millere2

I agree. I gamble at Harrahs properties and the past few years always got multiple free nights anytime I wanted them which is why I never used FHR. But the last 2-3 times my room comp offers have been going down like crazy. The amount I gamble has not changed, if anything it rose. The last offers I got from Harrahs had me paying more and more for any weekends I stayed in Vegas no matter where I stayed. I am fed up with them. When I tried to use my discounted rates for my trip at the the end of Feb they told me the block of discount rooms was used up and not available anymore, although plenty of rooms still available. Tried to book in early Dec for the end of Feb. Maybe moving my gambling to MGM or the Venetian will get the free room offers coming again in which I would not use FHR.

DrPSB

I just got back from a stay in Bellagio using FHR - I'm an AMEX Plat.

Per other postings, I think we were actually treated rather poorly overall and I ended up complaining. We booked a penthouse suite for the week before Christmas which is usually a very slow time.

When we entered into the VIP check in off the lobby we were told to sit down and wait while she worked on getting tickets for another couple, which was fine, but then some folks walked in and were taken care of before us. I ended up having to go check in at the regular line. We weren't told about the VIP elevators or alternate check in(which can save you a walk through the crowded casino) and when I asked about a fountain view was told it wasn't possible and she didn't even check the computer. We got the coupons for the buffet/cafe and for the spa/Olives as advertised. The room was nice enough but frankly I didn't feel particularly wowed by it and it was all rather cold. A dirty qtip on the bathroom floor and stingy small box of chocolates for my wife's birthday were also second class.

The one really big benefit was we were able to go through the Bellagio concierge to get brilliant seats for O. When I tried to go through the Platinum AMEX concierge she was pretty useless, couldn't be bothered to call the hotel, and only offered the seats she could find on the public website which were quite poor.

I suppose the line pass for the buffet is very useful, at times the regular line had at least 100 plus people waiting. We never used the line pass as we preferred the cafe to the buffet as it was more personal, the food was quite good, portions and prices great, and the staff very nice.

I don't think I'd stay at the Bellagio again after this - there are plenty of other hotels to try and even with a very generous credit we were given I just don't need to be treated as though I'm a second class citizen. I've read other comments that Amex Plat's have had similar experiences at Bellagio and wonder if it's a common occurence.

DrPSB

Just stayed at Bellagio the week before xmas (normally a slow time) and had booked a penthouse suite with fhr. We were treated as second class guests and couldn't even get a fountain view. I'm rather disgusted and wouldn't stay at Bellagio via fhr again.

kingalien

Don't want to sound harsh but amex plat in Vegas means nothing. Unless you are gaming at the casino you are staying at, the level of service you received is on par with all other casinos.

If you haven't stayed at Four Seasons, give them a try under amex plat.

beta1607

Can you elaborate on your experience?

DrPSB

Sure. On arrival we proceeded to the VIP check in, since we had arranged a penthouse suite through FHR and were told we were eligible to use it. We went in and were told rudely (yes, I know this is subjective) that we should sit down and wait until she had worked out some tickets for another couple. While we waited somebody came in and she started helping them ignoring that we had arrived first. At this point I headed out to the main check in area as it was empty. We were not told there was another check in desk we could have used where the VIP elevators are. When I asked about a fountain room I was told it wasn't possible even though we were there during a slow time of year and the check in clerk didn't even check to see if it was possible. No upgrade was offered (not that I'd expected one but a fountain view room would have been appreciated). We were not told about the vip elevators that would save us a walk through the jam packed casino. A phone message was left for us asking if everything was ok, which they do for everybody, and the tone of voice was clearly uninterested and the message rushed.

Apparently they no longer serve alcohol in the vip areas as before. There was a dingy bottle of merlot but that was it, and I was told later they did have a few bottles locked away of average quality if people specifically asked for them. The beverages/food available were sparse and actually less inviting than what my parents who were staying at Hotel 32 in the Monte Carlo were offered. Also, the agent had told them it was my wife's bday and a very stingy small box of chocolates was left although for my parents who were on their anniversary were given nice assortment of chocolate strawberries and some bubbly.

We were given exactly the number of buffet tickets, line pass and Olive's/Spa voucher as advertised.

I will confess that we spoke to a manager the day before we left about what we thought was a below par reception from a 5 star hotel for guests in a top line room and were given a nice credit. But it wasn't about the money.

Perhaps I've become spoiled at staying in smaller hotels around the world which do seem to have a personal touch and actually care about the customers, and shouldn't have expected anything but the bare minimum from Bellagio. I did find it interesting that my father in law who was staying there was given an upgrade and extra restaurant coupons when he checked in earlier the day so I'm sure he came away with a better feel for the hotel.

The room was nice enough except for the dirty q tip on the floor from a previous guest, the attitude was pretty clearly uninterested and I've read reports that other amex plats have been told they were essentially second class citizens at Bellagio, my experience would seem to confirm this.

DrPSB

You don't sound harsh and I agree, based on my experience, that amex plat staying in a penthouse suite doesn't mean much regarding customer service or attitude. I'm sharing this not because I feel particularly upset but so others will know what to expect from this 5 star property. I've stayed at many a hotel room around the world and found that many times there isn't a great correlation between how many stars a hotel has and the quality of customer service. I'd definitely prefer a smaller four star boutique hotel with staff who seem to care than a large uncaring hotel where you are almost viewed as a necessary evil by the staff.

Thanks for the tip re 4 seasons. We stayed at Bellagio mostly because it was near where my parents, celebrating their 51st wedding anniversary, were staying at the Hotel 32. I didn't really want to stay at the Monte Carlo although I found their staff much friendlier at the Hotel 32 than at Bellagio. My parents room there was not so great but they did have a nice lounge to hang out in and the food offerings there were better than that of the vip bellagio lounge. I also should report that liquor is now locked away, other than perhaps a skanky bottle of merlot, in both vip lounges at Bellagio. I was told they'd be glad to get me something such as JW Black but life is too short to drink cheap whiskey. :-)

My wife wants to try Venetian because of the shops and such and I understand their FHR amenities are disappointing but we may give it a try. I actually quite enjoyed staying at Vdara last year except for the early morning construction noise - but that wasn't too much a problem since we were jet lagged and up at 4am anyway.

kingalien

While I usually won't turn people away from Venetian, under FHR, Venetian is no better at all. If the wife wants to shop, suggest going with Wynn under FHR (they only give spa credit as opposed to dining credit at Venetian). Wynn is right across from both Venetian and the Fashion Mall, shoppers delight .

Also, since you mentioned why you stayed at Bellagio, next time for mid-strip location definitely consider Mandarin Oriental under FHR (spa credit) .

robertw477

I think you must have copied a similar experience I had a few years on my wifes birthday. I did FHR for the Penthouse. They gave me a smoking room even though they had others available. They tried to jam me up. I called VIp and they told me to get lost and pound sand. Called AMEX FHR and threw a fit. After long waiting they said they would try to help. I only got things better when I got AMEX to agree to pay for me to upgrade to waterfront view etc. Also I had to go get a manager from the regular front desk. The heck with that VIP stuff. That was a waste of time. On other occasions I had a special MGM branded credit card from Chase. It had some perks including GUARANTEED late checkout etc. Bellagio employees tried to refuse every benefit of that card (no longer offered). Bellagio is a great place to visit but the regular rooms are common, some are shabby, and the service frankly is bullcrap.

Rob

robertw477

Excellent point. VIP at Bellagio desk will be VIP if you plan to lose the kids college fund. In that case your host will alert them to take care of you. Otherwise at Bellagio and I believe many other places, the price you pay means nothing, I just got back from Tokyo vacation so I will be more jaded going to LV next week on business.

Rob

miketxxx

Please keep this in mind that I'm writing from a place of bitterness.

I booked a two night stay Dec 28th-30th using the platinum & FHR, purchased 4 tickets to the "Phantom" added airfare for two, for a grand total of +/- $1,700.

When we got to the check-in desk I was told that we were not entitled to an upgrade or a late checkout because we booked thru travelocity. I pulled out the reservation printed from amex's site & she said if I would like to pay an additional $100 a night, she could upgrade us from their standard room, but they will not honor any of these perks I keep rambling about and if we even think of staying past the 11am checkout we had another thing coming.

So I got the key, given a map to the elevator & told if I had more proof then she would honor them.

So I went outside and called amex, after some transferring they were able to locate my reservation that was made on their site; but thru the general area. I said how would I know about all these "perks" and booked a flight that doesn't even depart until 8:30pm if I hadn't done this. I also said how is it possible that spending +/- $1,700 for a two night stay still put you in "tourist class"? When I go no-class I use priceline.

The person on the phone from amex was very understanding & even called the Venetian to see if any of the benefits could be honored (at a minum the late checkout) & the answer was NO, no maybe, no will call you back, just a resounding NO.

So I took out the map, left breadcrumbs to find the lobby again & headed off to the room... Now I will say the standard room was beautiful & if the clerk had said I was upgraded I would have believed her (except for the view of the HVAC on the building outside the window) & the baggage check people were very friendly in keeping our luggage all day. Plus I won $21.75 at the slots.

So if you do book using amex don't go the bathroom, chat on the phone or discuss restaurant reservations with your significant other or you will be logged out & run the risk of logging back in on the wrong side of the site.

mia

It sounds as if you booked through American Express Travel, a service which is currently outsourced to Travelocity. Their website is here:

https://axptravel.americanexpress.co...vel/travel.do?

To qualify for FHR benefits you must book through Platinum Travel Service. Their website is here:

https://www.americanexpressfhr.com

The rate you paid by booking through the generic travel site is likely not the same as you would have paid through the FHR site.

anup2104

I just stayed at the Venetian for new years. As I stayed with other people that booked the Venezia tower through expedia we were put there to be next to them. I knew it was a long walk, but didn't realise how long! If they offer the upgrade to a room in Venezia at check in, don't do it (as im sure a lot of people here are aware).

With the breakfast, the in-room is trash. After having it on the first morning, I went to the front desk on my way down and asked them to change it to the breakfast at the grand luxe. From here, if you add $8.50 pp you can have the breakfast buffet (which is not too bad - although not amazing either).

Also with the upgrades, if you are in a standard luxury suite then try to get upgraded to a Rialto suite. I was already aware that they were sold out during my stay being NYE weekend, but when I asked they said that I could have it if i was willing to move after the first day.

Lastly, don't forget that you don't have to queue to check in there, go straight to the invited guests check-in on the left

SNA_Flyer

Anyone have experience with using the invited guests checkin at TheHotel (to the left of the main area) for FHR? The lines can get pretty bad there...

jammanxc

never seen a huge line at THEhotel before, maybe thats cause I always check in at 9am