Let’s talk about alternatives to the SPG Amex after the massive Marriott devaluation
#511
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 107
Is there a case to keep using the SPG business for the bonus spend on restaurants, gas, cell/phone, and shipping?
They are running a 100k bonus (higher than the Marriott Business card equivalent) til 10/31. So maybe a play there.
I’ve been spg personal since ‘99 and as much as I hate it can’t seem to justify keeping it in the wallet. It’s my oldest credit history so keeping it around and the hotel stay should cover it.
Still like to accumulate hotel points so looking at the SPG business card to see if that could work and keep earning points via their bonus categories only (mainly dining and gas).
Thoughts?
They are running a 100k bonus (higher than the Marriott Business card equivalent) til 10/31. So maybe a play there.
I’ve been spg personal since ‘99 and as much as I hate it can’t seem to justify keeping it in the wallet. It’s my oldest credit history so keeping it around and the hotel stay should cover it.
Still like to accumulate hotel points so looking at the SPG business card to see if that could work and keep earning points via their bonus categories only (mainly dining and gas).
Thoughts?
The bottom line is I'm still planning to stay at Starwood, and UR points aren't a great value there. However, you bet I will dabble in other chains and my loyalty to Starwood is on thin ice...
#512
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: DCA/IAD/WAS
Programs: MAR AMB, WOH Explorist, AA EXP, UA 2P
Posts: 2,134
Email from Amex yesterday reminding of the changes mentioned that some posting of points for the SPG Amex will be delayed this month, so I'd bet that anyone whose statement closes before the 18th will have their points held back and credited after the 18th once the transition from Starpoints to new points has taken place.
#513
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,643
i've got both the spg personal & business amex cards & i also have the chase marriott rewards card....please correct me if i'm wrong but if i don't upgrade to any new cards & keep things the way they are then the following would be my benefits going forward:
spg personal amex - 15 nights elite credit....1 free night up to the value of 35k points....6 points per $ at spg/marriott properties & 2 points per $ everywhere else....$95 annual fee....
spg business amex - 15 nights elite credit....1 free night up to the value of 35k points....6 points per $ at spg/marriott properties & 2 points per $ everywhere else....$95 annual fee....
chase marriott premier - 15 nights elite credit....1 free night up to the value of 25k points....6 points per $ at spg/marriott properties & 2 points per $ everywhere else....$85 annual fee....
as far as the elite night credits are concerned, i will only get a maximum of 15 nights elite credit per year no matter how many cards i have....these 15 nights will credit at some point towards the beginning of the year (similar to the spg 2 stays & 5 nights credit) & not on your anniversary date....
have i got things right????
spg personal amex - 15 nights elite credit....1 free night up to the value of 35k points....6 points per $ at spg/marriott properties & 2 points per $ everywhere else....$95 annual fee....
spg business amex - 15 nights elite credit....1 free night up to the value of 35k points....6 points per $ at spg/marriott properties & 2 points per $ everywhere else....$95 annual fee....
chase marriott premier - 15 nights elite credit....1 free night up to the value of 25k points....6 points per $ at spg/marriott properties & 2 points per $ everywhere else....$85 annual fee....
as far as the elite night credits are concerned, i will only get a maximum of 15 nights elite credit per year no matter how many cards i have....these 15 nights will credit at some point towards the beginning of the year (similar to the spg 2 stays & 5 nights credit) & not on your anniversary date....
have i got things right????
#514
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: WAS (IAD, DCA, BWI)
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Platinum, WN CP
Posts: 245
i've got both the spg personal & business amex cards & i also have the chase marriott rewards card....please correct me if i'm wrong but if i don't upgrade to any new cards & keep things the way they are then the following would be my benefits going forward:
spg personal amex - 15 nights elite credit....1 free night up to the value of 35k points....6 points per $ at spg/marriott properties & 2 points per $ everywhere else....$95 annual fee....
spg business amex - 15 nights elite credit....1 free night up to the value of 35k points....6 points per $ at spg/marriott properties & 2 points per $ everywhere else....$95 annual fee....
chase marriott premier - 15 nights elite credit....1 free night up to the value of 25k points....6 points per $ at spg/marriott properties & 2 points per $ everywhere else....$85 annual fee....
as far as the elite night credits are concerned, i will only get a maximum of 15 nights elite credit per year no matter how many cards i have....these 15 nights will credit at some point towards the beginning of the year (similar to the spg 2 stays & 5 nights credit) & not on your anniversary date....
have i got things right????
spg personal amex - 15 nights elite credit....1 free night up to the value of 35k points....6 points per $ at spg/marriott properties & 2 points per $ everywhere else....$95 annual fee....
spg business amex - 15 nights elite credit....1 free night up to the value of 35k points....6 points per $ at spg/marriott properties & 2 points per $ everywhere else....$95 annual fee....
chase marriott premier - 15 nights elite credit....1 free night up to the value of 25k points....6 points per $ at spg/marriott properties & 2 points per $ everywhere else....$85 annual fee....
as far as the elite night credits are concerned, i will only get a maximum of 15 nights elite credit per year no matter how many cards i have....these 15 nights will credit at some point towards the beginning of the year (similar to the spg 2 stays & 5 nights credit) & not on your anniversary date....
have i got things right????
#515
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,643
#516
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: SoCal, CA
Programs: AA 1MM GO, SW A-List
Posts: 53
I'm keeping the personal spg AmEx but only for the award night. I'm contemplating opening the business card w/ the 100k promotions and using it ONLY for the bonus categories to generate starriot points. Although, may also look at switching hotel cards all together to Hyatt or Hilton to generate hotel points.
If loyal to Starwood, guess the play is to stick with their card and seems the biz versions get better bang of the buck with their bonus categories. For those that are jumping ship what hotel cards are most people heading too? Beyond the generic CSR option?
#517
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: CT/ Germany - Ich spreche deutsch
Programs: UA 1K, Bonvoy LTTE, HH Dia, HY Expl
Posts: 4,650
#518
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: WAS (IAD, DCA, BWI)
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Platinum, WN CP
Posts: 245
#519
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: SPG, AA, UAL, Hyatt, Amex Plat
Posts: 38
spg business amex also has an additional bonus category of 4 points for restaurants, gas, cellphone, and shipping
I'm keeping the personal spg AmEx but only for the award night. I'm contemplating opening the business card w/ the 100k promotions and using it ONLY for the bonus categories to generate starriot points. Although, may also look at switching hotel cards all together to Hyatt or Hilton to generate hotel points.
If loyal to Starwood, guess the play is to stick with their card and seems the biz versions get better bang of the buck with their bonus categories. For those that are jumping ship what hotel cards are most people heading too? Beyond the generic CSR option?
I'm keeping the personal spg AmEx but only for the award night. I'm contemplating opening the business card w/ the 100k promotions and using it ONLY for the bonus categories to generate starriot points. Although, may also look at switching hotel cards all together to Hyatt or Hilton to generate hotel points.
If loyal to Starwood, guess the play is to stick with their card and seems the biz versions get better bang of the buck with their bonus categories. For those that are jumping ship what hotel cards are most people heading too? Beyond the generic CSR option?
You can still get the Hyatt card for the status (if you need basic status) and the 4x points at Hyatt and the free night should easily cover the annual fee. But after that you really should just sock drawer the Hyatt card and use Chase UR cards (again, CSR or CSR + Freedom/Freedom Unlimited) since the earning ratios are better and your UR transfer 1:1 to Hyatt while still having the flexibility to do other things with them.
#521
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NYC, USA
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Titanium, HH Gold
Posts: 10,967
Just to clarify: these bonus categories are for U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, U.S. cell phone providers, and U.S. shipping. Not overseas. So remember to stick to the CSR for overseas restaurants!
#523
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: WAS (IAD, DCA, BWI)
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Platinum, WN CP
Posts: 245
#524
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,015
Retains it - but is it correct that they will not allow more than a certain # of nights? That is, if you also have a new card from either Marriott or SPG and get that elite bonus - you can't just go unlimited with the $3k, spend correct?
#525
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: WAS (IAD, DCA, BWI)
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Platinum, WN CP
Posts: 245
The new cards do not have this feature at all.