Once you see the Gold Status in your SPG acct I'd imagine you'd be able to keep it. Although it's just a guess

No.

Yes.

Thanks for the info

This is disappointing move from SPG. Looks like they want the extra $30 in fees while providing not so great benefits in return. Lot of airports have free wi-fi. Amex not accepted everywhere around the world. Being a gold member, since last few times i am getting club access & internet. They should atleast provide more ways to get extra points or free nights like you said here to make it worthwhile.

I wish I had a dollar for every merchant that has either not accepted AMEX or encouraged me to use another card. That would more than pay for the annual fee.

It's funny - I finally just broke down and got a Citi Prestige a few months ago, in part because my SPG card has the Forex fee.

But now, I can't see using the SPG card, even at SPG hotels. Granted, I have to deal with another currency and the points can't be moved to Starwood, but the Prestige gives me 3x, plus a potential year-end bump. I think I'm still keeping it in my wallet instead.

I had the spg card a few years ago.
really like the hotels (just stayed at the Westin on the Riverwalk in San Antonio)
wish I could get another card but they say only one time reward now.
how true is this. if I had the card over 3 years ago could I get a second bonus?
also could I get the business card and be able to get a bonus?

You could apply for and receive an SPG personal card, but no new account bonus.

Yes, provided you have not held an SPG Business card within the last 12 months.

Yes, pretty much this. With this new change, i'll just churn the business account every couple of years rather than keeping my personal.

OK, the new AF is $95 but it's waived the first year for both personal and biz. I seem to recall it not being waived previously. If so, then this is a positive development. Is that true or am I remembering wrong?

You're misrecalling.

Thinking about getting the business since I already had the personal bonus
Best offer I see is 10k now, 15k after $5000 in 6 months
Better one out there?
Any rumors of the 30k coming up?
I thought since they are changing their policy and rates they might sweeten the pot and it seems the 30k has popped up about this time before
If get a business card can I use my same spg number I have when I got my personal card or will they give me a different spg number?

You can churn the business card?
I thought they had went to one time bonus for everybody or are you just trying to avoid the annual fee?

Yes. The once-in-a-lifetime policy applies only to personal cards issued by American Express (USA). The business card policy is that you can reapply and earn a bonus 12 months after cancelling the identical card. Remember, these are generalizations. Some offers may differ. Read and understand the terms before applying.

Perhaps it's a bit premature as the new "enhanced" annual fee of $95 hasn't kicked in yet...but has anyone been successful product changing their SPG Amex to a different card?