Originally Posted by
mike64b
Amex is refusing to honor the credit and I'm wondering if I have a leg to stand on or if anyone else has experienced this.
I booked through amextravel.com - I am pretty sure I selected "Pay Now" on the pop-up, and this is what the booking summary showed (also you can go try booking this hotel right now and see that the pay now option still puts you in a booking that requires a deposit just like this):
The issue seems to be that verbiage at the bottom that this is a hotel deposit charged by the hotel (even though its due at the time of the booking so IDK how that's different from prepay). I was of the understanding this is common for vegas resort hotels.
However, its been over a week and the only charge I have on my card is posted & directly from the hotel (not from amex fine hotels & resorts) for $253.97 - and thus the FHR credit is not going to trigger.
The terms on the FHR credit state "To receive the statement credits, an eligible Card Member must make a new booking using their eligible Card through American Express Travel on or after July 1st, 2021, that is prepaid (
referred to as "Pay Now" on amextravel.com and the Amex App), for a qualifying stay at an available, participating Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection property."
I asked an amextravel rep about this, and they said EVEN if you click "Pay Now" the booking can still change to a non-prepaid one - this is my only guess what is going on here. But this is insane that you follow the terms as best you can and still get screwed by amex. If I click pay now, how is this my fault? Am I being unreasonable about this?
really happy to see other DPs here. i also got hit with this stupid process.
this is exactly the scammy bait switch tactic that i hate when trying to use credits. hence the shaming of the coupon book style of CC benefits w/ more TC than the IRS.
i opened a review case on both sides amex plat CC and also amex travel. told them there is a huge misleading issue.
i have multiple plats. all booked FHR vegas same day last week. i know what im doing. ALL picked PAY AT HOTEL. DEPOSIT DUE TODAY.
but nope. thats not wat happened. some plats were prepaid, charged and FHR credit posted. but some only got pre-auth. then charges dropped. NO CHARGES. until i got to hotel.
i got to hotel and told "sorry. this is not prepaid stay. u booked FHR but u still owe entire balance."
WHAT!?
thats how i discovered this issue and this thread.
so now we have a huge headache. we must be more careful about selecting hotel rates w/ NON-REFUNDABLE PAYMENT DUE NOW. this is wat u need.
it does NOT matter you select pay now vs hotel. the RATE itself has to be non-refundable. if its flexible or has free cancellation or deposit taken later date by hotel etc, then ur screwed.
will see hat happens but no way i wanna lose hundreds of $.