Jasper2009

The way things work is that you call AMEX to make a reservation, they can only book one particular rate which is about the same as the best available rate (or sometimes slightly cheaper) which includes all the listed benefits, same is true for Virtuoso. You canīt add the AMEX benefits to any other rate. With regards to upgrade/free night certs: First make the booking and then call FPC Plat desk to have the certs applied, as the rate is refundable youīre usually charged directly by the hotel during check-out.

Perdita

I haven't seen this Amex offer mentioned, so I thought I would share. I hope it helps someone. I am using it to "Stay 2 nights and get a complimentary 3rd night" at the Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver for a Gold room. There are a bunch of Fairmonts listed.

http://www.amexnewhotels.com/

Shenanigans

Might be a stupid question but I'm guessing that using the Friends & Family rate precludes one from taking advantage of this Amex offer, no?

IOW, Best Available Rate does not include F&F?

Jasper2009

Correct, you need to book the BAR rate.

will5404

http://www.groupon.com/deals/fairmon...ipeg?c=dnb&p=1

Groupon for the Banff Springs, rate of $229 plus $50 resort credit or lift pass. Decentish deal....

quank

Not decent enough I suppose since not a single person bought it!

anti_ice

That is extremely weak. No wonder nobody bought it, I'm glad no one got sucked in!

http://www.fairmont.com/banffsprings..._purpose=basic...

How about $249 with $100 resort credit. A package right on their website.

Their ski-the big 3 package, which was available on their website until very recently, was like the groupon deal except you got TWO lift passes for the same cost.

I suppose if the groupon night was redeemable for any night regardless of prevailing rate/occupancy it could have some benefit. But I still say posting a "value" of $498 is pretty lame.

tcook052

Yes considering it only runs through mid-May also. I am a little surprised however nobody has touched it as there almost always one sucker in every crowd, Groupon or otherwise.

will5404

1 purchased now lol, and no wasn't me :P

The difference between the $249 rate with $100 resort credit and the GroupOn offer is probably the margin GroupOn collects on every sale.

gpapadop

So, we have LS 117 (or whatever the final number was) vs Groupon 1.

Last time I checked Groupon turned down a multibillion dollar from Google. Maybe Google targeted the wrong company

Ancien Maestro

Visa Infinite Deal for Fairmont Hotels

Since many Canadians carry a CIBC Visa.. I thought I would post the deal link.. Free upgrade, early check-in/late check-out.

http://www.visainfinitecard.com/en/t...perCategory=13


Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection (Fairmonts and non Fairmont Hotels.. check periodically)

Exclusive Benefits for
Visa Infinite Cardholders:SHOW HIDE
•The best available rate
•Automatic room upgrade upon arrival, when available
•Complimentary continental breakfast
•3PM check-out, when available
•VIP Guest status
•$25 food or beverage voucher
•Free in-room Internet or Valet parking

http://www.visainfinitehotels.com/

Ancien Maestro

Below is the Terms and Conditions for Visa Infinite Best Rate Guarantee.. Would this include a pre-paid rate seen on a third party website. If so, the benefits included is worth paying a bit extra for.

http://www.visainfinitehotels.com/about/benefits

Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection Exclusive Benefits: Terms & Conditions Best Rate Guarantee
To ensure that you are getting the best rate, the Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection endeavors to guarantee that the room rates on its web site are the best rates publicly available on the Internet. Best Available Rate, which is a specific rate type, varies depending on time of purchase, is unrestricted, non-qualified and excludes discount or negotiated rates not available to the general public, including, but not limited to: membership, corporate, government, promotional, group, packages, unpublished or rates only available on auction websites. If you find a qualifying publicly available room rate on another web site (within 48 hours of making a booking via the Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection website) that is lower than the rate you received via your booking with the Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection, then the Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection will endeavor to guarantee the lower rate from the hotel, plus request a Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection VIP treatment such as an upgrade and/or amenity during your stay. Terms and conditions apply.

To make a claim, all you need to do is to complete our Best Rate Guarantee online claim form, found by viewing your reservation through your Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection account. Our Guest Relations service will process your claim and contact you regarding your claim.

Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection endeavors to guarantee the best room rate available on www.visainfinitehotels.com for any of our featured hotels, subject to the following terms and conditions:

•The guest must have a confirmed reservation that is booked online on www.visainfinitehotels.com & quote the confirmation number when making a claim.
•Any claim must be made within 48 hours of the confirmed reservation booked online on www.visainfinitehotels.com.
•Any claim must include the appropriate documentation regarding the competing rate such as the source of the competing rate, the confirmation number of the competing rate etc. (see claim form for details)
•Both the original Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection online booking room-rate and the competing rate must be room only without inclusions such as meals, transportation and other services.
•The competing rate must be available for a booking with the exact-match booking requirements as the original Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection online booking, i.e. same hotel, same number of guests, same room type, same amenities, same arrival and departure dates.
This Guarantee does not apply to:

•Opaque or auction sites where the hotel brand and/or the specific hotel is not known until the booking is finalized. Examples of these types of sites include but are not limited to, Luxury Link, Priceline and Hotwire.
•Special and unique rates on the hotels own website or competing sites. Example: Internet Only rates, Advance Rate Bookings, etc
•Web sites that "package" travel, entertainment, hotel and/or food components such as airfare and hotel stay, hotel stay and car rental, hotel stay and restaurant voucher and so forth.
•Packaged rates that include taxes, service charges, meals, coupons, parking, services and/or other amenities.
•Qualified discount rates including, but not limited to, Government, Travel Industry Discounts, Long Stay and so forth.
•Unpublished, negotiated rates with corporations, travel agencies, groups, associations or other rates that are specifically agreed upon by Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection, or rates not available to the general public, including without limitation rates requiring memberships in a club, affinity program, or other organization where the rates are specifically made available to a specific group of individual.
•The Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection Best Rate Guarantee cannot be combined with other offers or promotions and is void where prohibited by law.
•This Guarantee applies only to the room rate for the duration of the reservation and does not apply to taxes, gratuities, guest incidental charges, food and beverage charges, resort fees, and any other fees or charges that may be incurred during the guest's stay.
•Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection has the sole right and discretion to determine the validity of any claim, including without limitation, determining that the competing rate is genuinely available and that the claim meets all terms and conditions. In case of dispute, Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection's decision is final.
ROOM UPGRADE
Upon availability at check-in, you will be upgraded to the next highest room class for the duration of your stay.

$25 FOOD/BEVERAGE VOUCHER
During your hotel stay you will receive one $25 voucher good for food/beverage within the hotel. In the case where the hotel does not offer any food or beverage service, you will be provided another benefit of equal value. Any charges over and above the credit described above will be applied directly to your account to settle upon departure.

CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
For the length of your stay, you and one guest will receive complimentary continental breakfast. If the hotel does not offer continental breakfast, they will offer another dining or other benefit of equal value.

VIP GUEST STATUS
As a guest through the Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection, you will be recognized within the hotel as a VIP Guest. VIP Guest services and amenities differ by property.

INTERNET ACCESS / VALET PARKING
Upon check-in you will be able to choose between complimentary in-room internet access or valet parking (up to a maximum of $50 per day of your stay). If a hotel provides all guests with free internet access, then you will receive complimentary valet parking. If a hotel only offers only one of these two benefits, by default you will receive the available benefit. In the case where a hotel offers neither of these benefits, they will provide a service or benefit to you of comparable value.

LATE CHECKOUT
Late checkout is available upon request, upon availability by the hotel. At the time of check-in, or during the course of your stay, you may contact the front desk and request late checkout up to 3 p.m.

will5404

Royal York $129

http://www.fairmont.com/ryh/travelzoo

Fairmont Gold +$100

bobofoosh

Amex Daily Wish today is Fairmont Hotels. The "Hot Deal" is a $200 credit when you book any stay (min 2 nights). Checked a few hotels, some rates are BAR some are higher. Might be a good deal for somebody but didn't work for me.

http://www.fairmont.com/promotions/axphot

CanuckFlyHigh

What a crap deal. The $200 credit can only be used for Spa, F+B, or ACtivities, not even against your room. AND a minimum 2 night stay.

I checked Banff Springs - Friends and Family Rate - $149 Amex Rate $339 per night.

HMM, should I book the one that costs $300, or the one that costs $680 with a $200 F+B credit.