Canadian SPG Amex * 10,000 pts for new (accepted) applications

[Ohboiya]

Divide $90 by the difference in points (7200) = $0.0125 value per SPG point.

I'm obviously not lucid tonight.

So if the room rate is $200 + tax, or 12,000 points or 4,800 points + US$90 ... the latter is the way to go right?

[slicky803]

I got the SPG Amex on the last day of the free year promo. I've long since passed the $1000 milestone, but my SPG balance is still at zero. How long should the points take to show up?

[JWL]

I got the SPG Amex on the last day of the free year promo. I've long since passed the $1000 milestone, but my SPG balance is still at zero. How long should the points take to show up?

They'll be posted after your Amex statement that you reached $1000. If they don't, call AMEX to make sure they have your SPG number correctly.

[pathfinder35]

JWL is correct - I called AmEx (1-877-325-AMEX(2639) and the 15000 pts will be posted/transferred to your SPG account after the stmt that the $1000 limit has been reached.

I was confused and thought I should see the 15000 pts listed somewhere on my AMEX account thru the AMEX site.

My stmt comes out next week so then I should see the 15000 pts in my SPG account.

[MasterXan]

i got my SPG Amex a couple of months ago, completed what's required to get the 15000 pts bonus and now I want to know how do i access my SPG points? i looked through the papers Amex sent me when I got my card and no details on how to access my SPG points so I assume I would have to sign up an SPG account first first?

[GemInite]

i got my SPG Amex a couple of months ago, completed what's required to get the 15000 pts bonus and now I want to know how do i access my SPG points? i looked through the papers Amex sent me when I got my card and no details on how to access my SPG points so I assume I would have to sign up an SPG account first first?

I believe if you didn't sign up with an SPG #, they just create one for you.

You can call them for it then create a login on the SPG website

[sandwith]

The points offer is back up to 15,000, however I don't see a link to having the fee waived...

[hash76]

The points offer is back up to 15,000, however I don't see a link to having the fee waived...

http://www.americanexpress.com/canad...CPID=100034023

15K points + 1st yr free

[colezy9]

Already suggested a week ago!



It appears that Amex is starting to crack down on frequent applications (within 6 months). This is based on what I was told when I applied for an Amex Small Business Gold and then an Amex AeroplanPlus Platinum a month later.

Is the 6 month wait period between applications only or also between cancellations and applications? For Example, I just cancelled my Amex SPG 3 months ago, will I be approved (considering I meet all other requirements) for the current Amex SPG promo? I have carried an Amex Blue Sky all along just to keep one card active with Amex for history purposes.

[Vasyl]

Is the 6 month wait period between applications only or also between cancellations and applications. For Example, I just cancelled my Amex SPG 3 months ago, will I be approved (considering I meet all other requirements) for the current Amex SPG promo? I have carried an Amex Blue Sky all along just to keep one card active with Amex for history purposes.

This is now hard to tell. Amex tightened their credit policies lately considerably.

[zb3]

JWL is correct - I called AmEx (1-877-325-AMEX(2639) and the 15000 pts will be posted/transferred to your SPG account after the stmt that the $1000 limit has been reached.

I was confused and thought I should see the 15000 pts listed somewhere on my AMEX account thru the AMEX site.

My stmt comes out next week so then I should see the 15000 pts in my SPG account.

Are the bonus points only applied after the 3 month statement? Or if you pass $1000 spend earlier, would the bonus be applied after the first or second statement?

[yittis]

Are the bonus points only applied after the 3 month statement? Or if you pass $1000 spend earlier, would the bonus be applied after the first or second statement?

any one get a retention bonus lately?

[shake'n_bake]

I've been debating to get this card or not, as I have the RBC Infinite Avion.

I love the RBC card as I almost always utilize the BA 1.5x points and get cheap flights (although the choice is a bit limited)

I did some browsing around and flights with SPG aren't great at all. 25k for a round trip to JFK from Toronto when I can use BA miles for less than 15k from YYZ.

I think the only good option for the SPG from my research seems to be the hotel bookings. I do travel, but not a huge amount. I usually find good deals online so not sure if switching the SPG is a good choice.

Can anyone give me the pro and cons of the card?

[Biff88]

Pro: Very good for hotel bookings of the Starwood group. Con: There is an annual fee if you don't sign up during a promotion where it is waived and it is AMEX, which many merchants don't accept.

[dasaylay]

Pro:
-ability to leverage cash and points for stays at higher tier Starwood hotels; or outright room redemption
-5000 point bonus when transferring 20k points at a time to an airline program. e.g. 20k SPG=25k Aeroplan (20k+5k bonus)
-value can be had for nights and flights redemption option

Cons:
-Amex is not as widely accepted
-$120 annual fee (prorated refund if cancelled part way through the calendar year, though)
-No spend bonus categories; all transactions are $1=1 SPG point