I Don't Need $1. I Want the Free Hotel Stay! : Sheraton Starpoints
Written: Apr 06 '01
|
Product Rating:
|
|
| Customer Service: |
 |
|
| Web Site Experience: |
 |
|
|
Pros: Very nice point program. First $1000 qualifies you one night free stay.
Cons: American Express isn't widely accepted yet.
The Bottom Line: Why do you spend hours and hours to save a few dollars with cash back reward cards? Here is the better way to enjoy your life.
|
|
|
| uribou's Full Review: Sheraton Starpoints (American Express) |
bottom line
These days, consumers are not easily satisfied with the simple credit card. They want some rewards (or points) accumulating along with the credit. Many of them jump onto the cash reward cards such as Discover, Citibank Dividend Card, and American Express Cash Rebate Card.
Those cash back cards are fine. But there are two major problems. One is the acceptance of the cards. The other is cash back rate. If you are spending too much time on getting small amount of cash back rewards, why don't you seek the better deal with other types of rewards such as free hotel stay?
The Sheraton Starpoints card by American Express will be one option, if your neighbors take American Express.
PRODUCT FEATURES
The benefits from carrying this card are divided into two categories. One is by American Express. The other is by Sheraton Starpoints group. Let me explain separately.
benefits from American Express
http://americanexpress.com
* fee free
* 8.9% introductory APR (6 months)
* Grade period up to 20 days
* Prime rate + 9.99% thereafter
* fee-free additional card
* fee-free balance transfer
* online access (check bills, make payments)
* buyer's assurance (extended warranty period)
* online fraud protection guarantee
* purchase protection plan (free replacement in case of accidental damage)
* emergency card replacement
* express cash (cash advance)
* travel accident insurance (up to $100.000)
* car rental loss/damage insurance
This part is not very outstanding as an American Express card. The APR is high, and the grace period is short. However, if you are a frequent traveler, the travel accident insurance is very helpful.
Since this is not the high class card among the American Express card, you cannot expect them to charter a jet to save you. But there are a lot of people who end up with a large bill due to the accident aboard. Considering this card comes free of charge, this one is worth noting.
Also, notice that the online fraud protection is very nice, if you are an online shopper.
benefits from Sheraton Starpoints
http://www.preferredguest.com
* One year free membership for Starwood Gold Preferred membership.
* 1000 Starpoints when you use the card for the first time
* 1 Starpoint per eligible dollar charged to the card
* 3 "additional" Starpoints per dollar charged through the Starwood (Sheraton) group
* 1-1 exchange rate for major airline flyer's program.
The initial 1000 point bonus is a big plus. Compared to other hotel groups, Starwood (Sheraton) group is setting the lower points required to a free stay. The minimum requirement for the one night free stay starts from 2000 points. Thus with the initial bonus, if you spend $1000, you are qualified for a free night, which is very nice.
The benefit doesn't end here. If you pay to Starwood group at any location, they "add" 3 points, which makes 4 point in total. So, with a simple calculation, assuming the one night stay at Sheraton costs $250, you are qualified for one free night, if you stay for two nights. (2 nights cost you $500. And $500 at Starwood group rewards you 2000 points.)
Note that 2000 points are not enough for all the hotels. Starwood group categories the hotels into 6 groups. 2000 points are enough for category 1. For the category 6, you need 14,000-20.000 points.
Also note that Starwood group often offers the promotional discount package for the members. If you are planning to stay at Sheraton, check their web site frequently to find the best offer.
The 1-1 point exchange rate with the frequent flyer's program is also good. Since the Starpoint doesn't expire, you can always transfer the point to your frequent flyer's program whenever it's necessary. Another good point is that if you transfer 20.000 Starpoint to the frequent flyer's program, Starwood group adds 5000 bonus points, which is the 25% bonus.
One thing to be noted is that the Gold class membership is valid only for the first year. If you want to stay at the gold level, you need to record 10 eligible stays or 25 eligible nights. Otherwise, the membership level grades down to the simple preferred level.
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
The customer support by Starwood group is fine, though we cannot expect very swift service. (Of course, the room reservation is the exception.) They are polite and nicely keeping the first class hotel's customer support.
As for American Express, the web site is okay. It is very easy to use, and you can navigate intuitively, except for the front page. Once you set up the personal page, you are all set. It's less likely to make a call to the customer support, unless you are in an emergent situation.
However, since this card is categorized as Optima card, you cannot expect the superb personal assistance with this card as I stated above. I personally had two extreme cases with American Express. My reviews are at the URL:
http://nyscramble.epinions.com/content_12885790340
AMEX Centurion: Extreme Travel Benefits with This Dream Card
http://nyscramble.epinions.com/content_8512310916
AMEX Optima Card : My Credit Horror Story with This Entry Level Card
OVERALL
If you are a frequent traveler, or if you love to enjoy the next vacation at one of the first class hotel, the Sheraton Starpoints card by American Express will be a great choice for you.
There are a lot of reward cards. But their rewards don't worth spending too much time. Even with the great flat 2% cash back, the first $1000 gives you only $20. But with Sheraton Starpoints cards, you earn one free hotel stay, which monetary value is minimum $150.
So far, so good. But there is two big cons with this card.
The first part is the American Express' customer support. I have been carrying this card only for a few months, and I didn't have any serious problems. But since this is the lowest level card, they don't treat you as a highly qualified customer.
Moreover, even though it is getting better, American Express is still not widely accepted. If you can't use the card, you can't accumulate the points.
Thus, because of these reasons, I don't strongly recommend this card. Instead, if you love to earn the free hotel stay or the free vacation, I recommend you to check the Marriott Reward Visa. Though this card is issued by notorious First USA, it is a VISA card. I have been happy with the Marriott Reward Visa card. My review on this card is at the URL:
http://nyscramble.epinions.com/content_6734712452
Marriott Rewards Visa : I Don't Want Money Any More!
Recommended:
No
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
uribou
|
 - Top 500 |
|
Reviews written: 129
Trusted by: 136 members
About Me:
Sushi party with Japanese girls?
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.