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Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express Review
Issued by American Express
  
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Overall Rating:
Benefit Rating:
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The Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express is designed for business owners 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 reference to 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. 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. 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 emergency card replacement and various travel and emergency assistance services. Cardholders will also receive access to the OPEN Savings Network for discounts on products and services at participating merchants and retailers.
The interest rate for purchases is considered high, but there is a low introductory rate for purchases and balance transfers for the first six months. There is an annual fee of $45.
Therefore, those who can afford to pay in full each month after the introductory rate expires (to avoid finance charges) and frequently stay at Starwood hotels and resorts (to earn additional points) will benefit most from what the Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express has to offer.
In reference to 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. 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. 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 emergency card replacement and various travel and emergency assistance services. Cardholders will also receive access to the OPEN Savings Network for discounts on products and services at participating merchants and retailers.
The interest rate for purchases is considered high, but there is a low introductory rate for purchases and balance transfers for the first six months. There is an annual fee of $45.
Therefore, those who can afford to pay in full each month after the introductory rate expires (to avoid finance charges) and frequently stay at Starwood hotels and resorts (to earn additional points) will benefit most from what the Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express has to offer.
Review Date: July 21, 2008
Note: The review on this card was updated on July 21, 2008. The review is believed to be accurate during the update, however, information posted may have changed since the update. We strongly suggest that you carefully read the Terms and Conditions statement that accompanies the credit card application.
| Credit Card Rate Details | |
Intro Rate (Intro APR):
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2.9% APR for 6 Months |
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Intro Applied Towards:
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Purchases, Balance Transfers |
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Additional Intro Details:
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The introductory rate is only available on balance transfers submitted during the application. |
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Purchase APR:
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Prime + 9.99% (Variable) The APR for purchases is based on the Prime Rate. |
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Cash APR:
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19.99% (Variable) The APR for cash advances is based on the Prime Rate. |
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Finance Configuration:
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Average Daily Balance (including new purchases) |
| Credit Card Fee Details | |
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Annual Fee:
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$45** |
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Annual Fee Details:
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**The annual fee will be waived for the first year. Thereafter, the fee is $45. |
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Additional Cardholders:
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$0 |
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Grace Period:
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20 Days |
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Late Payment Fee:
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$19 on balances up to $400 and $38 on balances of $400 and over |
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Over the Limit Fee:
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$35 |
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Cash Advance Fee:
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3%, $5 minimum for Express Cash transactions |
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Balance Transfer Fee:
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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. |
| Credit Card Reward Program Details (Point) | |
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Points Per Dollar:
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1 Point |
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Additional Points:
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Cardholders earn double points for stays at participating Starwood hotels and resorts and purchases made at select Starwood retail outlets. |
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Point Details:
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Starpoints can be redeemed at over 860 participating Starwood hotels and resorts in 95 countries with no blackout dates, and they can be transferred to over 30 major airlines. |
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Expiration:
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1 Year (Points do not expire as long as the account is active within a 1-year period.) |
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Yearly Limit:
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None |
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Bonus First Purchase:
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10,000 Points*** |
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Bonus Details:
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***Earn 10,000 bonus points with the first purchase, which is enough for up to 3 free nights. |
| Features | |
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Most Attractive Feature(s):
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| Additional points offered to those who stay at Starwood hotels and resorts; bonus points. | |
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Least Attractive Feature(s):
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| Points expire if the account is not active within a one-year period. | |
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Additional Features:
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| Various Internet account related services. No liability for unauthorized Internet transactions. Access to the OPEN Savings Network. Discounts on products and services at participating merchants and retailers. Cardholder is upgraded to Gold Preferred status when their spending is $30,000 in a calendar year. Emergency card replacement. Emergency cash replacement. Various travel and emergency assistance services. See website for additional benefits. |
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Important Notations
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| Card is currently unavailable to residents of Puerto Rico. See website for complete terms and conditions of card usage and application disclosure. | |
