I Got the SPG AMEX with 35,000 SPG Points – Here’s Why
Also see:
Why I Don’t Care About SPG Starpoints
Refer Your Friends to the SPG AMEX and Earn Up to 55,000 Bonus Starpoints Per Year
Yep, I caved. Because I figured now or never.
I wrote about how I didn’t care about SPG points. But I also used to love Club Carlson. And cozied up to Hyatt.
I also used to be “meh” about Hilton, but I’m enjoying being Hilton Diamond this year.
So, things change. And if anything’s changing, it’s definitely the loyalty industry. And it is an industry.
Why now?
I navigated over to the application page, and looked at it for a little while. (How’s that for an image?)
Hook, line, and sinker
And then, I thought, well, 40,000 Starpoints is worth at least 50,000 Alaska Airlines or American Airlines miles.
It’s true. You get 5,000 bonus miles for every 20,000 Starpoints you transfer (if the airline has a 1:1 transfer ratio with SPG).
I figured I’ll have at least 40,000 Starpoints after meeting the minimum spending requirements. Plus, I have to pay taxes this year and, fortunately or unfortunately (depending on how you look at it), I can complete it in one go.
That’s worth it for 50,000 Alaska Airlines miles.
Although, Cash & Points is looking mad attractive the more I dig into it.
Plus, you get the 5th night free on award stays at Category 3 and up hotels.
Nights & Flights looks pretty interesting, too.
Suffice it to say: there are a lot of ways to start using 40,000 Starwood points.
Getting the SPG AMEX
After quickly running the numbers in my head, I had a YOLO moment and started filling out the application.
I chose the business version of the card. Because I have a legit business and kinda do need a dedicated card for it. But really, I just wanted Sheraton lounge access, which is the main differentiator between the two versions . Boom!
And you know how it goes:
Heart goes ba-dum-bump
And then:
Wah
I wasn’t instantly approved. I think it’s because I used my new Dallas address instead of my New York one.
But whatever the case, I haven’t seen a screen that explicitly asks you to call. Usually, it’s up to you to pick up the phone and call the reconsideration line. So that was interesting.
I called the number right away. The rep said they wanted to verify my information. I repeated the address, birthday, etc., and was placed on hold.
The rep came back and said, All done. Approved. You’ll get the email in a few minutes.
The call took 5 minutes. Before we hung up, I got the approval email.
Yay!
And then clicked through to set up online access, and sure enough, there it was:
Shiny new SPG biz account
Expectations
I’m not thinking of switching over to Starwood or anything like that – at least not yet. I want to see what Marriott will do to the program before I commit.
But from this bonus, I’m expecting to get some tremendous values from staying at Starwood hotels. I want my 35,000 Starpoints to be worth at least 4 cents each, or $1,400. To me, that’s worth signing up for.
And, it’s not impossible to wring that kind of value out of them, depending on how you redeem.
The key is not to get analysis paralysis. And to go with the redemption that makes the most sense AND gets the highest value when you’re ready to redeem.
Moving forward, we’ll see what happens. I’ll definitely follow up with how I put these points to use!
Want one?
Link: Get Your SPG Referral Link
Link: Apply for Card Offers
Share your links!
Please, if you want, share your referral link in the comments! Here’s how to find yours. Email an invite to yourself, and then copy and paste the URL on the application page.
You can earn 5,000 Starpoints for each approval, up to 55,000 bonus points. BUT. The person you refer must be approved by March 30th, 2016.
And HUGE NOTE. If you’ve ever had either card, you can NOT get the sign-up bonus again.
If you want to apply for either version of the SPG AMEX (personal or small business) via my links, click here:
Hotel Credit Cards
And, if you want, here’s my link for the SPG small business AMEX which will earn me 5,000 Starpoints.
Again, feel free to add your links in the comments, too. And thank you for reading, commenting, and using my links!
Bottom line
All-in-all, I‘m looking forward to seeing what Starpoints can do. As the hotel landscape shifts, I find myself more open to new ways to get award nights and try new hotel brands.
Plus, this is likely the highest this offer will ever be. So it’s really now or never (or until March 30th, 2016).
While I get myself acquainted with this new hotel program, what’s your favorite way to redeem Starpoints? Any Starwood hotels that absolutely warrant a mention?
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