Originally Posted by
s0ssos
Actually they had 2 lines, on the opposite sides of the pillars so you cannot see people in the other line. And the 2 lines to go different counters, and they don't mix. So, someone on the left may end up waiting longer than someone who shows up later on the right.
But didn't see anything like priority check-in.
They do have a priority check-in. However, what I've never fully understood, is that it's not for upper status members only. It's essentially a priority line for any ALL program members, including Classic members. So it's a priority line for anybody who bothers to sign up for the program. That's actually on the published benefit chart and is that way at all Fairmont properties. I recall it was the same way under the old FPC program; having a reception line for members of any tier of the program. That sounds more like a tool to get people to sign-up than it does a member benefit.
On edit to add...
I suppose it could also be from the former Fairmont strategy where benefits were more discrete and not about visible segregation. The old program got upper tier members upgrade certificates, free nights, dining certificates, turndown service, and a host of other things, but such benefits were not the type of benefits that were ever publicly visible to other guests on delivery. No priority line. No executive lounge for upper tier members (Fairmont Gold is available to only those who book and pay for Gold). While upper tier members received additional benefits and service levels, they always wanted to have the image of treating all guests with top service and not wanting an image of an elitist status segregation. I would also never hear a check-in agent at a Fairmont hotel come out and say anything like "thank you for being a Platinum member" while standing at the reception desk on registration. A base member was supposed to feel as special as a top tier member when staying at their hotels. That's not completely unique to Fairmont in the higher-end hotel space, as Four Seasons operates in a similar fashion.