Here at NerdWallet, we’re big fans of the Starwood American Express. Because of its estimated 2.3% reward returns, we feel comfortable calling the Starwood our favorite hotel credit card. But in case you weren’t quite convinced, Starwood Preferred Guest just announced a few tasty sweeteners to incentivize travelers to climb the SPG rewards ladder. Here are the new additions to one of our old favorites:
- Gold Members receive a welcome gift upon check-in. Choose between free in-room Internet access, a complimentary beverage or a small Starpoint bonus.
- After 50 nights in a calendar year, enjoy 10 “Suite Night Rewards” for upgrading to a standard suite or premium room.
- After 75 nights in a calendar year, earn accelerated rewards at a 4-points-per-dollar base rate and gain the ability to choose your check-in time.
- After 250 eligible nights and 5 years of elite status, receive lifetime gold status.
- After 500 eligible nights and 10 years of platinum status, receive lifetime platinum status.
The new upgrades are tailored to benefit Starwood’s most loyal and frequent guests. Elevating yourself to the higher echelons of the SPG program may seem daunting, but the program does plenty to assist Starwood enthusiasts in their quest for ultimate hotel rewards. Let’s first go through the levels of membership and their requirements, then we’ll take a look at how Starwood helps you along the path to platinum.
From preferred to platinum
Bottom of the totem pole: Preferred Guest
Upon enrolling, you’ll begin your journey as a humble preferred guest. Earn 2 Starpoints per dollar spent at participating Starwood properties and redeem for hotel stays, flights and more.
Requirements: Card approval
Middle of the road: Gold Preferred
Achieving gold status will increase your rewards rate to 3 points per dollar spent. You receive automatic room upgrades at check-in, late checkout privileges, access to a special customer service number and check cashing up to $300.
Requirements: 10 stays or 25 nights in a calendar year
Top of the world: Platinum Preferred
If you can make it to platinum, Starwood will smother you with love. You get all the benefits of gold plus a platinum concierge, complimentary Internet access, complimentary gym and lounge access, complimentary welcome gifts and guaranteed room availability.
Requirements: 25 stays or 50 nights in a calendar year
Yes, 10 stays or 25 nights in a single year is a lot of time. And yes, 25 stays or 50 nights sounds a little like a prison sentence. But SPG does a lot to mitigate the number of nights actually required of you. Bonus hotel stays—stays paid for with Starpoints—count toward elite status. Additionally, you receive 5 nights and 2 stays worth of elite credit annually. And if you charge $30,000 in a year, you’re automatically upgraded to gold.
Fast rewards
Right off the bat, signing up for the Starwood AmEx gets you 10,000 bonus points after your first purchase. When you spend $5,000 in the first 6 months, they’ll toss you another 15,000. At 25K, we estimate the value of the signing bonus around $575, which goes great lengths to offset the $65 annual fee (waived the first year).
Starpoints are not like other points. They’re special. Most points are worth about a penny apiece. We value Starpoints at about 2.3 cents each when redeemed at SPG hotels, because you can easily milk them for long, luxurious hotel stays. At a 2.3% rate, the Starwood boasts quicker rewards than the famed Capital One Venture. But remember, that rate only applies if put your points toward hotel stays. If you need to redeem for flights or other travel services, you may want to check out some of the other travel credit cards on the market.
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