I just stopped using the hhonors amex for my SPG amex. TO many point promos at hilton so, I need SPG points more. I can never use all my hhonos points, close to 1.5 m.

thanks for the feedback. i definitely understand the sentiment about the recent devaluation (i only recently started accumulating starpoints so i don't think i appreciate the impact as much as others). the thing about the program that appeals to me most is the nights and flights possibility (60k pts for 50k miles and 5 nights free).

That was a great award -- one of SPG's best -- until they gutted the ranks of quality Category 4 hotels last week. It is far, far less desirable now that virtually all of the worthy Cat 4's have moved up and are no longer eligible for this award.

Given what they've done to Cat 4 options, I'm hopeful they'll add a "Nights and Flights III" for Cat 5 properties, though the magnitude of last week's changes don't leave me too optimistic.

Why did Amex send me a new SPG Amex card?
 

Why did I get a new Amex from SPG?

Also it doesn't indicate Platinum on the new Amex. Is this a problem?

They have a new design of the card. I think they are sending everyone a new card for the new design. Don't worry. I havn't gotten mine though :(

I just got my new card yesterday as well. I personally think the four digit security code is very hard to read on the front of the card! Suprised *W didn't list its brands or logos more predominately on the front of the card. Too bad I won't be using the card as much since the devalution! (Currently waiting for my Hilton AMEX to arrive.) I think the reference to Platinum was just that.....a reference that didn't really mean anything. I think there was some discussion on this in the past.

i just got the new card as well, and the expiration on it is May 2007! it's 3 months! and no, the original expiration date on my previous card is 2008. what is up with that? it's just one more annoying call i have to make to get them to resend a card that has more than 3 months on it.

Mine were extended from May 2008 to May 2010. No explanation in envelope. Seems a bit odd.

Starwood Preferred Guest as a hotel frequent stay program does not issue credit cards, only credit card companies do.

Why don't you call American Express and ask them?

I agree about the nights and flights. Cash & Points fall into the same pitfall. With the recent category creep there are very few decent hotels, let alone good hotels, left in Category 4 in resort/vacation destinations. Hence, you no longer have the option to use either the Nights and Flights or Cash & Points any longer. *wood should definately consider instituting both redemption methods for their Category 5 (and possibly Cat. 6) hotels in the near future.

With the "devaluation" it will take me 33% longer to accumulate enough points for a typical vacation for my family and 50% if I had intended to use Nights and Flights.

The Cash & Points still cost money out of pocket so it's difficult to compare it with the straight point redemption methods, but I would think that either 4000 pts. and $70 a night or 5000 pts. and $60 a night would be reasonable for a Category 5 resort.

You might want to give American Express a call and ask them.

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

[email protected]

Why all the fuss? They sent out the cards to get the "NEW LOOK" in everyone's wallet. Personally, I like the old design better, but no one asked me. Looks like most of us got it yesterday. Wow -- that's a LOT of cards going out on the same day.

Still not sure what all the fuss about this is. (????)

Old design was much classier, I'm rather disappointed that I now need to carry the new 'busy' red in my wallet. :td:

I carry one card for business and one for personal. The benefit to the new card design is the "tag" on the end of the card indicating which card it is. Although I have the two numbers memorized, it still seems like I always pull the wrong card out first, and end up using the wrong one 15% of the time. Virtually impossible to when the label is right there for me to read.

Yup, I got a new card too. Is red supposed to be a hip color these days? I think the design is ugly and I don't understand the branding concept. I agree with the previous poster who thought the individual hotel brands should get more attention.