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Until November 1st, 2017, American Express has sweetened the pot on the Starwood Preferred Guest Business Credit card by adding an additional 10,000 Starpoints after meeting spend for a total of 35,000 bonus points after spending $10,000 in the first six months. This bonus is tiered and that is certainly a lot of spend, but it’s still nice to see the return of the highest total number of signup bonus points on this great card, which is the better value between the two Starwood cards.
The Offer
Starwood Preferred Guest Business Credit Card
- Earn up to 35,000 bonus Starpoints after meeting spend at the following thresholds:
- Earn 25,000 Starpoints after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months
- Earn an additional 10,000 Starpoints after spending an additional $4,000 in the first 6 months
Key card details
- $95 annual fee is waived the first year
- Earn 2x at SPG and Marriott properties
- Sheraton Club Lounge access when staying at Sheraton properties
- Premium Internet access when staying at SPG properties
- Free unlimited Boingo Wi-Fi access
- Credit for 2 stays and 5 nights towards elite status annually
- Offer expires 11/1/17
Quick Thoughts
It’s a bummer that the required spend for the initial 25,000 bonus points has increased by $1,000. However, Starpoints are difficult to accumulate in large quantities, so the ability to earn an additional 10,000 Starpoints will be attractive to many despite the hefty spend requirements. Remember that the signup bonus is not available to those who have ever had the card before.
This offer is only valid on the business version of the card, so you will need a business in order to apply. That said, keep in mind that not all businesses are multi-national behemoths. Many people might have a business without realizing it — whether you buy and sell things on eBay and Craigslist or you do odd jobs / consulting or you write a blog, you might have a viable business.
This card comes with two key advantages over the personal version of the card: First, it comes with Sheraton Club Lounge access. While some Sheraton club lounges are nicer than others, this benefit can really come in handy. For example, I stayed at the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa a couple of years ago. Food is expensive in the Maldives — having access to the club lounge saved us quite a bit of money (and came at a significant value as the upcharge for a club room was substantial).
A second key advantage is that this card qualifies for discounts through the Amex OPEN Savings program. For example, you can earn 5% back on purchases at HP.com by simply using your card to make a purchase. That means that the current Amex Offer for $75 back on $350 at HP (which I received on my SPG Business card) is actually a bit more valuable as you’ll get an additional 5% back.
Bottom line
It’s nice to see the 35K offer return despite the heavy spending required. This offer ends November 1st, so mark your calendar if you’re crafting a plan.
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[…] 10K Starpoints added to this signup bonus (Expires 11/1/17) […]
This offer is also available via the referral link in your Amex Profile if you already have a business card. So I can refer my wife for her business and that would get us an additional 7500 SPG points.
I just applied for and received the Chase Ink Business Preferred card last week. Is it wise to apply for another business credit card so soon afterwards, or will that raise flags?
You shouldn’t have any trouble with that. Chase has already pulled your credit (and perhaps made a decision?). Two business cards in a week is no big deal — many people open multiple in a single day (I certainly have before). Only concern for you would be having a plan as to how to meet your minimum spend. As Earl noted, there has been a lot of chatter about Amex no longer counting gift card purchases towards minimum spend, so keep that in mind.
Just don’t count on hitting your minimum spend with a trip to the mall.
Every SPG post should contain this warning now…
I believe you would have had to have used her account to make the booking. The fact that you’re a business card holder is coded into your SPG profile. You don’t actually have to show the card or pay with it, but it’s noted in your SPG profile that you get lounge access as a card holder…… So I don’t think you can use her card to access the lounge unless you put the reservation in her name.
Ok. Can I transfer SPG points into her account from mine to make the bookings?
You can transfer up to 30,000 points to someone else who is registered at the same physical address as you and has been registered with the same physical address as you for at least 30 days. The workaround is transferring your points to Marriott, then to her Marriott account and then back into Starwood.
Awesome, thanks!
nick, a household member just xfered more than 30k spg pts to my acct…is there an exception or the rule has reently changed?
Nick, as an acct AU & book Sheraton stays in my name, will I have lounge access? TIA
No — only the primary account holder gets Sheraton lounge access.
so, the primary acct holder has to book in his/her own name then add my name as an AU to the reservation for check in? do u think that could work?
It certainly could work. Assuming the primary acct holder won’t be there when you check in, YMMV as to whether or not the property will give you any trouble on that. I’d think you’d have less trouble at the Sheraton Omaha than the Sheraton Maldives, but you never know. Like I said, it can work…there’s just no guarantee (unless the primary acct holder is going to be there for check-in — then you should be good to go).
I’ve had this card before, but I currently have the personal version. I’m interested in this version for the Sheraton lounge access. Will they approve me for the Biz version even though I’ve had and then closed the card in 2014? I did receive the bonus too.
could get the biz cc again, but not the bonus…
Dan is correct. You can be approved, you just won’t get the signup bonus if you’ve ever had the card before. It could still be worth it for the Sheraton club lounge access and credit toward elite status.
Now just need to decide if I want to cancel my existing Personal card. I’m not looking for status so that doesn’t really matter to me. I’d also save a year’s AF if I cancelled my existing card whose AF just posted.
My wife has the Biz card. If we’re booking a stay with my points and she’s with me, will we get Sheraton lounge access or does her account need to make the booking?
Does Amex Offer Match? Just applied last week.
They did for us last time around.
They are firmly in the “sometimes” camp on that. It’s definitely worth asking as they did match many people the last time it went up to 35K. Let us know the result.