Credit Cards

The SPG Cards Are Back to Realistic Bonuses

SPG points for the Southwest Companion Pass
Written by Charlie

The terrible 2 free night offers have gone and the 25K SPG bonuses are back. If you want SPG points for hotels, airlines, Marriotts, SPG Moments – those points area available again.

When the American Express SPG cards changed bonuses last month, there was a lot of worry that this transition to 2 free nights (at Category 1-5 properties) was the prelude to something that would take away the precious point bonuses. But, have no fear – the 25K SPG bonuses are back once again.

The 25K SPG Bonuses Are Back

At the time the 2 free night offers were released, I said this in this post – “All in all, unless you were dying to stay at a Category 5 that costs 16,000 points per night, I would completely pass on this and hope the regular points offer comes out again when this one expires October 19. Remember, you can only get 1 bonus per lifetime per card so this is one I would completely pass on.”

The 25K SPG Bonuses

25K SPG Bonuses

Personal Card

  • Spend $3,000 in 3 months
  • Receive 25,000 SPG points
  • Annual fee of $95 waived the first year
  • Link

Business Card

  • Spend $5,000 in 3 months
  • Receive 25,000 SPG points
  • Annual fee of $95 waived the first year
  • Link

False Photo Hope with Old Offer

Fortunately, the 25K offers are back again. The 2 free night offer was so bad that even American Express tried to put a positive (but false) spin on it. I was actually quite frustrated with them because they left the same beautiful photo on the background of the application, highlighting one of their properties.

25K SPG Bonuses

Advertising 2 Free Nights – while showing a place that is unbookable with those free nights

Except it was the Maldives W which is a Category 7 and is completely unbookable under the previous 2 free night bonuses. Sometimes people look and apply (which is why companies use the photos in the first place) and I thought that was a really bad move to make – advertising through a photo a gorgeous property that you could not even stay in with the bonus. And yet, companies like American Express worry about bloggers and keeping us in compliance with how we speak of offers…

Back, But Should You Apply?

Anyway, it is good to have the 25K offers back again! I still would hold off if you have not already had one of the cards as I would imagine American Express may try one final push to get people to apply before SPG would likely go over to Chase to join the Marriott family. But, if you want the points now (especially to take advantage of things like the 1:3 conversion ratio to Marriott), the regular offers are back and you can go for them!

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About the author

Charlie

Charlie has been an avid traveler and runner for many years. He has run in marathons around the world for less than it would cost to travel to the next town - all as a result of collecting and using miles and points. Over the years, he has flown hundreds of thousands of miles and collected millions of miles and points.
Now he uses this experience and knowledge to help others through Running with Miles.

1 Comment

  • you would think that if they really want to get people to sign up in one last push that they would eliminate the one-bonus-per-lifetime in the final months