Two exciting new benefits added to the SPG® Credit Card from American Express (U. S.)
Jul 31, 2010, 7:12 am
#76
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: LAS
Programs: PA FT, TW Gold, NW/CO PE, VK Eagleflyer
Posts: 7,173
Jul 31, 2010, 7:16 am
#77
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Reno, NV (RNO)
Programs: AA Platinum, AS, UA, DL, HHonors Gold, Marriott LTP, Hyatt, IHG Platinum
Posts: 4,707
$20 annual fee increase and no real benefits. As we've moved most of our spend to the Schwab 2% cashback card, it will be very difficult to justify keeping the SPG AMEX at this point.
Jul 31, 2010, 8:03 am
#78
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: London, United Kingdom
Programs: OW/AA, DL, UA; Marriott Titanium
Posts: 4,936
Would have also preferred a 2 or 3 "stay" credit bonus vs. a 5 "night" credit bonus, and such would, IMHO, have justified the fee increase.
I can see how those in favour of Platinum Lite (earning Plat via stay credit bonuses, double stay credit promo's, etc.) would not like this, whilst those who earn Plat via 25+ "actual" stays may disagree...who knows.....
It is a galant effort at dressing up a fee increase as good news.
Kudos to the Lukers for keeping FT in the loop. I'm sure it's not easy to keep bringing up SPG promo's only to see all the fallout from them, thread after thread
.
I can see how those in favour of Platinum Lite (earning Plat via stay credit bonuses, double stay credit promo's, etc.) would not like this, whilst those who earn Plat via 25+ "actual" stays may disagree...who knows.....
It is a galant effort at dressing up a fee increase as good news.
Kudos to the Lukers for keeping FT in the loop. I'm sure it's not easy to keep bringing up SPG promo's only to see all the fallout from them, thread after thread
.
Jul 31, 2010, 8:33 am
#79
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: Marriott Titanium, DL DM
Posts: 298
I expected to see a bigger reduction or increase in fees. Unfortunately, I think rewards cards are going to lose their luster very soon.
Jul 31, 2010, 8:34 am
#80
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Lafayette, CO, USA
Programs: SPG Lifetime Plat, AA Gold, UA Gold, DL Silver, HH Gold, Vail Epic
Posts: 9,096
Poor choice based on an assumption! Anyone else have an opinion?
Jul 31, 2010, 9:18 am
#81
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Delta - Gold; Starwood - Platinum; HHonors - Diamond & Avis Preferred
Posts: 10,869
I'm with others. I know revenue is down and increasing fees is a way for AMEX to thin the heard without having to cancel cards themselves.
However, I wish they would have been given us the choice of "stays" over "nights". Maybe 3/4 stays instead of "five" nights.
However, I wish they would have been given us the choice of "stays" over "nights". Maybe 3/4 stays instead of "five" nights.
Jul 31, 2010, 10:04 am
#82
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: Marriott Titanium, DL DM
Posts: 298
My guess is the fact that so many people want stays over nights is the reason they gave us nights. If people are typically re-qualifying via stays, then the desire would be to push them toward nights, even if it comes at the cost of stays.
Jul 31, 2010, 10:05 am
#83
Join Date: May 2004
Programs: SkyMiles Gold, SPG Gold, MR Silver
Posts: 68
Increase in fee is too much. Don't care for the 3 nights for 2 offer at all. And I've been Gold for years with Amex Platinum and get NOTHING extra for that.
Will drop the card after many years with the next renewal. $65 is too much for an annual fee without some serious benefits.
Will drop the card after many years with the next renewal. $65 is too much for an annual fee without some serious benefits.
Jul 31, 2010, 10:10 am
#84
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,160
Jul 31, 2010, 10:22 am
#85
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 327
$65 annual fee with little added face value benefits.. I would rather switch to the new priority club visa with similar fee but a free night anywhere in the world each year.
Jul 31, 2010, 10:41 am
#86
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,701
Jul 31, 2010, 11:22 am
#87
Company Representative - Starwood
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Jul 31, 2010, 11:28 am
#88
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA LT PLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,564
Jul 31, 2010, 11:32 am
#89
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: HY
Programs: AA-EXP (3.3MM), AAirpass, SQ-PPS Solitaire, DL-PM (.777MM), SPG-Plat, HH-D
Posts: 2,307
There is nothing exciting by these "two exciting new benefits". They are quite dreadful and it seems like this is their way to justify the fee increase.
ETA: Might be time to switch to the AMEX Plat . If a new SPG to AA bonus transfer comes I might ditch the card and transfer out of SPG. $65 and reduced benefits might just do it for me. Enough at least to consider the options. SPG is great but not that great.
Last edited by psyflyer; Jul 31, 2010 at 11:59 am
Jul 31, 2010, 11:54 am
#90
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA LT PLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,564
The only thing worse than having fees increased is when they tell you that you are getting more when you really aren't. If they simply came out and said the annual fee was increasing that would be one thing. But for them to spin it under the guise of "new benefits", particularly when one isn't really new and the other only effects a small % of cardholders, is really just insulting. I know that's how marketing works these days...but it's really a shame we're all treated like idiots. I would have expected better from SPG/Amex. I mean this isn't Capital One or Discover.