Hotel: Conrad LA
Room Booked: Standard King
Rate: $479 one night (Friday) Valet-only parking was $62
Early Check-in: Arrived shorly after 12PM and was given a room immediately
Late Checkout: Yes, left at 2PM, was told we could extend to 4PM if we wanted.
Upgrade: Yes, to a Premium King with an OK view but not overlooking Walt Disney Concert Hall
$100 Food & Beverage Credit: Yes, in fact it was $115 because an extra $15 is included in the 'destination charge'. The excellent Agua Viva restaurant is now closed, your options are the bar (The Beaudry Room) and the expen$ive Michelin-listed San Laurel. We did the latter and it was fabulous but not particularly filling. I planned ahead and had a couple of late-afternoon tacos from a food truck across the street before showing up for our dinner. We spent $150 (almost $200 with tax/tip) but two people could probably scrape by for $115.
Breakfast: Not an actual free breakast, it was $60 credit at the San Laurel. There were plenty of good options for less than $30 per person (Eggs benedict with a whole avocado and a side for $24, for example) and they don't complain if you bring in coffee from the urns in the lobby. We went deluxe and went over so I can't say how they apply the credit towards tax/tip. Contrary to dinner, the portions were generous and they allowed substition of a very nice breakfast salad instead of the potatoes.
Prepaid/Paid at Hotel: Prepaid $430, balance (tax, destination) was paid at hotel. The charges were as advertised.
Loyalty Points/Benefits Received?: Yes, HHonors Gold bonus points applied.
Comment: The front desk clerk was aware of the AMEX FHR program, mentioned it specifically and give me a printout of all the credits and benefits. No blank stares or mentions of Expedia. They also honored the terms perfectly except perhaps their breakfast credit which wasn't literally a free breakfast--and I've no complaints about that. One tip--you'll get more to eat for your money at dinner if you skip the famous Jamon Iberico platter at San Laurel. The Lubina (sea bass) is fantastic. Then if you get the First and Grand breakfast the next morning they'll let you substitute the bacon/sausage option for Jamon Iberico so you can try it--and it's a pretty decent portion.