• by Tanya Gazdik , January 18, 2010

Starwood Hotels & Resorts and American Express are extending their relationship to Canada and will issue co-branded credit cards.

The two companies will launch the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express and the Starwood Preferred Guest Business Card from American Express, set for release in the first quarter of 2010. These two new cards will provide members in Canada the fastest way to earn Starpoints toward free hotel nights as well as free flights.

Full product details will be available in the coming months, but the two companies reveal that it will come with a significantly accelerated points earning feature. For the first time in Canada, cardmembers will earn one Starpoint for every $1 charged to the card. In addition, cardmembers can earn a bonus of 10,000 Starpoints, earning members up to three free award nights. Eager consumers can be among the first to find out more about the cards by signing up for the waitlist on www.spg.com/canadacreditcard.

The cards will provide members with access to all the award-winning features of the Starwood Preferred Guest Program, including instant redemptions, SPG Flights and no blackout dates. In addition, cardmembers will receive benefits that make it even easier to earn free stays at Starwood's nearly 1,000 properties that span 100 countries and nine distinct brands including St. Regis, W, Westin, Sheraton, Four Points by Sheraton and Le Méridien.

"The partnership with Starwood is a perfect fit for us," said Denise Pickett, president and CEO of American Express Canada, in a statement. "Starwood operates some of the best hotels and resorts in the world and the new card program is ideal for discerning customers who are interested in the fastest way to earn Starwood points. At American Express we pride ourselves on offering the most diverse reward offering in Canada, and we are delighted to add Starwood to our unstoppable line-up of rewards programs."