That is exactly what I did, and no it will not prevent the bonuses on both accounts. SPG will also allow you to move the points from one account to another provide you both live at the same address.

How do you move the points? I can't figure out where that option is on the Starwood site.

Transferring points within the same household must be done via phone, no online option to do so...

So is this ability a hard-and-fast rule, or is it at the whim of the representative?

technically it is a rule:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starw...-thread-3.html

but you still may be at the whim of the representative

When I sent these referral links, these offers do not seem to include the extra 15,000 bonus spend only the initial 10k miles. Am I mistaken here? Can I refer and the other person still receive bonus spend? Any recent experiences?

Best time to try for new SPG AMEX credit cards?
 

Hello, I'm planning a round-the-world trip for later this year and am trying to grab as many hotel points as possible now that I have my tickets booked. At the end of November 2009, I applied for and received one last Citibank AAdvantage MasterCard and got the 30,000 bonus miles, thus enabling my RTW tickets. Then later in December 2009, I applied for and got a Chase Priority Club VISA which gave me 45,000 Priority Club points.

Now I am interested in applying for both the Starwood AmEx and the Starwood Business AmEx in order to get 20,000 Starpoints.

My main question is about timing, since I got a new VISA from Chase last December, how long should I wait before applying for the new Starwood AmEx cards to ensure instant approval? And is it wise/unwise to apply for both the personal and business cards at the same time? (BTW my credit score is just under 800, so I am expecting instant/near-instant approval in any case.)

My trip begins in mid-summer so I'd like to have the points ASAP in order to use them at the properties that require advanced reservations.

I've read there is also a refer-a-friend bonus. If it is still valid, I'd appreciate someone here referring me. :cool:

It was simple and automatic until October 2008. Now, a CSR CANNOT automatically transfer part of your Amex credit limit to another Amex card.

But you still have two options for existing cards. You can formerly request a credit limit increase to any Amex card OR you can have the Amex underwriting department consider your credit limit transfer request and you will get an answer within 24-48 hours. Just two weeks ago, I chose the latter and was approved to transfer $17K of my limit from my Hilton Amex to my SPG Amex. I got a reply within 4 hours of making my request. My Hilton Amex limit had been 7 times larger than my SPG limit!

I can't seem to get a transfer.

$75K on my Costco Amex.

$25K on my Costco Business Amex.

Green card in my name (no preset limit) for my office.

Then, I apply for the SPG. I get $2K! Seems crazy. So I call. But I can't get approved for a transfer.

Starwood Amex renewal bonus
 

Renewal of SPG Amex just came up so I tried my annual call for a renewal "bonus." Note that I talked to customer service not the retention department.

ME: Hi my annual fee just hit, I was wondering if you might be able to soften the blow by giving me a few extra Starwood points.

CSR: (Laughter,) OK let me look at a few things, how many points do you want?

ME: As many as possible.

CSR: (more laughter) I can give you 300 points.

ME: Any way you could go higher?

CSR: It would be better if you gave me a number

ME: How about 2,000

CSR: Ill try,.... sorry it didn't go through

ME: How about 1500?

CSR: Yes it went through


Pretty painless way to get a few extra points. The CSR was very friendly and happy to help.

good job! now THAT is my kinda negotiating! keeping it cool with some comic relief works wonders sometimes

I've been credited with 6,000 spg points in the last 6 months from amex. I have a theory that they have a certain "allowable" amount of curtsey points they can give you each year if they screw something up or what not. This could be anywhere from 3-4k. Don't be afraid to push for points if you feel that you are justified for them.

Were these points to resolve a problem you had or did you request them as a renewal bonus?

Never mind. Found it.

I take that back I've gotten over that amount.

I was given 5,000 points because I pointed out to the CSR that in your first 30 days there is no possible way to pay off your balance online through their site, since they put a 30 day hold on any link bank account before you use it. If you max out your card on the measly credit line they give some of us... the only way you can pay off a balance to open up your credit line is to mail in a check or use your banks bill pay.

I was given 1,500 points when I called in asking if they offered any extra spending bonuses, that I was just short of getting an award night. She asked how many miles I would need and told me they could offer this amount to help me out.

I was given 2,500 miles when I called in because they forgot to ship me a replacement card. They overnighted the card as well.

To be honest I couldn't be happier with the customer service.