Update: DEAD! Don’t miss it if this becomes alive again. Sign up for deal notification alerts here!
I’ve had a Starwood AMEX card ever since I turned 18 a decade and a half ago. Over the years the card has gone from blue to red to purple as the annual fee climbed from $30 to $45 to $65 and finally to $95. But it has consistently provided a great value for everyday spending.
Until today.
Since the card launched it offered 1 Starpoint per dollar spent everywhere. It didn’t try to compete for bonus category spent, but it always provided a good value for non-bonused spending. The points were valuable for hotel stays and when transferring into airline miles thanks to the 20K:25K transfer ratio. There were no massive devaluations that obliterated that value proposition as some airlines underwent.
Sadly, tomorrow the card will be hit with a 33% devaluation as it goes from earning 1 Starpoint per dollar (3 Marriott points per dollar) to 2 Marriott points (0.67 Starpoints) per dollar spent.
Luckily, existing Starpoints won’t be devalued as they will be tripled on 8/18. However any new spending on the card as of tomorrow will only earn 2 Marriott points per dollar.
If your goal is maintaining a versatile points currency that can be used for airline miles or hotel stays and to accumulate versatile points that are a hedge against devaluation in any individual program, this is no longer the card to use. Previously, the card earned an effective 1.25 airline miles per dollar spend, but that goes down to 0.84 airline miles per dollar spent as of tomorrow.
You can still get a decent return on high end hotels, especially until combined category 8 launches in February, but you won’t get a great return on airline miles, so you will be subject to Marriott’s whims and potential future devaluations without the ability to transfer the points elsewhere at a favorable ratio.
The card will become a great card for the benefits it provides, primarily for the annual free night which will be the reason I won’t cancel the card. That free night will be worth more than the annual fee.
I’ll still use the card at Starwood hotels for 6 Marriott points per dollar. I may even use the business card at gas stations for 4 Marriott points per dollar. Perhaps I’ll pull the card out when I need to buy something that may need return/warranty protection, though that may also go on another AMEX card.
But otherwise I’ll be focusing my spending on the Chase Quadfecta. That will earn lots of points on everyday and bonus category spending while being able to transfer points into highly valuable airline and hotel currencies or being able to redeem the points for paid flights, hotel stays, car rentals, or other activities at an excellent value.
If you still want some last minute Starpoints, you might consider prepaying bills today or making an estimated federal tax payment at a cost of 1.87%, which a great rate for “buying” Starpoints.
To my soon to be dusty Starwood AMEX…chin up. We sure had some good times together back in the days of dollar coins from the mint, Amazon Payments, and REDcard…
I wouldn’t have been able to play softball in Wrigley without you:
I wouldn’t have been able to celebrate my 8th wedding anniversary by throwing out the first pitch before game 7 of the 2016 World Series and watching the heart-stopping game with Mimi in 2nd row diamond box seats behind the dugout without you:
I wouldn’t have been able to stay in hotels like the S. Regis Maldives without you:
I’m still sitting on 7 figures of Starpoints so I’ll still have the opportunity to do awesome things with my remaining points, but the opportunity cost of earning more points on the card seems too high with the 33% devaluation in card earning potential.
So thanks for the amazing memories, but I’m afraid it’s time to say goodbye. It’s not me, it’s you.
Leave a Reply
117 Comments On "The Starwood AMEX Turns Into A Pumpkin At Midnight; Goodbye And Thanks For The Memories!"
All opinions expressed below are user generated and the opinions aren’t provided, reviewed or endorsed by any advertiser or DansDeals.
do we still have till aug 18 to book hotel rooms under the old rates?
Yes.
https://www.dansdeals.com/points-travel/marriott/upcoming-critical-dates-starwood-amex-bloodbath-starwood-marriott-merger/
Dan, What happens to the current points we have?
From this post,
“Luckily, existing Starpoints won’t be devalued as they will be tripled on 8/18. However any new spending on the card as of tomorrow will only earn 2 Marriott points per dollar.”
It will be hard to lay them to rest but their time has come.
Purchases made today will still get 3 Marriot points per dollar even though it won’t post until tomorrow or later?
Correct.
Great post! Informative and an enjoyable read.
Thanks 🙂
Agreed. Well written, informative and even an average reader like me can follow it when often times CC point talk makes my head spin.
My annual renews sometime in August. Not sure if before/after the 18th…
Does it go by the billing cycle end date ?
Also, if it is earlier than the 18th, do I get a free night ?
It goes by the date the fee is charged.
Unclear at this time.
Dan
if i dont plan on using Starpoints for hotels rather airlines … should i transfer them out today ?
You should read this:
https://www.dansdeals.com/points-travel/starwood/reader-questions-makes-marriott-travel-packages-lucrative-category-buy-comprehensive-guide/
“So thanks for the amazing memories, but I’m afraid it’s time to say goodbye. It’s not me, it’s you.”
😀
Let’s use Sheraton TLV as an example, which will be 13k a night soon(with a 5 night stay). If I have 100K spg, that will give me like 7 nights. If I transfer to a travel package that will be come 7 nights plus 132k united miles. Is that correct? And until when can I use those 7 nights (at that rate)?
https://www.dansdeals.com/points-travel/starwood/reader-questions-makes-marriott-travel-packages-lucrative-category-buy-comprehensive-guide/
I have read the post many times, but still do not understand.
I am b”H hoping to stay at the Sheraton TLV next summer and I currently have 140k spg(420k marriott) What is my best bet?
Basically, your buying a Marriott travel package and there’s no gaurantee as to what will happen with the certificate, especially when it comes to a SPG hotel.
Great post! For thoseof is that are locked out of chase…. which card should we focus our spending on??
For cash back or points?
What’s the best alternative instead of Chase – Chase closed all my accounts 2 years ago…
For cash back or points?
for points
AMEX Blue Business Plus?
Citi Premier?
over $5k amex biz plat if you maxed blue $50k cap
I have 4 cards and i used them for hotel points .. I am flexible to switch to a card that gives good hotel points or cashback what are your suggestions for both ..i have business and personal account
Im very happy with citi thank you points. Spend a lot on one of the catagories that gets 2 points per dollar. Lately the transfer from TYP to miles is pretty quick and they transfer to Singapore and Qantas, which are my favorite programs. Qantas is the best for travel to TLV. You can book ElAl online without fees and the business class awards are the cheapest by far. Singapore is great because you can use it for United in the US and to TLV without paying fuel surcharges and they do not charge any close in fee when booking a United saver award
Miles
Can I ask what you did that got a shut down?
Is it worth the annual fee just for the sake of length of credit history? It’s my oldest card by a couple of years…
Is the annual free night not something you would use?
https://www.dansdeals.com/points-travel/milespoints/will-able-use-chase-marriott-starwood-anniversary-nights/
@dan how did you do the Maldives trip? did you have to use St. Regis’ private plane to get to the island? it costs $500 a person from the main island to the resort. how did you do it?
That’s the only way to do it.
so if you get a flight to maldives for 1000, you really end up havign your flights come out to 1750? there goes my dream…
The resort uses trans maldivian airlines, i went in december 2016 and the flights were $750 pp roundtrip, organized and paid through the hotel.
Gonna miss this card… spg and Dansdeals made my honeymoon possible!
Hopefully Marriott sees the decline in use and changes its highest tier card to earn 3 points per dollar
We can only hope. I’m really surprised that the $450/year cards don’t offer 3 points per dollar.
Anyone else think this is part of the ploy? Marriott will get us to be thankful to them for the highest tier cards earning 3 ppd, while laughing all the way to the bank since they cut the earnings of the mass market cards without losing Goodwill…
My hope is that they see a huge drop in spend and double-back into offering 3x on the luxury card. Time will tell…
Dan,
I only use the SPG card for the hotels, should I stop using the card?
Would you transfer MR to spg before the 18th? Or would that have to be done today as well.
No rush, that will continue even afterward.
Amex took the MR to SPG transfer off the board today on my account. Currently there is no exchange from MR to Marriott directly either. Are you assuming MR will be transferable to Marriott points on MR site after Aug 18th?
It will be back.
You’re giving me the “it’s not you, it’s me” routine? I invented “it’s not you, it’s me”
Believe it or not, George isn’t at home.
But his SPG AMEX is.
So whats the go to card now? I usually sell my miles.
Thanks
Why not just get a 2% cash back card?
Like which card?
Amex blue business plus.
Chase freedom unlimited might also be a good idea for you.
Amex blue business plus doesn’t have 2% cash back from what I can see.
It says 2x points in the first $50k and 1x after that..
Can you send me a link to the 2% cash back Amex?
Th am you!!
Hi @dan i opened the card 4 months ago and finished the spend withing the first month but never received the bonus, amex opened a case but i haven’t heard back so far, if i receive the bonus later then today will it be 2 or 3 points?
3
When you say for protection you’ll use other Amex cards, which cards are the best? I was going to keep using SPG when I need protection.
Everyday Preferred can earn 1.5 miles per dollar.
can you combine annual free nights and points into one hotel stay? Annual free night for spg card and annual free night for marriott card into one stay?
Yes.
If i charge on the spg card this afternoon and they are in pending which will probably post as aug 1st will it still receive the 3pts per dollar?
It should.
Earned a million points and was introduced to many new brands and properties. Some epic awards (and some paid stays) at Westin, st Regis, W, Four Points, and now Marriot and Ritz. Had some great starpoints to Aeroplan conversions too back in the day. Burning my remaining points this month and card going in the sock drawer tonight.
Need a one way flight to Israel September 16th would it be worthwhile to just use the starpoints I have on spgflights (45k one way on Ukraine) any other better way to use them?
That’s a terrible use for them.
BDE. Many blessed memories on this card, and much hakaras hatov to the DD mishpacha that’s shared their tips over the years. It’s been a great run.
Dan or anyone who sits at his round table;
Will Amex be sending out new physical cards? I have a bunch of authorized users, with new CVC etc?
Not this year.
But dan if I need Marriott points it’s still worth because I get 2 points per dollar vs transfer UR will only be 1 to 1 (Only getting 1 point per dollar spent), makes sense ?
Sure, but there’s an opportunity cost there as those 2 Marriott points (0.67 Starpoints) aren’t worth as much as other points you could be earning for your spending.
Great post Dan. Shame what happened to SPG there goes the trinity! Chase All the way
If you had to keep one, would it be the AMEX SPG Biz or Personal card?
Business.
My SPG Amex business card is still useful, with 10% off at mobile n staples till 11/30.
What will happen to the 20:25 ratio when transferring to airline partners. Is that disappearing?
It will become 60:25, which is the same ratio for existing Starpoints as Starpoints are being tripled.
Dan, do you think that Marriott will at some point devalue the transfer to airlines? that means that if you don’t need it for hotel stays you should transfer over the points to airline program ASAP?
If you don’t think you want it for hotels, you should buy a travel package now
https://www.dansdeals.com/points-travel/hotel-deals/reader-questions-makes-marriott-travel-packages-lucrative-category-buy-comprehensive-guide/
Two words of advise:
Let. Go.
I want to understand correctly.
If my intention is to use my Starwood points for hotels should I just sit on them now and wait for them to transfer into Marriott at 3 to 1?
And if I plan to use my Starwood points for flights should I transfer them into airline points before August 8th in order to get the 20,000 to 25,000 ratio or will that be possible with Marriott as well?
Finally will I get a free annual night for both the personal and business card ?
If you want miles or nights plus miles do this:
https://www.dansdeals.com/points-travel/hotel-deals/reader-questions-makes-marriott-travel-packages-lucrative-category-buy-comprehensive-guide/
Otherwise just sit tight.
You will get a free night on each.
And if I am undecided at this point what I will do with the points what do you suggest? Thank you! Regards to your neighbor and my close friend Rannan S.
Dan, which 2% cash back card would you recommend to replace my SPG?
There are several, I’ll make a post comparing them.
Ty
Excellent, thanks
Hey Dan, I’m waiting for this post…(and meanwhile still using my SPG for spending, aghhh!)
If the new ratio to transfer to airline partners will be 60:25 (like 20:25 the old way) why is it so bad for travel now? I assume all my old SPG points would still be 60:25, so what is changing going forward to the transferring to airline 20:25 ratio? Going forward will it become 40:25? Also, since they will merge with Marriot, will they get rid of the transferring to airline partners?
Points that you have aren’t being devalued.
But you will only earn 0.67 Starpoints per dollar after today on the SPG AMEX card.
Dan, I really feel for you. It’s very emotional reading this post. I hope Marriott will read this and bring back a good contract with Amex and ditch BAD CHASE BANK
If I am undecided as to how I am going to use the points what do you suggest?
Thanks for all Dan. Qq- I now have 4 free nights with my spg and Marriott cards- if I combine the 4 will I get 5th night free for a trip?
No.
Thank you for explaining. Is there any reason to rush to transfer my existing SPG to airlines now, or can I take my time as needed and use those existing points for 60:25 ratio. I like to wait until we’re ready to travel so I really don’t want to transfer anything now, unless I’ll lose out otherwise.
If you want to transfer to miles you should transfer now via travel packages
https://www.dansdeals.com/points-travel/starwood/reader-questions-makes-marriott-travel-packages-lucrative-category-buy-comprehensive-guide/
Hi
Where in Israel can I redeem the free night if at all. And Europe?
https://www.dansdeals.com/points-travel/milespoints/will-able-use-chase-marriott-starwood-anniversary-nights/
Does this end at midnight ET or MT, or where ever you are when it is midnight?
Just paid $95 AF both Starwood Amex cards about 2 months ago. I guess I have to wait next year for the anniversary free night?
If I upgrade to the Luxury card, will they prorate my AF I just paid and refund the other 10 months?
Yes.
I don’t have details on that yet.
Living in Israel this has been my go to card for non bonus spend, which is lots of my spending. Travel & restaurants I use the CSR, & pretty much everything else was put on my SPG. I can’t use my freedom unlimited & freedom over here, so I’m not sure where that leaves me. I’m obviously aiming to be getting at least over 2% back otherwise I’d just get a 2% cashback Card. Would really appreciate some suggestions of what to use.
How much non-bonused spend do you do per year?
A low estimate would be about 25k – 30k
Have you considered the United Club card?
1.5 per dollar? I fly with 2 kids direct, I’ve never been able to get saver award flights when I need to fly so I’m usually booking elal with cash. I don’t have any great use for united miles, so I don’t think it would be worth my while locking in my points to united. I got the explorer for the sign up bonus & I have lots of UR in case I need united. Any other ideas?
if i do 30k in spend on the spg biz (already did 25k), what will that get me interms of the new Marriott status tiers? considering finishing that last 5k spend if itll help gain status
Gold
what if I finish now and statement closes aug 16 will I gert the gold that day? and if it’s linked to marriott will I get the marriott platinum?
Are we still getting 25000 for 20000 airline transfer?
It will be 60K:25K.
Just a heads up – spoke with AMEX team for an hour yesterday. Just because you made the purchase before midnight does not guarantee you will earn the points at the old valuation. It goes by the date the transaction posts to your account. I tried to make a bunch of big purchases this last week – half of them still show as pending 3 days later, and will earn the 2 Marriott points per dollar now that midnights has passed.
Are you sure the rewards amount changed to Marriott on the first. I’m as I type this on the phone with a Marriott rep about another matter and said the 18th, when the programs merge. I also tweeted AmEx and they replied with a link to Marriott program change web site said to them it was the 18th
https://www.dansdeals.com/points-travel/marriott/upcoming-critical-dates-starwood-amex-bloodbath-starwood-marriott-merger/
Dan, both the marriott rep, a supervisor because of my other problem I’d called about, and AmEx via a tweet referred to August 18th. I literally just hung up the phone with the Marriott Rep. But then it seem like a huge amount of information the Reps even supervisors are in the dark about.
My other problem was I tried to by 3 Hotel+Air packages they sold me the wrong ones, 55k miles instead of 120K I ask for. then another supervisor refunded only hotel portion at 75K. That was on Friday. Finally after many calls and about three levels of transfers to different ‘supervisors’ on this last call this morning, I got my total refunded of my 810,000 points plus 30K points for the mistakes.
I called and told them I want to cancel the card and they offered me right off the bat my choice of 20k points or $75 statement credit if I keep it and spend 2k within 90 days…I still keep my annual free night, so I accepted. FYI
So what’s the best AMEX product to change to? Blue for Business? 2MR points seem better than 2 Marriott points. The problem with Blue for Business is Foreign Transaction Fees (IINM).
I am only a novice in this group but I have traveled the world my whole life using many methods of payment. Deciphering Dan’s recommendations over the last few years has really saved us money and we have travelled more and further than otherwise we might have. You have opened the whole world to many of us frum families. My wife and I had SPG cards for years but did not know how to take advantage of them, but we have had a great few years run. We finally figured out the “nights and flights ” in time for a week in Rome and one in Manhattan. We just scheduled one in Orlando and hope to buy one more certificate to hold onto. Thank you!
I have had a chase business cash card for years, but did not use it much besides for the office supplies. I just got the $450 a year reserve card from them after reading some posts. I then transferred my cash points to the reserve card and I am hoping to figure out how to best use them. Are these 2 chase cards enough for the most efficient use of the system? Should I get rid of the cash card for a different chase card?
Sorry for the lengthy post.
Marty
I have 4 SPG cards and 1 SPG buzz. Probably only keep one open. Can I downgrade SPG to some other Amex card to keep the credit lines?
the anniversary night can be used at ANY spg hotel??????