An insert in my latest statement indicates that AMEX is tightening up its policy on refunding the annual fee. Starting September 1, the annual fee will be wholly nonrefundable more than 30 days after the date of the statement billing the fee.

Discussion here:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...er-2016-a.html

I'm not wholly a point/miles hoarder of any type. I just have long term plans for them when it comes to booking for vacations. I would rather pay the Sheraton asking price using the SPG AMEX to get the points so that I could (eventually) book three+ nights at a W or the likes on vacation somewhere is this big wide world.

Case in point, recently we ended a month vacation in Europe (2 week cruise included) and I opted to use SPG points for a post night stay at the W in London rather than forking over the approx. cost of $400+ nightly rate (original quote was about GBP 285 per night!!).

Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card
 

Hi Everyone,


I am considering getting Amex's SPG credit card. From what I can tell on my Chase IHG and Marriott cards, if I cancel them, after 24 months I can reapply and get the bonus points for those cards all over again. Can anyone confirm for me that if I get the AMEX SPG credit card and after getting the bonus and cancelling the card after a year or so, would that be the last time I could ever get that bonus again? I cant find this answer in the T&C's.

No one can answer with certainty. For one thing, the card might not exist in 24 months due to the pending acquisition. Even if it is still around somehow, the rules can change.

If the offer in hand is worthwhile to you, IMO you should go for it now instead of waiting for something sweeter.

Yes, it's now or never. Once SPG merges into MR, MR may keep MR Visa and SPG AMEX will go away.

Which does raise the question on the actual value you'll get from the SPG points.

Marriott's official statement includes:
"The good news is that we have many possibilities ahead of us because Marriott and Starwood both have great loyalty programs. We intend to draw upon the very best of both Marriott Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest® (SPG®) to provide even more value to our members."

We do know there will be a change but as to what that means to you, it's only a guess at this time.

Thank you JackE, I was hoping someone who has experienced what I am suggesting would respond, of course I understand theres no guarantees.


Thank you CIT and CRE.


Im tempted to wait for the 35,000 points offer again as AMEX has been seriously under fire lately and Im thinking they may work to make the cards they currently have more appealing. Though of course it makes sense that things may change for SPG rather quickly!

I wouldn't count on 35k coming back, as that was the highest offer ever and only happened once. 30k seems to come around with some regularity, though.

SPG Amex Newbie points question
 

So this Amex card offers 25,000 points after the initial spend. 25K points will get me 2 nights at a 12K hotel (Category 5), or one night at a Category 6, or zero nights at a Category 7.
Now one or two free nights is better than nothing, but it seems like a rather plain offer and a bit of work (application, minimum spend, etc.).
Are there other exceptional benefits of this card that I'm missing?

The card features are summarized in the Wikipost at the top of the thread. Do you have questions about what is listed there?

Yeah, I read the Wiki post, and maybe I'm just not getting it. I know this SPG Amex is such a hugely popular card here on Flytertalk, and I can't see why. (Especially compared to the HHonors card, which gives you two free nights at ANY Hilton anywhere.)

A popular benefit is that you can move 20K SPG points to many airline programs, receiving a 5K bonus. Recently, I wanted to book 2 AS awards on Emirates at the pre deval rate. I was able to move SPG points so that we had enough AS points for the awards.

Be aware that the free Hilton nights are only good on the weekend. I've found it challenging to gain much value from it based on my specific travel pattern. You can spend $10K/year and earn one night annually. This will be the last year that I bother because of that restriction. SPG has no restrictions as to nights of the week for award redemption.

That is a very good point I hadn't considered. I'm going to apply for the SPG !

I thought it was the Hyatt card that gave you two free nights at any Hyatt anywhere?

The SPG signup bonus is relatively modest in comparison to the Hyatt signup bonus, but it's easily my best everyday spend card for non-bonused spend due to the reason SD1k pointed out. This of course assumes you have nontrivial everyday spend.