This is another targeted offer for select Starwood Amex cardholders, distinct from the concurrent Starwood Amex promotion running from April 15, 2007 to June 15, 2007.

This promotion runs from May 15, 2007 to June 15, 2007 and is good for up to a maximum bonus of 7,500 Starpoints. You can check if you are eligible by using the following links:

• americanexpress.com/starpoints3: up to 25% bonus
• americanexpress.com/starpoints4: up to 40% bonus
• americanexpress.com/starpoints5: up to 15% bonus
• americanexpress.com/starpoints6: up to 25% bonus

You must enroll by June 15, 2007 to receive the bonus.

Per FT, there’s another bonus promo Amex is running from April 15, 2007 to June 15, 2007. This particular offer is for select Starwood Preferred Guest credit card holders.

You’ll earn a 25% Starpoint bonus on all purchases made during the promo period on your SPG Amex. If you are eligible, you can enroll by visiting http://www.americanexpress.com/starwoodbonus1 or calling 1-800-794-1308 and entering promo code 086650001.

If you were a Delta SkyMiles Credit Card holder solicited for this offer, you can enroll online by entering the RSVP code found printed inside your mailing at http://www.americanexpress.com/delta2x. Or you can enroll by phone, by calling 1-800-794-1308 and entering code 086450001.

You’ll earn double miles on eligible spending posted to your account between April 15 and June 15, 2007. You must register for this promotion by June 15, 2007. See full terms and conditions on Amex’s site.

If you have a Starwood Amex, you’ll want to be aware of the upcoming changes to the Starwood Preferred Guest program, as they can significantly impact your plans to redeem your Starpoints.

While the changes don’t amount to a 25% devaluation as originally speculated, Starwood is introducing a new top tier of hotel awards, Category 7 hotels, that require 30,000 Starpoints per night in low season and 35,000 Starpoints per night in high season. In cases where there are only suite awards available at a given property, the minimum cost will be 60,000 Starpoints per night in low season and 70,000 Starpoints per night in high season; however, depending upon the type and configuration of the suite, it could run even higher in a few instances. This new category is currently confined to only the priciest of Starwood’s properties:

• St. Regis, New York
• Sunset Key Cottages, Florida
• W Retreat, Maldives
• Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa, French Polynesia
• St. Regis Bora Bora Resort & Spa, French Polynesia
• Hotel Gritti Palace, Venice
• Hotel Cala di Volpe, Sardinia
• Hotel Romazzino, Sardinia
• Hotel Pitrizza, Sardinia

This new category is due to be put into effect in February. At the same time, Starwood will also be re-evaluating the category placements for all hotels, and we have been forewarned that there will be many hotels that will increase in redemption cost. Anyone with travel plans would be well advised to book their award stays before February to lock in the 2006 redemption levels. Note that you can book your award stays up to 18 months in advance of your arrival.

Another recent change, effective this year, is that it now takes two Starpoints instead of one, to get a Continental mile. Apparently, Chase/Continental was tired of people choosing the SPG Amex instead of their Chase Continental card, and essentially forced this change to remove that temptation. As other airlines’ contracts with Starwood come up for renewal in the near year or two, it’s not unreasonable to expect similar devaluations to come.

The bottom line is that while the SPG Amex still appears to be a worthwhile card, like every points-based program, it needs careful watching, as the value of your points can be easily diluted over time.

Related links:

• Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card Application