when will SPG amex have 30,000 bonus for sign up? does anyone know?

Last year it was August. No information yet if it will be the same this year.

I 100% agree. This is my primary card when I am in the US, with about $5,000 per month in spending. However, when I travel this card doesn't even come on the trip with me. 2.7% foreign exchange fee? No thanks American Express. Especially not now when my British Airways visa, United Explorer Visa, and Capital One visa ALL have no foreign exchange fees.

While I love American Express' customer service and love the benefits of this card, it loses a lot of spend annually because of the poor decision to keep foreign exchange fees in a new environment where many cards now waive fees. American Express, you are risking me switching to another primary card here in the States over your decision as I learn about other cards customer service and benefits. This is a poor long term decision driven by short term profit concerns. You should rethink it.

It is true: a LOT of the non-bonused spending I make is while on vacation. If it's foreign, no SPG Amex.

Then again, would you really bother to try? Amex is such a battle overseas.

At most malls and hotels and airlines it is accepted and these are usually larger purchases so I'd like them to remove the fees. I actually decided to write a lette to the CEO of Amex today asking him to consider removing. I'm just one customer, but maybe if enough people request it, they'll reconsider.

I don't think so. The only Amex card without an FX fee is the Amex Platinum card (and maybe the Amex Centurion card, but who cares?). Surely, they want to reserve this perk for one of their more expensive cards. Also, SPG Amex already gives you one of the best bangs for the buck in terms of the value of Starpoints earned, so they don't need an extra incentive for you to apply for one.

Amex is, however, completely lagging behind the competition in this respect. If consumers demand it and competition is providing it, Amex will eventually be forced to cave to competitive pressures. While I agree that we are probably a long way off from seeing FX fees lifted on this card, I wouldn't be surprised if Amex eventually had to move in that direction. Presumably we would see a trickle-down effect, starting with PRG and other higher-end cards.

However, before this happens Amex would need to increase their international acceptance. I think many people leave their Amex at home when they are abroad, in part due to low acceptance rates.

However, if Amex would drop it for Starwood international locations that would at least be a good start!

I've never heard of an isolated exception like that - do you know of any such examples?

I didn't say I'd heard of such. However, we are discussing an SPG-branded Amex card!

It would be a great addition if Starwood refunds Forex charges for Starwood hotels outside of USA! I don't use this card when travelling abroad and it really sucks not to be able to earn 2 starpoints per dollar in SPG hotels.

All credit card programs are run by the credit card company, not the hotel chain (as per the contract between the two parties). Why would Starwood let Amex keep the FX fee and then refund a fee Starwood never collected in the first place? Makes no sense to me. You can still stay at Starwood using a different credit card without a FX fee.

OR I can stay at an Intercontinental Hotels Group property or a Hilton property since their branded cards (Chase Visa and Citi Visa, respectively) do not charge Forex Fees. That is why Starwood needs to work a deal with Amex. I believe they are losing business!

Well, I agree with you 100% that it would be a great idea and I would strongly support it because I have the SPG Amex card. I also have the Amex Platinum card, Hilton Citibank Visa (just cancelled my Hilton Amex), Hyatt Chase Visa, IHG Rewards Chase Visa (new name as of 7/1/13), and the Chase Sapphire Preferred Visa cards. NONE charge FX fees. I usually use the Chase Sapphire Preferred Visa to pay at SPG properties outside of the USA, because I will still stay at SPG hotels outside the USA when it is to my benefit.

Unfortunately, even though it's a good idea for customers, I doubt that Starwood will pressure Amex to drop the FX fee on its co-branded card. It's not likely Amex will play ball. And Starwood is not going to reimburse customers for the fee just because Amex won't play ball.

What I would like to see (and this would cost next to nothing) is for Chase to add a chip to their Sapphire Preferred and IHG Rewards Visa cards They already have a chip on their Hyatt Visa card. Chips are also available on the Amex Platinum card (although I had to request it) and the Citibank Hilton HHonors Reserve Visa card.

I can't speak for the IGH Rewards card, but Chase is working to get a chip on the Sapphire Preferred. I've heard that it should be out this year.