NEW YORK American Express Co. has introduced a cobranded credit card with Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc. that lets guests earn loyalty points toward hotel stays and air miles.
The Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express combines elements of the hotel chains rewards programs with the card companys benefits features. Cardholders will earn Starpoints for all the dollars they charge on the card and will be able to trade them in for a variety of room upgrades, free stays, and frequent-flier points at 29 airlines. The card has no annual fee for the first year but costs $30 a year after that.
Starwood has 700 hotels in 80 countries, including such properties as Sheraton, Westin, St. Regis, and the Luxury Collection.
Many consumers are looking for more and faster ways to earn points toward their favorite travel reward, said Richard Quigley, vice president of cobrand portfolios at American Express. The Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card allows cardmembers to earn Starpoints for all their spending, with bonuses for Starwood stays. More importantly, cardmembers can redeem for great travel rewards at easily attainable point levels.
