Originally Posted by
SanDiego1K
I've been trying to understand the difference between a Virtuoso booking and a FHR booking. I didn't find a thread in this forum comparing and contrasting, but this thread seems to be the most thoughtful in talking about Virtuoso agents. I found a useful blog from
Luckycoins, who stuck his toes in the waters of luxury hotel bookings.
Understanding Virtuoso and American Express Fine Hotels Resorts. A couple of my takeaways:
- I can determine which properties are Virtuoso by looking on virtuoso.com. I find that helpful as I can see if a property is a Virtuoso property without having to ask an agent, and I can see if the benefits are interesting to me.
- FHR has a lock on a guaranteed 4pm checkout. Virtuoso has to request it.
- Virtuoso often offers full breakfast where FHR offers continental breakfast.
- Virtuoso agents offer superior service.
I hate to disturb an agent unless I am relatively confident I will move forward on a booking. I like learning that I can do some initial research on my own.
What you say is pretty much correct, IŽd add the following aspects:
- Virtuoso often offers a superior added benefit provided once during your stay (e.g. $100 F&B credit vs. $50 spa credit)
- rates are often lower than BAR when booking through a Virtuoso agent, less common with FHR
- special promos like very 3rd/4th night free seem to be offered more often through Virtuoso than FHR, though this may be my subjective impression
Another useful resource IMO is the official Virtuoso guide where all the benefits for each property are listed:
link