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
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.
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!
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