I applied for the card online and did not get instant approval. My only other AMX is a Costco Business Crad. Last night I got a call from AMX saying I was approved and asking me how I wanted to divide my total credit limnit betwenn the 2 cards.

Re: SPG50:

I just tried to use SPG50 for a 1 night 1 bedroom suite stay at Element Lexington. I know most people would say that a 1 night stay is a waste for SPG50 but almost all my travel is business related, so it's very rare I pay for a room for myself.

The spg.com booking site shows several different rack rates for a 1br suite. When I called SPG, the CSR told me that there were probably several different room layouts. With SPG50, he told me the rate would be $199+tax. But, the cheapest rack rate on the website was $309, so 50% would be $154.50+tax. I guess they hadn't released the cheaper room for use with SPG50?

As i was about to purchase, the CSR informed me that by using SPG50, I would not get the stay credit nor would I get any points for the stay. I told him I was under the impression that I would get the points for the amount paid, but he insisted (multiple times) that I was incorrect. So, I booked BAR, just to hold the room.

I looked up the SPG50 terms (https://www.starwoodhotels.com/promo...ode=50offTERMS) and it says:

Since this property is not one of the vacation resorts mentioned in the second sentence, the CSR was wrong, correct? DCBob implies (with the bold part of the quote above) that points do indeed count on an SPG50 stay.

The BAR that I booked was $239+tax. The SPG50 rate was $199+tax. The prepaid rate is $195.30+tax. I plan on canceling my BAR and booking the prepaid as soon as I'm sure of the trip. But, I would rather book it SPG50 rate ($3.70 more) if I am sure I'll get the points and stay credit, so I can cancel if need be.

The quote I pasted above from the SPG50 terms doesn't mention anything about the stay credit... only about points earned. Can I assume that (1) if points are earned then the stay would count toward #nights/year and (2) the CSR was wrong and there is no question that the money I paid would earn [double for gold + double for promotion] points?

I know, it seems like a lot of verbiage for a savings of just $40, but hey- $40 is $40 :)

delete

I can't think of a reason why the SPG50 rate wouldn't earn Starpoints. It is an eligible rate, just like BAR.

Quite plainly, that CSR was wrong.

Dear dmel,

Ah, I would love to obtain details of the CSR you have spoken to, if it is possible.

Thank you.

[email protected]

Thyetus Lee | Online Forum Coordinator(AP)
Starwood Customer Contact Centre (AP) Pte Ltd

Can someone tell me how long it takes for AMEX to post points to your SPG account. The most recent post I've found is from '07. Do they still post the same day as your billing cycle closes?

My experience is that it always posts 2-4 days after my billing cycle closes, depending if there is a weekend involved or not.

i checked my most recent, since i paid mine off two weeks ago, and noticed mine still haven't posted. last pay date was the 8th, i believe. last month, they posted around the 15th. so it looks like almost a week after the final pay date. man that's confusing.

SPG American Express account activation woes
 

After following all the "best card" threads for some time I decided to apply for the SPG American Express OPEN that everyone is so happy about. I was approved online and the cards were in my mail in a couple of days. So far, excellent.

The limit was 1/4 the limit on my other OPEN card, a cash-back one. I asked about that when I called to activate and they offered to raise the limit if I sent them 14 pages of my business tax returns for the last two years plus parts of my personal ones for the last two years plus a form or two. I declined, because the extra credit limit was not worth all that hassle. I mentioned that my tax attorney had the data and the polite functionary offered to have me make a power of attorney so my tax attorney could send the data. That would cost me a few dollars and would be too much hassle anyway so I declined again. I pointed out that the entire exercise was just to get some Starwood points so I was not ready to go through the hassle. We agreed that the limit would stay as it was. Disappointing, since I have been their customer since 1969 and always paid on time every month.

This AM I went to a UK website to buy a wedding present for the daughter of a friend and colleague of many years. I submitted my new SPG American Express to pay. It was declined. I was unhappy.

I telephoned the customer service number of the back of my new card. The functionary said "hello, I see you've been with us since 1969. Thanks for your business. How can I help you today?" I told him my card was declined and he immediately found the tx. he said "oh, your activity showed a major change, so we wanted to protect you from fraud, after all it was online and you have no prior online purchases." I asked if they connected this with my other card and he said they did. "So, how have I changed?", I asked, since I have shopped at the same site using the other card a few weeks ago. I was then more unhappy, when he said it would be OK but the department that had to reinstate my card would only be open in another hour.

I have not yet called the other number, it only will open in a few minutes. This is reminiscent of the experiences I used to have with Citibank. Not good! I am about to just cancel this card without ever using it.

Quick update:

I called the number and had an automated system request that I create a "security code", which I did. The machine told me that would apply to all my AE cards. What a relief, how did I manage to exist since 1969 without a "security code". No mention about "open to buy" or authorizations. I then tried to feed my Kindle book addiction with the card, and it went through. I have no idea what happened but maybe it is solved.

This seems to be roughly in line with my experiences with this card so far. Puny credit limit with a huge one on another Amex that isn't transferable. Painful customer service. And, the worst part maybe, everyone says that with reasonable calls to complain, they offer extra SPG points. Not for me.

I've been pre-paying to have space to buy things - got past my $15K bonus level in the first month with a $2K credit limit. But now I haven't gotten my bonus points, even though I got my spend points.

So I need another call . . .

Same experience here. My most recent posting of March 9 was two days after the statement closing date of March 7. My points always post on my SPG account prior to me receiving the Amex statement in the mail.

We just got our card a couple of weeks ago, so I just want to clarify something...my husband will be staying at an spg property for the first time since getting the card - he'll get 2X the dollar amount for using the card, AND he's registered for the 2, 3 4X promotion, staying for 2 nights, so he will ALSO get 2X the points - so he'll basically get 4X for this stay?