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Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express vs Marriott Rewards® Credit Card

Compare Rewards, Interest Rates, Fees, and Benefits

Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card is an excellent rewards card for travelers looking for free hotel stays or airfare. How does it compare to Marriott Rewards Credit Card from Chase? Read our comparison chart below.

Keep in mind, the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card has a $65 annual fee, while the Marriott Rewards Credit Card has a $45 annual fee. Both cards' annual fees are waived for the first year.


 Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American ExpressMarriott Rewards® Credit Card
 Apply for Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American ExpressApply for Marriott Rewards® Credit Card
 

Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express

Marriott Rewards® Credit Card

 

Credit Card Summary

 
Introductory Bonus Hotel RewardsAirline RewardsHotel RewardsBonus Airline RewardsInstant Approval
Introductory Bonus Hotel RewardsHotel RewardsBonus Hotel RewardsNo Limits on 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.
  • 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
  • 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
 

Credit Card Interest Rates & Fees

Purchases APRas low as 15.24% to 19.24% (Variable) based on your creditworthiness and other factorsas low as 14.24% (Variable) based on your creditworthiness and other factors
Balance Transfers APRas low as 15.24% to 19.24% (Variable) based on your creditworthiness and other factorsas low as 14.24% (Variable) based on your creditworthiness and other factors
Annual Fee$65 annual fee, annual fee waived for first year$45 annual fee, annual fee waived for first year
 

Credit Card Rewards & Benefits

Introductory Bonus Hotel RewardsIntroductory 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 hotelIntroductory Bonus Hotel Rewards: 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 up to 6 free nights at a category 1 hotel
Airline RewardsAirline 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. 
Hotel RewardsHotel Rewards: Get 1 Starpoint for every eligible dollar spent. Receive up to 5 Starpoints for every eligible dollar spent at Starwood hotels and resorts.Hotel Rewards: Earn 3 points for every $1 spent at Marriott locations
Bonus Airline RewardsBonus Airline Rewards: Receive a 5,000 Starpoint Bonus when you transfer 20,000 Starpoints to a frequent flyer program. 
Bonus Hotel Rewards Bonus Hotel Rewards: 10 nights credit toward your next Elite membership level every year
Hotel StatusHotel 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.Hotel Status: Cardmembers achieve Silver elite status with 10 nights credit toward Elite status
 Go to issuer's official application, terms, and detailsGo to issuer's official application, terms, and details
 

CreditDonkey® Credit Card Reviews

 Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American ExpressMarriott Rewards® Credit Card
Pros & ConsPros:
  • Earn bonus points upon first purchase
  • Flexible transfer to airlines miles
Cons:
  • $65 annual fee
Pros:
  • 30,000 bonus points
  • Up to 6 free nights
  • 10 nights credit toward Elite
Cons:
  • $45 annual fee
Bottom LineExcellent rewards card for travelers looking for free hotel stays or airfare... Read full reviewGood rewards card for travelers who enjoy the Marriott chain... Read full review
 Apply for Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American ExpressApply for Marriott Rewards® Credit Card

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.

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


Articles on Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express

    AMEX Starwood Review: Versatile Hotel and Airline Rewards

    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 Marriott Rewards® Credit Card

    Marriott Rewards Credit Card Review: Up to 6 Free Nights

    Marriott Rewards Credit Card Review: Up to 6 Free Nights

    January 28, 2012 - By David R - Review for Marriott Rewards Credit Card
    Earn bonus points on your purchases toward free nights at the Marriott chain of hotels. The Marriott Rewards Credit Card helps you achieve Elite status at Marriott.

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


Compare Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card to:

Citi® Hilton HHonors Visa Signature® Card
Apply for 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.*
Introductory Bonus Hotel RewardsHotel RewardsDrugstore RewardsGas RewardsGrocery RewardsNo Expiration on RewardsNo Limits on RewardsNo Pre-Set Spending LimitConcierge Car Rental InsurancePurchase ProtectionTravel Accident Insurance$0 Fraud LiabilityEmergency AssistanceIdentity Theft Assistance
Intro APR for PurchasesIntro APR for Balance TransferAPR as low asAnnual Fee
--
14.24% - 16.24% (Variable)
$0

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