American Express Membership Rewards - First time FHR booking what should I expect???

Hi,

Sorry if this has been covered before, but I couldn't find any relevant posts.

I finally booked through FHR and I have a few questions.

Will the hotel know about the bennies I am supposed to get or will I have to be forward and remind them at check-in (i.e. free breakfasts each day, 4pm late check-out and one free lunch)???

Also, I will be at the Hotel Jerome in Aspen (off-season), anyone have any experiences about upgrades. Are they common??? If so, is it just to next level room or a suite...I currently have booked a premium room and just wondering if an upgrade occurs if it will be to a suite.

Just for comparison it was the same price at FHR as it was at other websites (Hotel Jerome's, orbitz etc.)

Thank you in advance for your replies.

Hi,

Sorry if this has been covered before, but I couldn't find any relevant posts.

I finally booked through FHR and I have a few questions.

Will the hotel know about the bennies I am supposed to get or will I have to be forward and remind them at check-in (i.e. free breakfasts each day, 4pm late check-out and one free lunch)???

Also, I will be at the Hotel Jerome in Aspen (off-season), anyone have any experiences about upgrades. Are they common??? If so, is it just to next level room or a suite...I currently have booked a premium room and just wondering if an upgrade occurs if it will be to a suite.

Just for comparison it was the same price at FHR as it was at other websites (Hotel Jerome's, orbitz etc.)

Thank you in advance for your replies.

In my experience the hotel will know you are on an FHR rate and give you the benefits automatically.

-RKOV

My expierience is variable.

Room upgrades are normally already taken care of before you arrive, as are in-room benefits. Any sides benefits like spa vouchers or afternoon tea etc, the hotel has either been pro-active on or have needed a reminder, but once reminded have also been swift and pleasant.

I've never had any problems getting the benefits and some of my best stays have been on FHR rates.

Enjoy.

I had an FHR stay in Barbados last month (at an excellent price, which was cheaper than the usual rate). The hotel had not picked up that I was on FHR. They offered me a ground floor room, I asked for a higher one (for the view), they said there was nothing else available, I reminded them that the FHR rate got me an upgrade, they went "Are you an Amex rate?", they looked at my confirmation letter, they (an hour later) got me a better room.

Your confirmation letter from Amex is very detailed about what you are entitled to, so you should have no problems at the hotel as long as better rooms are available.

However, apart from Ritz-Carltons (which normally say what your upgrade will be), you are at their mercy as to what you get. I stayed in a hotel in Madrid a couple of years ago that only offered two room types - a bunch of big suites and a bunch of standard rooms. I booked a standard room expecting a suite upgrade. It turned out that the hotel had a couple of 'larger than standard rooms but not suites' which they used for upgrading people. That said, it is quite clear that any upgrade is subject to availability.

I have always received a room upgrade with FHR. In addition most of the time there is a letter waiting for me at check-in or in my room advising me of all the amenities I should expect from the FHR program. We have been very pleased with the properties in all cases. I've only used FHR when their rate is lower and/or equal to the lowest rate available directly from the hotel company or elsewhere on the web. I can only recall 1 or 2 times that FHR didn't beat the other rates, but YMMV.

I currently have a gold AMEX as I have no real need for the platinum. However, FHR may change this. What are rates through them usually like in comparison with booking directly with the hotels? Must I book through them? It's only like a 90$ upgrade fee to platinum, so I may consider it.

Thanks

I currently have a gold AMEX as I have no real need for the platinum. However, FHR may change this. What are rates through them usually like in comparison with booking directly with the hotels? Must I book through them? It's only like a 90$ upgrade fee to platinum, so I may consider it.

Thanks

It varies - often the rate is good, sometimes it is more expensive if the hotel is discounting heavily on its own website. Even if more expensive, however, it can be worthwhile booking the FHR rate when you add in the value of the free breakfasts, late check-out and potential upgrade.

I have four nights in Boston next month and I've got $100 / night off a Ritz Carlton room, plus free breakfast, late check-out and upgrade to a club room if available. I also got a good deal in Barbados in June, as I posted above.

You must book on the phone with Amex.

...FHR may change this. What are rates through them usually like in comparison with booking directly with the hotels?

If this is your only reason for getting a Platinum card, I wouldn't bother. The rates I've been quoted tend to compare poorly with what's available elsewhere. But then that tends to be for stays outside the USA.