American Express Membership Rewards - Making 4 Seasons reserv. with PTS; expect FHR type benefits?

I am planning to make reservations at FS Maui and Lanai through PTS. Even though those hotels aren't FHR hotels, does PTS have a relationship with FS that enables them to provide similar benefits such as comp. breakfast and/or upgrades at check-in? I know that PTS rates are typically as good or better than the FS website when I've checked on other properties. Just wondering if it makes sense to use PTS when the rooms are available on the FS website already. thanks! ^

You can certainly try, but if the PTS rates are same as FS website, you might as well book through amex and hope for something. My experience has been that at NON FHR hotels with a cent card, benefits have been slim to none.

Look at it this way. If you book through PTS, Amex takes a 10% commission on your rate. If you book directly with the hotel, the hotel gets 100% of your money, not 90%. More importantly, by booking directly the hotel will recognise that you are a repeat FS visitor because it will show in your profile. Both of these reasons make me think that booking directly makes you more likely to be upgraded.

(Have you checked if this property is bookable through Leading Hotels of the World? If you are a Leaders Club member, you are also meant to be top of the list for upgrades when available.)

I have to disagree with Raffles... FS will recognise repeat business booked from any channel, especially if you speak to the physical property prior to arrival. And I wouldn't put any stock whatsoever into The Leaders Club (But FS OGG is not LHW).

The hotel is running a 5th night free promo for some fall dates. Otherwise Virtuoso does maintain a strong relationship with the FS OGG

My dates are this month (August) so the 5th night free didn't apply.

I did call PTS for reservations at FS Lanai- Manele Bay. the CSR just called the property and got them to agree to the FHR benefit package! So we booked through PTS and will receive an upgrade (space available basis..plenty of rooms available at this point), free breakfast, and 1 free lunch for 2.

The rate was the same as listed on the FS website for a room without the benefits. Unfortunately we had booked FS Maui on its website and are inside the cancellation window, so I can't say whether it would also have agreed to the FH R package. I reserved a garden view room at Lanai since it seems like a slam dunk that ocean view rooms will be available for upgrade. At the garden view rate, assuming we are upgraded to at least a Partial ocean view room, we are saving >$175 per night plus the free lunch! ^