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Starwood Preferred Guest® 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® 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 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. 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 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. Future balance transfers will be 9.99% + the current Prime Rate.
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.
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. 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 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. Future balance transfers will be 9.99% + the current Prime Rate.
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.
Review Date: June 18, 2008
Note: The review on this card was updated on June 18, 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 available on balance transfers submitted during the application process. Future balance transfers will be 9.99% + the current Prime Rate. |
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Purchase APR:
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14.99% (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. |
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Maximum Credit Limit:
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$100,000 |
| 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 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. |
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Point Details:
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Starpoints can be transferred to over 30 major airlines. There are no blackout dates and free nights start as low as 2,000 points. |
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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. *****Earn 15,000 Bonus Starpoints® after spending $15,000 In 6 months |
| 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; annual fee is waived for first year. | |
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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. 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. |
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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. | |
| Additional Information | |
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Apply Online for the Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express from American Express See other Hotel Credit Cards See other American Express Credit Cards |
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