Jun 12, 2015, 7:15 pm
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?
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
Jun 3, 2015, 8:58 am
#16
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Portland, OR, USA
Programs: UA 1K 3 Million/ex-many year GS, AA PLT/2 Mil, AS MVPG, HH Dia, Starwood Life Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,401
Actually this is mostly motivation to drop the card for a LT Plat. No FTF is a win but the only win in exchange for a $30 fee increase. I have other non-FTF options. They really should look at how the package of benefits plays for various types of members. A LT Plat looking at the list pretty much is only seeing points and no-FTF.
Jun 3, 2015, 9:00 am
#17
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,897
Goodbye Starwood Amex. It's been a great 10 years. Nice knowing you.
Jun 3, 2015, 9:00 am
#18
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,369
This also makes the earned free nights in Sheratons under the upcoming promo a lot less appealing. We can count on the lounge conditions being worse after the credit card changes take effect in Auguest.
Jun 3, 2015, 9:24 am
#19
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,952
I do not understand why Starwood and American Express persist in making this misleading claim. The card awards two points per dollar at Starwood properties. Period. There is no "up to". There is no "5". All of the other points are earned with any form of payment.
Last edited by mia; Jun 3, 2015 at 9:30 am
Jun 3, 2015, 9:24 am
#20
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: ZRH / YUL
Programs: UA, TK, Starwood > Marriott, Hilton, Accor
Posts: 7,293
Jun 3, 2015, 9:27 am
#21
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,369
So everyone gets two additional SPG points per dollar for Starwood stays (and other Starwood purchases, such as meals while not a guest and gift shop items?) that are charged to this credit card, currently and after the August changes? And presumably one point per dollar for other purchases (not including Starwood charges, where you implicitly get the one regular point per dollar plus one more because it's Starwood), also unchanged?
Jun 3, 2015, 9:39 am
#22
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,952
The incremental value of paying for a Starwood stay with the SPG credit card is 2 Starpoints per dollar.
- 2 base points from SPG for staying at a Starwood property, any method of payment
- 1 bonus point from SPG for elite status
- 1 base point from American Express for spending a dollar
- 1 bonus point from American Express for spending at a Starwood property
Jun 3, 2015, 9:48 am
#23
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: HKG/YVR
Programs: MPO, Aeroplan, SPG
Posts: 183
LOL Do you think Starwood Amex will care about how bad the Canadian SPG AMEX card is? $120 annual fee (not even waived the first year), no extra points at SPG stays and FTF. I would only recommend this card for the bonus points (which is less than the US card) and never use it after.
Jun 3, 2015, 9:56 am
#24
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: YYZ
Programs: All Accor Plat, 1865 Voyager, AE E35K, HH Gold,Hyatt, Hrtz Gold, Marriott Gold, NEXUS
Posts: 1,669
LOL Do you think Starwood Amex will care about how bad the Canadian SPG AMEX card is? $120 annual fee (not even waived the first year), no extra points at SPG stays and FTF. I would only recommend this card for the bonus points (which is less than the US card) and never use it after.
Jun 3, 2015, 10:18 am
#25
Join Date: May 2012
Location: HNL
Programs: AS MVPG, HA Plat
Posts: 1,268
Weak, weak, weak. No FTF is good, but just gets the card back to minimally competitive with Chase and Citi options, and the other stuff on the personal card is fluff. This card was on the bubble at $65/year. At $95, it's gone when renewal time rolls around.
Jun 3, 2015, 10:41 am
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
So how much do I have to spend overseas each year to equal out the increase in the annual fee? Please Amex tell me how much I have to spend! 
Oh wait. I can use my Centurion already for overseas spend?
Oh wait. I can use my Centurion already for overseas spend?
Jun 3, 2015, 10:48 am
#27
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Earth ... for now
Programs: UA 2MM * Marriott Ambassador LT Titanium * IHG Diamond Ambassador * Hilton Diamond *
Posts: 1,785
That's also the first word that came to my mind, after I saw the announcement - finally!
Now, I have to calculate if the $95.00 fee is worth me getting back the card. It seems overpriced.
I obviously do not like at all that the card now includes the Sheraton lounge access. This perk should be earned or paid for (specific room rates).
Now, I have to calculate if the $95.00 fee is worth me getting back the card. It seems overpriced.
I obviously do not like at all that the card now includes the Sheraton lounge access. This perk should be earned or paid for (specific room rates).
Jun 3, 2015, 10:53 am
#28
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: B6 Mosaic, Bonvoy LT Titanium (x SPG LT), IHG Spire, UA Silver
Posts: 5,844
The AMEX Open program is only for small businesses. Presumably the CEO of the business which is the primary card holder already has some SPG status so the impact on lounge crowding would be pretty minimum. It really depends on who gets access outside of the primary card holder.
Jun 3, 2015, 11:08 am
#29
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: HEL
Programs: SPG LTP, hotels, OWE, STE+, *G, Octopus
Posts: 5,783
+100, and new markets. It's tiring to read about these US-only promos.
For now, I shall just look on enviously across the Atlantic.
Jun 3, 2015, 11:15 am
#30
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Earth ... for now
Programs: UA 2MM * Marriott Ambassador LT Titanium * IHG Diamond Ambassador * Hilton Diamond *
Posts: 1,785
Amex Starwood business or Chase INK?
As the Chase INK credits 2 pts per $ spent at hotels, I guess the choice will be depending what points or miles are most needed at the time a card is handed or entered on spg.com at booking time.
PS: suggestion for the Sheraton lounges
SHERATON GRAND CROWD
PS: suggestion for the Sheraton lounges
SHERATON GRAND CROWD