Jun 12, 2014, 11:11 am
Last edit by: CodeAdam10
For discussion of the now expired offer for a 35K signup bonus, see Amex SPG 35,000 business and personal cards-2016 [No referral offers in this thread.]
USA-issued card benefits changed on August 11, 2015. (Announcement & extended discussion at American Express and Starwood enhance cobrand credit card benefits.) The benefits are slightly different for personal and business cards:
Public Links:
- The Annual Fee is $450.
- Earn 6x at Marriott properties; 3x on restaurants and airfare; 2x on all other purchases.
- Enjoy up to $300 in statement credits each year of Card Membership for eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
- FREE NIGHT AWARD: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card account anniversary. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at a participating hotel.
- COMPLIMENTARY GOLD ELITE STATUS: Enjoy complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status with your Card. Earn Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status after making $75,000 in eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
- Other Highlighted Benefits: Priority Pass Select Membership, Global Entry credit, No Foreign Transaction fees.
- $125 Annual Fee (If application received before 03/28/19, $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95)
- Earn 6x at Marriott properties; 4x at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services & on U.S. purchases for shipping; 2x on all other purchases.
- Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card account anniversary. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at a participating hotel.
- Complimentary Silver Elite Status
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
Other related discussion:
USA-issued card benefits changed on August 11, 2015. (Announcement & extended discussion at American Express and Starwood enhance cobrand credit card benefits.) The benefits are slightly different for personal and business cards:
Public Links:
- Personal [Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card]: https://www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/card/marriott-bonvoy-brilliant
- The Annual Fee is $450.
- Earn 6x at Marriott properties; 3x on restaurants and airfare; 2x on all other purchases.
- Enjoy up to $300 in statement credits each year of Card Membership for eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
- FREE NIGHT AWARD: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card account anniversary. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at a participating hotel.
- COMPLIMENTARY GOLD ELITE STATUS: Enjoy complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status with your Card. Earn Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status after making $75,000 in eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
- Other Highlighted Benefits: Priority Pass Select Membership, Global Entry credit, No Foreign Transaction fees.
- Business [Marriott Bonvoy Business Card]: https://www.americanexpress.com/us/c...s-credit-card/
- $125 Annual Fee (If application received before 03/28/19, $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95)
- Earn 6x at Marriott properties; 4x at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services & on U.S. purchases for shipping; 2x on all other purchases.
- Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card account anniversary. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at a participating hotel.
- Complimentary Silver Elite Status
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
- Discussion of Amex "one bonus per lifetime" policy (personal & business cards)
- Annual fee retention bonus for Starwood Amex Card
- American Express and Starwood enhance cobrand credit card benefits
- How to keep SPG points from expiring after 12 months of account inactivity
- New Card Art for the US Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express
SPG American Express [Master Thread]
Aug 31, 2011, 9:22 am
#1381
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,310
Word on the street is that you have to wait two years from the time you close your AMEX SPG to collect the bonus points again.
Aug 31, 2011, 7:11 pm
#1382
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: L.A.
Programs: WN A-list & CP, Delta GM
Posts: 448
Many people are in the same boat as you. The past two years, big signup offers keep coming in and you have quite a bit of spending requirements to meet.
For me, I like my SPG Amex but figure out if I don't put at least $30K on it i will be hesitating to pay the annual fee. Also since I signed up the awesome Amex PR Gold with 1st year free there are more reasons to cancel the SPG. When I called Amex in June, they offered me nothing - so converted to Blue to keep my credit history. They used to allow me to convert to Hilton but not any more. I also would like to see years down the road when I decide to pick it up again whether or not I will be able to churn.
For me, I like my SPG Amex but figure out if I don't put at least $30K on it i will be hesitating to pay the annual fee. Also since I signed up the awesome Amex PR Gold with 1st year free there are more reasons to cancel the SPG. When I called Amex in June, they offered me nothing - so converted to Blue to keep my credit history. They used to allow me to convert to Hilton but not any more. I also would like to see years down the road when I decide to pick it up again whether or not I will be able to churn.
My renewal comes up next month and I don't charge enough to the card to justify the $65 fee (I tend to chase sign-up bonuses, so I'm usually pulling out "random" cards to meet the minimum spends). Like most flyertalkers, I feel that I should be paid to use a credit card, not pay the credit card company to use it. 
I called AMEX and the best retention bonus they offered me was a $10 statement credit or 1000 SPG points. I would think I could do better than that, no? I'd like to keep the card (in a world without sign-up bonuses, SPG would be my preferred credit card), but this bonus isn't enough for me to pay the $65.
BTW, a couple years ago, I faced the same problem and simply cancelled the card. A couple months later, I signed up for a new first-year-fee-waived card and got a hefty sign-up bonus (idiotic, of course, on AMEX's part). Would this strategy still work?
Thanks for the help.
I called AMEX and the best retention bonus they offered me was a $10 statement credit or 1000 SPG points. I would think I could do better than that, no? I'd like to keep the card (in a world without sign-up bonuses, SPG would be my preferred credit card), but this bonus isn't enough for me to pay the $65.
BTW, a couple years ago, I faced the same problem and simply cancelled the card. A couple months later, I signed up for a new first-year-fee-waived card and got a hefty sign-up bonus (idiotic, of course, on AMEX's part). Would this strategy still work?
Thanks for the help.
Sep 1, 2011, 6:34 am
#1383
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: MEL/LAX
Programs: AAdv GLD(MM), QF LTS, UA MP_nada, HH Gld, SPG, GoldenCircle Jade
Posts: 4,472
My renewal comes up next month and I don't charge enough to the card to justify the $65 fee (I tend to chase sign-up bonuses, so I'm usually pulling out "random" cards to meet the minimum spends). Like most flyertalkers, I feel that I should be paid to use a credit card, not pay the credit card company to use it.
I called AMEX and the best retention bonus they offered me was a $10 statement credit or 1000 SPG points. I would think I could do better than that, no? I'd like to keep the card (in a world without sign-up bonuses, SPG would be my preferred credit card), but this bonus isn't enough for me to pay the $65.
BTW, a couple years ago, I faced the same problem and simply cancelled the card. A couple months later, I signed up for a new first-year-fee-waived card and got a hefty sign-up bonus (idiotic, of course, on AMEX's part). Would this strategy still work?
Thanks for the help.
I called AMEX and the best retention bonus they offered me was a $10 statement credit or 1000 SPG points. I would think I could do better than that, no? I'd like to keep the card (in a world without sign-up bonuses, SPG would be my preferred credit card), but this bonus isn't enough for me to pay the $65.
BTW, a couple years ago, I faced the same problem and simply cancelled the card. A couple months later, I signed up for a new first-year-fee-waived card and got a hefty sign-up bonus (idiotic, of course, on AMEX's part). Would this strategy still work?
Thanks for the help.
Should I give up the SPG altogether or is there another card worth converting to? Sounds like converting to Blue may be worth it just for the continuous credit history? Is Amex MR a worthwhile program for low spenders or should I just stick with HHonors Amex?
Sep 1, 2011, 7:44 am
#1384
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Programs: AA Platinum, AA LT Gold
Posts: 150
Buying SPG points
If I were to buy SPG points, is there any incetive to use my SPG AMEX, as opposed to any other credit card? Is this purchase considered spending in SPG properties to earn the additional points?
Sep 1, 2011, 7:53 am
#1385
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Singapore
Programs: SPG
Posts: 4,002
[email protected]
Thyetus Lee | Social Media Specialist
Starwood Customer Contact Centre (AP) Pte Ltd
Sep 13, 2011, 4:28 pm
#1386
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: JZRO
Posts: 9,169
Exactly. Believe me, I am attempting to put every spend on the AMEX card. My favorite grocery store won't take it, lots of local restaurants won't, doctors/dentists and many local merchants won't. I do expect to reach $4500 in three months, but it won't be the walk in the park I expected.
RNE, saying to AMEX, "Get ready to fork over beaucoup bonus points!"*
*In 8-12 weeks.
Sep 14, 2011, 11:01 am
#1387
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: AL
Programs: All of the Above
Posts: 1,374
Statement closed Monday. Out of $5400 spend this month, I was able to put $3550 on my SPG AMEX. I put $400+ on it today, so I'll easily reach the $4500-in-90-days goal sometime next week if not this weekend. ^
RNE, saying to AMEX, "Get ready to fork over beaucoup bonus points!"*
*In 8-12 weeks.
RNE, saying to AMEX, "Get ready to fork over beaucoup bonus points!"*
*In 8-12 weeks.
Sep 20, 2011, 11:27 pm
#1389
Join Date: Jun 2011
Programs: SPG Platinum, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 1,134
The incentive to purchase with your SPG AMEX is that you receive the points you purchased plus an additional point per dollar you spent. As of now, that is 20,700 points instead of only 20,000 points. Decide if the additional 700 points ($26.25) is worth it. It is very likely that the 20% off special starts back sometime next month (October), so it would be worth waiting until then to purchase points for a $140 savings (unless you need them today).
Sep 25, 2011, 7:03 pm
#1390
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: JZRO
Posts: 9,169
I just took my wife out on the town for a very special evening of gourmet dining—money was no object!—so I took her to...
Wendy's
3193 Manchester Road
Akron, OH 44319-1406
Yes, I know what you're thinking: Wow, RNE! That little lady of yours must be some special woman to deserve that kind of special treatment! And you would be right. But I digress.
Anyway, turns out they don't take AMEX. I guess Wendy's is not one of those major corporations you mentioned. Or at least not this franchisee.
Sep 25, 2011, 8:09 pm
#1391
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Oak Park, IL
Programs: AA 2 MM LIfetime Platinum, SPG Platinum, Hilton Silver, BA
Posts: 3,585
Menard's doesn't take Amex. Some smaller businesses don't take AMEX. But enough do to still make it worth having.
Sep 25, 2011, 10:39 pm
#1392
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA Plat MM, AA Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold, IHG Plat, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 5,015
Case in point:
I just took my wife out on the town for a very special evening of gourmet dining—money was no object!—so I took her to...
Wendy's
3193 Manchester Road
Akron, OH 44319-1406
Yes, I know what you're thinking: Wow, RNE! That little lady of yours must be some special woman to deserve that kind of special treatment! And you would be right. But I digress.
Anyway, turns out they don't take AMEX. I guess Wendy's is not one of those major corporations you mentioned. Or at least not this franchisee.
I just took my wife out on the town for a very special evening of gourmet dining—money was no object!—so I took her to...
Wendy's
3193 Manchester Road
Akron, OH 44319-1406
Yes, I know what you're thinking: Wow, RNE! That little lady of yours must be some special woman to deserve that kind of special treatment! And you would be right. But I digress.
Anyway, turns out they don't take AMEX. I guess Wendy's is not one of those major corporations you mentioned. Or at least not this franchisee.
Sep 25, 2011, 11:08 pm
#1393
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: 60% PHL, 20% BMI, 20% Somewhere Else
Programs: New Worldperks Diamond - IHG Plat - SPG Gold
Posts: 37
While Amex may be accepted at most big box, cookie cutter national merchants serving up homogenized products from coast to coast...
the fact remains that Amex turns off many merchants with it's higher than standard (Visa/MC) merchant fees.
To each his own, but for my spending habits, I estimate that the Amex gets turned down at 5-10% of the time domestically. And I definitely notice a higher acceptance rate on the right coast vs. the left coast. Usefulness declines dramatically internationally. Not to mention the crap 2.7% foreign transaction fee.
Can't deny the SPG spend bonus so I do use it exclusively to pay for SPG stays.
the fact remains that Amex turns off many merchants with it's higher than standard (Visa/MC) merchant fees.
To each his own, but for my spending habits, I estimate that the Amex gets turned down at 5-10% of the time domestically. And I definitely notice a higher acceptance rate on the right coast vs. the left coast. Usefulness declines dramatically internationally. Not to mention the crap 2.7% foreign transaction fee.
Can't deny the SPG spend bonus so I do use it exclusively to pay for SPG stays.
Sep 25, 2011, 11:57 pm
#1394
Join Date: Jan 2011
Programs: AAdvantage Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 13
Wendy's
Buy an artisan sandwich most mornngs and use my AMEX - must be locality driven!
Sep 26, 2011, 5:48 am
#1395
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TUL
Programs: AA EXP 2MM; Marriott Titanium; Hilton Diamond; Hyatt Explorist; Vistana 5* Elite; Nat'l Exec Elite
Posts: 6,177
While Amex may be accepted at most big box, cookie cutter national merchants serving up homogenized products from coast to coast...
the fact remains that Amex turns off many merchants with it's higher than standard (Visa/MC) merchant fees.
To each his own, but for my spending habits, I estimate that the Amex gets turned down at 5-10% of the time domestically. And I definitely notice a higher acceptance rate on the right coast vs. the left coast. Usefulness declines dramatically internationally. Not to mention the crap 2.7% foreign transaction fee.
Can't deny the SPG spend bonus so I do use it exclusively to pay for SPG stays.
the fact remains that Amex turns off many merchants with it's higher than standard (Visa/MC) merchant fees.
To each his own, but for my spending habits, I estimate that the Amex gets turned down at 5-10% of the time domestically. And I definitely notice a higher acceptance rate on the right coast vs. the left coast. Usefulness declines dramatically internationally. Not to mention the crap 2.7% foreign transaction fee.
Can't deny the SPG spend bonus so I do use it exclusively to pay for SPG stays.