My personal review of the Amex SPG credit card

[Woofy]

This post is as a follow up for one of the posts I posted before about the replacement of MBNA SPG card with the Amex SPG card. I love the SPG rewards program!

The Amex SPG credit card will be launching sometime in March. This card will be replacing the MBNA SPG credit card, which will cease on February 28, 2010.

Even though MBNA SPG card is no longer in effect, I will be listing out the features of the card as a baseline to view the new Canadian Amex SPG card.

We do have to keep in mind that the MBNA SPG card is history, so there’s really no point in comparing it.

The features of the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region> version of the Amex SPG card will also be listed as an FYI purpose. I would love that we get what our <st1:country-region w:st="on">US</st1:country-region> counterparts get, but I also recognize that US and <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Canada</st1:place></st1:country-region> are 2 different countries, with different socio-economic demographics, hence the different business practices and pricing structure.

I believe the features of the Canadian Amex SPG are still not fully unveiled, so it is difficult to really comment on the card. What we see here is still preliminary, and is only a sneak preview.

But I will give my first impressions of the card.

<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
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</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0cm; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 139pt; PADDING-TOP: 0cm; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" vAlign=bottom noWrap width=185>MBNA SPG<o:p></o:p>














</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0cm; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 139pt; PADDING-TOP: 0cm; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" vAlign=bottom noWrap width=185>Amex SPG (<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Canada</st1:place></st1:country-region>)<o:p></o:p>














</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0cm; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 139pt; PADDING-TOP: 0cm; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" width=185>Amex SPG (US)<o:p></o:p>














</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 51pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1"><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0cm; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 74pt; PADDING-TOP: 0cm; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; HEIGHT: 51pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" width=99>Points Earning<o:p></o:p>













</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0cm; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 139pt; PADDING-TOP: 0cm; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; HEIGHT: 51pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" width=185>Earn 1 Starpoint for every $2 charged, with 5k bonus points each for $10k, $20k, and $30k spending threshold. After $30k spending threshold, no more bonus.<o:p></o:p>













</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0cm; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 139pt; PADDING-TOP: 0cm; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; HEIGHT: 51pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" width=185>Earn 1 Starpoint for every $1 CAD spent. No spending threshold limit.<o:p></o:p>













</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0cm; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 139pt; PADDING-TOP: 0cm; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; HEIGHT: 51pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" width=185>Earn 1 Starpoint for every $1 USD spent. No spending threshold limit.<o:p></o:p>













</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 25.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2"><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0cm; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 74pt; PADDING-TOP: 0cm; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; HEIGHT: 25.5pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" width=99>Card Benefits<o:p></o:p>













</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0cm; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 139pt; PADDING-TOP: 0cm; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; HEIGHT: 25.5pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" width=185>5,000 bonus points on first stay at SPG property?<o:p></o:p>













</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0cm; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 139pt; PADDING-TOP: 0cm; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; HEIGHT: 25.5pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" width=185>10,000 Welcome Bonus Points<o:p></o:p>













</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0cm; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 139pt; PADDING-TOP: 0cm; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; HEIGHT: 25.5pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" width=185>10,000 Welcome Bonus Points<o:p></o:p>













</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 25.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3"><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0cm; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 74pt; PADDING-TOP: 0cm; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; HEIGHT: 25.5pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" width=99><o:p></o:p>













</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0cm; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 139pt; PADDING-TOP: 0cm; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; HEIGHT: 25.5pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" width=185>One year of complimentary upgrade to Gold Preferred status.<o:p></o:p>













</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0cm; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 139pt; PADDING-TOP: 0cm; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; HEIGHT: 25.5pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" width=185>Upgrade to Gold Preferred Status when you spend more than $30k annually<o:p></o:p>













</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0cm; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 139pt; PADDING-TOP: 0cm; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; HEIGHT: 25.5pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" width=185>Upgrade to Gold Preferred Status when you spend more than $30k annually<o:p></o:p>













</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 38.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 4"><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0cm; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 74pt; PADDING-TOP: 0cm; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; HEIGHT: 38.25pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" width=99><o:p></o:p>













</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0cm; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 139pt; PADDING-TOP: 0cm; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; HEIGHT: 38.25pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" width=185><o:p></o:p>













</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0cm; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 139pt; PADDING-TOP: 0cm; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; HEIGHT: 38.25pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" width=185>Receive Free weekend night at Cat 4 hotels worldwide when you spend more than $40k.<o:p></o:p>













</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0cm; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 139pt; PADDING-TOP: 0cm; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; HEIGHT: 38.25pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" width=185><o:p></o:p>













</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 38.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 5"><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0cm; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 74pt; PADDING-TOP: 0cm; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; HEIGHT: 38.25pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" width=99>Additional Sign On bonuses<o:p></o:p>













</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0cm; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 139pt; PADDING-TOP: 0cm; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; HEIGHT: 38.25pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" width=185><o:p></o:p>













</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0cm; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 139pt; PADDING-TOP: 0cm; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; HEIGHT: 38.25pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" width=185>No announcement yet<o:p></o:p>













</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0cm; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 139pt; PADDING-TOP: 0cm; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; HEIGHT: 38.25pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" width=185>15,000 StarPoints if you spend $15,000 in the first 6 months (Not sure if it is still available)<o:p></o:p>













</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 25.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 6"><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0cm; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 74pt; PADDING-TOP: 0cm; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; HEIGHT: 25.5pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" width=99>SPG Benefits<o:p></o:p>













</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0cm; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 139pt; PADDING-TOP: 0cm; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; HEIGHT: 25.5pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" width=185>The SPG program benefits are the same for all 3 cards.<o:p></o:p>













</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0cm; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 139pt; PADDING-TOP: 0cm; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; HEIGHT: 25.5pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" width=185>The SPG program benefits are the same for all 3 cards.<o:p></o:p>













</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0cm; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 139pt; PADDING-TOP: 0cm; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; HEIGHT: 25.5pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" width=185>The SPG program benefits are the same for all 3 cards.<o:p></o:p>













</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 30pt; mso-yfti-irow: 7; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0cm; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 74pt; PADDING-TOP: 0cm; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; HEIGHT: 30pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" width=99>Fee<o:p></o:p>













</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0cm; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 139pt; PADDING-TOP: 0cm; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; HEIGHT: 30pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" width=185>Free<o:p></o:p>













</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0cm; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 139pt; PADDING-TOP: 0cm; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; HEIGHT: 30pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" width=185>$120 per annum<o:p></o:p>













</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0cm; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 139pt; PADDING-TOP: 0cm; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; HEIGHT: 30pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt" width=185>No annual fee for the first year, and $45 per annum after<o:p></o:p>













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<o:p></o:p>

Needless to say, I was a little taken aback by the $120 per annum fee for this new card, when it was first announced. It is quite a hard pill to swallow especially since I have been spoilt by the no fee card provided by MBNA.

But once that bitter pill is swallowed, it’s time to really look at whether or not it is worth paying the $120 fee for the card. The following 3 features are what I am looking at:



<o:p></o:p>

• The benefit of Gold Preferred status every year, as long as you spend more than $30k annually on the card.
  
  • I loved, and have utilized the late check out times and the complimentary upgrade of rooms that come with the Gold Preferred status, when MBNA provided that benefit for a year. It was a perk that I enjoy, and I have been strategizing and thinking of ways on how to get back that Gold Preferred status! Well, this card will resolve that dilemma for me now.

<o:p></o:p>

• The potential of limitless point earning capability of the card at 1 point per $1 spent.
  
  • With a new baby in the oven, and an additional triplex (with more planned!), our household expenses have been, and will be on the uptick, so this limitless points earning potential is something that I know will benefit me and my family. Utilizing this card efficiently and effectively will mean that my family will still be able to travel comfortably!

<o:p></o:p>

• The free weekend night at a Category 4 hotel at properties worldwide when you spend more than $40k a year
  
  • This is the one perk that I am questioning if I will pay for. I was hoping for just a $50 per annum fee when I first speculated about the new card, much like the US card, but now it has been revealed to be $70 more. The question now is can I justify paying $70 more than what I first expected for this perk?

I just wouldn’t view the weekend night at a Category 4 hotel as a free night. I will deem it as a paid benefit, and I intend to utilize it. Is a Category 4 hotel worth $70?

Some of the Category 4 hotels include: Le Meridien King Edward, <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Westin Michigan Avenue</st1:address></st1:Street> in Chicago, Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket (fantastic hotel, btw!). For more properties, check out the SPG's website.

Well, I guess I am sold! Will I pay $70 to stay a night at these properties?

Absolutely.

So, my verdict is, yes, I will pay for this card. And I am getting it.

Now, I am hoping that in the next few weeks before the card is officially launched, Amex will sweeten this card deal by adding a couple of additional one time only new launch bonuses, with the standard Amex features, and place this card in its own class.

You can get more information about this card and to sign up on their waitlist here. Or click on their banners that are also found in SC!

[JWL]

Hey Woofy!
Wow, are things ever a lot quieter here on the Amex SPG front!

[Woofy]

Hey Woofy!
Wow, are things ever a lot quieter here on the Amex SPG front!

Oh my gosh... what brings you here, JWL? Hope you are doing good!

Yes, it is a lot quieter here.

Also, the Personal Finance forum here is actually very new! It just got released over the weekend, and made me a very happy person!

[Woofy]

Received the following update from an Amex/SPG rep:

********************************************

I am excited to let you know that we will waive the annual fee for the first year of membership for a limited time. We will offer this to those who have registered at the SPG promotion site and the Amex promotion site before the card launches. We are also offering this to all who will apply for the Card online at SPG.com once the application process begins. SPG Gold and Platinum members will also receive this offer through March 2011. Current SPG members will be contacted directly with this offer in the coming weeks.

I am also happy to confirm that the Card will offer a broad range of travel insurances such as Car Rental Theft and Damage Insurance, Travel Accident Insurance, and Flight & Baggage Delay Insurance. Details of these benefits and the limited time ‘first year free’ offer will be available on the SPG.com website in the coming weeks.

We realize that many prospective Cardmembers are anxious to apply for the new Card. Rest assured that we are working as quickly as we can to launch this great new product.

[travelgeek]

I was also invited to this event, but couldn't attend because I was in Australia.

I currently have the RBC Infinite Avion visa and like it because of the twice yearly 50% transfer to BA Executive Club promo (which are then redeemed for first/business class flights on Cathay Pacific).

Though with the first year's annual fee waived on this card, I might consider switching since I will likely hit the spending thresholds to take advantage of the tier bonuses. Then convert the points to aeroplan for flights.

[mulock]

I had the MBNA SPG Platinum Card, and when I learned they were phasing it out, I figured they would replace it with something less desirable. I let the card end, and then applied for the SmartCash Card (yes, MBNA still has it, but you have to jump a few hoops to get it) but now the SmartCash card is my daily credit card.

[travelgeek]

The link is up: http://www.americanexpress.com/canad...elaunch_spg_en

The bonus appears to be different in that you have to spend $1000 in the first three mths to qualify, but the bonus is 11000 instead of 10000.

Fine print: "Offer valid for applications received by American Express by May 31, 2010 through the links provided within this webpage and other select communications from SPG.com in conjunction with the RSVP code provided. This offer cannot be combined with any other offer. Account must be in good standing. To qualify for the 11,000 bonus Starpoints, you must have at least $1,000 in net purchases posted to your account on or before your three month anniversary date."

Don't forget to enter the RSVP code: 11000

One thing this card lacks is the travel trip cancellation/interruption insurances. With elderly relatives at home, this is a necessity for me. Unless Amex incorporates these insurances, might have to consider cancelling the card after a year as it doesn't make sense to pay two annual fees (the other to visa).

[sjweyman]

Hey Woofy!
Wow, are things ever a lot quieter here on the Amex SPG front!

LOL, JWL pops up wherever the Amex SPG is discussed. Too funny!

[richelleM]

great review Woofy!

Capital one has some of the best low interest credit cards Canada on the market. And the nice thing is you apply for them online.

If you carry a balance on a credit card, you can be a balance transfer and save yourself money

[travelgeek]

Capital one has some of the best low interest credit cards on the market. And the nice thing is you apply for them online.

If you carry a balance on a credit card, you can be a balance transfer and save yourself money

Once again, stop spamming the board with your link. People who apply for the SPG Amex want rewards and don't care about balance transfer or interest rates.

[Woofy]

Oh hey... I forgot to update this thread! Guess having a baby does "weird" things to you eh...

Travelgeek, just thought I'll let you know that you don't have to spend $3k to get the 11k bonus points... I got mine already, and have already transferred it to AA, since AA is having a 25% to 35% bonus miles event if you transfer eligible hotel points to AA by June 30!

I transferred over 75k (including the bonus SPG points) to my AA account, and AA will give me another 33k bonus points. I checked with AA before I do the transfer.

[ashedfc]

Why bother a interest rate. TRY to maintain a zero balance, & always pay your credit card bill at least 5days before the payment date (it takes some days for processing). You will maintain a good credit score, & once you get a good credit score, than apply for an unsecured line of credit.
Once you get the line of credit than , start paying all future unpaid balance (if any) from the line of credit (at a lower interest & interest only payments)