American Express Membership Rewards - Question RE MO Centurion Benifit

Just tried to book a room at the MO Miami.

Last year I hada few MO stays and was always offered the Lowest rate available and still qualified for the free night.

Now I am told that to get the free night you have to pay the FHR rate, which surprise surprise , even with the free night ( well on a 3 night stay anyway ,) works out more than If I booked direct.


Would any one know if I am being fed a line here , or was I just lucky last year.

Any feed back appreciated.

Now I am told that to get the free night you have to pay the FHR rate, which surprise surprise , even with the free night ( well on a 3 night stay anyway ,) works out more than If I booked direct.
I've always paid the Centurion/FHR rate which has consistently been (London, Hong Kong twice, New York twice, Bangkok, Chiang Mai) cheaper than/competitive with the best available rate from Mandarin Oriental on their website.

You're telling me that even with the upgrade at the time of booking, three nights direct from the hotel are cheaper than two nights on the Centurion rate?

I would ring back and see if you get the same story from a second person.

with the best available rate from Mandarin Oriental on their website.

You're telling me that even with the upgrade at the time of booking, three nights direct from the hotel are cheaper than two nights on the Centurion rate?


Was also told up grade would be requested . I said I thought upgrade at time of booking was a published benifit.

Yes. ( Not much in it and to Be Fair FHR will include Conti b'fast.)

Getting more and more fed up with Centurion.

On the centurion website it says....

Unique Centurion privileges include
• Room upgrade at time of booking, when available
• A complimentary butler service to pack and unpack for you
• 4pm late check-out
• Daily complimentary breakfast for two
In addition, you will be offered one complimentary night's stay per year (when staying a minimum two nights) at each Mandarin property.

Never had the butler (yet).

Never had the butler (yet).
Nor me; but never really wanted one.

Plus; can you imagine how much you'd be expected to tip someone in (say) New York to unpack your suitcase?