I received the SPG Starwood preferred business too.

Yes, there is definitely a difference between when the free night is posted and when the AF is charged between the two cards. American Express can take up to 10 weeks after the AF is paid, according to their phone rep. and an email I was sent. In actuality, mine took 9 weeks. This is even though the crediting of the free night is for the past year and has nothing to do with the AF. Yet, Amex claims if the AF isn’t paid, you won’t have an active account when the night does post, so you cannot use it. Chase doesn’t play this game…..the free night is awarded on the anniversary date. It’s just another game Amex plays.