Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card

From the CompareCards.com Editorial Team:

Earn up to 25,000 bonus points, get double Starpoints for every dollar spent at participating hotels and resorts, and get one Starpoint for each dollar spent on all other purchases with this Starwood rewards Amex card. These valuable Starpoints rewards can then be redeemed at more than 1,000 hotels and resorts in nearly 100 countries, or for air travel on more than 350 different airlines. Members also get to make reservations without annoying and restrictive blackout dates.

You’ll earn 5,000 after your first purchase – just for being a member and using the card. Then you can get another 15,000 bonus points if you spend at least $15,000 within the first six months. That’s enough to generate two free nights at one of the company’s prestigious Category 5 hotels. You also get credit for 5 night and 2 stays each year you’re a member, and this credit is applied toward Starwood Preferred Guest elite status. Meanwhile you can stay 2 nights and get the 3rd night free at participating Sheraton hotels and resorts worldwide

The current APR for purchases and balance transfers is 15.24%, but American Express offers a low 2.90% introductory APR for the first 6 months of card membership. There is also a $65 annual fee, but American Express waives it for new cardholders the first year.

The Bottom-Line
The Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express is a robust rewards program for those people who like to stay at Starwood hotels and resorts. You can get 20,000 bonus points within your first six months, and the points are good for credit toward hotel stays or air travel without blackout dates. There is an intro APR of only 2.90% plus the annual fee is waived for new cardholders in the first year of membership.

The Good
Your annual fee is waived in year one, you can get a low intro APR, and you have a chance to earn 20,000 bonus points in just six months. There are no blackout dates when you redeem points for hotel or airline reservations, and you get extra perks each year – including credit toward Starwood Elite status.

The Not So Good
There is a $65 annual fee, and the rewards earned on this card are focused mainly on Starwood hotels. So if you don’t use Starwood hotels then you will be better served by a different kind of rewards program card.