I’m in Cape Town. Just stayed at the Taj for two nights and all Hotel Collection benefits were honored plus breakfast.

Now at the 12 Apostles, booked through FHR. On checkin FHR was recognized, Breakfast and $100 food and beverage credit confirmed (did not receive anything in writing). Had some food and drinks at the Leopard Bar. Was just woken up (literally) to a knock and an envelope pushed under my door right before midnight. The envelope contains the page you usually get at checkin with the FHR benefits but then in addition states (verbatim): “US$100 Food and beverage credit to be used during your stay. Excluding beverages and gratuities and Seafood platter.” Tips, standard. Seafood platter, weird but ok. Beverage credit doesn’t include beverages? I’m traveling solo, two nights. Obviously the money itself isn’t the point. But the principle. It’s clearly a bait and switch. But I’m left with multiple CoAs: a. Maybe it’s just poorly written and a $100 in beverages and food will come off the tab just fine. B. It won’t and I could raise a ruckus on checkout (pointing out I could do a partial chargeback…not like it’s part of a hotel chain I’m concerned with); C. I could cancel my dinner plans and pig out. D. I could rightfully point out they bait and switched and demand to check out and go back to the Taj. I really want it to be a. I’m a little worried that if I don’t check out in the morning that I’m accepting the bait and switch as far as Amex is concerned.

For the record, I went through all confirmation emails. All confirmed “$100 food and beverage credit.” No exclusions. Total bait and switch. Thoughts? Anyone experienced this?