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Starwood Preferred Guest® Card

Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express®
Issued by American Express
 

Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express

Overall Rating
Benefit Rating
Special Offer: 2.9% APR for 6 Months and is applied to Purchases, Balance Transfers.
APR (Purch): 15.99%
Annual Fee: $45**
Category: Reward - Hotel
 
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 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: 3/14/2008

 
Most Attractive Feature(s): Additional points offered to those who stay at Starwood hotels and resorts; bonus points; annual fee is waived for first year.
Least Attractive Feature(s): Points expire if the account is not active within a one-year period.
 
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.
 
Important Notations
Card is currently unavailable to residents of Puerto Rico.
See website for complete terms and conditions of card usage and application disclosure.
 
Note: The review on this card was updated on 3/14/2008. 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 review information is provided by CardOffers.com, Inc.