Starwood points are often touted as some of the most valuable in the game. As a result of the extensive list of travel partners and the 5,000 mile bonus on increments of 20,000 SPG point transfers, you’ll seldom catch me without my SPG business card. I have the personal card from American Express too, but I tend to keep the business version in my wallet. Did you know the SPG Business card gives you Sheraton lounge access?
That’s right, if you have the SPG Business card in your wallet, and are staying at a Sheraton property, you should be getting access to their lounges. Although it’s not something a lot of people realize, Sheraton lounge access is a great little bonus to the card.
So how do I get Sheraton lounge access?
Technically, it’s easy…according to American Express:
Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card Members feel like VIPs with access to Sheraton® Club Lounges, which includes a complimentary daily breakfast, evening selection of premium beverages and hors d’oeuvres, and space for hosting a friend or colleague.‡Booking requirements apply.
…which makes it sound like an automatic benefit. In practice, experience varies. I’d recommend checking Flyertalk for your particular hotel on how best to actually use this benefit. (Here’s a great FT thread on Sheraton lounge access in general.)
Usually Sheraton lounge access will mean access to a nice space to enjoy your time, free food, computers, and a decent view. They’ll often have alcohol for purchase available (sometimes free!). Note that Sheraton Lounge access is only available to the cardholder and a single guest staying in the same room for the duration of their stay. In practice, I’ve been able to bring 2 guests into the lounge. Depending on the setup, there often isn’t any bouncer at the door, stopping people from going in; SPG would have no way of knowing…
(Have I convinced you to snag an SPG Business Card yet? Ask a friend – there’s a great current offer on the card!)
My Experience with Sheraton Lounge Access
Most recently, I’ve used Sheraton Lounge access at the Sheraton Tribeca in New York. My family found ourselves heading down to the big city for a long weekend last fall, and I booked the Sheraton for its location. From the hotel, it’s just a hop on the subway to any other part of Manhattan.
Early morning view from the Sheraton Tribeca Club Lounge.
Upon check-in, we were offered a Club Level room and Sheraton Lounge access was added to my reservation. Before we arrived, I called the front desk to ask about the Sheraton lounge access prior to checking in, and I also had my SPG business card in my wallet. My AmEx Platinum card also gets me SPG Gold, but that’s beside the point. I loved the lounge! While the food wasn’t spectacular, it was free, and the outdoor deck on the 21st floor was awesome. My favorite memory of that trip (and we did a lot in New York) was grabbing some late night pizza. We took it back to the hotel and dined with the glow of downtown skyscrapers and the sound of traffic 200 feet below.
Did you guys know about this benefit? What’s your favorite Sheraton lounge?
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Dan Miller travels with his wife and 6 (SIX!) children. He loves to help families travel for free / cheap, especially larger families. If you are looking for help, drop him an email at 
I have been a longtime lifetime member of Marriott as a Gold and now Platinum. Marriott is converting many of their lounges over to a lounge called “M”. These are usually on the 1st floor, hence no great view. These spaces are more modern and food a bit more like tapas. On a recent stay at the Charleston Airport Marriott I found the M more akind to what I would find at a Fairfield Inn. The attendant was not the usual gregarious friendly type normally found in many of the Marriott lounges. I certainly hope SPG does not go the way of the Marriott lounges. They also have now implemented the +1 rule. I am glad of that. I have been in the lounges the day kids and teens swarmed the room and took all the food and were very loud.
If you want a nice lounge, use the Club Level at a Ritz. We just had that in DC and it was incredible.
I traveled with my husband and four young adult children to London last year and snagged some great award nights for two rooms at the Sheraton Park Lane. My husband and I both have the SPG Bus card and the hotel was generous enough to allow us to take three guests, per room, into the lounge. This was typical of the high level of customer centered attention we experienced during our stay-the staff was top-notch. The lounge had a great breakfast spread and excellent coffee and, of course, tea. It was summer and we were walking all over the city so we also enjoyed the ability to stop in the lounge and grab a piece of fruit and a bottle of water.