While my statement should be in my mailbox later today, I have to speculate from OPs language that is *is* a new bene of 1 bonus point per $ spent. The special inclusion of Starwood owned retail outlets is what makes this appear this way to me as it would be non-sensical to include that if you earned the same one point there as at any other retail outlet. It appears distinct from the standard 2 pts / 3pts (GLD/PLT) for direct billed charges at the hotel. I guess we'll see!

It would make a lot of sense to do so. And while GLD for $30K isn't *nearly* the bene that HH Gold is for $25K, it is something more than nothing and I think it will absolutely incite some people to make sure they hit that spending threshold.