I've heard a lot of positive buzz about the Starwood AmEx, but I have one concern that has never been addressed amid all this (seemingly deserved) hype.

According to the Starwood website:

"1) ...You will be considered an "Active Member" so long as you have earned Starpoints as a result of activities at participating Starwood Properties during the previous twelve months. Starpoints resulting from transfers or earnings from other programs do not count toward active status

...

7)In the event you do not remain an Active Member (as defined above) your membership account will be closed and all Starpoints forfeited."

See: http://www.starwood.com/preferredgue...onditions.html
for more details.

Therefore, unlike programs like HiltonHHonors, you must actually *stay* at a Starwood property to keep your points alive.
Is there anyone out there who has had the Starwood AmEx for more than one year, has not stayed at a property in 12 months or longer, and *still* has an active account?

On a similar note, has any Starwood cardholder ever had their account closed because they had NOT stayed at a property in 12 months?

I'd hate to end up with an card that could only safely be used to earn and transfer for 10 - 10 1/2 months. Of course, I'd regret it even more if I failed to transfer and lost all my points! Yikes!

Thanks,

Rob "CutStyle"