Jun 12, 2015, 7:15 pm

FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides

Last edit by: KENNECTED

This thread is for discussion of the new benefits & fee structure announced in June 2015. For general discussion of the SPG Amex, see SPG American Express [Master Thread].

Will the additional cardholders on my Starwood Business Amex account get access to the Sheraton Club lounge? What about guests in additional rooms I'm also paying for?

"This benefit is for Basic Card Members only on Starpoint Eligible Rate reservations...Sheraton Club lounge access is limited to the eligible Card Member and a guest staying in the same room for the duration of the stay, regardless of how many rooms have been reserved." (See Starwood FAQs.)

Which hotel brands with the Sheraton name will offer the lounge benefit?

The benefit is offered at all Sheraton-branded properties, including Sheraton Grand hotels, with the exception of any Luxury Collection property. It is not available at Four Points by Sheraton hotels.

Wiil I still get Club access if I book my stay with points or cash+points?

Per Starwood Lurker in post #104, yes.

American Express and Starwood enhance cobrand credit card benefits

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Jun 7, 2015, 1:45 pm

#166

TravelinSperry

Join Date: Feb 2013

Location: Miami, FL

Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres

Posts: 6,018

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMM1982

Starwood wins this battle. That being said, most people aren't putting 24k spend on a card. They are putting less than 10k. So for most people, it is likely that the IHG is a much better value b/c of the annual free night award.

If you're a big spender, the value of the SPG points will trump almost all points on the market.

Agreed. My personal calculations always have Starwood coming out on top due to the fact that I put well over $2k per mo on the card. I was assuming $2k is normal for others - but you are likely right, it is likely a lot lower.

I just think so many people only analyze the earning side of the card(s) they have in their wallet when the redemption side is just as important. It's really the totality of spend vs redemption one must take into account.

Jun 7, 2015, 2:48 pm

#167

AZ Travels the World

Moderator: American AAdvantage & Marriott Bonvoy

Join Date: Oct 2002

Location: PHX

Programs: American ExPlat; Marriott/SPG Lifetime Plat; Hyatt Globalist

Posts: 8,116

Moderator Note

A personal and off-topic exchange has been removed from the thread. Kindly continue to keep this thread focused on the topic at hand -- reaction to the recently announced enhancements to the SPG AMEX card.

Your cooperation will be appreciated.

AZ Travels the World
A SPG Forum Moderator

Jun 7, 2015, 4:47 pm

#168

craz

Suspended

Join Date: Nov 1999

Posts: 24,153

Quote:

Originally Posted by dulcamara

*wood is asking me to pay $30/yr extra for nothing. Not only that, I have to waste time figuring out if the points I get are worth $95/year. I have an AMEX plat acct that has no FEX + lounge access, so why do I need this?

All they had to do was leave me alone, but it seems that they are too stupid/lazy to even do that.

Odds that I will cancel the *wood Amex >= 30% and climbing.

CC companies, why won't you leave us alone?

Dont forget you earn 2 Stay credits and 5 Nights credit, so for those who are on their own dime and just do 25 Stays a yr, pretty hard to earn 2 stay credits for $95

I was all

with hearing Forex will be gone, but not every place takes Amex and if anything it will be close to a wash with the added $30 to the AF.
the good thing is 6/1 my AF hit so Ive got a yr to decide and my personal card hit 5/1. Most likely I will keep the Biz card and KO the personal in '16. Hopefully before that happens Amex will up the ante making it worhwhile to keep both

Jun 7, 2015, 8:19 pm

#169

aeg42

Join Date: Aug 2014

Posts: 85

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhrubin

You still need to be a hotel guest, of course.

Well yes...

I already have a Sheraton stay booked for this summer (not via my SPG Business Amex though), which is why I asked. I will take your answer to mean that I just need to make sure I have the card with me.

Jun 8, 2015, 10:54 am

#170

Starwood Lurker

Company Representative - Starwood

Join Date: Nov 2000

Location: Austin, Texas

Programs: Marriott Employee Level

Posts: 31,593

Quote:

Originally Posted by sierranevada

Thanks - so I have a reservation in Aug and my son, who also works for us and has a Bus card in his name, is checking in 2 days prior than me, we are both on room. How will that work?

Although it is a gray area, for sure, the consensus of opinion from the Starwood side is that your son should be able to access the club level lounge on a complimentary basis if he shows his own, unique SPG/Open card at check-in.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

Jun 8, 2015, 11:50 am

#171

pranay

Join Date: Apr 2012

Posts: 11

Question

If I have the SPG AMEX Business card and I book a sheraton hotel with points after August 15th, would I still get access to sheraton club lounge being that it is not a paid stay and I am not using cash and points?

Jun 8, 2015, 11:58 am

#172

sierranevada

Join Date: Feb 2006

Location: Bay Area, CA

Programs: UA 1K; Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Gold

Posts: 828

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starwood Lurker

Thanks! Hopefully it will work.

Jun 8, 2015, 12:02 pm

#173

Starwood Lurker

Company Representative - Starwood

Join Date: Nov 2000

Location: Austin, Texas

Programs: Marriott Employee Level

Posts: 31,593

Quote:

Originally Posted by pranay

Jun 8, 2015, 12:19 pm

#174

ANstar

Join Date: Jul 2003

Location: Australia

Programs: QF LTS, Marriott LTP, ALL GOLD

Posts: 2,440

Any chance of actually improving the UK SPG Amex so it is a card actually worth having? the difference between the UK & US cards was staggering before - these changes just make the gap even more wide

Jun 8, 2015, 2:22 pm

#175

Redhead

Join Date: Sep 2000

Location: OH

Programs: AA Lifetime Plat, Marriot Lifetime Gold

Posts: 9,539

This is going to make me seriously reconsider whether or not to keep the card. I already have a no FX fee card and will not pay two $95 annual fees. Time to consider dropping this vs IHG. I don't travel as much as I used to so will never make status. The IHG MasterCard also gives me a free night for that $95.

Grrr

Jun 8, 2015, 4:14 pm

#176

LETTERBOY

Join Date: Jul 2009

Location: DCA/IAD

Programs: AS, US, Hilton, BA, DL, SPG, AA, VS

Posts: 1,628

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redhead

The IHG MasterCard also gives me a free night for that $95.

Grrr

https://creditcards.chase.com/credit...aspx?CELL=63WS

According to this, the IHG AF is $49.

Jun 8, 2015, 7:06 pm

#177

iflyjetz

Join Date: Jul 2001

Programs: Marriott LT Tit; Hyatt Explorist; Hilton CC Gold; IHG CC Plt; Hertz (MR) 5 star

Posts: 5,536

Quote:

Originally Posted by LETTERBOY

https://creditcards.chase.com/credit...aspx?CELL=63WS

According to this, the IHG AF is $49.

Correct; $49. The only time it comes out of my wallet is when a merchant will only take MasterCard (there are a few out there) or I stay at an IHG property and can't use my points.

Jun 8, 2015, 9:42 pm

#178

uppereastsider

Join Date: Mar 2014

Location: NYC

Programs: DL Platinum, AA Plat Pro, Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum, JetBlue Mosaic 3, Amtrak Select

Posts: 966

Quote:

Originally Posted by LETTERBOY

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYCRuss

No FTF for abroad, and double at restaurants for home. They can keep the Boingo.

But how would double points for US restaurants get people to increase their use of the card abroad? That would have no effect one way or the other. Dropping the FTF would get people to use the card abroad more than

I hold a CSP and a SPG Amex. If I could get double on US restaurants, I'd seriously consider dropping my CSP because again id rather get SPG points over anything else (personal preference!) and just use the SPG abroad or Hyatt card (worth holding for the free night and status even with minimal spend)

I already pay my SPG foreign stays on SPG Amex because I value SPG points > all (many will disagree and that's cool! It's how I personally view SPG redemption values, like getting a four points in Munich during Oktoberfest on points instead of 1000 euros a night)... And I just put a Cayman Islands stay on my SPG Amex so I'm thrilled by these changes.

Either way, this is a great change for a certain demographic SPG is targeting. But it's not enough so I still hold a CSP freedom, diners club (lounge access and non bonuses visa spend, like my dry cleaners) SPG Amex (every day spend) Hyatt card (Hyatt regency in boston is a cat 4 and well worth 75 fee) and delta reserve.... But as all things go... YMMV

Jun 8, 2015, 10:13 pm

#179

metoo

Join Date: Nov 2006

Location: LAX

Posts: 2,851

Originally Posted by pranay
If I have the SPG AMEX Business card and I book a sheraton hotel with points after August 15th, would I still get access to sheraton club lounge being that it is not a paid stay and I am not using cash and points?

[QUOTE=Starwood Lurker;24937658]Cash & Points, like Free Night Awards, are award stays. Award stays qualify for this benefit just like paid-rate stays do.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

Questions:

I already booked free night awards for a Sheraton Stay for December 2015.
I plan to apply for the SPG BIZ card in August or September 2015. If I do this, will I have free Club lounge privileges? Do I call SPG customer service and change the credit card on file for booking to the SPG Biz card? How would I obtain club lounge privileges when I arrive at the hotel?

Thanks in advance

Jun 8, 2015, 11:17 pm

#180

Happy

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Jul 2003

Location: Florida

Posts: 29,772

My guess is, if the program runs well like AAdvantage, the system SHOULD recognize you as a SPG OPEN owner and automatically flags it so the lounge access feature should pop up for the check in clerk to see - much like AA automatically shows your Group 1 boarding and first checked bag free when you own the Citi AA card.

If the above fails, you can always present your SPG OPEN card at check in - 90% of the hotels we stay at, regardless of chain, always ask for a credit card at check in to put authorization on, regardless which card is used to back the reservation. Very very rarely the clerk would not need the presence of a CC to put authorization on at check in.

I dont see any issue to get the benefit as long as you do own the card at check in time AND award stay qualifies for the benefits.

Of course, a reply from William to clarify your situation is very much appreciated.

[QUOTE=metoo;24940410]Originally Posted by pranay
If I have the SPG AMEX Business card and I book a sheraton hotel with points after August 15th, would I still get access to sheraton club lounge being that it is not a paid stay and I am not using cash and points?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starwood Lurker

Cash & Points, like Free Night Awards, are award stays. Award stays qualify for this benefit just like paid-rate stays do.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

Questions:

I already booked free night awards for a Sheraton Stay for December 2015.
I plan to apply for the SPG BIZ card in August or September 2015. If I do this, will I have free Club lounge privileges? Do I call SPG customer service and change the credit card on file for booking to the SPG Biz card? How would I obtain club lounge privileges when I arrive at the hotel?

Thanks in advance