A friend and my brother were approved instantly online for the American Express Starwood Preferred card today!. They have no negatives but a very short history (Retail cards from 4 months ago and a $500 Providian visa for my brother). Also both are authorized users of my two Citi cards. The credit line will be 2.4k and 2.5k. I Don't know what report they pulled yet.
Good news! You can always convert this to a standard Optima Platinum for a better rate schedule. Unlike citi, when you change Amex cards you get the intro (3.9% for 6 months) as of the date you switch products..