Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express vs The Platinum Card® from American Express

Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card is an excellent rewards card for travelers looking for free hotel stays or airfare. How does it compare to American Express Platinum Card, an airline status charge card? Read our comparison chart below.

Keep in mind, the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card has a $65 annual fee (annual fee waived for first year), while the American Express Platinum Card has a $450 annual fee.

	Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express	The Platinum Card® from American Express
	Personal Credit Card	Personal Charge Card
	Starpoints® BONUS: 10K with your first purchase and another 15K when you spend $5k within 6 months – enough for up to 6 free nights at a category 1 or 2 hotel. Free nights, free flights: Redeem Starpoints with over 350 airlines through SPG Flights and more than 1,000 hotels and resorts worldwide. No blackout dates 2011 SmarterTravel® Award for "Best Travel Rewards Card" $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $65	25,000 Membership Rewards® points bonus when you spend $2,000 during your first three months of Card membership GLOBAL Travel benefits: Access over 600 lounges worldwide with Priority Pass™ Select, no foreign transaction fees, skip U.S. customs lines with Global Entry. Enroll and select an airline to receive up to $200 annually in statement credits for incidental fees such as checked bags, in–flight refreshments, and change fees.* Receive a companion ticket for discounted travel when you purchase a qualifying First- or Business-Class international ticket. Additional charges/taxes apply. 24/7 Platinum Card® Concierge service for assistance with reservations, travel, gifts, and more FINE HOTELS & RESORTS Program: exclusive upgrades and amenities at over 700 boutique, resort, and luxury hotels worldwide Use Membership Rewards Pay with Points for part or all of your travel and get 20% of
	Card Interest Rates & Fees
Purchases APR	as low as 15.24% to 19.24% (Variable) based on your creditworthiness and other factors
Balance Transfers APR	as low as 15.24% to 19.24% (Variable) based on your creditworthiness and other factors
Annual Fee	$65 annual fee, annual fee waived for first year	$450 annual fee
	Card Rewards & Benefits
Introductory Bonus Hotel Rewards	Introductory Bonus Hotel Rewards: Starpoints® Bonus: 10K with your first purchase and another 15K when you spend $5K within 6 months - enough for up to 6 free nights at a Category 1 or 2 hotel
Introductory Bonus Reward Points		Introductory Bonus Reward Points: 25,000 Membership Rewards® points when you spend $2,000 during your first three months of Card membership
Airline Rewards	Airline Rewards: Redeem Starpoints for SPG Award flights on over 350 airlines -- all without blackout dates. Transfer Starpoints to more than 30 airline frequent flyer programs, mostly on a one-to-one basis.	Airline Rewards: Enroll and select an airline to receive up to $200 annually in statement credits for incidental fees such as checked bags, in–flight refreshments, and change fees.*
Hotel Rewards	Hotel Rewards: Get 1 Starpoint for every eligible dollar spent. Receive up to 5 Starpoints for every eligible dollar spent at Starwood hotels and resorts.
Point Rewards		Point Rewards: Earn 1 point for virtually every dollar spent.
Travel Rewards		Travel Rewards: Use Membership Rewards Pay with Points for part or all of your travel and get 20% of those points back every time.
Bonus Airline Rewards	Bonus Airline Rewards: Receive a 5,000 Starpoint Bonus when you transfer 20,000 Starpoints to a frequent flyer program.
Airline Status		Airline Status: Airport Club Access including American Airlines Admirals Club, Delta Sky Club, US Airways Club - Gain instant access for you and 2 companions whenever you fly at partner airport lounges around the world. In addition to your existing lounge privileges, you have access to Priority Pass™ Select, which offers entry to more than 600 participating airport lounges worldwide, no matter what class or airline you fly. Enroll on American Express website to receive your complimentary Priority Pass Select membership card.
Hotel Status	Hotel Status: Earn SPG Gold Status by spending $30,000 or more on your Card in a calendar year. Receive credit for 5 nights toward SPG elite status each year. Enjoy your third night free at participating Sheraton hotels and resorts.
	Go to issuer's official application, terms, and details	Go to issuer's official application, terms, and details
	CreditDonkey® Card Reviews
Pros & Cons	Pros: Earn bonus points upon first purchase Flexible transfer to airlines miles Cons: $65 annual fee	Pros: Travel perks 25,000 bonus points Concierge service Cons: $450 annual fee
Bottom Line	Excellent rewards card for travelers looking for free hotel stays or airfare... Read full review	Excellent charge card for frequent travelers... Read full review
See issuer's website for details including terms and conditions. While reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate and updated information, the information shown on this site may vary, be out of date, or not applicable to you. All information is provided without warranty. When you click on the Apply Now button, you can review the terms and conditions on the issuer's website. Blank fields indicate either the information is not available, not applicable, or not known to CreditDonkey. Please visit the issuer's website for details. Disclaimer: This content is not provided or commissioned by American Express. Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of American Express, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by American Express. This site may be compensated through American Express Affiliate Program.

Articles on Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express

AMEX Starwood Review: Versatile Hotel and Airline Rewards
December 16, 2011 - By David R - Review for Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card
A CreditDonkey.com editors’ favorite, the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card offers exceptional travel rewards and top-notch American Express customer service for a reasonable annual fee. The generous sign-up bonuses and 1:1 point transfer to ...

Disclaimer: This content is not provided or commissioned by American Express. Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of American Express, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by American Express. This site may be compensated through American Express Affiliate Program.

Articles on The Platinum Card® from American Express

American Express Platinum Card Review: Annual Fee Worth It?
January 13, 2012 - By David R - Review for American Express Platinum Card
The American Express Platinum Card is one of the most prestigious rewards cards in the market today. It is also one of the most expensive cards, with an annual fee of $450. In exchange for the high annual fee, the Platinum Card offers a number ...

Disclaimer: This content is not provided or commissioned by American Express. Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of American Express, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by American Express. This site may be compensated through American Express Affiliate Program.

Compare Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card to:

Marriott Rewards® Credit Card Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after your first use, redeemable for up to 4 free nights; plus receive 2 free night stay e-certificates upon account approval, that's enough for up to 6 free nights at a category 1 hotel No Annual fee for your first year that's a $45 value* Earn 3 points for every $1 spent at Marriott® locations Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on other purchases Cardmembers achieve Silver elite status with 10 nights credit toward Elite status Redeem Marriott Rewards® points at Marriott properties including Renaissance Hotels, Courtyard, Residence Inn, and Fairfield Inn & Suites Intro APR for Purchases Intro APR for Balance Transfer APR as low as Annual Fee - - 14.24% (Variable) $45

Citi® Hilton HHonors Visa Signature® Card Earn 40,000 Hilton HHonors Bonus Points after spending $1,000 within 4 months of account opening* Earn 6 HHonors Bonus Points for each $1 spent at a participating hotel within the Hilton Worldwide portfolio.* Earn 3 HHonors Bonus Points for each $1 spent on purchases at supermarkets, drugstores and gas stations.* Earn 2 HHonors Bonus Points for each $1 spent on all other purchases.* No annual fee.* Intro APR for Purchases Intro APR for Balance Transfer APR as low as Annual Fee - - 14.24% - 16.24% (Variable) $0

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American Express® Gold Card Exclusive access to Gold Card Events – select concerts, shows, major sporting events, and more. Purchase Protection* can protect eligible items for up to 90 days from the date of purchase if stolen or accidentally damaged. *Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company Redeem Membership Rewards® points for an exclusive array of travel, shopping, dining and entertainment rewards. Introductory annual fee of $0 for the first year, then $125. Get a decision in as little as 60 seconds. Intro APR for Purchases Intro APR for Balance Transfer APR as low as Annual Fee - - N/A $125

Chase Sapphire Preferred℠ Card Earn 40,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months - that's $500 toward travel rewards! 2 points per dollar spent on travel and at restaurants & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases. Get 20% off airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises when you book through Ultimate Rewards(SM) No foreign transaction fees Receive a 7% annual dividend on all new points earned - even on points already redeemed 1:1 point transfer to participating frequent travel programs Direct access to expert service advisors anytime No Annual Fee for your first year - A $95 value Intro APR for Purchases Intro APR for Balance Transfer APR as low as Annual Fee - - 15.24% (Variable) $95

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