30,000 Starpoints bonus offer from the AMEX SPG credit card is back!

The American Express Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) credit card sign up bonus has been increased to 30,000 Starpoints after spending $3,000 within the first 3 months of card approval.  The Business SPG card has the same 30,000 Starpoints bonus after spending $5,000 within the first 3 months.  Those that keep track of credit card bonuses know that this 30,000 Starpoints bonus only comes around once per year.  The standard sign up bonus is 25,000 points.

New benefits and changes to the SPG card
The first thing I noticed about this card was that they upgraded the design to a bright purple card.  I actually like the improved look of the card, as I felt like the previous design was quite ugly.  The most important usable benefit is that this card no longer charges any foreign transaction fees on international purchases, a feature that should have been added a long time ago. 

Another new benefit of the SPG card is that it now offers better Wi-Fi options.  You now get free in-room premium Internet access with hotel booking.  Those who want to stay connected online while traveling can now get complimentary unlimited Boingo Wi-Fi on up to four devices at Boingo hotspots worldwide. 

The biggest downside of the new SPG card is that there is now a $95 annual fee, up from $65.  The fee is waived the first year and the bonus points are worth the sign up.  We keep a personal SPG card and pay the annual fee yearly (when they won't waive it).

Value of Starpoints
Starpoints are one of the most valuable point currencies out there.  They can be used for both hotel stay as well as airline flights.  Most frequent flyers value Starpoints at a minimum of 1.5 cents per point up to 4 cents per point.  This makes the 30,000 Starpoints sign up bonus worth anywhere from $450 to $1,200! 

SPG Hotel brands include the St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, W Hotels, Le Meridien, Westin, Sheraton, Aloft, Element Hotels, Four Points by Sheraton and Tribute.  There are over 1,100 participating hotels in nearly 100 countries.  We’ve used our SPG points for free stays in Seoul (Korea), Tokyo (Japan), Miami, San Francisco, and Las Vegas. 

SPG points can be transferred to over 30 major airlines, most at a ratio of 1 point to 1 mile.  Participating airlines include: Aeroplan, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, China Eastern, China Southern, Delta, Hawaiian, US Airways, United, Virgin Atlantic, and more.  When you transfer 20,000 Starpoints, you get a 5,000-mile bonus.  This means transferring 20,000 Starpoints usually gives you 25,000 airline miles. 

This offer ends 9/14/15.  The welcome bonus offer on the personal SPG card is only available once to applicants who have or have had this product.  The business SPG card can be churned.  As with all American Express credit cards, you get excellent customer service, extended warranty protection, purchase protection, and return protection on all purchases made with your credit card.

You can apply for the personal card here. 
You can apply for the business card here.

You can read about what I wrote regarding the 30,000 Starpoints bonus offer last year here.