The image shows a comparison between two American Express credit cards for referral rewards. On the left, there is a red "SPG Preferred Guest" card offering "5,000 Starpoints for each approved referral – up to 55,000 Starpoints per calendar year." On the right, there is a blue "Cash" card offering "50 Reward Dollars per approved referral – up to 550 Reward Dollars per calendar year." The text above the cards reads, "CHOOSE THE CARD YOU'D LIKE TO REFER."

American Express Refer-a-Friend Promotion: 5,000 Starwood Points and Other Offers

ByThe Miles Professor

I received an email yesterday announcing that the American Express Starwood card is offering 5,000 points to refer a friend for up to 55,000 total points. This was a promotion that American Express would regularly run in previous year, but it was discontinued last year. 5,000 Starwood points is quite valuable so I am glad to see it come back!

When I logged into my account, I had offers to refer friends to the Starwood Preferred Guest Card from American Express and the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express. It seems that offers are targeted and not all cards are eligible since I did not receive an offer for my American Express Hilton Surpass Card, for example.

Starwood Refer a Friend Promotion
Starwood Refer a Friend Promotion

Others also reported having offers for the American Express Premier Gold Rewards Card and the American Express Platinum Card.

The Starwood Preferred Guest Card from American Express is one of my favorite cards and I find Starwood points extremely valuable. I am always using them for my hotel stays and I have another five night stay coming up at Le Meridien Phuket in Thailand at the end of December, where I am using just 40,000 points for a full five night stay. I previously wrote about the best values for Starwood points in the Caribbean and Hawaii, two notoriously expensive vacation destinations. For additional reading, check out these posts:

The current offer is for 25,000 Starwood Preferred Guest points after spending $5,000 within 6 months of account opening. What this means is that a couple applying for the cards will essentially be able to receive 5,000 additional points if one applies first and refers the other. They can combine their points and have 65,000 points total.

You may only receive referral offers for cards you already have. That is, you must have the Starwood Card to be able to refer someone. Keep in mind, of course, that if you have friends with the card, check with them first in case as they can refer you and earn an extra 5,000 points.

How to Refer Friends

Personal Card Link for Referrals: Personal Card Referral

Business Card Link for Referrals:  Business Card Referral

To refer a friend, click on the link corresponding to the card you have. You will then be given your offers and you can choose which card you want to refer to. After that, you will enter the email addresses of your friends and each will receive an email with a personal referral link tracked to you. They must apply through your link and, if approved, you will be given the 5,000 points.

2 Comments

  1. Maybe I missed it but when does this offer end? I think I can get 11 referrals. :)

    I applied for this credit card 2 days ago and got accepted and so the the timing of this is beyond ridiculous.

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