New Starwood Preferred Guest card members can earn up to 100,000 bonus points

Update: This offer is no longer available through our site.

Ahead of the unification of the Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), Marriott Rewards and Ritz-Carlton loyalty programs on Aug. 18, 2018,  American Express announced several changes to the Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express and the Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express, including an increased welcome bonus and rewards rate.

Here are the updates, which are effective as of Aug. 1, 2018, at a glance:

• Increased welcome bonus – Instead of offering a $100 statement credit, the Starwood Preferred Guest consumer card now offers 75,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 in the first three months, while the business version offers 100,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first three months.
• Increased rewards rate – The updated Starwood Preferred Guest card and the Starwood Preferred Guest Business cards both offer six points per dollar at SPG and Marriott Rewards hotels and two points per dollar on general purchases. Additionally, the Starwood Business card offers four points per dollar at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly through U.S. providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
• Redemption changes – As of Aug. 1, 2018, SPG will convert each Starpoint in a loyalty member account to three points. For more details on redemption changes, visit members.marriott.com.

Comparing Starwood Preferred Guest cards

The Starwood Preferred Guest cards are very similar – the main difference being that one is designed for consumers and the other is designed for business owners. In addition to sharing the same annual fees and similar rewards structures, the cards both offer the following perks:

• One free night award each year on your card account anniversary
• Complimentary Silver Elite status.
• Gold Elite status after spending $30,000 in a calendar year. (The spend threshold will increase to $35,000 on Jan. 1, 2019.)
• No foreign transaction fees
• Free in-room premium internet
• Complimentary Boingo Wi-Fi on up to 4 devices

See how these cards compare in the table below.

Starwood Preferred Guest vs. Starwood Preferred Guest Business

	Starwood Preferred Guest card	Starwood Preferred Guest Business card
Rewards rate	6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at participating SPG and Marriott Rewards hotels 2 points per dollar on all other purchases Terms apply	6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at participating SPG and Marriott Rewards hotels 4 points per dollar at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly through U.S. providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping 2 points per dollar on all other purchases Terms apply
Introductory bonus	75,000 points when you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months Terms apply	100,000 points when you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months Offer ends Oct. 31, 2018 Terms apply
Annual fee	$95, waived first year	$95, waived first year
Estimated value in first year ($15,900 spend)	$865	$1,038

Additionally, starting in 2019, the Starwood Preferred Guest Business card will offer a 15-night credit towards the next level of Elite status.

Recent changes to the Starwood Preferred Guest cards

In the past, the welcome bonuses for the Starwood Preferred Guest cards have typically ranged from 25,000 to 35,000 points. So at 75,000 points and 100,000 points, the bonuses are currently at their highest yet. See the most recent introductory bonus updates below.

Starwood Preferred Guest card introductory bonus history

Starwood Preferred Guest Business card introductory bonus history

Who is eligible for the Starwood introductory bonus?

The Starwood Preferred Guest cards’ bonuses are available to individuals who currently do not have or who have not had either card in the past. Additionally, you will not be eligible for the welcome bonuses if you meet any of the following:

Should you apply now?

Yes! With the welcome bonuses currently at their peak, now is the ideal time to apply for the Starwood Preferred Guest cards. Business owners should keep in mind that – in order to receive the 100,000-point bonus – you need to apply for the Starwood Business card by Oct. 31, 2018.

See related: Upcoming changes to the Marriott Rewards Business and Ritz-Carlton Rewards card released, Marriott is launching a new loyalty program in August