Originally Posted by
NYC Flyer
This will depend on the property and management. With Select Hotels (my agency's consortia network similar to Virtuoso), in addition to the stated benefits, some properties will include a welcome note from management along with a small amenity delivered to the room. Some properties may do this with FHR as well (been a long time since I've booked through FHR).
I've been getting that rather frequently just booking myself.
Originally Posted by
NYC Flyer
Between Virtuoso, Select Hotels, Signature Travel, etc, (plus the luxury chains and Visa and MC have their own booking amenity programs), there are ways to get these benefits without the Plat card.
That said, while FHR itself probably doesn't move the needle much
Not moving the needle much doesn't seem worthwhile. The other benefits you mention either duplicate benefits I can get elsewhere or are not very useful for me.
Originally Posted by
NYC Flyer
Amex Plat does have another set of properties (the Hotel Collection), including some upscale/non-luxury locations, with benefits on min two-night stays, as well as complimentary membership in Travel Leaders' Travel Collection (yet another set of properties with booking amenities, plus discounts/perks on air/car/vacations). With three different programs, there are a broader range of locations/property types covered.
Utility of the various statement credits/lounge access/membership rewards should be the primary factors in selecting the card, IMHO, with access to the various travel programs a secondary consideration.