Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express, Editor Reviewed at CompareCards.com

Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express

Editor's Rating: 8.0
Consumer Rating: (2 ratings) 8.5

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Intro APR:	2.90%
Regular APR:	14.49%
Annual Fee:	$45

Intro Period:	6 Months
Balance Transfer:	Yes*
Credit Needed:	Excellent

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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® — almost 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

EDITORS' RATINGS OVERALL SCORE

8.0

Overall

The Bottom-Line

This card would be particularly good for anyone who is a loyal Starwood hotel patron and is willing to choose Starwood for future travel plans.

The Good

This card offers more flexibility in how and where you can use your points; double points can be earned when the card is used for purchases at select Starwood retail outlets. Points can be transferred on a 1:1 ratio to over 30 frequent flyer programs. Th

The Not So Good

Introductory rate is only available for six months; about half of other balance transfer cards. A one-time default on payment will result in a higher default rate APR for 12 consecutive months. Regular APR is higher than some of the similar rewards/miles

CARD DESCRIPTION

The Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card offers a generous bonus program for loyal Starwood customers and the flexibility to transfer points to many of the more popular frequent flyer programs for free airline travel. The points that you earn can be transferred on a ratio of 1:1 and be used for frequent flyer programs for over thirty different major airlines.

You can even earn double points when you use your card at select Starwood retail outlets. You can use your earned Starpoints at over 825 Starwood hotels and resorts that participate in this program in over ninety-five countries. They can be used for an upgrade or for a free nights stay.

The Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card allows you to earn 10,000 Starpoints immediately with your first purchase, which will be enough points for you to stay at a category 1 or 2 hotel for three nights free. After spending 15,000 bonus Starpoints within a six month period you will earn 15,000 more.

You will earn one Starpoint for each dollar you spend and double Starpoints from participating Starwood properties and retail partners. You should be aware that the introductory rate is based on a six month time frame and the regular APR is higher than what you will find with other rewards with miles cards that are available. If you default on payment it will result in a higher default rate APR that will last for one year.

Read Customer Reviews (Last Reviewed: Aug 03, 2008)

DETAILED EDITORS' RATINGS

7.5

Introductory APR

2.90% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for six months.

8.5

Benefits

Earn one point for every dollar of eligible spending; points can be used for free nights at Starwood hotels and resorts worldwide. Points can also be transferred to select frequent flyer programs. Pays 10,000 bonus points upon first purchase. Double rewards on Starwood goods and services.

7.5

Fees

No annual fee for first year; $45 thereafter.

7.5

Regular APR

Variable Prime+ 9.99% APR