American Express Membership Rewards - New to Amex Platinum...A few Questions.

I recently decided on the AMEX platinum based on a number of factors. The four domestic companion tickets were the closer for my decision though. Seems from reading this site that some people have had great experiences with this program and others horrible.

My question is related to the FHR program. First off, are the rates for Four Seasons and Ritz Carlton competitive with the hotels online pricing?

Also, am I required to book the hotel through AMEX travel in order to receive the upgrade or can I simply use the card when I check in and receive it?

Thanks for all the help. I've been looking at this site for some time now and it is filled with great tips.

I recently decided on the AMEX platinum based on a number of factors. The four domestic companion tickets were the closer for my decision though. Seems from reading this site that some people have had great experiences with this program and others horrible.

My question is related to the FHR program. First off, are the rates for Four Seasons and Ritz Carlton competitive with the hotels online pricing?

Also, am I required to book the hotel through AMEX travel in order to receive the upgrade or can I simply use the card when I check in and receive it?

Thanks for all the help. I've been looking at this site for some time now and it is filled with great tips.

The rates are competitive, but there are only certain categories of rooms that FHR has in their system to offer. Usually these are not the least expensive category. Sometime the rooms are less money thru FHR than the website.

You are required to book thru the FHR system to get your amenities. That said, your travel agent can do so it if that's what you want to use. You will need to use the card to check in and out.

Most of the time you can book the hotel room cheaper elsewhere. I have never gotten a upgrade but many here say it happens a lot- in that case its a good deal. You have to book the hotel thru amex plat travel to get a room in the program. You can not just show up and give them your card.

Welcome to Flyertalk.

While not always easy to locate online, American Express generally spells out the requirements for each card benefit...

In order to receive Fine Hotels & Resorts (FH&R) program amenities and rates, reservations must be made through PTS. Payment must be made with an American Express Card in the Platinum Card member's name. Room upgrade upon arrival is based on availability. One special program amenity per room, per stay. Special amenity restrictions vary by hotel and cannot be redeemed for cash. FH&R program participants and amenities subject to change without notice. Must reserve FH&R negotiated rates and room categories in order to receive amenities. American Express acts solely as sales agent for travel suppliers and is not liable for the acts or inactions of such suppliers.

Most of the time you can book the hotel room cheaper elsewhere. I have never gotten a upgrade but many here say it happens a lot- in that case its a good deal. You have to book the hotel thru amex plat travel to get a room in the program. You can not just show up and give them your card.

Very odd. I'd say that I get a decent (10%+ discount) off the cheapest internet B&B rate 75% of the time, plus the late check-out and extra amenity, which is usually something useful like a free lunch.

Upgrades can be hit and miss, but I've got some excellent ones in the past. The usual upgrade rule applies, as with all loyalty schemes - if you really want a certain sort of room, then pay for it in the first place.

FHR is the main reason I keep my Amex Plat - it pays for the card fee by itself.

Very odd. I'd say that I get a decent (10%+ discount) off the cheapest internet B&B rate 75% of the time, plus the late check-out and extra amenity, which is usually something useful like a free lunch.


The last booking i had- I went to the hotel's website and could have booked the room for 50.00 less per night. This can get kind of costly when staying a entire week... I went ahead and booked thru amex to get a upgrade.. of course, i didnt get one. So I paid a 300.00 for a "free" lunch.

I think you have to look at each stay and see what rates are available.

...staying a entire week... I went ahead and booked thru amex to get a upgrade.. of course, i didnt get one. So I paid a 300.00 for a "free" lunch.

As a matter of strategy, don't you think the probability of an upgrade diminishes with a longer duration stay? It seems the hotel would need to project unsold rooms in the upgraded room category for each night of the stay.

I would disagree about the longer you stay the less likely you are to get upgrade YMMV. . .but while you might not get the upgrade the 1st night you get there if you ask nicely the person at the counter can sometimes upgrade yout the next day.

This happened to me at the LeMeridian in Cancun. Arrived on a Saturday for a week stay and they were full and told no upgrade available, But that rooms would open up the next day and they could move me then, just check in with them in the morning. I did that and we were moved up a catagory to a great room with a great balcony.

So while the upgrade might not be available the 1st night talk to them to see if it become available another night.

I read on the AMEX website that Platinum cardholders automatically get SPG gold status, can anyone confirm that or how it works? Also, what if you get the Marriott Platinum card, would that also confer SPG gold status?

Platinum cardholders automatically get SPG gold status, can anyone confirm that or how it works?

American Express Platinum charge card holders are automatically granted Starwood Gold elite status. It "works" by contacting American Express customer service, telling them your Starwood Preferred Guest membership number and asking them to contact Starwood to change your status. This offer applies only to the Platinum charge card with annual fee of $450 (personal) or $395 (business), and not to any other platinum color American Express credit card.

Sorry, I do not understand the question about "Marriott Platinum". American Express does not issue any Marriott credit card, and American Express does not issue any credit card that includes Marriott status.

The last booking i had- I went to the hotel's website and could have booked the room for 50.00 less per night.

Which hotel was this?

FHR is the main reason I keep my Amex Plat - it pays for the card fee by itself.

Why would you favour a FHR program where you have your large annual fee vs something like Virtuoso that offers a comparable program for no annual fee? What has got you hooked on the FHR rates?

Once you have the Platinum card and get invited to Centurion, do you have to spend a certain amount every year to maintain being a member, or just qualify?

Just qualify, pay the initiation fee, and pay the recurring annual fee.