Originally Posted by
Okto
Correct. No different than using spg.com, expedia, etc.
The main point here is not the same: I can make the booking all on my own without having to contact a specific Virtuoso agent. That is a plus.
Until recently, American Express required that FHR rates be booked on the phone through one of their agents. Then they wised up and decided to make the rates available to everybody (holding a Plat or Cent card) on their website without having to work with an agent.
Right, and at the other end of SPG.com there's Starwood collecting a percent fee for the booking. And at the other end of Expedia/Orbitz/Hotwire, there's another corporation collecting another commission for the booking. It's called running a business, and in the year 2014 I really do not need to have a "relationship" with a specific travel agent to look up hotel rates.
Fair opinion, but I think many would disagree. There's a difference between calling the back of an Amex card and talking to a new rep every. single. time. verses having someone you've worked with for years and who knows your specific situation/wants/needs.
Secondly, the world of the travel agent business is not dead, and there are tons of informal perks that go on behind the scenes. This is still very much a 'you scratch my back I scratch yours' business. Business is done on the phone, calling a GM..not online. (Side note: this is the whole point of Virtuoso Travel Week in Vegas...5 days of advisors meeting hotel GMs, one v. one)
For example, I have a personal relationship with the GM at the Belmond Hotel Timeo...and at the St. Regis BKK...and the Four Seasons Bora Bora. You'd rather use a website than have me call those people directly?
You can dispute the merits of booking via an OTA or via a live person until you're blue in the face. At the end of the day it's all about personal preference. It's clear where you stand on the issue.
EDIT: the purpose of this thread is to explain & discuss Virtuoso perks as they relate to SPG (not here to solicit business, I'm good on that). For that reason, I've taken down the FAQ regarding bookings, as I can see it'll clearly just turn into a thread on the value of travel agents - which is not the point of this thread at all.