Jun 12, 2014, 11:11 am
Last edit by: CodeAdam10
For discussion of the now expired offer for a 35K signup bonus, see Amex SPG 35,000 business and personal cards-2016 [No referral offers in this thread.]
USA-issued card benefits changed on August 11, 2015. (Announcement & extended discussion at American Express and Starwood enhance cobrand credit card benefits.) The benefits are slightly different for personal and business cards:
Public Links:
- The Annual Fee is $450.
- Earn 6x at Marriott properties; 3x on restaurants and airfare; 2x on all other purchases.
- Enjoy up to $300 in statement credits each year of Card Membership for eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
- FREE NIGHT AWARD: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card account anniversary. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at a participating hotel.
- COMPLIMENTARY GOLD ELITE STATUS: Enjoy complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status with your Card. Earn Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status after making $75,000 in eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
- Other Highlighted Benefits: Priority Pass Select Membership, Global Entry credit, No Foreign Transaction fees.
- $125 Annual Fee (If application received before 03/28/19, $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95)
- Earn 6x at Marriott properties; 4x at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services & on U.S. purchases for shipping; 2x on all other purchases.
- Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card account anniversary. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at a participating hotel.
- Complimentary Silver Elite Status
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
Other related discussion:
USA-issued card benefits changed on August 11, 2015. (Announcement & extended discussion at American Express and Starwood enhance cobrand credit card benefits.) The benefits are slightly different for personal and business cards:
Public Links:
- Personal [Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card]: https://www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/card/marriott-bonvoy-brilliant
- The Annual Fee is $450.
- Earn 6x at Marriott properties; 3x on restaurants and airfare; 2x on all other purchases.
- Enjoy up to $300 in statement credits each year of Card Membership for eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
- FREE NIGHT AWARD: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card account anniversary. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at a participating hotel.
- COMPLIMENTARY GOLD ELITE STATUS: Enjoy complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status with your Card. Earn Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status after making $75,000 in eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
- Other Highlighted Benefits: Priority Pass Select Membership, Global Entry credit, No Foreign Transaction fees.
- Business [Marriott Bonvoy Business Card]: https://www.americanexpress.com/us/c...s-credit-card/
- $125 Annual Fee (If application received before 03/28/19, $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95)
- Earn 6x at Marriott properties; 4x at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services & on U.S. purchases for shipping; 2x on all other purchases.
- Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card account anniversary. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at a participating hotel.
- Complimentary Silver Elite Status
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
- Discussion of Amex "one bonus per lifetime" policy (personal & business cards)
- Annual fee retention bonus for Starwood Amex Card
- American Express and Starwood enhance cobrand credit card benefits
- How to keep SPG points from expiring after 12 months of account inactivity
- New Card Art for the US Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express
SPG American Express [Master Thread]
Nov 26, 2014, 10:07 am
#2461
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: EWR-SEA-IAD
Programs: UA 1P MM, AS MVP G*, SPG Gold, Hyatt Plat, IHG Plat, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 977
Just got the SPG Amex and I got the 5 nights/2 stays credited to my acct. I do wonder though about the lifetime gold/plat. Since it added 5 nights to my lifetime stays would I in theory make lifetime gold if I hold the card for the next 50 years and within that make gold 5 years and lifetime plat within 100 years? lol. Basically the 5 nights count towards the total right? Do the years making gold need to be consecutive?
Nov 26, 2014, 10:57 am
#2462
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: SPG
Posts: 713
Just got the SPG Amex and I got the 5 nights/2 stays credited to my acct. I do wonder though about the lifetime gold/plat. Since it added 5 nights to my lifetime stays would I in theory make lifetime gold if I hold the card for the next 50 years and within that make gold 5 years and lifetime plat within 100 years? lol. Basically the 5 nights count towards the total right? Do the years making gold need to be consecutive?
Years of Elite status (either Gold or Platinum) do not have to be consecutive for Lifetime status.
Best regards,
Alexandra Baker
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
__________________
Stay Connected with SPG!
Nov 27, 2014, 6:35 am
#2463
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: PA
Programs: Platinum SPG, Marriott Platinum, United 1K, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum,
Posts: 128
Some recommendations for SPG AMEX
Having had the SPG Amex card now for 10 years, I am posting some lessons:
The GOOD:
1. It is a perfect card for accumulating double points in USA SPG properties. As a Lifetime Platinum staying over 75 nights a year, this card is a perfect complement to rack up SPG points.
2. SPG Vacation Ownership folks know that paying the annual fees using the card also helps add more SPG points.
3. I have never had a problem as in "hacking" or other compromises when using any American Express card. And that is worth a lot of satisfaction.
Recommendations:
1. As noted by others, the foreign transaction fee makes this card useless overseas when using SPG properties. It's a bit strange to use my Hyatt or Ritz Carlton cards at SPG properties overseas, but there is something very wrong about paying those fees. It's time to ditch transaction fees.
2. While I managed to use the card once for the wonderful SPG Amex Tribeca Festival event, it has become next to impossible to manage entry again or to any other special events. Unlike SPG Moments, the SPG Amex events are very hit or miss.
3. I have had some years where my annual spend on the SPG Amex card ranged between $35,000 to $60,000. Yes, it was nice to receive the double SPG points for those, yet it would also have been nice if some recognition were given for achieving specific spend levels as Gold SPG status for $30,000 is not motivation when you are Lifetime Platinum.
I really do like the SPG Amex card and would use it more with these recommendations.
The GOOD:
1. It is a perfect card for accumulating double points in USA SPG properties. As a Lifetime Platinum staying over 75 nights a year, this card is a perfect complement to rack up SPG points.
2. SPG Vacation Ownership folks know that paying the annual fees using the card also helps add more SPG points.
3. I have never had a problem as in "hacking" or other compromises when using any American Express card. And that is worth a lot of satisfaction.
Recommendations:
1. As noted by others, the foreign transaction fee makes this card useless overseas when using SPG properties. It's a bit strange to use my Hyatt or Ritz Carlton cards at SPG properties overseas, but there is something very wrong about paying those fees. It's time to ditch transaction fees.
2. While I managed to use the card once for the wonderful SPG Amex Tribeca Festival event, it has become next to impossible to manage entry again or to any other special events. Unlike SPG Moments, the SPG Amex events are very hit or miss.
3. I have had some years where my annual spend on the SPG Amex card ranged between $35,000 to $60,000. Yes, it was nice to receive the double SPG points for those, yet it would also have been nice if some recognition were given for achieving specific spend levels as Gold SPG status for $30,000 is not motivation when you are Lifetime Platinum.
I really do like the SPG Amex card and would use it more with these recommendations.
Nov 27, 2014, 4:22 pm
#2464
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, IHG Platinum, Hilton Gold, Marriott Platinum. Aspiring flyer with both feet on the ground.
Posts: 318
If the US benefits you just described were matched in the UK too, I'd be a happy man...
Nov 29, 2014, 10:07 am
#2465
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 1
I consistently have seen the 30k offer when in process of booking a hotel, it appears just before the confirm page. I went through this process last night and was approved.
Nov 30, 2014, 2:42 pm
#2466
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SAN
Programs: AA Platinum, Bonvoy Gold, DL Gold
Posts: 1,200
1. As noted by others, the foreign transaction fee makes this card useless overseas when using SPG properties. It's a bit strange to use my Hyatt or Ritz Carlton cards at SPG properties overseas, but there is something very wrong about paying those fees. It's time to ditch transaction fees.
Dec 1, 2014, 6:44 am
#2467
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Georgia
Programs: Delta, SPG
Posts: 157
So I see a lot of people complaining about the Foreign Transaction Fees, but I would still rather use this card then my Delta card at a SPG in another country. Maybe I am just off, but I do value SPG points much higher than delta points because I find hotel stays way more valuable than miles.
Dec 1, 2014, 8:08 am
#2468
Join Date: May 2006
Location: KSNA/KLAX
Programs: IML GOLD, Bonvoy LTPE, WOH Globalist, AAEXPLT
Posts: 645
2.7% foreign transaction fee / 2 pts per dollar means you are buying starpoints at 1.35 cents per starpoint. It's fine because redemption have a value of 2-3 cents per point although you are getting a room they can't sell (and wouldn't discount at last minute) but the same could be said in redeeming airline miles. So I think it's still worthwhile to pay forex esp when you are trying to reach 30k mark or if you don't have other cards with better points. It's also worth whole to pay this fee and transfer to Airlines with that 5k bonus.
As for me, a United club card (1.5 miles per $1) gets my vote as possible alternate.
As for me, a United club card (1.5 miles per $1) gets my vote as possible alternate.
Dec 1, 2014, 8:33 am
#2469
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TUL
Programs: AA EXP 2MM; Marriott Titanium; Hilton Diamond; Hyatt Explorist; Vistana 5* Elite; Nat'l Exec Elite
Posts: 6,177
2.7% foreign transaction fee / 2 pts per dollar means you are buying starpoints at 1.35 cents per starpoint. It's fine because redemption have a value of 2-3 cents per point although you are getting a room they can't sell (and wouldn't discount at last minute) but the same could be said in redeeming airline miles. So I think it's still worthwhile to pay forex esp when you are trying to reach 30k mark or if you don't have other cards with better points. It's also worth whole to pay this fee and transfer to Airlines with that 5k bonus.
As for me, a United club card (1.5 miles per $1) gets my vote as possible alternate.
As for me, a United club card (1.5 miles per $1) gets my vote as possible alternate.
Dec 1, 2014, 9:11 am
#2470
Join Date: May 2006
Location: KSNA/KLAX
Programs: IML GOLD, Bonvoy LTPE, WOH Globalist, AAEXPLT
Posts: 645
YMMV quite definitely depending on where and how you spend the Miles or points. Spg and UA club is where I bank most of my sending... And using credit card to make tax payment is pretty close in acquisition cost as going overseas and charge room cost to it lol.
Dec 1, 2014, 1:38 pm
#2471
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: NYC
Posts: 581
SPG Amex forex fees are getting me to make my first post. Like many, I want those gone.
If Starwood & Amex aren't willing to completely eliminate these fees, how about at least eliminating forex fees on all Starwood properties? That way card holders aren't disincentivized to use a Starwood card at a Starwood property.
If Starwood & Amex aren't willing to completely eliminate these fees, how about at least eliminating forex fees on all Starwood properties? That way card holders aren't disincentivized to use a Starwood card at a Starwood property.
Dec 1, 2014, 7:48 pm
#2472
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,044
2.7% foreign transaction fee / 2 pts per dollar means you are buying starpoints at 1.35 cents per starpoint. It's fine because redemption have a value of 2-3 cents per point although you are getting a room they can't sell (and wouldn't discount at last minute) but the same could be said in redeeming airline miles. So I think it's still worthwhile to pay forex esp when you are trying to reach 30k mark or if you don't have other cards with better points. It's also worth whole to pay this fee and transfer to Airlines with that 5k bonus.
As for me, a United club card (1.5 miles per $1) gets my vote as possible alternate.
As for me, a United club card (1.5 miles per $1) gets my vote as possible alternate.
If you compare to, say, a Chase Sapphire Preferred, the math is pretty different.
Make it simple: $1000 charge at the Westin Tokyo.
SPG: total cost is $1027 and you get 2054 SPG points.
CSP: total cost is $1000 and you get 2000 UR points.
So you are paying $27 plus 2000 UR points to get your 2054 SPG points. That's a pretty big difference - way more than $27.
Dec 1, 2014, 11:34 pm
#2473
Join Date: May 2006
Location: KSNA/KLAX
Programs: IML GOLD, Bonvoy LTPE, WOH Globalist, AAEXPLT
Posts: 645
This only works in comparison to a card that earns no nothing whatsoever.
If you compare to, say, a Chase Sapphire Preferred, the math is pretty different.
Make it simple: $1000 charge at the Westin Tokyo.
SPG: total cost is $1027 and you get 2054 SPG points.
CSP: total cost is $1000 and you get 2000 UR points.
So you are paying $27 plus 2000 UR points to get your 2054 SPG points. That's a pretty big difference - way more than $27.
If you compare to, say, a Chase Sapphire Preferred, the math is pretty different.
Make it simple: $1000 charge at the Westin Tokyo.
SPG: total cost is $1027 and you get 2054 SPG points.
CSP: total cost is $1000 and you get 2000 UR points.
So you are paying $27 plus 2000 UR points to get your 2054 SPG points. That's a pretty big difference - way more than $27.
Dec 2, 2014, 5:50 am
#2474
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 225
If you value SPG on average 2.5c/point then you earn 2054 x 0.025 - $27 = $24.35
If you value UA/UR at 1.5c/point then you earn 2000 x 0.015 = $30
And CSP doesn't have 5x categories, you are think the Ink.
Dec 2, 2014, 7:44 am
#2475
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,044
My point wasn't the relative values of points, but that the idea that 2.7% = 2 SPG/$ is just incorrect. That calculation assumes the other option is no points at all, not some amount of points for the charge without the Forex fee.