Retired FF

I had booked a V room for the same reason to try to get into an H suite. I was already in Vegas and staying at the Aria just prior to my stay at the Hotel so just dropped in at the Hotel in the morning of check-in and requested an upgrade and advised them that I was flexible in my check-in time. The front desk made a quick call to the room inventory and told me that an H suite was ready and if I wanted he could check me in right away at 9:00 A.M.^

LAXRuss

Just got back from spending a long weekend at the Bellagio, my favorite hotel. This trip I spent a bit of time talking with the staff about the FHR upgrades, so I thought I would pass on how I understand the program at that hotel:

(1) The FHR upgrades are for non-suite hotel rooms. Basically the upgrades equate to fountain view, such as resort to fountain view or fountain view to premier fountain view.

(2) Standard rooms do not upgrade to suites and, as I understand, suites do not upgrade within their own category. Bellagio suites will not upgrade to larger Penthouse suites. And views within the suite categories will not upgrade. Thus, a resort view room will upgrade to a fountain view, but a resort view penthouse suite is just that, it will never upgrade to a fountain view penthouse suite unless the hotel provides the upgrade because of high occupancy. Also I've been lucky occasionally to be upgraded to fountain view rooms on their highest suite floors-- rooms which can also be booked as second bedrooms connecting to penthouse suites-- but that room category if booked directly through AMEX will not confer FHR benefits. If you specifically want that room, you do not receive the breakfast and other benefit vouchers. Similarly, if you book the Penthouse suite with the connecting second bedroom, there are no FHR bennies for the second bedroom.

(3) Three key benefits that AMEX doesn't seem to mention: If you book a Bellagio suite or Penthouse suite, you can check in at the Chairman's Lounge and enjoy the snacks and beverages throughout your visit. Also if you book a Penthouse suite (or a lower category Bellagio suite at a room rate of at least $400 per night), the hotel will provide complimentary airport transfers in their limos. Bellagio and Penthouse suites also include VIP line passes for the Cafe Bellagio and the Buffet.

By the way, be sure to allot time to stop by the Centurion lounge at LAS. The lounge now provides Platinum card holders free access. The service is excellent, the food and beverage selection outstanding. The lounge even offers a smoking 50MB WIFI internet connection which made it easy to download some TV shows on my iPAD to watch on the flight home.

LAXRuss

At the Bellagio Cafe they also say you can use the coupons for lunch or dinner credit in lieu of breakfast. However, the wait staff at Cafe Bellagio always tell me that they will only accept a maximum of one coupon per person in group per visit. If Cafe Gelato will always accept multiple coupons per visit as pure credit, that is a good deal worth knowing about.

choupeo

Thanks for the details. Very helpful ! I am currently planning my stay at Bellagio next month. Are you sure that a Bellagio suite includes check-in at Chairman's Lounge ? On the phone, the reservation agent did mention that to me but I didn't find that info on the hotel website.

choupeo

If you like Aria and want guaranteed late check-out you can book through Virtuoso. Their rate is 10% off best available rate which is more expensive than your 25% off through mLife but you get breakfast, a small $25 resort credit, 2 spa passes, and late check-out.

RichardMannion

Stay at THEhotel at Mandalay Bay this weekend, booked two rooms. One was offered a room upgrade to a V suite, other was left as is.

There was a letter given at checkin:

- Early noon check-in when avail
- Room upgrade on arrival when avail
- late checkout at 4pm.
- $100 spa credit offered for each room
- $40 (per person per night), up to $80/day for breakfast/lunch at TheCafe or TheCoffee Bar, plus

Credits can't be used for gratuities or alcohol.

Resort fee of $20 was added per room per night - was not told about this by Centurion when I booked

Nice rooms, but was really not impressed when I called down to room service to ask for a wine opener and two additional wine glasses to be told:
- 45 minute lead time
- $2.70 charge for the wine opener, and $1 per glass

Wouldn't stay there again based on that - it's meant to be a 5* hotel! Back to the Mandarin Oriental for me.

bgriff

It was $40 per person per night? When I was there a while back it was $20 per person, $40 per room per night. That would be quite an improvement.

Were they certificates (that you could possibly accumulate and use more than one day's allowance at once)? Or just a credit to be taken off the bill?

Retired FF

I was there a year ago and it was $40.00 per person (max 2 people) per night for a total of $80.00.

bgriff

Thanks, good to know -- that's quite generous really. Especially since I have a stay booked there next month for right around $80 per night (before resort fee, but even still).

xcalibir

The internet was a little slow when I was there and they automatically waived the resort fee without any hesitation.

I still think thehotel is a great value 80 dollars for 2 people for breakfast is awsome. I stayed there for two days about a month ago and we would eat enough not to be hungry until dinner!

The spa prices on the other hand is absolutely outragous! I can't believe how much they charge just for a simple massage.

The front desk lady told me that generally they upgrade V suite guests to an M suite? which I heard is a smaller version of the H suite.

clubman

Can confirm as I was there a month ago.

Very easy to reach the $80 at Thecafe as a couple though...

yojimbo

I returned yesterday from a weekend stay at theHotel.

I didn't receive an upgrade from the regular suite. The suite was a bit tired...worn carpet and furnishing.....but still a very nice space.

$80/day food credit seems like a very good deal, esp since my room rate was $88/night, plus $20 resort fee.

Retired FF

We actually used our $80.00 credit by having a nice lunch instead of breakfast. ^

anchor79

Was looking at the 2014 FHR for Vegas, noticed 2 things.

1. Four Seasons changed its amenities to $100 spa credit (boo) instead of dinner credit.

2. Palazzo is no longer on the list. Cost them too much to be part of the FHR ?

clubman

Does seem that way (and the Venetian) , although have they finalised the hotels for 2104?

Shame is they have removed it as it's a great property.