Hi All,

I'm currently a Gold status holder but only have 8 stays in 2012. I'm debating getting the Starwoods American express card to get the 2 stay credit:

- Do I need to activate the card to get the credit? I'm worried that I won't receive the card until January and thus will have to wait until Feb 2014 to receive the 2 stay credit.
- If the credit posts on Feb 15 (2013), will it count toward my 2012 status?

Thanks!