Review of Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express

The Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express was last reviewed on 17th January 2009

starwood preferred guest credit card

Summary - We recommend the Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express not just to the Starwood Preferred Guest members, but also to those who would like to earn frequent flyer miles with this card. Find out how this works.

Reward Formula - Cardholders earn one Starpoint for every dollar you spend on the card. You will earn double Starpoints at participating Starwood Properties and retail outlets. Points will not expire as long as your account is active within 12 months. New cardholders can earn up to 25,000 Starpoints (r) - enough for up to 6 free nights at a category 1 or 2 hotel.

Annual Fee and APR - There is no annual fee for the first year. After the first year, the annual fee is $45.00. The apr is as low as prime rate plus 9.99%. The average daily balance (including new purchase) method is used to calculate monthly balances. You also get a 2.9% fixed rate introductory apr on both purchases and balance transfers for 6 months. There is no balance transfer fee charged during this period.

Key Features of Starwood Preferred Guest Program - The Starwood Preferred Guest program has the least restrictive award redemption policy. There are no blackout dates, unlike most other hotel reward programs. Starwood Preferred Guest also allow members to exchange points for air miles on a one-to-one ratio. You even get an additional 5,000 points if you transfer 20,000 points into air miles. Hence, many Starwood credit cardholders simply use this card for air miles. If all you do is spend $20,000 on your card (without spending a single cent at starwood hotels), you can convert your 20,000 points into frequent flyer points. With Starwood topping it up with 5,000 points, that means you you can get a free airline ticket for a economy class roundtrip within the continental US with most airlines. Furthermore, the $45.00 annual fee is lower compared to those of a typical airline credit card that has fees that range from $45.00 to $85.00. Starwood has partnered with over 30 airlines, so chances are that your airline will be on the partner list.

Verdict - The Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express will help the Starwood Preferred Guest program member earn faster reward points. For the savvy frequent traveler, this is a great card for accumulating air miles as well.

Positives

Signing bonus

No annual fee for first year

Best hotel reward program

Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express
Reward Benefits
Signing Bonus	10,000 points after first purchases
Point Accumulation	2 points for every $1 spent at 860 Starwood hotels (2 from preferred guest, 1 from paying with card) 1 point for every $1 spent on every other purchase Gold or Platinum Starwood Preferred Guest members earn 4 points per eligible $1 spent at Starwood hotels or resort (3 from preferred guest, 1 from paying with card) Earn points when you use your amex card for automatic bill payments on items like phone bills, health club memberships
Anniversary Bonus
Blackout Dates	none
Transfer Points to Airmiles	Yes. Over 30 partners at ratio of 1 Starpoint to 1 airline mile Earn 5000 Starpoint bonus for transfering 20,000 starpoints to miles
Points Expiration	none - but account must be active within 12 months
Credit Limits	Up to $100,000
Travel and Insurance Benefits
Up to $100,000 Travel Insurance Auto rental insurance 24 hour worldwide medical and legal referrals assistance at over 17-- Tavel Service location worldwide Amex Guarantee hotel room reservation Door delivery for travelers checks and foreign currencies
Other Benefits
Extended warranty purchase protection plan Return Protection plan Online fraud protection 24/7 Concierge service Year-end account summary Best Value Guarantee Discounts from ticket master for popular events one free consultation with American Express Financial Advisor and receive a free $50 Gift Check
Cost/Fees/Interest rates
Introductory rate	2.9% fixed APR for first 6 billing cycles
Annual Fees	Free for first year, thereafter $45.00
Purchase APR	Prime Rate plus 9.99%
Balance Transfer APR	Prime Rate plus 9.99%
Cash Advance APR	Prime Rate plus 17.99%
Penalty/Default Rate APR	Prime Rate plus 12.99% or 21.99%
Min Finance Charge	$0.50
Grace Period	20 days
Balance Calculation Method	Average Daily Balance (including new purchases)
Balance Transfer Fee	No balance transfer fee during introductory offer
Cash Advance fee	3% min $5.00
Over-the-credit-limit fee	$35.00
Late Payment fee	$19.00 - less than $400 $38.00 - $400 or greater