American Express Membership Rewards - Mandarin Oriental CTS 2/1 upgrade

Just called to book two weekend nights (F-S) at the MO in NY. Centurion holders get one free night with one paid night plus a number of other goodiers (breakfast and one lunch). In other postings, people said that you could not upgrade to a suite, just a better view, as part of the CTS or PTS FHR plan.

The travel consultant got back to me and offered a Central Park view for the same price as the lesser view. I explained I wanted to be upgraded to a suite. Sure enough, she spoke to the hotel manager and got back to me 30 mintues later. I'm paying more, of course, but it didn't seem that she (or I) had to jump through too many hoops. Hope the hotel measures up - I've read varying view.

I had a lovely stay there this past summer. I found the service level to be top notch, and the quality of the rooms and furnishings to be exceptional. I spent about 4 hours at the spa; expensive but well worth it.

Hoepfully you are taking advantage of the extra Centurion bonus that is going on right now (I don't have the card handy, but my recollection is that in addition to the other Centurion amenties, they were offering admission to Jazz at Lincoln Center and champagne, or something like that, gratis).

I really had no complaints about the hotel. My favorite NY hotel still remains the Ritz-Central Park, primarily because of their awesome club lounge. But I think the rooms are nicer at MO, and service is comparable. With the free night promotion the MO is a real steal of course. I had room service dinner twice during my stay at the MO, and it far exceeded what is offered up at the Ritz.

In addition, due to a business meeting, I missed my complimentary lunch. I spoke to the front desk manager who gladly extended the validity so I could return on my next visit to NY; even if I was not staying overnight at the MO.

My one complaint; when I stayed the hotel car was a Maybach. When I returned in the fall it was gone, and they told me they only had it on loan for a short time. Now they are down to regular Mercedes S class cars, versus the Ritz's Bentley. At the MO's rates, they really need a higher end hotel car.