While reviewing my Starwood Business American Express card bill this month I saw the annual fee of $65 was charged to my credit card. I like this credit card because it helps me earn more Starwood points for cash and points and free hotel nights at Starwood hotels. This credit card also provides statement credits from shopping partners. Here is a link to all of the shopping partners and the savings associated for using this credit card with each partner. Open Partners
The only partner I have used this year is Hyatt. It seems strange to me that another hotel chain gives me a 3% statement credit for using the Starwood credit card for my charges. Since they offer the savings I jump right on it. When I purchase Hyatt stay certificates Link or stay at Hyatt properties in the U.S. I use my Starwood AMEX business card and save 3%.
Another benefit of this credit card is less stays or nights are need to qualify for Starwood status if you are a Starwood credit card holder. By having the card you are given credit for 2 stays or 5 nights toward obtaining status for the year. Right now I am one stay away of Platinum status for next year. Without the card it takes 25 stays or 50 nights to earn platinum status. Since my status is based on stays I needed 23 stays as a card holder. So far this year I have completed 22 stays at Starwood hotels. Of course most of my stays were during the Getaway free promotion helping me earn status for next year while earning free nights to use this year.
As you can see the Starwood Business American Express has a number of benefits that are valuable to me, but the $65 annual fee is still a big expense for a credit card. I called the number on the back of the card and told the representative that I like the card, but I was thinking about canceling because of the high annual fee. I was connected to another representative and offered a $25 statement credit. My hope was to be offered Starwood points, but the representative told me he only had this credit to offer me. I accepted since I believe I will get much more in value the than $40 from my Starwood Business American Express for the year.
Lots of the factors you talked about on this guide are accurate, and i agree with them. Concurrently there are actually a handful of that i have to argue with you on. Either way, I do recognize you creating this text.
And to be frank even the $65 is a low fee for this card. One free night and you’ve more than paid for it…and since you’re using the business card you get the discounts you mentioned.