Originally Posted by Kagehitokiri
American Express Platinum Fine Hotels and Resorts benefits (and perhaps Virtuoso) CAN be better than SPG Platinum status at SOME properties.
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Also, these are not package rates. They are negotiated/contracted rates. They include breakfast, guaranteed late checkout, one category upgrade if available, and a property specific amenity. The value of the amenity varies, some can be very high. Usually the FHR rates are the same or lower than the Best Available Rate if booked direct. Sometimes they are quite a bit lower. Of course, if Starwood is having a base room sale, or a promo rate that is available on higher room types, those would probably be lower than the FHR/Virtuoso rate. Starwood Lurker has also said that as long as you pay the hotel directly, all SPG benefits will apply as usual.
When I said package rates, I meant it as a "package" to get breakfast and the amenity
Of course it is not a "package rate" on spg.com. It's not even bookable on spg.com. I stay at mostly US properties and I can gurantee you that 99% of the time, the rate via your "special platinum service" for the same category room is going to be more expensive than the internet prepaid rate on spg.com. Essentially, you are paying extra for you "free breakfast." Also, if you do a search, you will also find that MANY hotels flat out DENY these benefits to amex platinum, or ameniti, or whatever members. Agents simply are not aware of these contracted benefits and many FTers had to waste a lot of time arguing with the manager in order to get these benefits. NOT WORTH IT. Do a search, you will find some threads.