I've been an American Express member since 2005. If you've been around me since then, you will notice that I almost always pay with an American Express card. Last August and early September, American Express was running a promo for the Starwood Preferred Guest branded card. You would get 10,000 Starwood points after you first used the card, and an additional 20,000 points if you spent $5000 within 6 months. This was all over the travel blogosphere, the American Express website, and American Express emails. I was late to the game. I signed up when they were offering their more standard promo, 10,000 points for using the card, and 15,000 points if you spent $5000 within 6 months.
If I were to purchase these points directly from Starwood right now, it would cost me $393.75 with the current 25% off sale. If you redeemed them for a room, they would be roughly the same value.
Let me recap: If you signed up this card online in September 2012, you were either eligible for a total bonus of 30,000 Starpoints (if you signed up before September 4) or a total bonus of 25,0000 Starpoints (if you signed up after September 4). There were no promo codes. Here's what you would have seen when you went to the American Express website:
If I were to purchase these points directly from Starwood right now, it would cost me $393.75 with the current 25% off sale. If you redeemed them for a room, they would be roughly the same value.
Let me recap: If you signed up this card online in September 2012, you were either eligible for a total bonus of 30,000 Starpoints (if you signed up before September 4) or a total bonus of 25,0000 Starpoints (if you signed up after September 4). There were no promo codes. Here's what you would have seen when you went to the American Express website:
I got the card. I kept track of my spending the moment I began using the card. I had no issue with the 10,000 Star points being deposited to my account. I reached the $5000 spending threshold in January. At that time, I asked American Express how long it would take my 15,000 points. They said between 8-12 weeks. 2 months had passed and I began getting a little antsy, so I began researching it on the FlyerTalk forum. I found out a lot of people are getting the shaft on this 15,000 point bonus. I contacted American Express three different times through email. Here is their last response:
I understand their position, but their position is wrong. They have a history of not linking the correct promotions to accounts. There were no other promotions available at the time I signed up but the one I have the screenshot for. I called American Express after receiving this response. The gentleman said my issue has been sent to research by their marketing team. It could take 4 to 5 weeks to get a response. I'm holding on to hope that my situation can be remedied correctly. It has been suggested to me that I cancel my card. I'm gong to be patient, but it is possible that I may eventually end my 8 year relationship with American Express over this matter. For the record, everyone at American Express that I have contacted has been very polite.
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