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