You can also combine your Starwood account with another person, so if you have a family member who could apply for the card you may be able to combine the two and get to either a free night or a transfer to airline miles (2000 pts for lowest hotel award, 2500 pts min for airline transfer).
Also, ask them if they would convert the regular Optima to a Starwood Optima.
[This message has been edited by pgupta011 (edited 05-27-99).]