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
#61
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Tennessee
Programs: SPG, Marriott, United, SWA, AA
Posts: 693
With the enhanced product benefits, the new annual fee will increase from $65 to $95 effective August 11, 2015.
[email protected]
[email protected]
I sure am glad my AF is due in July then!
#62
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Airline nobody. Sad!
Posts: 26,062
#63
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA LT PLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,564
Big Meh.
I wish we could pass on these "enhancements" and keep the $65 fee. Basically a bunch of stuff nobody wants or already has for $30 more? Disappointing as a long time SPG Amex holder.
I wish we could pass on these "enhancements" and keep the $65 fee. Basically a bunch of stuff nobody wants or already has for $30 more? Disappointing as a long time SPG Amex holder.
#64
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,860
Card holder for a 2.5-3 years now. This is a big bummer as well for me. It seems that the premium credit card space isn't very innovative, and becoming more crowded.
As other mentions, there are a number of premium cards that have overlapping benefits. This price increase only makes this card have to live up to increased scrutiny now - as we all recognize that the benefits are really a stretch in some regard. As no one gets a free category 1-4 or 1-5 certificate every year with this program.
If we got a category 1-3 certificate even; it would make the card seem priced right. Otherwise this is, as others say, becoming a questionable card to own.
Really, how many Boingo cards do I need - unless you are talking Boingo in a plane - you aren't talking the Boingo that any of us care to hear about.
As other mentions, there are a number of premium cards that have overlapping benefits. This price increase only makes this card have to live up to increased scrutiny now - as we all recognize that the benefits are really a stretch in some regard. As no one gets a free category 1-4 or 1-5 certificate every year with this program.
If we got a category 1-3 certificate even; it would make the card seem priced right. Otherwise this is, as others say, becoming a questionable card to own.
Really, how many Boingo cards do I need - unless you are talking Boingo in a plane - you aren't talking the Boingo that any of us care to hear about.
#65
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: YVR - Vancouver, with most winter weekends in Whistler.
Programs: Aeroplan 35K, Alaska MVP, Marriott Titanium / Lifetime Platinum, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 4,607
I might as well ask this directly, Lurkers...
...Any plans for the international cards? I'm personally interested in the UK version which at the very least I'd love to see get an additional Starpoint for booking SPG hotels, in par with the US card (currently Ł1 = 1 Starpoint, regardless of what you spend).
...Any plans for the international cards? I'm personally interested in the UK version which at the very least I'd love to see get an additional Starpoint for booking SPG hotels, in par with the US card (currently Ł1 = 1 Starpoint, regardless of what you spend).
I would love to see a break on the annual fee or benefits that are more in line with the US card.
#66
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: United 1K 2MM / Marriott LTP
Posts: 5,071
The thing is that the no-FTF is really more a benefit to Amex these days because it is hard to imagine a regular traveler who doesn't already have 1 or more cards that have no FTF. So really, dropping the FTF just gets Amex business that they would have lost otherwise. Also, as has been pointed out elsewhere, it takes 1K of spend to break even on the FTF in any case. So I certainly see less than $30 value in dropping the FTF (and I do spend well above the 1K internationally annually but just do it on the CSP card which has very good benefits.
The ironic thing is I know many people have posted on FT sharing their opinion about how one of the negatives with the SPG AMEX was the FTF. AMEX now drops the FTF, but increases the annual fee by $30 and people aren't happy. My guess is that if the FTF that one would have accumulated on an international trip(s) was that much annually then the points earned would well offset the increase in the annual fee.
#67
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 30
Hmmm, looks like a big push for me to cancel the card.
Generally spend $30-50K on this card in the past few years. But the new benefits seem useless to me.
Fx fee - too many cards waive the fee, especially Chase CSP, which is what I generally use abroad.
Boingo - totally useless. Not to mention my unlimited data plan for hotspot.
Free internet - don't usually stay with SPG, and it's offered free if book directly with SPG. Not even a Amex benefit!!! So cheap.
Club access - only if I have the chance to stay at SPG, not expecting that.
I was really looking forward to seeing some benefits, like 10000 extra points for spending $30K annually, or free night.
So $95 without any double/triple boonus, or annual points/free night, is just too much for me, comparing with Chase CSP, Chase Ink Plus, and other cards with similar annual fee.
Thanks Amex, finally I could make a decision to cancel the card.
Generally spend $30-50K on this card in the past few years. But the new benefits seem useless to me.
Fx fee - too many cards waive the fee, especially Chase CSP, which is what I generally use abroad.
Boingo - totally useless. Not to mention my unlimited data plan for hotspot.
Free internet - don't usually stay with SPG, and it's offered free if book directly with SPG. Not even a Amex benefit!!! So cheap.
Club access - only if I have the chance to stay at SPG, not expecting that.
I was really looking forward to seeing some benefits, like 10000 extra points for spending $30K annually, or free night.
So $95 without any double/triple boonus, or annual points/free night, is just too much for me, comparing with Chase CSP, Chase Ink Plus, and other cards with similar annual fee.
Thanks Amex, finally I could make a decision to cancel the card.
#69
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 8,460
Every Amex MR card converts though at a terrible ratio. I wouldn't recommend that route unless its just to top off your Starpoints to do a 20k airline mile transfer.
Last edited by TMM1982; Jun 4, 2015 at 5:10 am
#70
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: San Rafael, CA
Programs: Life SPG Plat, 7X NH DIA
Posts: 2,840
Amex should waive/credit back the Annual Fee for Plats. Does Chase MP still do this for 1Ks or has that benefit been removed? This along with No FTF is the solution for engineering an enhancement for the most loyal customers.
#71
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: South Florida USA
Programs: DL-MM/FC/FO AA-EXP/MM Starwood-Platinum Marriott-Platinum Hilton-Gold Hyatt-Diamond
Posts: 1,515
American Express and Starwood enhance cobrand credit card benefits
There should be alternate amenities for those who receive these benefits through their status.
TW
TW
#72
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: Marriott LT Tit; Hyatt Explorist; Hilton CC Gold; IHG CC Plt; Hertz (MR) 5 star
Posts: 5,536
Darn. Starpoints are nice to reduce hotel costs for me. I guess I'll just MS the crap out of this card, hoping that AmEx will cancel the card on me.
#73
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,165
Don't think any of the other current cards have annual credits.
#74
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: CT/ Germany - Ich spreche deutsch
Programs: UA 1K, Bonvoy LTTE, HH Dia, HY Expl
Posts: 4,648
#75
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: ATL
Posts: 802
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.
Lets just say it is in their favor