Originally Posted by
Dcislander
Hey all, for decades I've been planning my own trips. Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Diamond, Mar/SPG Gold so it's been pretty easy to find point stays/good rates.
I am finding, as many others have, that with devaluations and changing categories that the options are becoming more complex and the DIY method may not always be the best option.
I am considering working with a Virtuoso rep. I had an initial conversation with her today and she outlined the program and what she does. It sure sounds good, but I am having a tough time figuring out if it is as good as it sounds or if it is like the Direct Buy stores where you don't quite know what you're getting until you've paid up---and then can be disappointed with the results (no offense to Direct Buy members).
The agent charges $250 per reservation. What do other FTers think about Virtuoso and the value it offers?
This questions is probably better for the Luxury forum but here's my thoughts:
Not sure who you chatted with but most Virtuoso agents that I've met (and that are active here) tend to not charge anything for the reservation, merely collecting the commission- there are some who stipulate minimum reservation requirements etc...
It's actually not like DirectBuy at all.. if you want to know what the amenities are then go to Virtuoso.com and chose the property- they will list the exact amenities; and the typical upgrade paths. Things I value most through using a travel advisor is free breakfast; however if you are a Hyatt Diamond staying at a Hyatt then this obviously isn't a perk. The amenity is typically worth about $80-100 so obviously is is necessary to see if it's worth booking a Virtuoso rate or a discounted rate like AAA or soemthing. So when it comes to Hyatt I tend to book shorter stays (ie 1 day stays) with Virtuoso; longer with some sort of discounted rate.
Outside of Hyatt since I always book refundable rates, it does tend to be better for me to go with Virtuoso. I've had sucess my agent negotiating upgrades in advance for me which is quite nice. There are also some properties that include an upgrade at booking (PH Washington comes to mind)
I tend to be a pretty independent traveler and find where I want to stay on my own. I reserach room types and rates, but use an advisor to book my trip. There is nothing to lose by using an agent in my mind if they don't charge; however I would not pay $250 a reservation. There are a lot more resources on the Luxury Hotel forum
FDW