Jan 16, 2015, 2:56 pm
Last edit by: mia
This thread is a continuation of a discussion which started HERE
Current (2020) thread is HERE
FHR properties in other cities are discussed HERE
FHR is the American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts benefit program available with Centurion and Platinum charge cards.
Receive these complimentary benefits with each FINE HOTELS & RESORTS booking:
Current (2020) thread is HERE
FHR properties in other cities are discussed HERE
FHR is the American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts benefit program available with Centurion and Platinum charge cards.
Receive these complimentary benefits with each FINE HOTELS & RESORTS booking:
- Noon check-In, when available
- Room Upgrade upon arrival, when available*
- Daily breakfast for two people
- Guaranteed 4pm late checkout. Additional special benefit unique to each property, such as a $100 food and beverage credit or a massage for two people**
USA cardholder may book online at: americanexpress.com/fhr or call Platinum Travel Service at 1-800-525-3355. Cardholders from other countries can use the same website to see participating properties, but cannot view prices or book. In some countries FHR properties can be booked through the general American Express Travel site.
ARIA Sky Suites
Upgrades: typically to a better view
Breakfast: room service, buffet or cafe, $30 per person, per day
$100 Spa: covers spa treatments (no longer includes salon)
$5.60 resort wifi fee taken off per day
Bellagio
Upgrades: one level typical; sometimes Junior Suite (really just a corner room with a little more space)
Breakfast: 2 X $30 credits per day; Cafe Bellagio, The Buffet, Palio, Cafe Gelato or Pool Cafe
$100 Property Credit - Dining: The Buffet, Cafe Bellagio, FIX, Harvest, LAGO, Lily Bar, Jasmine, Michael Mina or Petossian Bar. Spa or Salon services - no merchandise.
Four Seasons
Upgrades: typically one level
Breakfast: room service or Verandah - $60 a day
$100 Spa: Expensive services doesn't get you far.
Mandarin Oriental
Upgrades: occasional
Breakfast: room service or MOzen, enough to cover std breakfast ($30 per person) but they will charge for excess
$100 Spa: can be used treatments but also just about covers two day passes to the very cool spa
Wifi: $5.00 plus tax of the resort fee is refunded
Palazzo
Upgrades: Strip View
Breakfast: $65 total/day at Grand Lux Cafe (any time) or Room Service
$100 Spa: Not valid for express service, specials, or spa passes (changing to $100 Property credit for all booking starting 2020)
Skylofts at MGM Grand
Upgrades: rare
Breakfast: in room or at The Mansion; no apparent cap
$100 Spa:
Wynn - April 2016
Upgrades: Usually to higher floor if you book resort room and to the next room category in the tower if available if you booked a Tower Suite.
Breakfast: $60 ($30 per person) at any restaurant that serves breakfast including the buffet. Also covers in-room breakfast.
Note:Resort fees are no longer waived for Tower Suites customersWynn
The Buffet - 8-11
Tableau - 7-11:30
Terrace Point Cafe - 6-11
In Room - 5-11
Encore
Lobby Bar and Cafe - 6-11
Jardin - 7-11:30
In Room - 5-11
$100 Spa: Can be used at Wynn or Encore Spa, or either resort's Salon.
$18.99/device/day internet charge removed from bill
If selecting the basic internet charge (May 2017), $5/day is deducted from the resort fee.
Delano - Aug 2019
FHR amenity is $100 spa credit, excludes salon services (e.g. haircut), merchandise, and products.
Spa adds a 20% service fee on all services.
Daily $60 ($30 x 2 people) credits only for Della's (open 6am-2pm)
Room service specifically excluded.
Resort Fee: $41.95 plus tax, minus a $5 wifi credit (about $40 total)
FHR Experience Las Vegas Hotels only (2015 - 2019)
Feb 15, 2015, 11:56 am
#46
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 235
I booked a FHR stay at Wynn for a family trip (4 rooms, 2 nights). Although the experience was satisfactory, I was rather disappointed that the FHR program affected my comps at the casino.
At the end of the trip, every member of my family had earned comps for their play (enough for a meal, some snacks, etc.) except for me. They initially told me I had not played at the casino -- despite my diligence in presenting my player's card -- and took 20 minutes of research to discover that my FHR booking was the culprit. Apparently, people who book under FHR are considered to have "already been comped" by the casino with the FHR benefits.
Of course, it is illogical to gamble in order to earn comps. But it's ironic that I was the only one to receive nothing for my table play, when I had been responsible for bringing my whole extended family to the Wynn. I always thought that FHR was a benefit for choosing the hotel, not playing at the casino.
At the end of the trip, every member of my family had earned comps for their play (enough for a meal, some snacks, etc.) except for me. They initially told me I had not played at the casino -- despite my diligence in presenting my player's card -- and took 20 minutes of research to discover that my FHR booking was the culprit. Apparently, people who book under FHR are considered to have "already been comped" by the casino with the FHR benefits.
Of course, it is illogical to gamble in order to earn comps. But it's ironic that I was the only one to receive nothing for my table play, when I had been responsible for bringing my whole extended family to the Wynn. I always thought that FHR was a benefit for choosing the hotel, not playing at the casino.
Feb 15, 2015, 5:52 pm
#47
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Dreamland
Posts: 927
Woah - hadn't heard this before - anyone know if this is just Wynn/Encore or true with MGM or CET props too?
Feb 15, 2015, 7:47 pm
#48
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Coconut Creek, FL
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum-2 MM Starwood Plat,Delta DM
Posts: 975
Which website?
This one receives FHR benefits:
https://www.americanexpressfhr.com/
This one does not:
https://travel.americanexpress.com/home
This one receives FHR benefits:
https://www.americanexpressfhr.com/
This one does not:
https://travel.americanexpress.com/home
SLS by the way is worth it at a low price but dont pay 250.00 a night for this place. No way
Thanks
Robert
Feb 16, 2015, 8:22 am
#49
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Ottawa, Canada.
Programs: Bonvoy-lifeime Titanium,Amex Plat
Posts: 904
I also found out that the latter one for general use, is a 'pre paid' rate. I booked at a Fairmont recently which clearly said that I could cancel within 72 hours. I noticed however that the total amount was charged to my AMEX card at the time of booking and when I called AMEX, found out that ALL bookings at that site ARE prep-paid HOWEVER refundable as per the stated cancellation policy. I also found out that these are reservations through a third party and NOT AMEX. There were NO issues when I did cancel and the money was fully refunded..
Feb 16, 2015, 9:50 am
#50
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 80
I booked a FHR stay at Wynn for a family trip (4 rooms, 2 nights). Although the experience was satisfactory, I was rather disappointed that the FHR program affected my comps at the casino.
At the end of the trip, every member of my family had earned comps for their play (enough for a meal, some snacks, etc.) except for me. They initially told me I had not played at the casino -- despite my diligence in presenting my player's card -- and took 20 minutes of research to discover that my FHR booking was the culprit. Apparently, people who book under FHR are considered to have "already been comped" by the casino with the FHR benefits.
Of course, it is illogical to gamble in order to earn comps. But it's ironic that I was the only one to receive nothing for my table play, when I had been responsible for bringing my whole extended family to the Wynn. I always thought that FHR was a benefit for choosing the hotel, not playing at the casino.
At the end of the trip, every member of my family had earned comps for their play (enough for a meal, some snacks, etc.) except for me. They initially told me I had not played at the casino -- despite my diligence in presenting my player's card -- and took 20 minutes of research to discover that my FHR booking was the culprit. Apparently, people who book under FHR are considered to have "already been comped" by the casino with the FHR benefits.
Of course, it is illogical to gamble in order to earn comps. But it's ironic that I was the only one to receive nothing for my table play, when I had been responsible for bringing my whole extended family to the Wynn. I always thought that FHR was a benefit for choosing the hotel, not playing at the casino.
what you your play like? when you says some snacks/a meal i'm guessing it was rather low? what did you play vs your family? if they played slots and you played table games that could certainly be the difference. wynn is very stingy in general until your bets get pretty high on the table games. if you were playing table minimums I wouldn't doubt the pit bosses took your card but didn't even enter a rating.
perhaps this was an excuse rather than saying your play wasn't enough.
Feb 16, 2015, 10:59 am
#51
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 235
who did you talk to who told you this? I have around 20 wynn/encore stays under FHR and this has never been the case for me.
what you your play like? when you says some snacks/a meal i'm guessing it was rather low? what did you play vs your family? if they played slots and you played table games that could certainly be the difference. wynn is very stingy in general until your bets get pretty high on the table games. if you were playing table minimums I wouldn't doubt the pit bosses took your card but didn't even enter a rating.
perhaps this was an excuse rather than saying your play wasn't enough.
what you your play like? when you says some snacks/a meal i'm guessing it was rather low? what did you play vs your family? if they played slots and you played table games that could certainly be the difference. wynn is very stingy in general until your bets get pretty high on the table games. if you were playing table minimums I wouldn't doubt the pit bosses took your card but didn't even enter a rating.
perhaps this was an excuse rather than saying your play wasn't enough.
Our family isn't a huge gambling family. We mostly played at the blackjack tables. I'd say their average bets were the table minimums ($25) and my brother and I were generally $30-$50. To be honest, I wasn't expecting much, even asking the pit bosses if it was "worth it" when he was asking for our cards. Twice, pit bosses said that it was absolutely worth it to always present the card. We probably played 16 hours over the weekend. We also hit the slots a few times, always using my card.
So the play wasn't huge by Wynn standards, but it was still enough to net an average of $30 in comps for each of my family members playing minimum bets. It's a minuscule reward that is about the value of a single hand. I just figured I'd get more because I was consistently betting bigger. My brother left early and never found out the value of his comps.
I would suspect if you're a big roller, your play will exceed the threshold of the FHR benefits. But because FHR is funded out of the casino comp budget, my guess is that FHR may eliminate or reduce any comps that you have earned. Geoff, if your play is much larger than mine, perhaps that offset doesn't exist or is too small to even consider. What kinds of comps are you getting and what is your play like?
Feb 16, 2015, 1:14 pm
#52
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 662
I always check (at least) the price on the hotel's site before booking through FHR. If the FHR rate is within reason (it's often lower, and I've only one time had it be more than $10/night higher), I book through FHR for the value of the benefits and the upgrade potential.
My own personal record was getting upgraded to the 2,060 square foot E suite at THEHotel at Mandalay Bay, with a rack rate of $1,060, for an $89 reservation on Christmas Eve. It'll take me a lot of bad FHR deals to amortize away that experience.
My own personal record was getting upgraded to the 2,060 square foot E suite at THEHotel at Mandalay Bay, with a rack rate of $1,060, for an $89 reservation on Christmas Eve. It'll take me a lot of bad FHR deals to amortize away that experience.
Feb 16, 2015, 1:44 pm
#53
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Charlotte, NC, USA | CLT, formerly LHR & AMS (with just a bit of PSP)
Programs: BAEC Gold, Hilton Diamond, BonVoy Titanium, (soon former) Caesars7*, (former) Wynn Black, HR "Icon"
Posts: 8,172
Our family isn't a huge gambling family. We mostly played at the blackjack tables. I'd say their average bets were the table minimums ($25) and my brother and I were generally $30-$50. To be honest, I wasn't expecting much, even asking the pit bosses if it was "worth it" when he was asking for our cards. Twice, pit bosses said that it was absolutely worth it to always present the card. We probably played 16 hours over the weekend. We also hit the slots a few times, always using my card.
Feb 16, 2015, 9:26 pm
#54
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: DL DM, AA PlatPro, Hilton DM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 1,532
Wow! I recently got a huge suite at Mandalay Bay under FHR. Full dining room, living room, bedroom, office, large bathroom with steam shower. It was nice.. too bad I was on business....
Feb 16, 2015, 11:04 pm
#55
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Somewhere over the rainbow
Programs: Airline Free Agent, Bonvoy Platinum, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,811
FHR reservations at MGM properties are usually pre-paid, so they won't comp the room charge if your play qualifies. Instead, they will comp any F&B/show bill that you charge to the room (after the $100 F&B credit).
Feb 17, 2015, 6:45 am
#56
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Dreamland
Posts: 927
Either way, will ask about comps and FHR at check out and report back.
Feb 17, 2015, 8:31 am
#57
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Marriott Plat, Priority Club Plat, HHonors Diamond, Avis CC
Posts: 673
Encore FHR problems...
I had a conference at the Encore about 2 weeks ago. I booked my room through FHR because it was a better deal once all the benefits were considered. This time up there, I booked a Tower room because I was hoping for a "space available" upgrade.
My flight is only 45 minutes to Vegas, so before I left for the airport I checked the FHR website and saw that Parlor Suites were available for purchase.
When I checked in I was given the standard "sorry, no upgrades available". I asked why I would be able to purchase the room, but not be upgraded. Got the same song and dance as the girl at the desk called inventory management twice. I took the keys to my regular Tower room and decided to call my travel rep at Amex.
He was very nice and called the hotel to try and arrange an upgrade. They gave him the same response. Then, he made a dummy booking to see that a Parlor Suite was available. This is when he got really frustrated (with Encore). He told me that he was going to get management involved because this was not acceptable.
An hour later he called me on my cell phone and told me that my suite would be ready the next day.
The changing of rooms didn't go very smoothly and it was very disappointing to have a non-smoking room (on a non smoking floor) that had a terrible stench of cigarette smoke. Also, there was a huge glass ashtray on the desk when I got there. I called down to the front desk and they confirmed I was in a non smoking room and said that they would send someone up to "spray the room". I was tired of arguing with them by this point.
After the stay I got their online survey. Was completely honest with my response. I then received their canned letter of apology and an offer of a 1 category upgrade on my next stay. I replied and asked if this was in addition to the upgrade I receive with Amex or if they were offering me something that I was already entitled too.
Long story short, they confirmed that on my next stay they would give me a 2 category upgrade (space available). So, I'll give them a try one more time and hope for a Salon Suite.
My flight is only 45 minutes to Vegas, so before I left for the airport I checked the FHR website and saw that Parlor Suites were available for purchase.
When I checked in I was given the standard "sorry, no upgrades available". I asked why I would be able to purchase the room, but not be upgraded. Got the same song and dance as the girl at the desk called inventory management twice. I took the keys to my regular Tower room and decided to call my travel rep at Amex.
He was very nice and called the hotel to try and arrange an upgrade. They gave him the same response. Then, he made a dummy booking to see that a Parlor Suite was available. This is when he got really frustrated (with Encore). He told me that he was going to get management involved because this was not acceptable.
An hour later he called me on my cell phone and told me that my suite would be ready the next day.
The changing of rooms didn't go very smoothly and it was very disappointing to have a non-smoking room (on a non smoking floor) that had a terrible stench of cigarette smoke. Also, there was a huge glass ashtray on the desk when I got there. I called down to the front desk and they confirmed I was in a non smoking room and said that they would send someone up to "spray the room". I was tired of arguing with them by this point.
After the stay I got their online survey. Was completely honest with my response. I then received their canned letter of apology and an offer of a 1 category upgrade on my next stay. I replied and asked if this was in addition to the upgrade I receive with Amex or if they were offering me something that I was already entitled too.
Long story short, they confirmed that on my next stay they would give me a 2 category upgrade (space available). So, I'll give them a try one more time and hope for a Salon Suite.
Feb 17, 2015, 5:38 pm
#58
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 23
I really want to do the FHR for the Bellagio. It is listed as an "$100 property credit during your stay". I wanted to use this credit to their restaurant Picasso and was told when I told the FHR agent that I could use the credit for any restaurant besides Picasso. I feel this should not be the case. If it is a property credit I should be able to use it on any in the Bellagio premises.
Any insights? Has anyone been able to use the credit for Picasso?
Thanks in advance!
Any insights? Has anyone been able to use the credit for Picasso?
Thanks in advance!
Last edited by skyfox2; Feb 17, 2015 at 6:56 pm
Feb 17, 2015, 8:10 pm
#59
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Somewhere over the rainbow
Programs: Airline Free Agent, Bonvoy Platinum, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,811
I really want to do the FHR for the Bellagio. It is listed as an "$100 property credit during your stay". I wanted to use this credit to their restaurant Picasso and was told when I told the FHR agent that I could use the credit for any restaurant besides Picasso. I feel this should not be the case. If it is a property credit I should be able to use it on any in the Bellagio premises.
Any insights? Has anyone been able to use the credit for Picasso?
Thanks in advance!
Any insights? Has anyone been able to use the credit for Picasso?
Thanks in advance!
Just be grateful that Bellagio is still offering $100 property credit since most Virtuoso/FHR properties shifted over to $100 spa credit.
Feb 18, 2015, 9:48 am
#60
Join Date: Feb 2014
Programs: UA Plat, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 677
Thanks Geoff, your questions are really useful. I talked to the manager at the VIP desk (don't remember the exact name of the desk), and also at the Red Card counter.
Our family isn't a huge gambling family. We mostly played at the blackjack tables. I'd say their average bets were the table minimums ($25) and my brother and I were generally $30-$50. To be honest, I wasn't expecting much, even asking the pit bosses if it was "worth it" when he was asking for our cards. Twice, pit bosses said that it was absolutely worth it to always present the card. We probably played 16 hours over the weekend. We also hit the slots a few times, always using my card.
So the play wasn't huge by Wynn standards, but it was still enough to net an average of $30 in comps for each of my family members playing minimum bets. It's a minuscule reward that is about the value of a single hand. I just figured I'd get more because I was consistently betting bigger. My brother left early and never found out the value of his comps.
I would suspect if you're a big roller, your play will exceed the threshold of the FHR benefits. But because FHR is funded out of the casino comp budget, my guess is that FHR may eliminate or reduce any comps that you have earned. Geoff, if your play is much larger than mine, perhaps that offset doesn't exist or is too small to even consider. What kinds of comps are you getting and what is your play like?
Our family isn't a huge gambling family. We mostly played at the blackjack tables. I'd say their average bets were the table minimums ($25) and my brother and I were generally $30-$50. To be honest, I wasn't expecting much, even asking the pit bosses if it was "worth it" when he was asking for our cards. Twice, pit bosses said that it was absolutely worth it to always present the card. We probably played 16 hours over the weekend. We also hit the slots a few times, always using my card.
So the play wasn't huge by Wynn standards, but it was still enough to net an average of $30 in comps for each of my family members playing minimum bets. It's a minuscule reward that is about the value of a single hand. I just figured I'd get more because I was consistently betting bigger. My brother left early and never found out the value of his comps.
I would suspect if you're a big roller, your play will exceed the threshold of the FHR benefits. But because FHR is funded out of the casino comp budget, my guess is that FHR may eliminate or reduce any comps that you have earned. Geoff, if your play is much larger than mine, perhaps that offset doesn't exist or is too small to even consider. What kinds of comps are you getting and what is your play like?
The casino wants you to present a players card so they can track your play. They will also give you comps, but that is not the primary reason they want to know who you are and what you are playing. Try betting black chips at a Vegas double deck table and note the high level of insistence on the part of the pit boss when he/she asks for your card. They want the info so they can properly kick you out if you actually have a brain and have spent more than 10 minutes learning about the game before playing. It's not for your benefit.
Also, as Baccarat King noted, table min bets of $25 will not earn much in the way of comps at Wynncore regardless. By my rough calcs, I'd say that 16 hours of such play is roughly equivalent to the $30 of comps your family members each received. That said, it is a bit cheap for Wynncore to not even give out the $30 in comps since you were on a FHR reservation. Just go down the street to Caesars or Bellagio next time for your gambling.