topic Re: SPG Amex Card (non-luxury) in Credit Cards

SPG Amex Card (non-luxury)

staticvoidmain — Sun, 23 Sep 2018 03:28:53 GMT

To those who have this card, is it worth getting and paying an AF just for the free night? I am planning on putting this in SD using this as an annual free-hotel thing, much like how I use my sock-drawered Amex Platinum Delta for the companion certs. (I don't really care about the silver status and/or points, as I am planning on getting an Amex Plat in the future anyway.)

What are you experiences, both domestically and internationally?

Any other suggestions?

Thanks!

Re: SPG Amex Card (non-luxury)

Anonymous — Sun, 23 Sep 2018 03:37:12 GMT

I have the same plan as you. I haven’t pulled the trigger on the SPG card. My Amex Fico is going to update any day.

I keep the delta plat for the companion ticket too. In my research I have seen rooms for 35,000 points go for $200-$585 so the AF is indeed worth it IMO.

I like the luxury card with the free nite worth 50k and the $300 credit. Also the 3x on buying airline tickets and dining. But the spend for the SUB would be stretch for me but Christmas is coming lol

Re: SPG Amex Card (non-luxury)

Anonymous — Sun, 23 Sep 2018 03:56:11 GMT

Also I believe you can get the Luxury card too after a certain amount of time after you get the preferred guest SPG card

Re: SPG Amex Card (non-luxury)

staticvoidmain — Sun, 23 Sep 2018 04:33:11 GMT

The reason I am targeting the non-luxury was because I did not want to spend that much on the card (same reason I still have not upgraded to the Delta Reserve card). It seems to me that 35k vs 50k annual free night credit is not worth the almost 5x bump in AF. Unless of course, I am missing something, if that is the case, please enlighten me. (I am new to SPG point system.)

Re: SPG Amex Card (non-luxury)

Anonymous — Sun, 23 Sep 2018 04:35:31 GMT

With a bit of planning (where, when and how), the free night will more than recoup the AF. It is worth it for me bc I get value more the AF.

If your travel plans with the free night, only meets the AF and cancels it out (AF = $95 and free night =$95), I’d personally pass.

Jmo

Re: SPG Amex Card (non-luxury)

wasCB14 — Sun, 23 Sep 2018 04:36:54 GMT

@staticvoidmain wrote:
The reason I am targeting the non-luxury was because I did not want to spend that much on the card (same reason I still have not upgraded to the Delta Reserve card). It seems to me that 35k vs 50k annual free night credit is not worth the almost 5x bump in AF. Unless of course, I am missing something, if that is the case, please enlighten me. (I am new to SPG point system.)

There is a $300 hotel credit on Luxury which can be applied to many things, including the base room rate.

$450 - $300 = $150 (vs. $95)

Re: SPG Amex Card (non-luxury)

staticvoidmain — Sun, 23 Sep 2018 05:50:34 GMT

@wasCB14 wrote:
There is a $300 hotel credit on Luxury which can be applied to many things, including the base room rate.
$450 - $300 = $150 (vs. $95)

(150 -95) ÷ 150 = 36% more expensive

(50k - 35k) ÷ 50k = 30% more value

This means, you get less value with the SPG Luxury. That is even after assuming the user would use all $300 credit AND would book a 50k value hotel night. Let's say we use this chart, the comparison would be ($450 - $315) ÷ $450 = 30%, but $450 - $315 = $135, which means I will get free money ($135 - $55 = free $80 value). But again, this would assume I use the $300 credit.

I guess then, it depends on the user. But for a regular user, one would think the non-luxury SPG would suffice.

Please correct me if I am wrong. Thank you.

Re: SPG Amex Card (non-luxury)

wasCB14 — Sun, 23 Sep 2018 06:43:10 GMT

@staticvoidmain wrote:
@wasCB14 wrote:
There is a $300 hotel credit on Luxury which can be applied to many things, including the base room rate.
$450 - $300 = $150 (vs. $95)
(150 -95) ÷ 150 = 36% more expensive
(50k - 35k) ÷ 50k = 30% more value

This means, you get less value with the SPG Luxury. That is even after assuming the user would use all $300 credit AND would book a 50k value hotel night. Let's say we use this chart, the comparison would be ($450 - $315) ÷ $450 = 30%, but $450 - $315 = $135, which means I will get free money ($135 - $55 = free $80 value). But again, this would assume I use the $300 credit.

I guess then, it depends on the user. But for a regular user, one would think the non-luxury SPG would suffice.

Please correct me if I am wrong. Thank you.

First, a matter of computation. $95 and 35k should be the denominators. $150 is 58% more. 50k is 43% more.

However, I do not believe that those figures are even relevant. To people who travel a lot, absolute dollars may matter more than percentages.

Using your cited hypothetical figures, a 50k room might be worth $450 and a 35k room worth $315. With Luxury, you pay $55 more to get potentially $135 more. Percentage ROI isn't so relevant because you can't get five $95 SPG cards and convert their 35k renewal nights into a 175k night (if such a thing exists).

As someone whose life is generally divided between NY, Los Angeles, and San Francisco...I don't think I've ever stayed in a Marriott below the old Category 7 (not that I was a Marriott regular...I mostly go for Holiday Inns in rural areas). I never went for the Chase Marriott card because I felt the renewal night was too restrictive, especially compared to IHG's former lack of a category cap. Flexibility is valuable to some, and well worth a few dollars more.

I am pretty happy with UR redemptions at Hyatt. I upgraded to the Luxury when I got a targeted 100k/$5k offer. I'm not certain I'll keep it, but I'll try it for a year.

Re: SPG Amex Card (non-luxury)

staticvoidmain — Sun, 23 Sep 2018 06:56:15 GMT

You're right. My computations are incorrect. You make a fine point about categories as well. However, my thinking is, I would not really stay in an luxury per/night hotel. Would it not be the same reason I do hot hold the Delta Reserve for free companion firsct class?

I guess what I was asking, was that for an person such as myself, who only plans on travelling once or twice a year domestically, and once or twice internationally. Also, as stated, keep in mind that I am looking at getting the Amex Plat in the future: when I see myself travelling more.

I really appreciate the feedback.

Re: SPG Amex Card (non-luxury)

Anonymous — Sun, 23 Sep 2018 15:01:22 GMT

Yes it’s worth it if you use the certificate on rooms that cost more than 95$. Obviously if it’s less or equal to 95$, I’ll defintely pass. Imo, it isn’t hard to find a room that cost more than 95$ for 35k points though.

I have the same plan with my SPG and my Hyatt card. I will keep these cards in the SD while only using them for the annual free night and nothing more. 170$ (95 for SPG and 75 for Hyatt) for 2 nights at 3-3.5 star hotels is a good deal imo. I could care less about elite status as I don’t stay in hotels enough to get it.

Re: SPG Amex Card (non-luxury)

Anonymous — Sun, 23 Sep 2018 16:14:46 GMT

Unfortunately the AF on the Luxury is not waived the first year, so there's no test drive to figure out if it's worth it to you. - con #1

Unless you travel a lot the $300 statement credit may not even pay off, as it's only eligible at participating properties througout the year.

Which are for extra purchases at the Hotels, not the actual room booking. Do you see yourself spending $300 worth of misc purchases at Hotels in a year? - possible con #2

The biggest hurdle for some, is the $5K spend in 3 months. Amex isn't as largly accepted. Which means only purchases at merchants, no mortgage/rent or car payments. - con #3

Is all that worth one free night a year with no other use? IMO, it would be a waste to SD it with the rewards point earning potential.

I feel the non luxury version would suit your needs better, considering your statement.

Re: SPG Amex Card (non-luxury)

wasCB14 — Sun, 23 Sep 2018 17:37:40 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Unfortunately the AF on the Luxury is not waived the first year, so there's no test drive to figure out if it's worth it to you. - con #1
Unless you travel a lot the $300 statement credit may not even pay off, as it's only eligible at participating properties througout the year.
Which are for extra purchases at the Hotels, not the actual room booking. Do you see yourself spending $300 worth of misc purchases at Hotels in a year? - possible con #2
The biggest hurdle for some, is the $5K spend in 3 months. Amex isn't as largly accepted. Which means only purchases at merchants, no mortgage/rent or car payments. - con #3

Is all that worth one free night a year with no other use? IMO, it would be a waste to SD it with the rewards point earning potential.
I feel the non luxury version would suit your needs better, considering your statement.

Con #1: True, AF is not waived. There is a new account bonus and stay credit, as well as targeted upgrade offers...but there is definitely a cash outlay.

Con #2: KiB says basic room rates are eligible. The terms don't seem to disagree:

"Terms, Conditions & Disclosures

$300 SPG/Marriott Rewards Statement Credit

During each year of your Card Membership ("reward year"), you are eligible to receive up to $300 total in statement credits on your Card Account for eligible purchases made directly at participating SPG® or Marriott Rewards® hotels on your Starwood Preferred Guest® American Express Luxury Card during that reward year. Your first reward year begins on your account opening date. Each subsequent reward year begins on the anniversary of your account opening date.
Eligible SPG or Marriott Rewards property purchases must be made directly with the participating SPG or Marriott Rewards property and charged to your Starwood Preferred Guest® American Express Luxury Card account for the benefit to apply. Incidental charges (including charges made at restaurants, spas and other establishments within the hotel property) must be charged to your room and paid for with your Starwood Preferred Guest® American Express Luxury Card at checkout in order to be recognized as SPG or Marriott Rewards purchases.
Visit spg.com for the list of participating SPG properties or Marriott.com for the list of participating Marriott Rewards properties. Purchases made by both the Basic and Additional Card Members on the eligible Card Account are eligible for statement credits. However, each Card Account is eligible for up to a total of $300 per renewal year in statement credits across all Cards on the Card Account. Please allow 8-12 weeks after the eligible SPG or Marriott purchase is charged to your Card Account for statement credit(s) to be posted to the Account. Please call the number on the back of your Card if statement credits have not posted after 12 weeks from the date of purchase. Card Members remain responsible for timely payment of all charges."

So what is your basis for saying only miscellaneous charges count?

Con #3 is YMMV.

The card isn't for everyone. They're certainly not trying to steal a lot of customers away from the Barclays' Choice Hotels card.

Re: SPG Amex Card (non-luxury)

staticvoidmain — Sun, 23 Sep 2018 19:25:18 GMT

Thank you for all the feedback so far, really apreciate it. Although the Luxury is also tempting, the base version seems more attactive at this point for the reasons mentioned — especially the first year waived AF. Since the benefit I am looking at won't kick off until after a year, I believe that is the more fair option. The "free trial" is definitely a plus to me.

Re: SPG Amex Card (non-luxury)

K-in-Boston — Sun, 23 Sep 2018 20:16:21 GMT

Just to confirm, the $300 statement credit applies to all charges made to your room with the card. You would not receive the credit for the room rate if you book through Expedia, for example, as your card would not be charged by the hotel. The simple way to state it is that anything that has previously qualified as a 3x Starpoints charge (and now 6x Points) on the SPG cards should qualify for the credit. Proof from the hotel transactions on my last statement:

The percentage calculations made earlier to compare the cards doesn't work at all since the points do not have a fixed value. A 50k night can be 10x the value of a 35k night, or if you're not careful you could book a 50k night that is poor value. I've booked a number of 40k/45k per night rooms in the past year that were more than $1,000/night.

If you stay at least one 35k night a year, the regular SPG more than pays for itself. If you have at least $300 in revenue stays each year (easily accomplished in a single night) and make at least fair use of the 50k certificate, it will more than pay for itself. The ability to spend $75k/year to maintain Platinum Elite status clinched the deal for me, but even discounting that entirely the card makes sense for me.

I don't want to sound judgmental, but if someone has difficuly spending $5,000 in 3 months through organic spending, it might be difficult to ever completely justify a high-end travel card as in the long-run it might only be slightly better than a break-even strategy when compared to low-/no-AF rewards cards.

Re: SPG Amex Card (non-luxury)

staticvoidmain — Sun, 23 Sep 2018 20:33:18 GMT

@K-in-Boston wrote:
Just to confirm, the $300 statement credit applies to all charges made to your room with the card. You would not receive the credit for the room rate if you book through Expedia, for example, as your card would not be charged by the hotel. The simple way to state it is that anything that has previously qualified as a 3x Starpoints charge (and now 6x Points) on the SPG cards should qualify for the credit.

Question: Would a subsequent night qualify for the $300 credit? Or perhaps another booking? (especially on cases where a 50K/night booking would cost $1000 on subsequant nights.)

@K-in-Boston wrote:
I don't want to sound judgmental, but if someone has difficuly spending $5,000 in 3 months through organic spending, it might be difficult to ever completely justify a high-end travel card as in the long-run it might only be slightly better than a break-even strategy when compared to low-/no-AF rewards cards.

I wasn't even planning on actively meeting the SUB requirements. I just wanted the perk. However, this got me thinking, as it is mighty tempting to actually get the SUB. I would meet the SUB but only by not using my cashback cards, which in itself is a trade that gets me thinking its worth.

Re: SPG Amex Card (non-luxury)

K-in-Boston — Sun, 23 Sep 2018 20:48:25 GMT

The $300 credit will be automatically applied for any purchases billed by Marriott/Starwood properties. (It should also work for the Starbucks located at street level at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square since that bills as Marriott Marquis New York and triggers the bonus earnings.) If you booked a weekend, for example, and used the 50k certificate for one night and did the other night as a revenue night (let's say $500 including taxes), then yes you would get the $300 credit. Fortunately, when you do a Marriott Reward redemption for multiple nights, you can choose at the time of booking to pay cash instead for certain nights. That works wonders in downtown areas that may have more affordable weekend nights but very expensive weekday nights due to business travelers - use points for the outlier night that's twice the weekend rate and pay cash for the cheaper nights is a great strategy.

Alternately, you could use the annual certificate and then use the credit piecemeal with a $100 night every few months and you'd keep getting the credits until you've exhausted the $300 annual cap, the same way that the airline credits work on Platinum and PRG. It may help to just think of the $450 as prepaid discounted travel.

As for a signup bonus vs using your cash back cards, it would be extremely difficult to get less value from a signup bonus than the amount of cash back you'd get. If I had the 100k offer, it would be fairly easy for me to get at least $2,000 back in value from those points. On a cash-back card you'd need something that earns more than 40% cash back on that $5,000 in spend. Even a nearly worst-case redemption strategy on the points would still beat out a 15-20% cash back card.

Re: SPG Amex Card (non-luxury)

staticvoidmain — Sun, 23 Sep 2018 21:00:01 GMT

@K-in-Boston wrote:

... ... ...

All I can say is... d*rn it! Now I am mighty tempted. Thanks a lot KiB! One more question, I think I already know the answer to this: If I get the regular SPG, wait a year, then upgrade to the luxury, would I still wait another year to claim the certificate? I am leaning towards yes - and that it doesn't make sense to do that at all (not even considering the SUB lost).

Re: SPG Amex Card (non-luxury)

K-in-Boston — Sun, 23 Sep 2018 21:10:01 GMT

If you got the regular SPG, you would receive the annual certificate upon renewal. Since you would need to wait at least a year prior to upgrading to SPG Luxury (due to the CARD Act), you would not receive the elevated certificate until the following year. The good news is that on upgrades, your anniversary date doesn't change - I got a prorated refund of my $95 SPG annual fee, will be receiving a prorated AF for SPG Luxury, and still get all of the benefits (including the above posted $300 credit) and will get my certificate when I renew in 6 months.

Re: SPG Amex Card (non-luxury)

staticvoidmain — Sun, 23 Sep 2018 21:18:58 GMT

Woah. So let me get it clear, in this example:

Nov 2018 - SPG

Nov 2019 - SPG / certificate (35k)??? + Upgrade to SPG Luxury.

Nov 2020 - SPG Luxury / certificate (50K) with 300 credit?

If that is the case, it makes sense to me, since it means I would not need to pay the AF for the first year when I do not have any certificate.

Re: SPG Amex Card (non-luxury)

Anonymous — Sun, 23 Sep 2018 21:32:28 GMT

@K-in-Boston wrote:
Just to confirm, the $300 statement credit applies to all charges made to your room with the card.

Ah, my mistake. I though the room itself was excluded, that it was only for things like room service etc. Though you still need to use it, not SD it.