Membership DOES have it's priviledges

We use the Starwood American Express card for our own personal expenditures and love it. It's the most flexible and valuable loyalty program on the market that we've found.

For example, you can export points on a 1-to-1 basis to about 30 different airlines, making it the most flexible airline miles card you can carry. What's more, Amex will give you a BONUS 5,000 miles free whenever you export 20,000 miles to any airline -- each and every time.

There's a bunch of other neat benefits of this American Express credit card.

But recently, we've thought about applying for another card - either a Platinum Amex or a Business Gold American Express card because of their unique benefits -- for example, membership in various airline airport clubs for free, or free upgrades or free concierge services.

One of the BIG DRAWS of the Platinum Card is their FREE Companion Airfare program - Just purchase a full-fare First-Class or Business-Class International Airline ticket through Platinum Travel Service and you'll receive one complimentary ticket with the same itinerary as your own. Travel as often as you like between now and December 31, 2008 — there's no limit to the number of times you can receive a complimentary ticket. With the Domestic Companion Airfare Program, you can bring a companion with you on U.S. flights-anywhere in the U.S., on six major U.S. carriers. Purchase a domestic coach airfare for yourself from $299 with your Platinum Card^® on Delta, Continental, JetBlue, SouthWest or Frontier Airlines and your companion receives complimentary airfare. You can request up to four complimentary companion airfares per year.

The fact that you basically get a free round-trip ticket in the first year with the promotion and then free airline tickets for each and every other ticket you buy domestic or internationally, makes up for the annual fee. . .

*Earn 25,000 Membership Rewards® bonus points when you spend $1,000 - Redeemable for one free round-trip domestic airline ticket! * No Pre-set Spending Limit * 24-hour access to Concierge service for the finest experiences in dining, entertainment, and luxury *Fine Hotels & Resorts Program — exclusive amenities at boutique, resort, and luxury hotels around the world *By Invitation Only® Events — access to exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime events * Complimentary Airport Club Access

? Earn up to 40,000 bonus points in one year - enough for one domestic round-trip airline ticket plus other business supplies. ? Points have no expiration date ? No limit to the number of Membership Rewards® points you can earn ? No annual fee for the first year - a savings of $125 ? Save 3-25% on business purchases at companies like FedEx®, Delta®, Hertz®, and more. ? Redeem points for top-tier rewards including travel, merchandise, office equipment, and gift cards for you or your employees