Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express

Our Rating:


Intro APR:	2.9%
Intro Period:	6 Months
Annual Fee:	$45
Setup Fee:	$0
APR:	14.99%
Terms and Conditions


	Key Features Earn Up to 25,000 Starpoints® — Enough for up to 6 Free Nights at a Category 1 or 2 Hotel. Use Starpoints® for Free Nights and Upgrades at Over 860 Participating Starwood Hotels and Resorts in 95 Countries Including Sheraton, W Hotels, Westin and More with No Blackout Dates No Annual Fee for the First Year and $45 Thereafter Transfer Starpoints® — Amost Always on a 1:1 Basis — to the Frequent Flyer Programs of Over 30 Major Airlines Earn One Starpoint® for Every Dollar You Spend and Double Starpoints® at Participating Starwood Properties and Retail Partners Express Approval. Get a Decision in Less Than 60 Seconds APPLY NOW

The Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express offers cardholders discounts on hotels within the Starwood Hotels organization, as well as points redeemable for frequent flyer miles, and special rates on Amtrak services.

Cardholders have a few options to start building points quickly. The Starwood card offers 3 points-per-dollar spent on any Starwood related purchase, and 1 point-per-dollar spent on any other purchase. It offers it's cardholders 1,000 bonus points for their first stay in any Starwood hotel and 500 bonus points for each additional stay (up to 10). In addition, there is a 4,000-point bonus for the first purchase made with the card.

These points are redeemable in increments of 7,500, which is equal to a discount of $100. Cardholders can opt out of the discount on hotel stays, and instead redeem their points for frequent flyer miles, special rates on Amtrak services, or other travel-related services.

Since it is an American Express card, there is an extensive list of additional services and benefits. Travel-related services include things like fraud protection, travel accident insurance and car rental insurance. Shopping benefits include American Express' Buyers Assurance Plan, Purchase Protection Plan, Return Protection, and access to special events through Ticketmaster.

The interest rate on purchases is above average for similar cards, and it carries an annual fee of $30, which is waived for the first year of owning the card.

The Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card is a good value for the frequent traveler who can afford to pay the card's balance in full every month, and can take advantage of the savings the card has to offer.

Starwood hotels is a worldwide organization that includes Sheraton, Four Points, St. Regis, Le Meridien, Westin, and other well known hotel chains.

Review Date: 9/4/2006