Expired: Great Sign Up Bonus On Two Credit Cards I Use The Most
In case you missed the news, the sign up bonus for the Starwood personal and business American Express cards has temporarily increased to 30,000 points offer expired. Both the personal and business SPG AMEX rank are in the top three credit cardsI use the most. Even more so with the changes they rolled out August 11.
Why do I love my SPG AMEX so much?
Award redemption value! You can redeem for a free night with as few as 3,000 Starwood points or 1,500 points + $30 if cash and points awards are available. I frequently get a $100+ stay for the equivalent of what would otherwise be $30 cashback.
Nights and stay credit toward status. Since I’ve only recently started traveling for work, hitting the 25 stays a year I need to keep my Platinum status can sometimes be tough. But both the business and the personal card give you 2 stay or 5 night credits towards status!
No foreign transaction fee. This is a new addition and a needed one! For years I haven’t used my Starwood AMEX on most international trips because the fees weren’t worth the points. At last I can finally use it at one of my all time favorite hotels 🙂
Other benefits:
- Premium Internet Access — now that basic internet is free, getting premium access is a must
- Boingo hotspots internet access — great for the few airports that don’t offer free wifi
- Shoprunner Membership (free 2 day shipping at dozens of retailers)
The annual fee has gone up to $95, but I find the stay credit alone worth it.
To qualify for the 30,000 point sign up bonus you must make $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months. Offer ends 9/14/15.
I do not receive affiliate credit for applying through my links, but if you are interested in the card and would like to support me, please send an email to keri at heelsfirsttravel.com, and I’ll send you my refer a friend link which will give me 5,000 Starpoints if you’re approved. 🙂
