| Miles to Memories does not have a direct relationship with the card issuing bank(s) and this post does not include any affiliate links. If you wish to support the site by applying for credit cards or using other referral links, you can do so here. Before applying I highly suggest reading the following posts: Slow & Steady Doesn't Make You A Loser and A Mandatory Waiting Period to Apply for Credit Cards?. You can find all of our credit card reviews here. |
SPG Amex 30K Bonus 2015
As I predicted yesterday, American Express has increased the bonus on their two co-branded SPG credit cards to 30K Starpoints for a limited time. If you are interested in either of these cards, I highly suggest taking a look at yesterday’s post for my thoughts and analysis on the cards, including their usefulness in the long term.
The Offers
The offers on both cards have been increased to 30K, however notice the spending difference between the business and personal cards. Both increased offers expire on 9/14/15, so you plenty of time to make a decision as to whether they are right for you or not.
- SPG Amex Business Credit Card – Earn 30K Starpoints after $5K in spending during the first 3 months. $95 annual fee is waived the first year.
- SPG Amex Personal Credit Card – Earn 30K Starpoints after $3K in spending during the first 3 months. $95 annual fee is waived the first year.
Card Benefits
- No foreign transaction fees
- 2X Starpoints on eligible spending at SPG properties
- 1X Starpoints on all eligible spending
- Unlimited Boingo WiFi
- Free premium internet at SPG properties
- Sheraton Club lounge access (Business card only)
Where to Apply
You can get these offers directly on the Amex or SPG websites as well as through pretty much any other channel. Current cardholders can also refer you and earn 5K points for themselves.
Finally, if you are interested in supporting Miles to Memories, you can also apply for these and many other cards through our cc.com link found on this page. (Update: The links now seem to be live.) Feel no pressure to use our link, however thank you in advance if you do and feel free to ask any questions in the comments either way.
Conclusion
As I mentioned yesterday, I have been waiting for this increased 30K offer and both my wife and I plan to apply for at least one version of the card. Starpoints are hard to acquire and I find them to be quite valuable. Since the offers are good through 9/14, you have plenty of time to figure out if these cards make sense for you. I know that I won’t be rushing and will instead factor them into my overall credit card strategy.
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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the old king of travel rewards cards. Right now
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[…] year I picked up the personal version of this card during the 30K offer. For some reason I had focused on other American Express products and thus had never had the card. […]
I got a screen that Amex needed to verify some information on the business app.
I then applied for another Amex card (to combine hard pulls), but that app said right away that they couldn’t approve me.
When checking the application status, BOTH apps show as cancelled.
Did the rejection of the second app, cause the first pending app also to be cancelled?
Deadline to be approved by is on Monday.
Do you have any tips?
Thank you
I would definitely call them. If one app was accidentally cancelled, you may be able to get them to reopen it.
That is a very good tip particularly to those fresh to the
blogosphere. Brief but very accurate info… Appreciate
your sharing this one. A must read post!
Thank you, Shawn! I made sure my first signup was with your convoluted link. I love your writing style mixed with willingness to try new methods first hand and report back. Much easier/quicker read than the forums at FT.
Thanks @shawn @ninjax
What happen to Starpoints if you cancel the card?
They stay in your SPG account. American Express doesn’t take them back.
New SPG purple look is so damn cool!! I like it!! Way better than the prior look. It was too “Old School”. The purple looks prestigious. SO SAD I cant get this card right now. Already applied for a few Amex cards a few weeks back.
Purple is definitely an improvement over the tired old look.
Hey Stacy. FYI, Shawn does have a indirect referral link via his blog page (https://milestomemories.boardingarea.com/providing-value-value). Its just not a direct Amex relationship link. You would have to go to to the link for CreditCards.com then apply for any of the credit cards listed. (Or on any of the CreditCards.com banners around this blog). Unfortunately Shawn does not have direct credit card links, so you must search for the card you want. Since its a public offer, you would not be missing out on anything special via targeted offers for this Amex card via other links or Emails.
Hurry and get that link up!
I found the offer on American Express website last night but waited to go through your blog to get the referral as I feel like I owe you something… I appreciate your blog and writing style. 🙂
Hey Stacy. FYI, Shawn does have a indirect referral link via his blog page (https://milestomemories.boardingarea.com/providing-value-value). Its just not a direct Amex relationship link. You would have to go to to the link for CreditCards.com then apply for any of the credit cards listed. (Or on any of the CreditCards.com banners around this blog). Unfortunately Shawn does not have direct credit card links, so you must search for the card you want. Since its a public offer, you would not be missing out on anything special via targeted offers for this Amex card via other links or Emails.
Since your affiliate links aren’t available yet, do you mind if I post my referral link here for the SPG Business card?
https://www262.americanexpress.com/business-card-application/starwood-preferred-guest-business-credit-card/apply/44646-9-0-9235436D4B1AF78E3E885533447FCDA6F630B68437904BAA-200098-nEK5jFfGYvjXR3POl6Qb5pNbuLM=?om_rid=Nvsdjm&om_mid=_BVvERAB9B7l81n&om_lid=axp14
First of all, you should probably explain yourself before just posting up your own random affiliate link in the hopes that people will help you out. What would be their incentive to do so? Maybe you know Shawn personally, but readers of his blog have no attachment or emotional equity with you so not sure why you even bothered. Unless you also have a blog which is highly visited and can be recognized by the use of your generic handle of “DJ” then maybe readers here who read your blog will want to help you out. However, Shawn does have an indirect affiliate link via (https://milestomemories.boardingarea.com/providing-value-value).
Unrelated, but on each of my Amex cards I’ve gotten charged back $10 for Amex Offer New York (after getting 2 credits for Newegg and Sabon). I asked about it and they said I was charged so I disputed it but not sure whether it’s actually a reversal (what I thought). Also, they only gave me a credit of $2.10 for ticketmaster and not the $10 credit.
I have heard rumblings that Ticketmaster actually cancelled a bunch of those orders. If that is the case, you received a $2.10 credit as a refund from Ticketmaster and then because you didn’t have a purchase Amex took back the $10. This has unfortunately happened to quite a few people.
Hey Shawn –
I assume I can cancel these cards before the AF is due and keep my accrued starpoints? Also, I’ve heard recent mention of some people seeing that purchasing gift cards for MS hasn’t counted toward minimum spend on some credit cards. Do you know if there would be an issue with this card by purchasing gift cards to meet minimum spend?
Thanks!
Yes if you decide to cancel, your Starpoints will stay in your account. It really depends on the type of gift cards. If you go to a store and purchase gift cards then the purchase will definitely count towards your minimum spend.