First statement just closed but no 10k first spend bonus.:td: Emailed Amex and M Night Shaymalayan said it can take up to 12 weeks to post.:rolleyes:

Anyone else ever wonder why the SPG Amex is one of the most ugly, flimsy cards out there today? Seriously, the most recent version could honestly be confused for one of the fake cards that comes in cheap wallets. Don't get me wrong...the SPG program is still the best imo, but man do their cards look like garbage compared to say the chase sapphire preferred.

Interesting that you wrote this, as the Sapphire Visa from Chase is the card that I now use for all my Starwood stays abroad - I am no longer charged the 2.7% exchange fee and get money back, that I used toward the purchase of air tickets. It is a much better deal than getting the SPG points from the Amex card. as their cost is prohibitive.

Still haven't received the card
 

Applied for the card on 8/13 and got instant approval. It's been almost 2 weeks and I still haven't received the card. I need to make some big purchases before the end of this week and I'll be really disappointed if the card doesn't show up. I've contacted SPG Amex multiple times but they say the usual 7 to 10 business day BS. Any idea how to speed up the process?

This may be anathema to say in this forum, but the AMX/SPG card is the mediocre equivalent of a store credit card, to be used solely at SPG properties, not a major credit card to be used everywhere. I have now expended almost all of my SPG points and I am gladly cancelling the card and bidding good riddance to Starwood's customer disservice. And when they ask me why I'm cancelling, I'm going to name names. :eek:

RNE, Candid customer feedback is so important to corporations; I wouldn't want to deny Starwood my valuable opinions.

SPG AMEX benefit really worth it? EXPEDIA cheaper?
 

Hi,

I received my SPG points with AMEX Plat, and when I tried to book a hotel through SPG, I got the impression that it is actually more expensive than booking it through expedia. With everyone telling me how great SPG is, I have trouble figuring the right way to do it. For a 5-day in Waikiki or Paris in September, I can't figure out how to make it cheaper. Can someone please help me with figuring it out?

Thanks a lot!

I'm confused on several fronts with this post, but let's start with the Amex Plat mention. Do you mean you converted Membership Rewards points to SPG points?

If you think the SPG Alex looks cheap then consider how that the HHonors Amex is even uglier. Luckily I often use it grocery stores, gas stations and drug stores and I usually check out at the pump or automated lane so none sees it but members

I thought if you had an SPG Business Amex you could refer someone to apply for a personal SPG Amex. Also, if that's true, could you refer yourself to apply for a personal SPG Amex?

SPG has, in my opinion, one of the best 'best rate gurantee' programs in its class. In your example, you simply follow their procedures and they will match Expedia rate (apples to apples comparison...room type, occupancy, etc.) and give you 10% off or 2,000 bonus points. Add these points to what you earn for your stay credit, bonus points for using the SPG AMEX at the property, and you end up with a pretty good deal actually..

No, that is unfortunately, not true. You can only refer based on the product you have. If you have a personal card, your referral states personnal. if you have a business card, you can refer the business card.

Hmmm. So how do I maximize my referral bonuses. I applied for a business SPG card 4 days ago and got approved. I want to apply for a personal for myself and a personal for my wife. Should I then have my wife apply for a personal today, and refer me to apply for a personal card tomorrow?

You could try to apply for the personal first and hope you get 'instantly approved', and that you get the card fast enough to set up your account profile to then refer your wife, but you're cutting down to the wire. (I don't quite remember if you need to 'activate' the card before you can refer others, but you need to have an online profile to get to the refer page). I could've sworn I read something online on Amex site that people should refer by 8/27. They do have the 9/4 approval deadline, so you're running against some tight deadlines.

For my part, I ended up helping out/using someone's else referral link. May as well help someone else out while I'm at it, since I couldn't get it myself.

Alternatively, your wife could skip this years and you could hope that it'll come back next year, and you could do a referral next year.

Good luck!

So I'm trying to refer a business card, but only get the option for the personal. I can see business card in profile, but cant see the option. Can anyone help? thanks

I'll be happy to refer them for you :)