Today is the last day to apply for The Starwood American Express card. This used to be my hands down a favorite credit card. I have a personal card and the business version. The only reason I didn't jump on the new luxury card is that I wanted to apply for two Chase Southwest credit cards and it would mess up my 5/24.
But since the merger of Starwood and Marriott last August, this card has lost its luster for me. The points were devalued and the business version lost the perk of free club access in hotels.
BUT there is one perk left that still causes me to recommend this card for those looking to fly FREE. Starwood (soon to be Bonvoy) points can be converted to dozens of airlines at a 3:1 ratio plus a bonus of 15,000 points per 60,000 points transferred.
So, for example, if you have 60,000 Starwood points, you can transfer them to American Airlines and get 25,000 Advantage miles.
So you have until February 12th to apply for this card and then it will be closed forever to new applications. Right now, you can search the web for offers of a 75,000 point bonus for $3,000 minimum spend. It's a good bonus offer on its own and it doesn't stop you from earning other bonuses in the future since it will be a discontinued product. The official American Express application page is not currently showing the 75,000 offer so I would call American Express before you apply. I would also screenshot along the way so if you have to argue to get the bonus, you will have some proof.
The annual fee is waived the first year, it will be $95 the second year and $125 the third year. It also comes with an annual night hotel certificate up to 35,000 points, and 6x points on spend at Marriott hotels.
Once this card is discontinued, all Marriott cards will be issued by Chase so if you are over on 5/24, you might want to hop on this.
Remember, last day to apply is February 12th.