Amex Concierge: What have they done for you?
#151
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: USA
Programs: Current: Delta Gold, Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Diamond. Former United 1K, JetBlue Mosiac, SPG Platinum
Posts: 34
If they are the same as Amex Travel advisors they are useless. I wanted to find somethings to do in Atlanta and clearly the person was just reading off some document. Could not answer any questions. Best place to stay? 'Downtown' . Thanks a hotel recommendation? Anyone one if Amex Travel.
I just asked her to send me what she was reading off... low and behold I got 5 pages on Atlanta. If anything I will use them more like AAA. I am going to Orlando; please provide me a free map.
I just want to TripAdvisor and Yelp to find things to do and eat.
I am guessing Amex Concierge and Amex Travel Consultants are both probably just some outsourced call center that when you call the Amex number they say Amex, if you call with a Chase number they say their Chase....
I just asked her to send me what she was reading off... low and behold I got 5 pages on Atlanta. If anything I will use them more like AAA. I am going to Orlando; please provide me a free map.
I just want to TripAdvisor and Yelp to find things to do and eat.
I am guessing Amex Concierge and Amex Travel Consultants are both probably just some outsourced call center that when you call the Amex number they say Amex, if you call with a Chase number they say their Chase....
Last edited by GeoSpark; Dec 30, 2015 at 6:29 am
#152
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: PWM
Programs: AA EXP, DL Platinum, and assorted hotel loyalty schemes.
Posts: 281
The only time I have called just happened to be the day Adele tickets went on sale. I had no idea who she is nor was I interested in finding out who she is until I spent 90 minutes on hold and never did get through to a human. I stayed in hold that long only because I was in the middle of a four hour drive with nothing else to do to kill time.
I had initially called because I wanted to find a dinner reservation for a restaurant that only takes reservations by phone during their open hours at which time I would have been in a plane.
I had initially called because I wanted to find a dinner reservation for a restaurant that only takes reservations by phone during their open hours at which time I would have been in a plane.
#153
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 233
The only time I have called just happened to be the day Adele tickets went on sale. I had no idea who she is nor was I interested in finding out who she is until I spent 90 minutes on hold and never did get through to a human. I stayed in hold that long only because I was in the middle of a four hour drive with nothing else to do to kill time.
I had initially called because I wanted to find a dinner reservation for a restaurant that only takes reservations by phone during their open hours at which time I would have been in a plane.
I had initially called because I wanted to find a dinner reservation for a restaurant that only takes reservations by phone during their open hours at which time I would have been in a plane.
#154
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 5
The only time I have called just happened to be the day Adele tickets went on sale. I had no idea who she is nor was I interested in finding out who she is until I spent 90 minutes on hold and never did get through to a human. I stayed in hold that long only because I was in the middle of a four hour drive with nothing else to do to kill time.
I had initially called because I wanted to find a dinner reservation for a restaurant that only takes reservations by phone during their open hours at which time I would have been in a plane.
I had initially called because I wanted to find a dinner reservation for a restaurant that only takes reservations by phone during their open hours at which time I would have been in a plane.
If I'm not in a rush I will just email them now with my request (which could be helpful for you in the future the next time youre on a plane)
While you and I (and even Adele) know how hard it is to get tix to her show, that wont stop the thousands of other people from still calling Concierge and blocking the lines for the rest of us
Last edited by mia; Dec 31, 2015 at 11:29 am Reason: Combine consecutive replies
#155
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
For concert tickets, I usually call or email a few days in advance and give them my purchase parameters. Then they can sit there and keep refreshing Ticketmaster or call them right at the on-sale time.
Usually, they are actually able to secure tickets for me, from Ticketmaster, at face value (plus the TM fees). And even if they don't, it saves me the hassle of dealing with the search which is inevitably at 10am on a workday.
I did just get a note back from the concierge that French Laundry reservations (which I had been in queue for) are now only happening 1 month in advance? Anyone else hear something similar?
Usually, they are actually able to secure tickets for me, from Ticketmaster, at face value (plus the TM fees). And even if they don't, it saves me the hassle of dealing with the search which is inevitably at 10am on a workday.
I did just get a note back from the concierge that French Laundry reservations (which I had been in queue for) are now only happening 1 month in advance? Anyone else hear something similar?
#156
For concert tickets, I usually call or email a few days in advance and give them my purchase parameters. Then they can sit there and keep refreshing Ticketmaster or call them right at the on-sale time.
Usually, they are actually able to secure tickets for me, from Ticketmaster, at face value (plus the TM fees). And even if they don't, it saves me the hassle of dealing with the search which is inevitably at 10am on a workday.
I did just get a note back from the concierge that French Laundry reservations (which I had been in queue for) are now only happening 1 month in advance? Anyone else hear something similar?
Usually, they are actually able to secure tickets for me, from Ticketmaster, at face value (plus the TM fees). And even if they don't, it saves me the hassle of dealing with the search which is inevitably at 10am on a workday.
I did just get a note back from the concierge that French Laundry reservations (which I had been in queue for) are now only happening 1 month in advance? Anyone else hear something similar?
#157
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
A quick Google search turned up nothing, but OpenTable does still have reservations going out to late February (for TFL).
I guess we'll see. I will still hit up OpenTable and possibly call for myself 2 months out, and if that doesn't work I'll let Amex do their thing one month out. Speaking of the 2 month/1 month advance, though, does anyone know whether 2 months actual = 60 days?
So...if I want a reservation on August 31, do I call on July 2 (60 days before), or can I start on June 30 (since there's no June 31)? Or July 1? Or just call every day until my head explodes?
I guess we'll see. I will still hit up OpenTable and possibly call for myself 2 months out, and if that doesn't work I'll let Amex do their thing one month out. Speaking of the 2 month/1 month advance, though, does anyone know whether 2 months actual = 60 days?
So...if I want a reservation on August 31, do I call on July 2 (60 days before), or can I start on June 30 (since there's no June 31)? Or July 1? Or just call every day until my head explodes?
#158
A quick Google search turned up nothing, but OpenTable does still have reservations going out to late February (for TFL).
I guess we'll see. I will still hit up OpenTable and possibly call for myself 2 months out, and if that doesn't work I'll let Amex do their thing one month out. Speaking of the 2 month/1 month advance, though, does anyone know whether 2 months actual = 60 days?
So...if I want a reservation on August 31, do I call on July 2 (60 days before), or can I start on June 30 (since there's no June 31)? Or July 1? Or just call every day until my head explodes?
I guess we'll see. I will still hit up OpenTable and possibly call for myself 2 months out, and if that doesn't work I'll let Amex do their thing one month out. Speaking of the 2 month/1 month advance, though, does anyone know whether 2 months actual = 60 days?
So...if I want a reservation on August 31, do I call on July 2 (60 days before), or can I start on June 30 (since there's no June 31)? Or July 1? Or just call every day until my head explodes?
Reservations are taken two months to the calendar date and can be made daily by calling our reservationists between 10:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Last edited by United747; Dec 31, 2015 at 2:21 pm
#159
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,592
#160
#161
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CLT
Programs: Delta Platinum, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 12
Reservations at Peter Luger, Brooklyn
I called Peter Luger directly 10 days before my trip to NYC to make reservations for 3 people for Friday 12/11/15. All they had was 10:45 pm availability.
I decided to try AMEX Concierge. Gave my parameters, they asked if it was a special occasion (it wasn't) and they said they would get back to me via email within 24 hours.
I also have a Citi Prestige card and thought to try them too. Gave my parameters, they asked the same question about a special occasion and then promised to get back to me within 3 hours.
Within 3 hours Citi Prestige called back and said they had availability at 10:45 pm. Nothing different than I could get on my own.
The next day I got an email from AMEX Concierge with reservations at 8:30 pm with a contact name for the restaurant. The restaurant also required confirmation within 48 hours of the date and the Concierge offered to make the confirmation for me. 2 days before my reservation, they emailed to tell me they made the confirmation on my behalf and gave me the details about the restaurant (ie. no credit cards accepted).
First time I've used them for reservations and it worked out great. Will definitely use them again.
I decided to try AMEX Concierge. Gave my parameters, they asked if it was a special occasion (it wasn't) and they said they would get back to me via email within 24 hours.
I also have a Citi Prestige card and thought to try them too. Gave my parameters, they asked the same question about a special occasion and then promised to get back to me within 3 hours.
Within 3 hours Citi Prestige called back and said they had availability at 10:45 pm. Nothing different than I could get on my own.
The next day I got an email from AMEX Concierge with reservations at 8:30 pm with a contact name for the restaurant. The restaurant also required confirmation within 48 hours of the date and the Concierge offered to make the confirmation for me. 2 days before my reservation, they emailed to tell me they made the confirmation on my behalf and gave me the details about the restaurant (ie. no credit cards accepted).
First time I've used them for reservations and it worked out great. Will definitely use them again.
#162
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
From the French Laundry website:
That would lead me to believe that AmEx was wrong. They also told me that Per Se never takes reservations for one
Reservations are taken two months to the calendar date and can be made daily by calling our reservationists between 10:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
The one month thing was something Amex proactively reached out to us about w.r.t. our pending request, and it was specifically identified as a new TFL policy.
#163
That language has been on TFL website for a while (at least since we started planning this trip several months ago) and matches what Amex told us when we first made the inquiry.
The one month thing was something Amex proactively reached out to us about w.r.t. our pending request, and it was specifically identified as a new TFL policy.
The one month thing was something Amex proactively reached out to us about w.r.t. our pending request, and it was specifically identified as a new TFL policy.
#164
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
Here's the email I got from Amex last week.
Just checked OpenTable minutes ago. Plenty of reservations available there for March 2 for 4 people (though nothing available for just 2 people). So OpenTable at least is still taking reservations two months out.
Dear Mr Lee,
I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to reach out to you today to follow up on your request to dine at The French Laundry with your party of 2 on MMMM DD, 2016. The restaurant was closed for three months early in 2015 to begin an extensive renovation of their aging kitchen. The restaurant has been operating out of a temporary kitchen since March 2015 and they are currently planning to finish these renovations in 2016.
As they are finalizing all of their construction planning, The French Laundry has decided to alter their normal two month in advance booking policy to only one month in advance for 2016. For your request, our first opportunity to inquire about a reservation on your behalf will now be on MMMM-1 DD, 2016. We will be certain to update you no later than 7:00 PM EST with our results on that same date.
Please do not hesitate to reply to this email should you have any questions or concerns regarding this reservation request.
Thank you so much for using the American Express Concierge and for being a valued card holder. We look forward to assisting you again in the very near future. Please do not hesitate to contact us for anything at all including dining, sporting events, concerts, theatre and so much more. We are available for you 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
If you have any questions, or need any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
<name removed>
American Express Concierge
I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to reach out to you today to follow up on your request to dine at The French Laundry with your party of 2 on MMMM DD, 2016. The restaurant was closed for three months early in 2015 to begin an extensive renovation of their aging kitchen. The restaurant has been operating out of a temporary kitchen since March 2015 and they are currently planning to finish these renovations in 2016.
As they are finalizing all of their construction planning, The French Laundry has decided to alter their normal two month in advance booking policy to only one month in advance for 2016. For your request, our first opportunity to inquire about a reservation on your behalf will now be on MMMM-1 DD, 2016. We will be certain to update you no later than 7:00 PM EST with our results on that same date.
Please do not hesitate to reply to this email should you have any questions or concerns regarding this reservation request.
Thank you so much for using the American Express Concierge and for being a valued card holder. We look forward to assisting you again in the very near future. Please do not hesitate to contact us for anything at all including dining, sporting events, concerts, theatre and so much more. We are available for you 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
If you have any questions, or need any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
<name removed>
American Express Concierge
#165
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 17
I called Peter Luger directly 10 days before my trip to NYC to make reservations for 3 people for Friday 12/11/15. All they had was 10:45 pm availability.
I decided to try AMEX Concierge. Gave my parameters, they asked if it was a special occasion (it wasn't) and they said they would get back to me via email within 24 hours.
I also have a Citi Prestige card and thought to try them too. Gave my parameters, they asked the same question about a special occasion and then promised to get back to me within 3 hours.
Within 3 hours Citi Prestige called back and said they had availability at 10:45 pm. Nothing different than I could get on my own.
The next day I got an email from AMEX Concierge with reservations at 8:30 pm with a contact name for the restaurant. The restaurant also required confirmation within 48 hours of the date and the Concierge offered to make the confirmation for me. 2 days before my reservation, they emailed to tell me they made the confirmation on my behalf and gave me the details about the restaurant (ie. no credit cards accepted).
First time I've used them for reservations and it worked out great. Will definitely use them again.
I decided to try AMEX Concierge. Gave my parameters, they asked if it was a special occasion (it wasn't) and they said they would get back to me via email within 24 hours.
I also have a Citi Prestige card and thought to try them too. Gave my parameters, they asked the same question about a special occasion and then promised to get back to me within 3 hours.
Within 3 hours Citi Prestige called back and said they had availability at 10:45 pm. Nothing different than I could get on my own.
The next day I got an email from AMEX Concierge with reservations at 8:30 pm with a contact name for the restaurant. The restaurant also required confirmation within 48 hours of the date and the Concierge offered to make the confirmation for me. 2 days before my reservation, they emailed to tell me they made the confirmation on my behalf and gave me the details about the restaurant (ie. no credit cards accepted).
First time I've used them for reservations and it worked out great. Will definitely use them again.