Thanks OP for all these detailed info!

StarHusker said:bugpowder said:Link goes to paypal.
Because OP used a http tag for a https link.

fixed... sorry

Does anyone know how many days it takes to transfer the starwood points into one of those mileage programs?

TheGrayMan said:FFGuru said:
* Double Points for paying off your taxes Thru April 17Don't overlook the 2.49% "convenience" fee charged by the payment service provider. That negates most, if not all, of the benefit of double points.

Good point, TheGrayMan, thus the "double points for taxes" may not qualify to be a "striking feature" of this card (highlighted in thread title).

76hhma said:ss315 said:Great thread.

I have had my SPG card for 5 years. I was able to get the $30 fee waived the first 3 years. THey would not waive the 4th year, but as others have pointed out, it is well worth the $30.

Did you threaten to cancel for the first three years?

OK, I tried (this is my second year) to get my annual fee ($30) waived today. After some conversation with the retention dept., I got a statement credit for $15; FYI. ss315 must be very good at negotiating to have annual fee waived for three years.

This card has a bunch of nice features like BVG and free extra warranty time (matching up to a year). Great for that new De11 600m lappy...

As snipped from AMEX's web site [My notes are in italics]:

Buyer's Assurance [Double a 1 yr warranty]
With the Buyer's Assurance Plan, you can shop worry-free knowing that the terms of the original manufacturer's warranty will be matched up to one additional year, on warranties of five years or less that are eligible in the U.S.

Online Fraud Protection Guarantee
Use the American Express Card online, and you won't be responsible for any fraudulent charges. Period. No fine print, no deductible - just pure protection, so you can shop with confidence anywhere on the Internet.

Purchase Protection Plan
Shop with confidence and the Purchase Protection Plan, which protects eligible purchases made with the Card against accidental damage and theft for up to 90 days from the date of purchase.

Return Protection
If you try to return a designated item within 90 days from the date of purchase and the merchant won't take it back, American Express will refund the full purchase price, up to $300 per item, excluding shipping and handling.

Best Value Guarantee [ a.k.a. BVG, necessary on some FW deals ]
Getting the lowest price is easy. If you see an identical covered item advertised in print at a lower price than you paid, within 60 days of the purchase date, we will reimburse you for the difference, up to $250 per item excluding taxes, shipping and handling, and up to $1,000 annually per Card Account. For more details, or to file a claim, call 1-800-557-8317.

FFGuru said:Rewards- Hotel points (3/$ @ Starwood, 1/$ elsewhere) or Real Airline Miles (up to 1.25/$)

This is good card, but this statement is not very accurate, this card is flat 1 point/dollar card. the extra 2 points when staying at Starwood is coming from SPG program, you will get it if you are SPG member and use whatever card.

Cbass98 said:I think someone else mentioned this in the thread, but if you want to get the additional 6K pts, you may not need to stay at the hotel. You can try to buy a Coke at the cafe or something. As long as the charge comes from "Starwoods" and not "Tom's Diner," you may be able to get the 1K bonus. Some guys on Flyertalk have had this happen (seems like a 50/50 shot). Doesn't hurt to try.

This may work, but it is a big YMMV. Basically if the hotel hotel restaurant bill can be charged to your room (no you don't have to be staying there) it may work. Some Starwoods retaurants are independent of the hotel they are in. Kinda like McDonalds in Wally World...

cryptopunk said:they only gotcha is that AMEX puts a foreign currency conversion surcharge onto each charge (2%). if you can apply for a card issued in the country you'll be in, then i'd recommend going that routeOr just use any Capital One CC.

DBTZ said:this card is GREAAAAAAAAAT......
you can get upgraded to gold for free, (there was a thread abt this on FW)

I remember that thread too, but I can't seem to find it anywhere. Do you remember where you saw it? I know you can get upgraded to Gold automatically by joining Ameniti (United Airlines' premier travel club) That may be an option, and when combined with the free companion travel, it may make it worth the steep Ameniti membership. For more info on Ameniti click here. Have they stopped giving out tremendous bonus miles for signing up?

How else can one upgrade to Starwood gold for the free upgrades?