Should I get an Starwood credit card?

[mermaidwannabe]

Every now and then I see offers for this, and it seems like you can good deals at hotels with points from here. Does anyone have one of these, and is it worth having? I already have an AMEX so ?

 

[bettymae1121]

I got one in August, and with the promotion they were running we already have over 40k points, that's enough for a weeks stay at some of their less expensive hotels, or about 2/3's of the way to a weeks stay at one of the more expensive resorts. With our spending habits, I figure we'll earn a free stay at the Swan/Dolphin once every 2.5 years, or at the Sheraton near DL every two years. And that's just trips to Disney, we can of course stay anywhere!

I haven't redeemed any points yet, likely we'll use some to visit MIL this summer so she can meet her new grand daughter (her home isn't big enough for all of so we'll stay at the sheraton in town) so we'll see how easy it is to use then. But so far I love it!

 

[GrnMtnMan]

This used to be my primary card. Only reason I don't use it more is that we are DVC now and S&D trips won't be that frequent.

Though this can change, the S&D are 10,000 points a night, with the 5th night free. For comparison $40,000 in charges would get you $400 in Disney rewards....enough for about two nights in a moderate. Even a card that gives you 2% back makes the Starwood card a better deal.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

We have recommended this card for years. In addition to the good value when redeeming points for free nights, we also like the ability to transfer to FF programs. My parents used SPG points in 2010 to upgrade to Upper Class non- stop SFO to LHr before the DCL Baltic cruise. Last year, they used points to fly to Rome in Business Class on Air Berlin before returning on a transatlantic cruise. This year they have booked return flights from Kuaui on Alaska Air in coach.

When you combine it with a Chase Sapphire Preferred for those times you can't use Amex, you multiply your options! -- Suzanne

 

[alyssa810]

We were married at a Sheraton, and used the Starwood card to pay for the wedding. Between that and bonus offers, we were able to save up for 5 free nights at the Maui Westin when we went with my family for my mom's 60th birthday. We're currently saving points for a possible Tokyo DL trip, but we've used many a free night at the Sheraton Safari by WDW to save weekend points when we stay at the DVC resorts. While it's not the card I use most often, we definitely get our money's worth from it, and if you're going to be staying at Starwood hotels, it is absolutely worth it!

 

[elaine amj]

We like our Starwood CC - but mostly only get it for bonus points - we like our other CCs better

Most basic Sheratons and Four Points by Sheraton are 3000 points - and I typically use my Starpoints for those. We've scored plenty of free stays, and it's been sweet. Now my weekend getaways are cheap.

I do play the CC game and churn CCs so for my upcoming cruise (not a Disney one), my flights (total of $1200 for 4 ppl) are free, my pre and post cruise stays at the Sheraton Suites in Fort Lauderdale are free, and I will have an additional $250 in OBCs (on top of my $50 OBC from my TA) all for free from applying for CCs.

Back to your question - i enjoy my starpoints - and it would be sweet for you to collect and save and have a nice stay at the S&D. I might shoot for that one year with YES tix...during F&W festival...now that would be a VERY nice deal.

 

[emilymad]

We use this as our primary card. We really like it since it gives you the option to redeem for hotels or airlines. We like the flexibility.

 

[taylorcpa]

When we used to travel we used this card. However, we don't travel much any more and my health insurance provider doesn't take Amex. I just could not justify the annual fee. However, that's not to say that I wouldn't apply just for a bonus!

 

[mermaidwannabe]

Oh, I didn't know about an annual fee; I'll have to look into that, but paying the annual fee on my Delta AMEX is well worth it, so maybe this one would be too. I can get 10,000 points for signing up and then 15,000 more for spending a certain amount in 6 months, I think. I am hoping for a FD pin, but if I don't get one, I was thinking of staying at the S&D in June, so this would be a good deal then since they offer really good special offers for SPG cardholders. Thanks for the input!