they do is create frustration and ill-will because of poor execution.
I call the Amex customer service number on my card, she looks something up, and says they have a "special number" for the Boingo American Express Preferred Plan and they'll help me. Transfers me there.
Tell my issue to the agent there, and she says I need to talk to American Express - they determine if the card is eligible. So no help.
Frankly, don't think the benefit is valuable to waste any more time on the runaround - but this is so typical of these Amex tie-ins where something goes wrong and each party points to the other one as responsible. Instead of providing a benefit, all they do is create frustration and ill-will because of poor execution.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Jul 31, 2015, 1:04 pm
#317
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,017
Just got this in my inbox:
https://www.spgpromos.com/amexuspromo/terms
p.s. - Looks like someone just did a cut-and-paste from the Tribute promo on the confirmation page: "Get to know our newest brand and get rewarded. Reserve your stay now."
https://www.spgpromos.com/amexuspromo/terms
p.s. - Looks like someone just did a cut-and-paste from the Tribute promo on the confirmation page: "Get to know our newest brand and get rewarded. Reserve your stay now."
Jul 31, 2015, 1:06 pm
#318
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: DFW -
Programs: AA EXP 5MM, DL DM, Bonvoy Titanium, Avis CHM, National VIP
Posts: 556
Thanks. My apologies, but the Boingo benefit does not take place until August 11th, so the discussion should have stopped with the first phone call. But, I will forward your comments on to the proper team at SPG so they know that awareness may need to be bolstered.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Jul 31, 2015, 1:17 pm
#319
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
I too got the email and successfully registered, even though the email says "exclusively for Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card Members". I have a personal Starwood Amex, but not a Business card.
Oh well, it's the summer break so no business travel for me anyways. Now's the time I spend points rather than earn them.
Oh well, it's the summer break so no business travel for me anyways. Now's the time I spend points rather than earn them.
Jul 31, 2015, 2:00 pm
#320
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: La Jolla, CA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, Lifetime Titanium, Delta Plat, Hilton Diamond , Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,615
Thanks for the bonus starpoints Amex & SPG! Perfect timing for us right before a 2 night staycation at the US Grant. A nice anniversary present from Starwood. 
Jul 31, 2015, 5:07 pm
#321
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SAN
Posts: 1,171
Also the registration confirmation page indicates a new card design is coming, which if I'm understanding this right will premiere in Apple Pay on August 4:
Aug 3, 2015, 11:01 am
#322
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Planet Earth
Programs: SPG, AA, B6. No longer "still CO to me" with account spent down. RIP CO.
Posts: 653
Just got this in my inbox:
https://www.spgpromos.com/amexuspromo/terms
p.s. - Looks like someone just did a cut-and-paste from the Tribute promo on the confirmation page: "Get to know our newest brand and get rewarded. Reserve your stay now."
https://www.spgpromos.com/amexuspromo/terms
p.s. - Looks like someone just did a cut-and-paste from the Tribute promo on the confirmation page: "Get to know our newest brand and get rewarded. Reserve your stay now."
Aug 4, 2015, 12:05 am
#323
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Toronto, ON, CANADA
Programs: AC SE100K, Marriott Bonvoy LTE
Posts: 1,881
Saw the new design in Apple Pay today (Aug 3)... Caught me off guard, had to make sure was paying with my SPG Amex and not my Heathrow Rewards card!
Aug 9, 2015, 8:11 pm
#324
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 228
Does anyone know what time/time zone these changes are supposed to go live? I've been putting off booking some hotel rooms until the foreign transaction fees are gone.
Last edited by Oformula; Aug 9, 2015 at 8:20 pm
Aug 10, 2015, 3:34 pm
#325
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Aug 10, 2015, 4:39 pm
#326
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 6,978
SPG AMEX cardmembers will start benefiting from FX Fee Removal, effective 8/11/2015 12:00 AM EST. Any FX transactions after this date/time will not incur any FX Fee.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Aug 10, 2015, 9:48 pm
#327
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,234
So after a few upcoming Starwood stays and the related bonus spend in the next couple of weeks, I'll be saying goodbye to the card.
Aug 10, 2015, 10:05 pm
#328
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,159
SPG AMEX cardmembers will start benefiting from FX Fee Removal, effective 8/11/2015 12:00 AM EST. Any FX transactions after this date/time will not incur any FX Fee.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Aug 10, 2015, 10:06 pm
#329
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 228
SPG AMEX cardmembers will start benefiting from FX Fee Removal, effective 8/11/2015 12:00 AM EST. Any FX transactions after this date/time will not incur any FX Fee.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Aug 10, 2015, 10:07 pm
#330
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,159