Jasper2009

None that I´m aware of. The 5 nights requirement for Canadian AMEX Plat members is ridiculously low, but other fast track promos I´ve seen require 4 stays (vs. 5 stays) for Premier status and 8 stays (vs. 10 stays) for Platinum status.

I´ve listed sme fasttrack options in the master promo thread, the Air Canada fast track offer definitely is still available, not sure about the status of the other promos.

Ancien Maestro

You might want to confirm with Jarusoba, but he's comped Plat status with Amex Centurion.. so this maybe available for US centurion cardholders IIRC

The upfront and annual fees are pretty hefty.. for a frequent traveller, it may be worth it..

joshc40

Thanks for the info. Also, IIRC, I've seen the "early qualification" benefit discussed with respect to Platinum status, but I don't recall seeing any discussion about this with respecet to qualifying for premier status. Does the early qualification apply to attaining premier status as well? Thanks a lot.

Jasper2009

There´s no early qualifcation for Premier status through AMEX Platinum. You get Platinum status after completing five nights (not stays!), it really doesn´t get any easier than that (except for Canadian Centurion members who are comped Plat status).

joshc40

Sorry-that question got wrapped up into the fasttrack to platinum question and maybe I used the wrong term as well. By early qualification I didn't mean a shortened criteria for qualification. I meant do you get the perks and the certificates for 2 years (both the year in which you actually qualify and also the following calender year in which the status is good for)? I saw a recent post where someone who just qualified for plat got a set of certs that had to be used by february 2012 (or something like that) and was also expecting to get a set of certs to be used by feb 2013. Does that happen for premier as well or only for platinum?

Thanks

Jasper2009

Sorry, my mistake, you used the correct terms, but for some odd reason I thought you were replying to the posts above.

When early qualification (earn status before Sept. 30 and get status immediately for the rest of the membership year and the following membership year) was listed on the FPC website it was both applicable to members both going from basic to Premier and from Basic/Premier to Platinum.

As the benefit is no longer officially listed, but still seems to exist, I assume the answer is yes.
However, I´m not sure they hand out early qualification this late in the year, the Sept. 30 deadline doesn´t seem to exist anymore based on other FTer´s experience getting the certs in Oct. as well, but this doesn´t mean there´s no deadline at all.
I´d probably just call FPC and ask whether they´d be kind enough to bump you up to Premier.

Ancien Maestro

Not advertised.. but yes, this has been the case this year.

Yul_voyager

Is there a difference between :
- book online and call the hotel after to apply upgrade certificate
or
- call the hotel and book the room with the upgrade at the same time ?
I was thinking, maybe if you have already book a non-refundable fare, the hotel won't have to negociate anything (ie : just giving a 10$ higher room with a room-upgrade cert or the cheapest suite with a suite-upgrade cert).
Any idea ?

Thanks

Ancien Maestro

Booking online a non refundable deposit thats precharged to your card, you run the risk not being able to confirm your upgrade.. You book online or third party on a package that is not normally offered through Fairmont, and after the booking you call up Fairmont to apply the upgrades..

Normally with third parties I only book refundable rates, in case something goes wrong..

Fairmont is strict and fair on upgrades.. if its not available or is nights booked is limited access, it will not be applied.. if it is available and qualified, Fairmont will honor and confirm a guaranteed upgrade based on T&Cs..

MtlFire

I had previously no status with FPC. I just recently got the Platinum Amex and completed the 5 stays. With only a few days left in the year they have upgraded me and provided the 2011 certs. YMMV. But I'm very happy with the customer service at Fairmont and am seriously reconsidering my loyalty to Hilton. I just wish they had more locations.

Ancien Maestro

Locations have traditionally been sparse compared to other major hotel chains.. but I'm glad to see that more and more hotels are added to Fairmont each year, and seems like quite a few new hotels are under construction and is slated to come online..

imho, one of the great loyalty building tools Fairmont has is the early qualification for its new members.. Fairmont should keep this feature to earn business from new customers.. Mtlfire is a true life example how early recognition is valuable to gaining new members..

Mtlfire.. glad to hear you're taking a liking to FPC, it is a good program..

edcli

Just an FYI for US HSBC Premier customers, since US AMEX Plat don't have the accelerated Plat route.

Offer includes: a) complimentary upgrade to next room category, subject to availability at check-in; b) complimentary daily breakfast; c) loyalty component "Get Premier status in 3 stays/6 consecutive nights”
Enrollment

Jasper2009

Interesting. Do you happen to have a link with the exact details so I can add it to the master FAQ?

Ancien Maestro

Im HSBC Premier here in Canada.. hmm.. so its just for US only I guess? Be nice to have that in Canada.

choptliva

This just kills me.
I am AmexPlt in the US and HSBC Premier in Canada. A double loser, that's what I am!