Originally Posted by
farbster
I wasn't sure if that was what you were saying.
If you were paying a large amount for a room ($500 or $750 or $1,000+ per night), what other benefit would you want that you would forgo the free night? I like the free breakfast and sometimes the price of the breakfasts will be greater than the free night, but sometimes the free night is worth far more than the breakfast?
The real reason this has somewhat become a dilemma is that we're looking at a hotel that includes the breakfast. I'm usually sceptical about getting the "free upgrade if available". Sometimes the green club can take care of that anyway.
Sorry if I was not clear. FWIW I intend to get the Citi Prestige card myself, and have various other cards that offer travel benefits.
What I am saying is that on any given booking you would still have to weigh the 'fourth night free' offer against other rates and value added benefits available through TAs or other booking channels.
I could be wrong, but I think it is highly unlikely that the 'fourth night free' offer is based on the lowest publicly available flexible rate (BAR) offered by the hotel. It likely requires the payment of a higher rate for the first three nights, as such offers often do.
I would be amazed if, for example, this credit card could get you a complimentary fourth night at FS George V if you paid BAR for the first three nights.
Given all of the benefits and the $250 airline credit, this card easily pays for itself, regardless of whether or not you choose to book hotels through their travel agency.