Let’s talk about alternatives to the SPG Amex after the massive Marriott devaluation
Jul 11, 2018, 7:36 am
#391
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ORD
Posts: 14,230
Is there currently any good way to work towards elite or upgraded Starwood/Marriott status through spending? I remember seeing somewhere a Marriott CC gave credit for 1 night per 3k spend, but not sure if that product and option is still available.
I think I saw the new AMEX Luxuy Starwood card would give platinum status for 75K spend, but that this expires and has to be met again every year. Is there any way to work towards lifetime upgrade status?
I do a lot of spending for business and read through the high spending card thread, and am currently looking into options with the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Freedom Unlimited (but those are UR points and I have always used Starwood and now effectively Marriott for my hotels and all my spending)
Thanks
I think I saw the new AMEX Luxuy Starwood card would give platinum status for 75K spend, but that this expires and has to be met again every year. Is there any way to work towards lifetime upgrade status?
I do a lot of spending for business and read through the high spending card thread, and am currently looking into options with the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Freedom Unlimited (but those are UR points and I have always used Starwood and now effectively Marriott for my hotels and all my spending)
Thanks
Jul 11, 2018, 11:08 am
#392
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: LA
Programs: Perennial Free Agent
Posts: 270
I think my conundrum is specific to me in this instance and I still don't know what to do.
I am an authorized user on my parents Amex Platinum so I can book FHR bookings (I'll get my own when I can get a considerable bonus, but it's hard to justify another $550 when i already spend $800 on credit card annual fees). That is the ONLY reason I have the amex platinum because if I actually use it to pay for bookings, my parents get the points, not me. And I want those points. So I always used the SPG Amex to pay for bookings out of the country on FHR bookings because they require an Amex card to pay for the booking and my Amex EDP charges foreign transaction fees. Now that the SPG Amex is basically useless, I need a new Amex card that waives foreign transaction fees and has a bonus spend on hotels. I think the clear answer is to get the Amex Gold and cough up the extra $90 in annual fees, which I wanted to avoid.
Edit - I just realized neither Gold Amex has bonus spend for hotels. Looks like I will be using Virtuoso as much as possible now and use Chase.
I am an authorized user on my parents Amex Platinum so I can book FHR bookings (I'll get my own when I can get a considerable bonus, but it's hard to justify another $550 when i already spend $800 on credit card annual fees). That is the ONLY reason I have the amex platinum because if I actually use it to pay for bookings, my parents get the points, not me. And I want those points. So I always used the SPG Amex to pay for bookings out of the country on FHR bookings because they require an Amex card to pay for the booking and my Amex EDP charges foreign transaction fees. Now that the SPG Amex is basically useless, I need a new Amex card that waives foreign transaction fees and has a bonus spend on hotels. I think the clear answer is to get the Amex Gold and cough up the extra $90 in annual fees, which I wanted to avoid.
Edit - I just realized neither Gold Amex has bonus spend for hotels. Looks like I will be using Virtuoso as much as possible now and use Chase.
Jul 11, 2018, 1:38 pm
#393
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Midwest
Programs: UA Silver, Bonvoy Titanium, Speedy Rewards Beverage Club
Posts: 480
I don't have a subscription, but for those of you who do, the Wall Street Journal ran a story this morning which may be of interest.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/changes...ers-1531314329
https://www.wsj.com/articles/changes...ers-1531314329
Jul 11, 2018, 1:55 pm
#394
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 137
My personal SPG renewed back in March, and I was told that I would have to wait until my card renews in 2019 to get the free night. I specifically asked if there were cardholders whose card anniversary fell after 8/1 would be getting a free night in 2018, and the answer was yes those people would. I complained about it, and I got a retention offer for 7000 Starpoints in exchange for $500 in purchases and paying the annual fee. You can complain and see what they will offer you.
Jul 11, 2018, 2:10 pm
#395
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, National EE
Posts: 1,204
I don't have a subscription, but for those of you who do, the Wall Street Journal ran a story this morning which may be of interest.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/changes...ers-1531314329
https://www.wsj.com/articles/changes...ers-1531314329
Jul 11, 2018, 2:17 pm
#396
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DAY
Programs: Rapid Rewards, Skymiles, Hilton HHonors, SPG/Marriott Rewards
Posts: 4,941
Jul 11, 2018, 3:49 pm
#398
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
WSJ etc can be accessed via google
seem to recall seeing some internet publications (not blogs) quote / reference flyertalk posts without asking, also 'contributors' (vs staff) at forbes and similar
seem to recall seeing some internet publications (not blogs) quote / reference flyertalk posts without asking, also 'contributors' (vs staff) at forbes and similar
Jul 11, 2018, 3:52 pm
#399
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: SPG, AA, UAL, Hyatt, Amex Plat
Posts: 38
I can't speak for others and other publications but just to be clear Scott from the WSJ was totally a professional journalist (as I'd expect from the WSJ). Sent myself (and I assume a few others) a PM asking if I'd be interested in talking about my experience with the SPG card and interviewed over the phone after that.
Jul 11, 2018, 5:33 pm
#400
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DAY
Programs: Rapid Rewards, Skymiles, Hilton HHonors, SPG/Marriott Rewards
Posts: 4,941
I can't speak for others and other publications but just to be clear Scott from the WSJ was totally a professional journalist (as I'd expect from the WSJ). Sent myself (and I assume a few others) a PM asking if I'd be interested in talking about my experience with the SPG card and interviewed over the phone after that.
Jul 11, 2018, 10:16 pm
#401
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: La Jolla, CA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, Lifetime Titanium, Delta Plat, Hilton Diamond , Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,615
I don't have a subscription, but for those of you who do, the Wall Street Journal ran a story this morning which may be of interest.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/changes...ers-1531314329
https://www.wsj.com/articles/changes...ers-1531314329
I know LOTS of people who have used their SPG Amex card for their non-bonused spend. Like the guy in the article- $100,000 +
Seems very strange to me they are willing to risk that,
Jul 11, 2018, 10:27 pm
#402
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Platinum, AA Plat Pro, Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum, JetBlue Mosaic 3, Amtrak Select
Posts: 966
It’s really the only major misstep I’ve seen Marriott make in this merger (well not giving SPG members with 750+ nights & 10 years LTPP but they fixed that )
I know LOTS of people who have used their SPG Amex card for their non-bonused spend. Like the guy in the article- $100,000 +
Seems very strange to me they are willing to risk that,
Jul 12, 2018, 7:01 am
#403
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: NJ, USA
Posts: 2,837
Nah, only gold which now has no value for me without lounge access. I’ll probably also go to cash back cards
Now I’ll just book whichever hotel is best location, price, just like I no longer have loyalty to United even though I’m million miler
Now I’ll just book whichever hotel is best location, price, just like I no longer have loyalty to United even though I’m million miler
Jul 12, 2018, 10:34 am
#404
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: CT/ Germany - Ich spreche deutsch
Programs: UA 1K, Bonvoy LTTE, HH Dia, HY Expl
Posts: 4,655
My guess is that Chase probably nixed/vetoed any idea about earning 3x for every day purchases. It would have made the Chase Marriott cards incredibly non competitive for non bonused spend. Chase did have the original relationship with Marriott, which had to play a factor.
I've had the SPG AMEX for as long as I can remember but it will be a sock drawer card (along with the Chase MR I just applied for to get the 100k)...come August! I will only use them for SPG/MR stays but everything else will go on another card. Sad really since there was a time when I almost wore my numbers out on my old SPG AMEX card.
I'm finishing up Lifetime Platinum this year and then will likely play the free agent card in 2019 picking whatever chain has the best property, for the best price and in the best location for each trip. SPG/MR will be covered with LTP and HH will be covered by Gold on the Ascend card. With Hyatt, Radisson and IHG I will have pretty low status which won't get me much but if the hotel, price and location work they will get my $ as well.
Last edited by christianj; Jul 12, 2018 at 10:43 am
Jul 12, 2018, 1:10 pm
#405
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,900
Maybe it's just my pet peeve, but offering no value to SPG Amex members who renew before 8/1 is a misstep. Someone who happened to open an account in August 2017 gets a free night in 2018, but an ancient member who renews in June or July gets nothing for more than a year. (P.S. Amex claims this is entirely a MR benefit and not their benefit.)