I called American Express because I was confused about something. Maybe it’s just me, but I always think my anniversary date with an AmEx card is the same as the expiration date ON my card. Ain’t so. We’re all getting these emails with the changes and updates spelled out for us. I paid particular attention to the Annual Free Night part. The benefit begins with renewal on or after August 1.
My card has the month of May as my card expiration date on it, so I thought I’m kinda caught in the renewal date twilight zone. I decided to call AmEx and see what, if anything, could be done about this.
In talking with the rep he understood my point but then he said, “Let me check something.” When he came back on the line he pointed out that my anniversary date is not the same as the date on my card, and in fact it was a few months earlier. He explained that the dates on the cards vary all the time depending on quite a few factors. Seems a bit confusing to me and reminded me that I need to check my spreadsheet and not my cards when thinking about renewal and anniversary dates. Always something to learn or at the very least be reminded of!
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And speaking of reminders, who knows when the last opportunity to buy SPG points will be. Right now they’re on sale, so if you have an account to top off, or, like many of us who just want to have as many SPG points as we can before the opportunity to buy them disappears, here’s where you can buy them. Are you topping off your SPG accounts? Any questions, let me know in the comments below.
One other good thing about this SPG AMEX is on your anniversary date after August 1, 2018, you will get 15 Elite Night Credits. For me personally, this means 45 elite night credits just from credit cards. Five more nights of actual stays and will get the new Marriott Platinum status (free breakfast).
– AMEX SPG Personal – 15 nights
– AMEX SPG Business – 15 nights
– Chase Marriott Card – 15 nights
Voilà!
Whoa, I wasn’t even thinking about this. I’m in the same boat……see you at the breakfast bar:)
KALBOZ —
I do not think you are correct. I believe the 15 nights begins in 2019. It specifically states that you will get the 15 nights before March 1. Inasmuch as March 1, 2018 has passed and the changes have not gone into effect, I think they will be awarding you the 15 nights some time in 2019.
You are correct – one important change to note is that the 15-night elite credits will no longer be stackable across multiple cards — you can only have one 15-night credit per member per year.
Thanks for the clarification. I’m new to the world of Marriott, but one way or another I’ll see you at the breakfast bar :)
@Shelli, see you at breakfast! :)
@HADLEY V. BAXENDALE – all is good here. I have the cake as I am Platinum Premier until March 1, 2020 … the CC 45 nights are just the icing on the cake!
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With respect to the “annual free night”. I see it has a cap of 35,000 points. Can you supplement with other points from your account to stay at a hotel requiring more points or is the 35,000 the absolute limit? Thx…
This is a great question, Doc. I’m not 100% certain but I have never seen certs where you can add points and bring the cert to a higher level. You might want to ask the Twitter team. If you find out that it is indeed possible, please let me know. I promise not to tell anyone else :)
Unfortunately, you cannot add points to a free night certificate to stay at a higher category hotel. Marriott / SPG do not want you to use these certificates at high end hotels.
Has anyone with an August renewal received the free night cert yet?
One Amex rep said they send it a month later. A super said it can take 8 to 12 weeks.
Free Night Award
Each year, after renewal of your Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card, you will receive one Free Night Award from Starwood Preferred Guest®. The Free Night Award can be redeemed for a one-night stay inclusive of room rate and applicable taxes at participating SPG® and Marriott Rewards® hotels with a redemption level at or under 35,000 points.
The Card Member may be responsible for payment of additional mandatory resort fees at properties where resort fees are applicable, and is responsible for all incidental charges. This benefit is only available to the Basic Card Member on the Card Account.
The Free Night Award will be automatically deposited into your loyalty member account within 8-12 weeks after your Card Account anniversary date in the form of an e-certificate. You will receive an email from SPG to the email address listed on your loyalty member account confirming that the Free Night Award e-certificate has been deposited into your loyalty member account. The email will also provide instructions on how to redeem your Free Night Award e-certificate. To redeem the Free Night Award e-certificate, you must log into your loyalty member account and apply the e-certificate during booking. The Free Night Award e-certificate will expire after 1 year from issuance. E-certificates may not be transferred, extended beyond the expiration date, or re-credited for points. To qualify for the Free Night Award, your account must be open and not in default at the time of the Free Night Award e-certificate issuance. Please visit spg.com/cert for a list of participating properties.
American Express is not responsible for fulfillment of Free Night Award e-certificate redemptions. Redemptions are subject to the terms and conditions of the loyalty program.
MH, Hopefully someone will chime in who has an August renewal AND received their cert.
Also curious on the same. Mine is coming up soon and hoping to cancel late enough to receive the certificate.
My annual fee was charged on 8/24/18. still have not received the free night cert
My annual fee was charged on 9/16/18 and I have not received it either.
My anniversary was 8/3/18. Charged on my 8/24 statement. I have not yet received the free night award. Chatted with Amex a couple weeks ago and they gave me the 8-12 week timeline mentioned in an earlier comment
Thanks for your data point, Mike. Let’s hope it’s not 12 weeks as that seems dreadfully slow.
My annual fee charged on 9/3. Still haven’t gotten the free night certificate.
My annual fee was charged in April 2018 (before the merger of SPG & Marriott points) and I don’t recall having any free night certificate in my spg account. In this case, who should I call? Amex or Marriott?? Thank you!
Good question, Patricia. People are reporting very slow results with getting their free night credited. I’d start with Amex, but maybe someone who has been through this process already can offer a better suggestion. I’ve not had to contact either Amex or Marriott yet.
Chatted with Amex, said perk wont start till Aug 2019….
Thanks for the update!