American Express Membership Rewards - Reserve with PTS / Pay with Chase MC Certificates?

I am booking a Ritz Carlton & using Chase MC Ultimate Rewards Certificates (12 X $100...). The RC website shows a Club room @ $509, but PTS is $475, plus breakfast (which we'll get anyway), plus the upgrade, plus a complimentary lunch. Would it be a problem to book through PTS, reserve w/ my husband's Plat Am Exp & pay on check-out with my Chase Rewards Certificates?

The official answer is yes. YMMV.

This is the message I got with my confirmation:

FINE HOTEL AND RESORT PROGRAM. FOR PAYMENT PLATINUM CARDMEMBER MUST USE AMERICAN EXPRESS CARD IN HIS
HER NAME

Anyone had this enforced?

In the last 12 months I am on 2 who insisted on Amex and 1 that didn't mind and was happy to take travellers cheques from me.

I assume Amex does an audit to check that FHR bookings were paid on Amex (not exactly hard to check) and complains to hotels that do not toe the line. Lets be frank, the hotels would love you to pay cash or use Visa, given the high Amex merchant fees.

I'd hate to check-out & find out this wonderful trip I've been saving points for so long is not free & has to be put on AmEx... but I really want that upgrade & lunch for 2 - I'm holding 2 reservations right now & in a total quandry - sure I'll have to cancel one soon, if they don't do it for me!

Why don't you hold onto the Amex booking, pay 95% of the bill with the certs, and settle the balance with Amex?

Why don't you hold onto the Amex booking, pay 95% of the bill with the certs, and settle the balance with Amex?

Good idea - it doesn't say "Payment in Full," it says "for payment..." - Gawd, I hope this works - if not, I am in a world of hurt!