ffsim

Please stop ignoring reality. The hotel I referred to in one of my earlier posts is the excellent Bayerischer Hof in Munich. Breakfast is 40 euros per person. The property is not available through Virtuoso. Stay 4 days through FHR with an American Platinum card or 7 days with a Canadian Platinum card (ignoring the $200 travel credit for simplicity) and the annual fee is offset.

That's but one example from a recent trip. I can go on and on and on. That you choose to ignore reality is your prerogative.

stimpy

I paid for a normal deluxe, which would have been city facing, and was upgraded at time of booking. The difference between a normal room and a Premier is a large sitting area by the window. And a nicer bathroom and the valet box. Maybe other things I don't recall. They may have changed things over the last couple years though. I just looked at the site and it seems a Harbor Deluxe is actually a Premier room. But that's just my guess, I don't know for sure. I know on a previous stay I had a Premier room facing the city.

Not sure if it is just Centurion, but we were told we could eat at either restaurant or in room. And anything on the menu was included. On the FHR card nothing was mentioned about continental like it is at some other hotels. And on the card it said 4pm check out, or 6pm upon request if available.

CGRA

Thank you Stimpy. Probably they told me 6pm only for Centurion to justify that they can't gave me 6 as plat

love_to_travel

Exactly.

I am also of the belief that the FHR benefits I've received more than make up for the $450 annual fee.

Not to mention the $200 airline credit, not to mention the $100 Global Entry fee reimbursement, not to mention that AMEX reimbursed me for a Louis Vuitton wallet I had just purchased in Paris because it was stolen, not to mention that AMEX sent me a replacement card in less than 20 hours because someone was using it fraudulently in California while I was in Florida, not to mention that AMEX fronted me 200 CHF while I was in stuck in GVA, and I could go on and on and on.

AMEX takes very good care of me.

CGRA

You're Lucky.. in France they're a nightmare. Lately I called them as I spent USD100 for a doctor in South America and they told me to first check with the public social secrity, then with my private social security then to check with them...

catcathk

Hi all,

I have a question, 'cos I'm confused where upgrade is up ONE category or it just the next best room/suit available?

I'm looking at Four Season in Sydney... The suits I'm looking at are...

Exec Suite City View King Bed $694/night

Exec Suite Harbour View King Bed $832/night

Royal Suite $2266/night

My target is the Royal Suite, so my question is, do I have to make reservation for the Harbour View Exec Suite in order for a chance to upgrade into the Royal Suite, or the City View is good enough for the one category upgrade?

and one other question, there are also two type of Royal Suite with different views, am I even allow to ask to switch to the better view Royal Suite if I get offer the upgrade and get assigned to the city view Royal Suite?

Oh.. and one last question... anyone have any experience of room/suite upgrade with FS in Sydney? the last reviews was back in 09 on Flyertalk...

Cheers~

PWMTrav

This is the key. The other person taking this to task in this thread was assuming that I, or others, are shopping rates and not the hotel itself first. That's incorrect for me, at least, and participating properties make a difference.

Throw out my last stay at the US Grant if you'd like, since it participates in Virtuoso. This weekend I'm spending two nights at the Loews in Montreal - not listed on the Virtuoso web site, so I assume not participating. This is the hotel I selected, and it happens to be an FHR participant. My rate on a Grand Deluxe Double room was the same as the website, I'll definitely eat breakfast at the hotel either way, and the late checkout is great because we are driving and can spend more time in the city - something I might pay for in this case. I'm absolutely counting the benefits against the annual fee.

That I could have stayed at the Fairmont, Ritz Carlton or St. James is irrelevant to me - they participate in Virtuoso and I believe FHR as well, but even ignoring the fact that all 3 had higher rates for a comparable room when I last checked, I was going to stay at the Loews either way.

These benefits definitely offset the annual fee for some of us. It's not one size fits all - there are Platinum benefits that some people love, but to which I attach no value. FHR happens to be one that I do value, and does justify me keeping the card.

ffsim

Enjoy our city! Not sure if you're planning to catch any Just for Laughs shows, but there's a whole lot of funny in town this weekend ^

I stayed at Loews last year under FHR, and I think you'll like the property. I spent the whole F&B credit at the bar (we were there for a stag party) and woke up too late to enjoy breakfast, but the 4pm checkout came in handy and the upgraded room was really nice. Oh, and the location is absolutely perfect.

ABG

I'd say your chance of an upgrade valued at $1400.00 more than your room rate is zero, unless you have some sort of track history at FS Sydney or FS in general. At those price points I would strongly suggest Park Hyatt Sydney. The deluxe rooms are larger than the suites at Four Seasons and are basically the same price you are showing above

catcathk

Hi ABG, thank you for your reply, I love Park Hyatt, but my purpose of this trip is to visit friends live in the north shore and around the city therefore public transportation is important to me...

I understand the price different and the chances are slim when no body (i.e. me ) asking for an upgrade, but doesn't FHR offer upgrade when there's availability? If... let say I check on the spot that the room/suit is available... would FHR agent able to make it happen? Given that if a FHR agent confirmed that upgrade upon availability for this particular hotel and this particular type of room? I heard horror story that property refused upgrade due to rules that customer didn't confirm upon reservation...

How about Shangri-La? It's offer free wifi and newer then FS... if I wanted a suite with view of both harbor bridge and opera house, which suite/room should I make reservation in order to upgrade to the suite I wanted?

Thanks for the advice.

ABG

If you are willing to pay 832.00 for a hotel room, treat yourself to a taxi and stay at a great hotel. Just because it says upgrade on arrival, at any property, doesn't mean they will upgrade you to special / named suites. Many posters have reported that FHR agents will review upgrade terms with you before you book.

CGRA

Believe upgrade to top suite is most of the times not possible according to T&C

CGRA

Money can't buy the time lost in taxi

catcathk

Yes, thanks for explaining, I understand as long as the FHR agent have reviewed the T&C and confirmed that the room is upgradable and the next level up is the Royal Suite and it's available... (there are two higher level suite than this one btw), then I'm eligible for upgrade ... I guess...... I will call, they might say yes, they might say no, will see

Thanks for the advice of Taxi... but I will drive if I need to go further... just not sure if I remember how to drive righty... hehe

FlyingDoctorwu

One thing to consider if you want to book the FS Sydney is to contact a FSPP who might be more willing to negotiate with the hotel on your behalf to secure the Royal Suite.

FDW