Starwood Preferred Guest Increased Sign-up Bonus

Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) has two co-branded American Express credit cards. The sign-up bonus on the SPG personal and business cards is usually 25k points after meeting the minimum spending requirement. Once a year, the sign-up bonus on both cards increases to 30k points. This year, the cards are offering a 35k point sign-up bonus. This is the highest offer I’ve seen on these cards. The bonus is available until March 30.

SPG recently agreed to a merger with Marriott. However, a Chinese investment company is attempting to purchase SPG for more than Marriott offered. Whether Marriott or the Chinese firm is successful, American Express will likely phase out or re-brand the SPG credit cards.

SPG hotels include St. Regis, the Luxury Collection, Westin, W Hotels, Sheraton, Aloft, Le Meridien, Element, Four Points by Sheraton, Design Hotels, and Tribute Portfolio. Rooms range from 2k points for a weekend night at a Category 1 hotel, to 30k points for a Category 7 hotel. 70k Starpoints equals 23 weekend nights in a Category 2 hotel.

Starpoints also transfer to airlines at a 1 x 1 ratio. As a bonus, when transferring 20k Starpoints, you receive 25k airline miles. 40k Starpoints equates to 50k airline miles. Getting both SPG cards before April could provide 100k airline miles. This is one reason Starpoints are one of the most valuable currencies in the travel industry.

The annual fee on each card is $95. The benefits include 2 stay credits and 5 night credits toward Starwood elite status. The SPG Business card also provides access to Sheraton club lounges. Both cards have no foreign transaction fees, and both include unlimited Boingo wifi. American Express allows one sign-up bonus on each card over the course of a lifetime. You won’t be able to churn these cards. But if AmEx eliminates the cards, you might as well take advantage of the sign-up bonus now.

For anyone interested, I have referrals available for both the business and personal SPG credit cards. I’ll forward the proper application. Send me a message at mriter@hotmail.com. Enjoy!