Fairmont President's Club - using Premier 3rd night free and Plat free night cert on same stay

Trying to book a four nights stay by booking 2 nights using cash payment, then third night free certificate and fourth night using free night certificate. Call Fairmont PLT desk and guy over the phone told me that we can't use this kind of combination of third night free and free night certificates at the same time. Just like to find out your experience in this situation. Hotel I am trying to book is Fairmont Turnberry in Miami for end of sept to early Oct stay.

Trying to book a four nights stay by booking 2 nights using cash payment, then third night free certificate and fourth night using free night certificate. Call Fairmont PLT desk and guy over the phone told me that we can't use this kind of combination of third night free and free night certificates at the same time. Just like to find out your experience in this situation. Hotel I am trying to book is Fairmont Turnberry in Miami for end of sept to early Oct stay.

Haven't done this recently, but certainly have done so a number of times over the years where I paid for two, used a third night free.. and combined a platinum cert of my spouse (which is transferable per T&C)..

Just finished a trip.. at one of the hotels I combined a Visa third night free, and added a Plat cert for a 4 night stay..

Haven't done this recently, but certainly have done so a number of times over the years where I paid for two, used a third night free.. and combined a platinum cert of my spouse (which is transferable per T&C)..

Just finished a trip.. at one of the hotels I combined a Visa third night free, and added a Plat cert for a 4 night stay..

What I mean third night free is using Fairmont third night free certificate earned as premier member and then using Fairmont Plat free night certificate for the fourth night. Have you ever done this before?

Trying to book a four nights stay by booking 2 nights using cash payment, then third night free certificate and fourth night using free night certificate. Call Fairmont PLT desk and guy over the phone told me that we can't use this kind of combination of third night free and free night certificates at the same time. Just like to find out your experience in this situation. Hotel I am trying to book is Fairmont Turnberry in Miami for end of sept to early Oct stay.

I tried doing so a while ago and was also told "no". According to the T&C a premier 3rd night free cert cannot be combined with a Plat free night cert whilemultiple Plat free night certs can be used during the same stay, doesn´t necessarily make sense, but I doubt the FPC will override that rule (most hotels seem to have a more relaxed approach toward the T&C, have you tried contacting the hotel directly?)

Btw, are both certs yours/are you travelling with your sponse and are you planning on using an upgrade cert?

What I mean third night free is using Fairmont third night free certificate earned as premier member and then using Fairmont Plat free night certificate for the fourth night. Have you ever done this before?

I tried doing so a while ago and was also told "no". According to the T&C a premier 3rd night free cert cannot be combined with a Plat free night cert whilemultiple Plat free night certs can be used during the same stay, doesn´t necessarily make sense, but I doubt the FPC will override that rule (most hotels seem to have a more relaxed approach toward the T&C, have you tried contacting the hotel directly?)

Btw, are both certs yours/are you travelling with your sponse and are you planning on using an upgrade cert?

To reiterate..

Yes I have done this probably 3 or 4 times over the years.. Where I paid the first 2 nights used a third night free Premier cert.. and added a Plat free night as a fourth night.. I did this last year no problems, when my wife early qualified Premier and I used my Plat free night as the fourth night.. I zeroed out her nights.. and she became Platinum within 3 months of the calendar year..

You could also just make 2 seperate reservations.. One 3 night reservation, and one 1 night reservation

Unfortunately, you will have to use a seperate upgrade cert per reservation.. I would call and talk to the FPC supervisor or hotel front desk manager, if you're still running into resistance..

Regarding the T&C, the rule where you can't use the Plat cert in conjunction with the 3rd night free cert, is using the Plat free night cert as one of the first 2 paid nights.. That will definitely be refused..

I tried doing so a while ago and was also told "no". According to the T&C a premier 3rd night free cert cannot be combined with a Plat free night cert whilemultiple Plat free night certs can be used during the same stay, doesn´t necessarily make sense, but I doubt the FPC will override that rule (most hotels seem to have a more relaxed approach toward the T&C, have you tried contacting the hotel directly?)

Btw, are both certs yours/are you travelling with your sponse and are you planning on using an upgrade cert?

Yes, both are mine, one from premier and one from my early qualification as PLT. I do plan to use suite upgrade with these also. That's why making two reservation may be a bit of problem for the fourth night for upgrade

To reiterate..
Regarding the T&C, the rule where you can't use the Plat cert in conjunction with the 3rd night free cert, is using the Plat free night cert as one of the first 2 paid nights.. That will definitely be refused..

That's interesting. So you think some agents misinterpret the T&C regarding 3rd night free/free night combination? Is your personal concierge Shelly still working at PLT desk? Maybe she know how to handle this better?

Another question on third night free is: if I book a cash rate which includes breakfast for first two nights, will third night free night also include this breakfast benefit or any other benefit included in the first two cash paid night?

Yes, both are mine, one from premier and one from my early qualification as PLT. I do plan to use suite upgrade with these also. That's why making two reservation may be a bit of problem for the fourth night for upgrade

I´m not sure FPC will be able to help you, I´d say contacting the hotel directly may be more beneficial. You could make two separate reservations, apply the free night certs and then contact the hotel to link the two reservations and add an upgrade cert. Using one upgrade cert for two consective reservations is no problem at all (I do this on most of my stays), but I don´t know the hotel´s policy regarding using a Premier and Plat free night cert.. Anyways, I´d give it a shot.

I haven´t heard Ancien´s interpretation before, but maybe you could ry to argue in a similar way (as the rule doesn´t make a lot of sense for a 4+night stay)

Another question on third night free is: if I book a cash rate which includes breakfast for first two nights, will third night free night also include this breakfast benefit or any other benefit included in the first two cash paid night?

Offically the free night cert only covers accomodation, but as with many other policies the individual Fairmont properties have a lot of latitude to make their own decisions (and I´d assume that many properties decide on a case-by-case basis based on duration of stay, status, guest´s history at the property etc.).

I´d ask at check-in whether breakfast is included for all days, but it´s not that a big deal if it isn´t IMO. If you´re booking through AMEX FHR/Virtuoso/etc. that´s usually the only benefit you get each day anyway, all other amenities (lunch/dinner/spa treatment/voucher etc.) are offered "once per stay", so it shouldn´t make a difference.

The Platinum free night is just that -- a free night, not requiring any paid nights. If nothing else, couldn't it be booked separately as a one-night stay?

That's interesting. So you think some agents misinterpret the T&C regarding 3rd night free/free night combination? Is your personal concierge Shelly still working at PLT desk? Maybe she know how to handle this better?

Another question on third night free is: if I book a cash rate which includes breakfast for first two nights, will third night free night also include this breakfast benefit or any other benefit included in the first two cash paid night?

I've had agents refuse before.. but I've carefully combed the T&C's with them and ultimately I get it booked under one reservation and apply an upgrade cert.. all through FPC concierge..

So the reservation is two paid nights to be able to apply the third night free cert.. so that's 3 nights.. one free night plat cert.. for 4th night.. and one upgrade suite/room cert for up to 5 nights..

Shelly is there at the desk once in awhile.. Matthew is at the desk as well.. However, my Mayakoba reservation is the first time he's ever did a 2 week stay with 3 certificates.. which was surprising to me because he's been there for a number of years now..

I´m not sure FPC will be able to help you, I´d say contacting the hotel directly may be more beneficial. You could make two separate reservations, apply the free night certs and then contact the hotel to link the two reservations and add an upgrade cert. Using one upgrade cert for two consective reservations is no problem at all (I do this on most of my stays), but I don´t know the hotel´s policy regarding using a Premier and Plat free night cert.. Anyways, I´d give it a shot.

I haven´t heard Ancien´s interpretation before, but maybe you could ry to argue in a similar way (as the rule doesn´t make a lot of sense for a 4+night stay)

I've never heard of linked reservations where you can apply one upgrade cert before and upgrade 2 reservations.. FPC is pretty sticky about this..

Perhaps FPC is giving Jasper2009 an exception to do this..

Wrapping my mind around this exception if its now commonly granted.. you should be able to make two reservations.. linked.. and apply the suite upgrade..

Generally linked reservations notifies the hotel that the parties' want to stay in the same room.. and the purpose is to have 2 stay credits for 2 different FPC members..

The Platinum free night is just that -- a free night, not requiring any paid nights. If nothing else, couldn't it be booked separately as a one-night stay?

Yes.

I've never heard of linked reservations where you can apply one upgrade cert before and upgrade 2 reservations.. FPC is pretty sticky about this..

Perhaps FPC is giving Jasper2009 an exception to do this..

Wrapping my mind around this exception if its now commonly granted.. you should be able to make two reservations.. linked.. and apply the suite upgrade..

Generally linked reservations notifies the hotel that the parties' want to stay in the same room.. and the purpose is to have 2 stay credits for 2 different FPC members..


I think you misunderstood me. What has never been a problem IME is:

- make res. for nights 1+2 (let´s say Virtuoso rate)
- make res. for nights 3-5 (let´s say rate on Fairmont website)
=> call hotel to link the reservations (both in my name) and apply one upgrade cert. Technically it´s one stay (even though you have two consecutive reservations), so you only need one upgrade cert. You´re also only entitled to one stay credit, though YMMV.

It´s trickier if the two reservations are for two different people, you´ll definitely get a stay credit each, but the hotel can of course ask for two upgrade certs in this case.

What I was suggesting to the OP is:

- make res. for nights 1-3 and apply 3rd night free cert
- make res. for night 4 and apply free night cert
- contact hotel to link both reservations and apply an upgrade cert
=> Note: I´ve never done this and am not sure whether the hotel would be willing to do this, but it´s worth a shot IMO. The problem is not using one upgrade cert, it´s using both the 3rd night free and Plat free night cert suring one stay (technically it´s always one stay regardless of number of reservations/check-ins/check-outs).

I think you misunderstood me. What has never been a problem IME is:

- make res. for nights 1+2 (let´s say Virtuoso rate)
- make res. for nights 3-5 (let´s say rate on Fairmont website)
=> call hotel to link the reservations (both in my name) and apply one upgrade cert. Technically it´s one stay (even though you have two consecutive reservations), so you only need one upgrade cert. You´re also only entitled to one stay credit, though YMMV.

It´s trickier if the two reservations are for two different people, you´ll definitely get a stay credit each, but the hotel can of course ask for two upgrade certs in this case.

What I was suggesting to the OP is:

- make res. for nights 1-3 and apply 3rd night free cert
- make res. for night 4 and apply free night cert
- contact hotel to link both reservations and apply an upgrade cert
=> Note: I´ve never done this and am not sure whether the hotel would be willing to do this, but it´s worth a shot IMO. The problem is not using one upgrade cert, it´s using both the 3rd night free and Plat free night cert suring one stay (technically it´s always one stay regardless of number of reservations/check-ins/check-outs).

I agree within a reservation, you could have any combination of rates and package inclusions.. For example, I combine an Escape to Willowstream with 2 massages, parking, brek for 2, and room/tips.. for say $449 for the 1st night.. The 2nd and 3rd nights would be a room only.. no problem there to combine available lower rates, with packages.. I usually research algorithms and even make 2 or 3 reservations and have FPC combine into one once I isolate.

The linking of reservations ime has never worked with one upgrade cert.. They always require one cert for one reservation each.. I have done this say on a 15 night stay.. where I used my wife cert on the first 5 nights, switched to my cert on the 2nd 5 nights, and the last 5 nights switched back to my wife using another of her certs'.. This meets T&C rules.. I did this on our recent Mayakoba trip.. but that was using 3 different certs..

imo.. OP should focus on combining everything under one reservation.. 3rd night free for the 1st 3 nights, and using the plat cert on the fourth night.. and apply one suite upgrade at Turnberry.. This meets T&C.. and I've done this quite a few times over the years..

My understanding has always been that you cannot use a Plat free night to cover one of the first two nights and then use the premier third night free. Or for any third night free promo for that matter.

Using it as a 4th night should be inconsequential and I have done exactly that before. Book separately and asked to link as Jasper pointed out.

My understanding has always been that you cannot use a Plat free night to cover one of the first two nights and then use the premier third night free. Or for any third night free promo for that matter.

Using it as a 4th night should be inconsequential and I have done exactly that before. Book separately and asked to link as Jasper pointed out.

No problem linking..

Problem if OP wants to just use one suite upgrade instead of 2 ime..

On FPC limited access it does state both certs can't be used on one stay. If you plan to use both certs I would not expect the hotel to grant you the suite for the last night but I'm sure they would if occupancy allows.

On FPC limited access it does state both certs can't be used on one stay. If you plan to use both certs I would not expect the hotel to grant you the suite for the last night but I'm sure they would if occupancy allows.

For reference terms & conditions:

•Premier complimentary third night certificates are subject to availability; three consecutive nights must be booked, at one property, at time of reservation to receive the third night complimentary. Can only be used when the member pays for the first two nights of a threenight stay, based on qualifying rates. Valid for one complimentary night per stay only. Valid for room and tax only. Entitles member to a Fairmont Room and can be used in conjunction with a room or suite upgrade certificate. Cannot be used in conjunction with a Platinum complimentary night certificate. Not applicable to Fairmont Gold Rooms or Suites. Cannot be used as credit toward Fairmont Gold Rooms or Suites. Cannot be used in conjunction with packages and promotions. For blackout date information, visit www.fairmont.com/fpc/limitedaccess
•Platinum complimentary night certificates are subject to availability at time of reservation. Entitles member to a Fairmont Room and can be used in conjunction with a room or suite upgrade certificate. Cannot be used in conjunction with a Premier complimentary third night certificate. Valid for room and tax only, resort fees and service charges may apply. Not applicable to Fairmont Gold Rooms or Suites. Cannot be used as credit toward Fairmont Gold Rooms or Suites. Cannot be used in conjunction with packages and promotions. For blackout date information, visit www.fairmont.com/fpc/limitedaccess

Mention that a 3 night consecutive stay has to be booked, but a Plat free night cannot be part of the 3 nights.. or in other words part of the 2 paid nights..

Conjunction.. to me means again, the plat free night cannot be booked as one of the paid nights for the third night free cert..

Doesn't mention that a Plat fourth night cannot be booked within the same stay.. ime it can, and have used a suite upgrade multiple times over the years where third night free cert is used.. and the fourth night a Plat free night is used..