When the sign-up bonus for the ever-popular Starwood Preferred Guest credit card rose to its highest-ever level last year, at 35,000 points, it appeared that might be the last chance for travelers to take advantage of such a points windfall for one of the best-ever rewards cards. After all, at the time the Marriott-Starwood merger was pending, and the future of the Starwood card was very much in doubt.
Here we are almost a year later, and while the merger is a done deal, the Marriott and Starwood programs continue to exist and operate independently, with their respective co-branded credit cards. And today, Starwood announced it was reprising its 35,000-point offer for new card cardholders.
Offer Details
Through April 5, new customers for the Starwood Preferred Guest credit card can earn a 25,000-point bonus after charging $3,000 to the card within the first three months, plus another 10,000 bonus points after an additional $2,000 in purchases within the first six months.
Deal or No Deal
While hardly eye-popping compared to sign-up bonuses for other rewards cards, which often spike into the 50,000 – 100,000 points range, it is the most lucrative bonus ever offered for the SPG card. And the card itself is well worth having on its own merits.
Card Features
- Annual fee: $95, waived the first year
- Annual percentage rate: adjustable, currently 15.74% to 19.74%, based on creditworthiness
- Earn up to 5 Starpoints per $1 at Starwood hotels, 1 Starpoint for other purchases
- No foreign transaction fees
- Annual credit for 5 nights/2 stays toward elite status
- Starpoints transferable to 30-plus airline frequent flyer programs, mostly on a 1:1 basis
- 5,000 bonus points when transferring 20,000 points to a participating airline program
- Complimentary in-room premium WiFi at Starwood hotels
- Complimentary, unlimited WiFi at Boingo hotspots
That’s a lot of value, and a lot of utility, for a card with no annual fee in the first year.
Related:
Although the card itself may be discontinued when the Marriott and Starwood programs are combined, there’s no danger of SPG members’ points disappearing; they’ll simply be shifted into the new program. Until then, the SPG card remains among the best rewards cards available.
Reader Reality Check
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After 20 years working in the travel industry, and almost that long writing about it, Tim Winship knows a thing or two about travel. Follow him on Twitter @twinship.
This article first appeared on SmarterTravel.com, where Tim is Editor-at-Large.
