Amex FH&R May Lose Ritz Carlton - Negotiations Ongoing
Aug 7, 2011, 2:48 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Palm Beach/Hungary 3.9MM AA EXP, UA GOLD 1MM, DL PLT, MARR LIFE PLT
Posts: 238
Amex FH&R May Lose Ritz Carlton - Negotiations Ongoing
I heard from a Ritz Carlton Manager that Ritz Carlton is unhappy with the Amex FH&R deal and may not renew the contract. After losing Continental this would be a huge setback for the FH&R program and Centurion cardholders.
Has anyone else heard anything?
Has anyone else heard anything?
Aug 7, 2011, 3:01 pm
#2
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
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Marriott has introduced a RC branded version of Marriott Rewards and an associated credit card. Inasmuch as Chase is the issuer of that credit card, and is locked in a market share battle with American Express, it's not surprising that Marriott would now be "unhappy" with their relationship with American Express.
Last edited by mia; Aug 7, 2011 at 3:20 pm
Aug 7, 2011, 4:19 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: DL Plat, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 7,487
Wow, this really is deja vu after Continental. IMHO it would be a noticeable loss for the FHR program-- I'm not sure what % of the total properties are RCs (probably not that large of a percentage), but in my past experience, in a number of markets in the U.S., RCs are often priced lower than FS or MOs, giving Plat and Cent cardmembers a lower price point to take advantage of the FHR program.
But I guess it's not entirely surprising given that the new Ritz Carlton card from Chase seems to be going after a similar demographic as the Amex Plat.
But I guess it's not entirely surprising given that the new Ritz Carlton card from Chase seems to be going after a similar demographic as the Amex Plat.
Aug 7, 2011, 4:31 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: GA
Programs: Amex Centurion, DL Gold, CO Gold, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, USAir Plat, Hertz Gold, Avis Presidents
Posts: 29
I have ritz carlton reservations in Bachelor Gulch for January 1-January 5, all under the Centurion hotels program. If it is going away I'd say its already booked for another year.
Aug 8, 2011, 10:42 am
#5
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: UA 1K, Hertz 5*, IHG RA, Hyatt Diamond, Amex Plat, SPG Gold
Posts: 717
AMEX is usually good at implementing a transition period before any changes are made and offer another benefit to try and offset the loss ($200 airline fee credit after the loss of Continental).
Only have 2 stays at the Ritz this year under the FHR program and both times the front desk agent did not mention anything about the benefits until I asked. Seems like they're already training their front line staff to belittle the program!
Only have 2 stays at the Ritz this year under the FHR program and both times the front desk agent did not mention anything about the benefits until I asked. Seems like they're already training their front line staff to belittle the program!
Aug 8, 2011, 5:54 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Palm Beach/Hungary 3.9MM AA EXP, UA GOLD 1MM, DL PLT, MARR LIFE PLT
Posts: 238
Marriott has introduced a RC branded version of Marriott Rewards and an associated credit card. Inasmuch as Chase is the issuer of that credit card, and is locked in a market share battle with American Express, it's not surprising that Marriott would now be "unhappy" with their relationship with American Express.
Aug 8, 2011, 8:55 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Boston, MA (BOS)
Programs: AA PLT Pro 2MM, DL Gold, UA Silver, Marriott Ambassador + LT Plat, COFC Venture X, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 5,587
This would be a big for me if true. RC is my favorite hotel chain and I much prefer it to Four Seasons or the Mandarin Oriental (although they are also very nice). Lately I've been booking with a Virtuoso and Ritz Carlton STARS agent so I have access to many of the same amenities and my friend collects the commissions.
for me if true. RC is my favorite hotel chain and I much prefer it to Four Seasons or the Mandarin Oriental (although they are also very nice). Lately I've been booking with a Virtuoso and Ritz Carlton STARS agent so I have access to many of the same amenities and my friend collects the commissions.
Aug 8, 2011, 9:07 pm
#8
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,041
This would be a big for me if true. RC is my favorite hotel chain and I much prefer it to Four Seasons or the Mandarin Oriental (although they are also very nice). Lately I've been booking with a Virtuoso and Ritz Carlton STARS agent so I have access to many of the same amenities and my friend collects the commissions.
for me if true. RC is my favorite hotel chain and I much prefer it to Four Seasons or the Mandarin Oriental (although they are also very nice). Lately I've been booking with a Virtuoso and Ritz Carlton STARS agent so I have access to many of the same amenities and my friend collects the commissions." for you? 
Regards
Aug 9, 2011, 6:27 am
#9
Join Date: Jul 2004
Programs: Priority Club Platinum & Ambassdor, Hilton Honors Diamond, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 505
I hear that losing American Airlines for their lounges is next, since AA has new credit card that has $450 annual fee but includes lounge access. Article was on Usatoday and the writing was pretty sure deal with AMEX would end soon. Anyone heard this? If so, then AMEX Platinum needs to step it up...
Aug 9, 2011, 6:35 am
#10
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Discussion here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...oing-away.html
I assume you are referring to this article:
http://travel.usatoday.com/deals/ins...rks/49792636/1
It doesn't seem to include anything other than Mr Perkins' unsupported opinion.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...oing-away.html
I assume you are referring to this article:
http://travel.usatoday.com/deals/ins...rks/49792636/1
It doesn't seem to include anything other than Mr Perkins' unsupported opinion.
Last edited by mia; Aug 9, 2011 at 6:53 am
Aug 9, 2011, 8:17 am
#11
Join Date: Jul 2004
Programs: Priority Club Platinum & Ambassdor, Hilton Honors Diamond, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 505
Discussion here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...oing-away.html
I assume you are referring to this article:
http://travel.usatoday.com/deals/ins...rks/49792636/1
It doesn't seem to include anything other than Mr Perkins' unsupported opinion.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...oing-away.html
I assume you are referring to this article:
http://travel.usatoday.com/deals/ins...rks/49792636/1
It doesn't seem to include anything other than Mr Perkins' unsupported opinion.
Aug 9, 2011, 11:23 am
#12
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: Plat:US,DL (ex KL,AF,LX,LY) Gold:BA,VS (ex CO,UA).Plat.SPG,HGP Diam.HH. ICHG Plat RA. Amex Centurion
Posts: 673
Aug 9, 2011, 7:07 pm
#13
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Miami, FL, USA
Posts: 4,049
I noticed recently that RC added a promotion that is *pro* sub-Platinum Amex:
http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/promot...n=09008&src=ps
It seems like it might render the FHR program useless for RC anyway. The green card can get the same benefits.
http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/promot...n=09008&src=ps
It seems like it might render the FHR program useless for RC anyway. The green card can get the same benefits.