American Express Membership Rewards - New FHR Website. US Platinum cardholders can book online!!!

https://www.americanexpressfhr.com Finally somebody at Amex actually listened to our prayers.

Excellent. Now if they would just do something about the ridiculous prices we'd all be set.

Great! Calling was such a pain and I just booked a new reservation at the Montage Laguna Beach for a pretty good rate.

Horribly slow/annoying flash interface and having to click through to the property to see anything resembling rates is terribly annoying. But still nice that it is available online.

The interface does seem painfully slow, and it would be nice if it showed the lowest rate on the search results screen ... but still a huge improvement over having to call! Already booked a reservation I had been putting off because I hate calling them so much!

If you are centurion, you will not receive any benefits other than FHR when using the online application.

When I log in, it recognizes me as Cent and "warns" me that I should not use the website but call CTS instead, otherwise I will receive reduced benefits and offers and/or forfeit better pricing and upgrades and any of the cent card benefits.

Just FYI.

US card holders only ....

Wow this is great.
Nice to have something online even if it is a bit slow.
Now I don't feel like such a cheapskate when price shopping for a hotel.

Now I don't feel like such a cheapskate when price shopping for a hotel.

LOL - ditto!

This is definitely a stellar enhancement. I agree that they could tone down the fancy web design/coding, but it's a huge step in the right direction. I'd much rather wait 30 seconds for the web pages to load than spend 2 minutes giving my credit card number, name, address, phone number, etc. followed by 15 minutes while the AmEx agent checks prices at half a dozen properties over 2 different weekends.

Finally

Can you check CTS rates? I'm sure they are typically the same as PTS, but think that sometimes there can be differences with the Centurion specific rates at RC, MO, etc?

Edit: Nevermind, already answered above.

Wow this is great.
Nice to have something online even if it is a bit slow.
Now I don't feel like such a cheapskate when price shopping for a hotel.

That's a bit of an understatement. I tried a couple of times today and my login session expired before I got results :(

That's a bit of an understatement. I tried a couple of times today and my login session expired before I got results :(

That is strange. I was able to get to the last page before reserving a room without any problems. Website, however is on a slow side.

Bravo American Express. Thanks to the leadership who responded to our many comments.

I think it still might be quicker to call and speak with an agent than use this Flash monstrosity. However, I'm glad they finally joined the millennium (10 years late) by offering this.

Time will tell to see if it's useful. At least the indignity of playing 20 questions with the call center folks will be gone, and I'm mighty glad about that.

I've already used it, and it worked just fine (assuming everything goes to plan with this weekend's reservation).

I find the calling to ask about 6 different hotels to be a pain - reminds me of the old days of taking 30 minutes to book a plane ticket.

Thanks for the info.

As a PLAT for the last couple of years, I haven't used FHR at all. Just don't like to sit on hold, deal with voice-prompt systems, etc., and don't like to be unable to view availability for specific dates online.

Maybe this'll change my mind on downgrading to PR Gold? Will look & see.

Used this yesterday to book at suite at the Wynn, the 2nd night free was not showing up so i called pts, they were not aware the site was live yet. The rep had to get her login info from her boss to verify the promo. She said they were still loading the promotion information for the website.

all in all, the free 2nd night was pretty sweet. When she added the promo it actually came up as first night free when staying 2 nights so if thsi is actually the case it saves me even more. (staying saturday-monday) so the saturday night is at a higher rate.

great. i presume this site will not stop working like all the others.

other countries coming?

ironic it was other countries before.

I've already used it, and it worked just fine (assuming everything goes to plan with this weekend's reservation).

I find the calling to ask about 6 different hotels to be a pain - reminds me of the old days of taking 30 minutes to book a plane ticket.

Can you confirm once the reservation with platinum amenities is actually legit after you trip this weekend? Kinda make me wonder the FHR agents are not even aware the site exists.

youre not questioning whether the SITE is legit are you?

* its linked right here >
https://www217.americanexpress.com/cards/npz.do?pmccode=137#CARDS/137/1/0/2

* the old site redirects to it.

* called PTS and was transferred to a member of the new web team. said site is being updated right now.

probably accessible AFTER login as well.

now whether the FHR benefits get applied properly is certainly a valid question.

great. i presume this site will not stop working like all the others.

other countries coming?

ironic it was other countries before.

I have Singapore profile, and I can login to the website, it recognizes me, but then cuts off ability to check the rates and displays the message that I should call my PTA line in Singapore.

Well they finally joined the digital age with the website but they forgot to hire somebody to proofread the spelling of their own product:

"This room cannot be booked online. Please call Centurian Travel Service at..."

As a French Cent. card holder, I unfortunately can't access this online booking tool.

I'm looking at staying at the W Hotel in New Orleans from May, 21st till the 27th. French CTS tell me there are no available FHR rooms. I called the hotel and they're telling me they don't have access to these rates and can't double check for me (they however have available rooms). Could anyone here help me out and just check online if they are able to see FHR rates for this property at the dates mentioned above (French CTS is very often wrong and it's happened to me many times that they would tell me that a property was sold out of FHR rooms when it was actually not the case).

Thanks in advance!

As a French Cent. card holder, I unfortunately can't access this online booking tool.

I'm looking at staying at the W Hotel in New Orleans from May, 21st till the 27th. French CTS tell me there are no available FHR rooms. I called the hotel and they're telling me they don't have access to these rates and can't double check for me (they however have available rooms). Could anyone here help me out and just check online if they are able to see FHR rates for this property at the dates mentioned above (French CTS is very often wrong and it's happened to me many times that they would tell me that a property was sold out of FHR rooms when it was actually not the case).

Thanks in advance!

Yes, I can see FHR rates for that hotel during those dates.

A Spectacular Room is $312.33 per night, and a Fantastic Suite is $442.33. Those are the only rates available.

Yes, I can see FHR rates for that hotel during those dates.

A Spectacular Room is $312.33 per night, and a Fantastic Suite is $442.33. Those are the only rates available.

Thanks a lot!!!!

I can't believe how useless French CTS are!

And I can't believe how cheesy (and deceptive) W's room names are! :D

Can you confirm once the reservation with platinum amenities is actually legit after you trip this weekend? Kinda make me wonder the FHR agents are not even aware the site exists.

Pleased to report that everything worked out perfectly. Upgraded to king suite; wine & cheese plate in the room on arrival - what I needed after a xcountry flight; and breakfast very good. Hotel might need a bit of updating but I'm enjoying it.

Pleased to report that everything worked out perfectly. Upgraded to king suite; wine & cheese plate in the room on arrival - what I needed after a xcountry flight; and breakfast very good. Hotel might need a bit of updating but I'm enjoying it.

Good to hear!

Thanks for posting your results.

I just got an email from AMEX regarding a new site set up to allow Platinum cardholders to make FHR reservations online rather than calling the travel agents. The website is www.americanexpressfhr.com, but I cannot seem to get it to work. Anyone have any luck with this?

Thanks

FWIW, I've used it and it worked (got a PDF emailed back with all details correct like with the phone reps). However, I find it a poorly designed reservation platform. It also runs at glacial speed. I wish they'd dispense with all the gee-whiz web BS and deliver a fast, functional platform. God knows, there are dozens of good booking sites they could emulate. All that said, it's preferable to subjecting oneself to the CSR water boarding that occurs upfront when you call to book.

what a joke - I managed to log-in, and it told me that I could not get my Centurion benefits - I would need to call for that. In any event, it is 20 minutes later and I still have an hourglass waiting for rates to load. Worthless.

I agree, it is very frustrating at the moment to even look around on the site. Makes me want to reconsider using the Platinum for travel.

Makes me want to reconsider using the Platinum for travel.

Does anyone actually do this and jump ship from Amex? They consistently seem to under-deliver with the entire FHR booking process (call centre or web based), yet from reading these threads you all seem to be in love with FHR. What am I missing? :confused:

yet from reading these threads you all seem to be in love with FHR. What am I missing? :confused:
The folks who like to spend a lot of money on rooms anyways and for whom a suite upgrade is a must have at a high priced hotel do very well by the FHR program. Certainly not everyone is in love with the program. ;)

Just a complaint/question. Why is the FHR website a complete piece of ....?

Just a complaint/question. Why is the FHR website a complete piece of ....?

AmEx probably got tired of our whining about how much easier things would be if they'd provide a method to book on-line. They're just getting even. :) (Another case of be careful what you wish for, I suppose.)

AmEx probably got tired of our whining about how much easier things would be if they'd provide a method to book on-line. They're just getting even. :) (Another case of be careful what you wish for, I suppose.)

No kidding. It's terrible.

Why is the FHR website a complete piece of ....?

No kidding. It's terrible.

Welcome to Flyertalk.

It would be helpful if you were to explain the sense in which it is "terrible". Do you mean the performance is poor, which seems to be attributed to the extensive use of Flash, or something else?

Have you sumbitted a report of the problems to American Express using the secure messaging facility on americanexpress.com?

It would be helpful if you were to explain the sense in which it is "terrible". Do you mean the performance is poor, which seems to be attributed to the extensive use of Flash, or something else?


Well for one, it has different inventory than the callcenter (and/or is just broken)..

For vegas a couple of weeks ago, website showed no availability at thehotel, when calling..got 3 rooms booked under fhr (without calling the hotel, availability was immediately available on the agents screen).

The speed of the site is certainly frustrating. It was quicker for me to search FHR rates back when AmEx Travel sites from different countries were available. Even with the language barrier associated with using those sites, I was able to navigate through things pretty quickly.

That said, I'm still happy that AmEx has provided us something.

Interesting experience, mattm00se. The only glitch that I have come across is that when I search for St. Louis, the site only shows the Four Seasons. I have to search for Missouri if I want the Ritz to appear.

thehotel seems to incorrectly show no availability for most dates on the new FHR site.

If anyone could look up the rates for the RC Dove mountain and Loews Ventana Canyon on April 2nd,3rd and 4th I would be very grateful. The UK travel desk is closed and I am trying to decide whether to book flights to TUS or PHX in the $39 WN sale that ends tonight.

Many Thanks

Westers

If anyone could look up the rates for the RC Dove mountain and Loews Ventana Canyon on April 2nd,3rd and 4th I would be very grateful. The UK travel desk is closed and I am trying to decide whether to book flights to TUS or PHX in the $39 WN sale that ends tonight.

Many Thanks

Westers

RC Dove Montain for Deluxe Mountain View Room April 2nd $369, April 3rd $259; Lowes Ventana $225 each night for the same dates for Superior King Room

Site seems to be down totally right now.

Site seems to be down totally right now.

Just used it without any problems to search rates.

There are definitely still some bugs in the FHR website. I've been trying to book a room at at Sukhothai in Bangkok, and last week it kept telling me that no rooms were available. (A quick look at the hotel's own website confirmed that the hotel was not sold out for those dates.) This week, the FHR website is showing rates, but only for the suite categories. I ended up calling PTS today, and they had FHR rates available for all the room categories.

There are definitely still some bugs in the FHR website. I've been trying to book a room at at Sukhothai in Bangkok, and last week it kept telling me that no rooms were available. (A quick look at the hotel's own website confirmed that the hotel was not sold out for those dates.) This week, the FHR website is showing rates, but only for the suite categories. I ended up calling PTS today, and they had FHR rates available for all the room categories.

I would either call Amex online services or submit a secure message so they can fix it. Like any new system it's going to be buggy and slow at first. Once we get them informed of the drawbacks I'm sure they'll get it fixed.

Is there any ways we can put our hotel member number such as SPG Platinum number to the online FHR reservation when online booking?

or Shall we just call PTS to include the hotel member number?

Is there any ways we can put our hotel member number such as SPG Platinum number to the online FHR reservation when online booking?

or Shall we just call PTS to include the hotel member number?

No. The easiest way is to call your hotel directly and provide your SPG #

Has anyone else been having issues with looking up availability for certain hotels on www.americanexpressfhr.com? I have found one hotel in particular that I would like to book a reservation for but the site says there are no rooms available for the date I selected. However, the hotel's website shows availability and when I call AMEX Plat. Travel they show availability. Seems like an issue with the site needs to be resolved.

I want to book my reservations online so that I have them organized online as well. Does anyone know if you book a FHR reservation over the phone if it will show up in your reservations folder on the FHR website?

Thanks

I experienced similar problems earlier this month when looking for hotels in Los Angeles. I booked over the phone without issue but never checked the website to see if they showed up there. The site is a great addition, but it is somewhat slow as well as apparently inaccurate IMO..

what a joke - I managed to log-in, and it told me that I could not get my Centurion benefits - I would need to call for that. In any event, it is 20 minutes later and I still have an hourglass waiting for rates to load. Worthless.

Is your Log in user ID and password the same as for regular Amex site?

I tried to log in using that user ID and password and could not get in.

It is the same.

I recently used the site to try to book a stay at Bellagio in Las Vegas. The end of the stay included a holiday weekend, obviously at a higher rate. The FHR site quoted the higher weekend rate for the whole stay, while a call to an agent yielded different (correct) rates each night. As daily changes in rates are pretty common in Vegas, it may be worth a call if you're seeing a single rate quoted on the site.

I recently used the site to try to book a stay at Bellagio in Las Vegas. The end of the stay included a holiday weekend, obviously at a higher rate. The FHR site quoted the higher weekend rate for the whole stay, while a call to an agent yielded different (correct) rates each night. As daily changes in rates are pretty common in Vegas, it may be worth a call if you're seeing a single rate quoted on the site.

You can click on the rate shown and it will show the rate breakdown for all nights. Are you saying those rates were different compare to what PTS rep quoted?

You can click on the rate shown and it will show the rate breakdown for all nights. Are you saying those rates were different compare to what PTS rep quoted?

Yes, the daily rates shown when I clicked on the average were indeed the same every day. The difference between the online system and calling was a total of a few hundred dollars for a five-day stay. :td:

Yes, the daily rates shown when I clicked on the average were indeed the same every day. The difference between the online system and calling was a total of a few hundred dollars for a five-day stay. :td:
Wow! Thanks for pointing this out. I will be double checking next time.

I booked a hotel using the online site at the London in NYC and it confirmed the room at $419/night. When the email confirmation arrived, it showed the rate to be $449/night! (In both cases, excluding taxes and fees) I just checked the same nights online and they are going for $429 a night. This is just plain dumb.

I am going to call tomorrow and get them to honor the rate. If they won't I suppose I will try to escalate.

But in the meantime just a warning to be safe: do a printout at the time the booking is confirmed and then compare it against the email you receive later!

I booked a hotel using the online site at the London in NYC and it confirmed the room at $419/night. When the email confirmation arrived, it showed the rate to be $449/night!

Was this a multi-night stay with a rate change? I wonder if it could be a different manifestation of the problem described by mbluecpa earlier this month. In other words, would $419 have been the average rate for the stay and $449 the highest night?

In the end, that's what the claim was -- only the higher rate was shown and not the total for the two nights. However, I don't have any evidence to verify whether or not that was true. Just that after a fair amount of time on the phone with FHR web support, they say they will send me another confirmation showing the total.

Along the way, I looked at my booking online and it showed the correct total -- but the print icon (as well as print screen and selecting the text) wouldn't work in either Firefox or IE. Sounds like a website bug.

This website needs work!

Wow, this is great news! Even with a problematic website, I enjoy playing around with dates and hotels at different locations! Thank you OP! I'm loving it.

I haven't been able to use the site for several days. I get a message saying the site is temporarily unavailable,

I haven't been able to use the site for several days. I get a message saying the site is temporarily unavailable,

Just logged in without any issues. What browser are you using?

Now.. if only we could also check price/availability of the international business companion airfare then we would be set with Amex Plat!

Had my first glitch with this site.

A couple of months ago, I booked two rooms at the Peninsula in Chicago. Actually, I soon learned that I had booked two reservations (each for two rooms). Went in and canceled one. When I called the hotel last week to make sure I could get the two rooms together, they said I had canceled half of my existing reservation -- something that is not possible to do via the website. Hotel said they were totally booked so couldn't reinstate the rezzie, and Amex didn't do anything either. Glad I found out when I did instead of on arrival. Ended up switching to the Park Hyatt. Bizarre and kinda disappointing.

I was looking to book at hotel in Atlanta from 8/27 to 8/29 (2 nights). I had narrowed it down to either the Ritz Carlton Downtown or Ritz Carlton Buckhead.

The FHR website showed the following prices:
Downtown - Deluxe Room - $205.85 a night
Buckhead - Deluxe Room - $366.85 a night

The Ritz Carlton website showed the following prices:
Downtown - Deluxe Room - $179 a night (weekend rate)
Buckhead - Deluxe Room - $209 a night (weekend rate)

When I called AMEX, the agent gave me the following prices:
Downtown - Deluxe Room - $179 a night
Buckhead - Deluxe Room - $209 a night

There seems to be a price difference between the FHR website and what the agent is able to offer. At least in this situation, the agent was able to provide the same rate that is on the RC website. Great deal, considering all the FHR extras!

If you're looking to book a hotel using FHR, I suggest you check with the agent too. Defeats the purpose of a website, but....

I was looking to book at hotel in Atlanta from 8/27 to 8/29 (2 nights). I had narrowed it down to either the Ritz Carlton Downtown or Ritz Carlton Buckhead.

The FHR website showed the following prices:
Downtown - Deluxe Room - $205.85 a night
Buckhead - Deluxe Room - $366.85 a night

The Ritz Carlton website showed the following prices:
Downtown - Deluxe Room - $179 a night (weekend rate)
Buckhead - Deluxe Room - $209 a night (weekend rate)

When I called AMEX, the agent gave me the following prices:
Downtown - Deluxe Room - $179 a night
Buckhead - Deluxe Room - $209 a night

There seems to be a price difference between the FHR website and what the agent is able to offer. At least in this situation, the agent was able to provide the same rate that is on the RC website. Great deal, considering all the FHR extras!

If you're looking to book a hotel using FHR, I suggest you check with the agent too. Defeats the purpose of a website, but....

I can't attest to the Buckhead rate differential but the Downtown rate seems to be the same.

When I first started using FHR it seemed to me that prices were always a little bit more. If you actually click on "select room" on FHR you will see the price they are quoting you is WITH taxes and it will break it down on the right side to give you the room rate minus taxes. I assume that is the differential you see between $179 and $205.85.

Edit: Actually just checked FHR, showing same rates on both.

http://i49.tinypic.com/2my173t.jpg
http://i46.tinypic.com/28gqn4p.png

I was just curious if anybody had problems booking via AMEX FHR and then paying with a different CC other than the AMEX PLAT. Specifically I'm interested in the SPG hotels since that's the only place where I will earn extra *points.

Thanks in advance!

I was just curious if anybody had problems booking via AMEX FHR and then paying with a different CC other than the AMEX PLAT. Specifically I'm interested in the SPG hotels since that's the only place where I will earn extra *points.

Thanks in advance!

Under FHR T&C you can pay for your hotel with any American Express card, even co-branded like Citi Amex. However, there are reports on this forum that some people were able to pay with non-Amex card upon check-out from a hotel.

Anyone know how far in advance is too far in advance to make a booking? I've tried some for dates in 2011 and all come up empty. Is that because it's not clear what hotels will be in the program for 2011?

I've tried some for dates in 2011 and all come up empty. Is that because it's not clear what hotels will be in the program for 2011?

Possible, sometimes Amex does not finish signing agreements with properties till January.

I was just approved for my AMEX Platinum yesterday and so can't yet fully access the FHR site. I know the regular AMEX travel site is Travelocity powered and so its use is sometimes hit-or-miss regarding hotel loyalty points/stay credits.

Does the FHR site allow you to attach your SPG or Hilton number if staying at one of their high end hotels and therefore always get stay credit?

I was just approved for my AMEX Platinum yesterday and so can't yet fully access the FHR site. I know the regular AMEX travel site is Travelocity powered and so its use is sometimes hit-or-miss regarding hotel loyalty points/stay credits.

Does the FHR site allow you to attach your SPG or Hilton number if staying at one of their high end hotels and therefore always get stay credit?



You will be able to add a frequent guest # to your FHR reservation, but you will have to call a specific program CS or hotel directly to add it. There is no way to input it on FHR website.

...the regular AMEX travel site is Travelocity powered and so its use is sometimes hit-or-miss regarding hotel loyalty points/stay credits.

The reason Travelocity (or Expedia etc) hotel bookings are not eligible for hotel program credit has nothing to do with the software omitting your membership number. Online travel agencies buy room nights wholesale and sell them to consumers as prepaid stays. Hotel chains typically do not credit these stays because they sold the space on a net basis, and they have no knowledge of what the guest pays.

FHR contracts for rates, the guest pays the property directly, and American Express earns a commission (plus the fees they charge properties to participate in the program.) These stays typically qualify for hotel program credit, but the rates will not be the same as on the American Express Travel site.

Thanks, mia. I appreciate the why of it, not just the what.

FHR reservations I made over the phone are not shown on the FHR website, is there any remedy to this?

FHR reservations I made over the phone are not shown on the FHR website, is there any remedy to this?


Same problem here. I was told when I made the phone reservation that it would show up online "very quickly" but it has not even though it's been 2-3 weeks. I would be interested as well to know if there is a remedy.

Phone reservations don't show up on the FHR website. Instead, there is a separate website that posts itineraries made over the phone-- to get there, click on the link in the e-mail confirmation they sent you. (Although what is posted online is basically the same as what is in the e-mail confirmation.)

Sorry, it's been awhile since I booked FHR. Last time I did I had to call to make the reservation. Now it looks like I can book at americanexpressfhr.com and still get benefits. Is this correct? (one of the pages said to call to make the reservation, so kind of confusing)

Thanks for clarifying!

yes sir

Grazie mille.

Any updates for us mortal non-US cardholders?

I have to say that the Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection site is pretty slick... I have used that site many times prior to becoming a CDN Platinum member.

It's unfortunate that the FHR site doesn't work for us Canadians yet. Calling into PTS is so inefficient.