Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card Review
Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express offers one Starpoint for every dollar spent on the card, as well as double Starpoints for money spent at Starwood Properties. The Starwood credit card can also be used to accrue frequent flyer points, with cardholders receiving 10,000 bonus points after the first purchase, which can be used towards airline travel.
The Starwood Rewards Program: Starwood Properties include Le Meridien hotels, the Sheraton, W Hotels, St. Regis, Luxury Collection, and others. All of these hotels are high-end, which means cardholders will receive a larger share of points at any Starwood Property. The card is also eligible for double points at eligible retail outlets. Additionally, cardholders will receive 50% off annually for future Starwood purchase up to five nights.
The Starwood Preferred Guest Airline Miles: Unlike other hotel rewards programs, there are no blackout dates. Some hotel rewards programs may have blackout during times when you travel most: the summertime or during holidays. Using your American Express Starwood Preferred Guest credit card allows cardholders to transfer rewards points into airline miles. If you transfer 20,000 points into airline miles, you’ll get back an extra 5,000 points. You’ll also get an additional 15,000 bonus points if you spend $15,000 in the first six months. So adding that together:
10,000 bonus points after first purchase + 15,000 bonus points after six months + 5,000 bonus points for $20,000 spent = a total of 50,000 points for $20,000 spent on the card, good for free airfare.
APR and Annual Fee: Compared to other travel rewards cards of its type, the American Express Starwood Preferred Card has a relatively low fee of $45.00 a year. The APR is also low with a low introductory APR for the first six months of the card (the period where you can earn an extra 15,000 bonus points). There is also no balance transfer fee for the card.
Conclusion: The Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card has a superlative rewards program, which can then be used at over 30 different airlines or for other travel-related expensive. You can also double your rewards if you stay at Starwood Properties including:
- Le Meridien Hotels
- Sheraton Hotels
- Westin Hotels
- Four Points Sheraton
- Luxury Collection Resorts
- Aloft Hotels
- Element by Westin
- St. Regis Resorts
- W Hotels Worldwide