I arranged to switch my Optima card affiliation to the Sheraton ClubPoints card
in January, and it became effective the middle of February (1999).

Before the new card arrived, I checked with Starwood customer service and they told me that they would not be offering any new signups for this card, but those people who already held the card would continue to get Starpoints instead of Sheraton points. I specifically asked if, since I didn't actually have the card yet, and it wasn't to be effective for a few more days, if I was going to be excluded, and the rep. said that since I ordered it while Sheraton was still advertising it (in January), I would get the bonus points for signup and I would get the Starpoints for using the card just as if I had had it right along.

I hope they were right--I gave up a Delta Skymiles card to get the SCI card.

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