- Earn up to 25,000 Starpoints (R) - enough for up to 6 free nights at a category 1 or 2 hotel
- Use Starpoints(R) for free nights and upgrades at participating Starwood hotels and resorts in 95 countries including Sheraton, W Hotels, Westin and more with no blackout dates
- No annual fee for the first year and $45 thereafter
- Transfer Starpoints(R) - almost always on a 1:1 basis - to the frequent flyer programs of over 30 major airlines
- Earn one Starpoint(R) for every dollar you spend and double Starpoints(R) at participating Starwood properties and retail partners
- Express Approval. Get a decision in less than 60 seconds
- Smarter Travel Editor's Choice Award for Best Travel Awards Card for Domestic Use
Introductory APR Info
Regular APR
Annual Fee
2.90% on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 6 months
15.24% variable
$45**
Card Review
The Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express is designed for those with good credit who frequently stay at Starwood hotels and resorts and plan to take advantage of the various benefits and services that are provided.
In the reward program, one point is earned for every dollar spent on the card and double points are earned at participating Starwood properties and retail outlets.
Cardholders also earn one additional point per $1 spent on qualified purchases through their membership in the Starwood Preferred Guest® loyalty program.
Points can be redeemed for various travel services, such as free hotel stays and airline travel.
Cardholders also earn 10,000 bonus points after their first purchase, which is enough for up to three free nights and 15,000 Bonus Starpoints® after spending $15,000 in 6 months.
Points do not expire as long as the account is active within a one-year period.
Perhaps what is most impressive about the program is the fact that cardholders can transfer earned points to a variety of frequent flyer programs.
Aside from the reward program, the card does offer a variety of benefits such as travel accident insurance, auto rental insurance, discounts via the Offer Zone, and various fraud protection services (see website for all benefits available).
The interest rate for purchases is above average (for a reward card), and there is an annual fee of $45 that is waived the first year.
There is also a low introductory rate for purchases and balance transfers for the first six months.
Therefore, those who can afford to pay in full each month after the introductory rate expires (to avoid finance charges), frequently stay at Starwood hotels and resorts (to earn additional points), and can accumulate enough points for a free hotel stay or other travel-related service within a two-year period will benefit most from what the Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express has to offer.
Additional Card Details
Overall Rating
5 Stars
Benefit Rating
5 Stars
Issuer
American Express
Card Type
American Express
Card Status
Platinum
Important Notations
Card is currently unavailable to residents of Puerto Rico.
See website for complete terms and conditions of card usage and application disclosure.
Grace Period
20 Days
Minimum Limit
n/a
Maximum Limit
$100,000
Minimum Deposit
n/app
Over Limit Fee
$35
Cash Advance Fee
n/a
Balance Transfer Fee
There is no balance transfer fee associated with this offer. However, future balance transfers may incur a fee as disclosed at the time of the applicable transaction.
Application Fee
n/app
Rebate Minimum
n/app
Rebate Maximum
n/app
Additional Rebates
n/app
Mile Details
n/app
Miles Per Dollar Spent
n/app
Additional Miles
n/app
Miles Work with FF Program
n/app
Points Per Dollar Spent
1 Point
Point Details
Starpoints can be transferred to over 30 major airlines. There are no blackout dates and free nights start as low as 2,000 points.
Additional Points
Cardholders earn double points on stays and purchases made at select Starwood retail outlets, and they earn 1 additional point per $1 spent on qualified purchases through their membership in the Starwood Preferred Guest® loyalty program.
Approval Bonus
None
First Purchase Bonus
10,000 Points***
Balance Transfer Bonus
None
Other Bonus
15,000*****
Bonus Details
***Earn 10,000 bonus points with the first purchase, which is enough for up to 3 free nights. *****Earn 15,000 Bonus Starpoints® after spending $15,000 In 6 months
Additional Perks
Various Internet account related services.
Year-end financial statement.
Extended warranty for purchases.
No liability for unauthorized Internet transactions.
Purchase protection.
Return protection.
Price protection service.
Access to the Offer Zone for various discounts at participating retailers and merchants.
Emergency card replacement.
Emergency cash replacement.
Up to $100,000 in travel accident insurance.
Auto rental insurance.
Various travel and emergency assistance services.
Medical referral services.
Legal referral services.
See website for additional benefits.
