A few years ago I switched most of my credit card usage to American Express Starwood Card.  Part of the promotion I had signed up for entailed me spending at least $15,000 in six months to be eligible for a 15,000 bonus points.   Last week, I received a very short letter saying that American Express had neglected crediting my account with the bonus points because I had met the spending the requirement.   I knew I had met the requirement, but had completely forgotten about the points.   I never noticed in the last 2 years that I had never actually gotten my Starwood points.

This week, my Starwood Preferred Guest account was credited with 15,000 Starwood points.   I now have a very hefty balance (a little less than 100k,  25k from the bonus sign up) as the credit card has been the primary way in which I’ve spent money over the last few years.   The balance is large enough that I’m ready to cash in my chips.