5x points and FHR?
#46
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: SFO/LAX/SAN/LAS/DFW/JFK/LGA/EWR/MIA
Posts: 1,073
even if you are outside the loyalty program, you forgo CC spend flexibility for 5x MR. meaning, Amex offers, hitting min spend, other spending bonuses and etc. based on your travels, it may be useful, but for some, 5x FHR could be useless. not to mention so many other variables such as focus on cheap one night stays or cheaper longer term stays where you dont need "fine hotels" in which case 3x CSR or Prestige would be useful.
however, one thing I am unclear is the future of FHR bookings. will it become all prepaid only like OTA? i thought that was the plan vs FHR w/ pay onsite upon checkout.
#47
Join Date: May 2013
Location: DTW
Programs: AMEX, Ritz LT-Plat Prem, Hyatt Plat, SPG Plat, Hilton Diamond, Delta Plat, United Gold, Sixt Plat
Posts: 866
very true and hopefully people see that 5x MR FHR prepaid is not a good deal for large chain loyalty. meaning, if you are Starriott PP and have some type of Starriott CC then you are getting 23.5x/$1. no way would i give that up for FHR 5x MR. just doesnt make sense when PP gives you much of the same benefits.
even if you are outside the loyalty program, you forgo CC spend flexibility for 5x MR. meaning, Amex offers, hitting min spend, other spending bonuses and etc. based on your travels, it may be useful, but for some, 5x FHR could be useless. not to mention so many other variables such as focus on cheap one night stays or cheaper longer term stays where you dont need "fine hotels" in which case 3x CSR or Prestige would be useful.
however, one thing I am unclear is the future of FHR bookings. will it become all prepaid only like OTA? i thought that was the plan vs FHR w/ pay onsite upon checkout.
even if you are outside the loyalty program, you forgo CC spend flexibility for 5x MR. meaning, Amex offers, hitting min spend, other spending bonuses and etc. based on your travels, it may be useful, but for some, 5x FHR could be useless. not to mention so many other variables such as focus on cheap one night stays or cheaper longer term stays where you dont need "fine hotels" in which case 3x CSR or Prestige would be useful.
however, one thing I am unclear is the future of FHR bookings. will it become all prepaid only like OTA? i thought that was the plan vs FHR w/ pay onsite upon checkout.
#48
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: SFO/LAX/SAN/LAS/DFW/JFK/LGA/EWR/MIA
Posts: 1,073
exactly. so one would have to use some other payment form upon checkout anyway, so clearly, one would need some type of CC strategy for incidental spend. so CSR and Prestige or Premier come to mind. But many other cards are great choices. also, the incidentals may be high enough that amex offers could be used as well.
#49
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: ORD [formerly] + HKG
Programs: CX Diamond, AA exExPlat, BAEC exGold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Starriott Titanium, GE
Posts: 2,966
Anyone in the same situation? My pre-this-change online FHR booking (with a 8-digit trip ID) cannot be pulled up on Amex's website, nor can PTS agents see it. Did it just get canceled?
The property that I booked for had lowered its rates so I was looking to change it - I could just do a new reservation but the now-vanished ressie mentioned above is within the cancelation deadline...
The property that I booked for had lowered its rates so I was looking to change it - I could just do a new reservation but the now-vanished ressie mentioned above is within the cancelation deadline...
#50
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: SFO/LAX/SAN/LAS/DFW/JFK/LGA/EWR/MIA
Posts: 1,073
Anyone in the same situation? My pre-this-change online FHR booking (with a 8-digit trip ID) cannot be pulled up on Amex's website, nor can PTS agents see it. Did it just get canceled?
The property that I booked for had lowered its rates so I was looking to change it - I could just do a new reservation but the now-vanished ressie mentioned above is within the cancelation deadline...
The property that I booked for had lowered its rates so I was looking to change it - I could just do a new reservation but the now-vanished ressie mentioned above is within the cancelation deadline...
however, when issues similar to this came up for me personally, i would ALWAYS call the hotel and speak with their manager first. im sure you had tried that already. what did they say? they can usually do magic on their end because its their own property. such as change dates, re-book, cancel fees and etc. travels agents cant do anything compared to what the actual property can do for you.
#51
Anyone in the same situation? My pre-this-change online FHR booking (with a 8-digit trip ID) cannot be pulled up on Amex's website, nor can PTS agents see it. Did it just get canceled?
The property that I booked for had lowered its rates so I was looking to change it - I could just do a new reservation but the now-vanished ressie mentioned above is within the cancelation deadline...
The property that I booked for had lowered its rates so I was looking to change it - I could just do a new reservation but the now-vanished ressie mentioned above is within the cancelation deadline...
#52
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: SFO/LAX/SAN/LAS/DFW/JFK/LGA/EWR/MIA
Posts: 1,073
Is this for a former SPG property? I've got an FHR reservation for an SPG-turned-MAR property, and the Amex online booking can be pulled up but is completely blank. The reservation on Marriott's end exists, but shows my bed type (and non-smoking preference) as unavailable.
#53
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 216
I take it that we can't combine the 5x prepaid FHR booking with any targeted Amex offers (earn additional X points/get a $X statement credit when spending $Y at Hilton/Marriott/etc. hotels) since the prepaid part will be processed by Amex?
#54
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: SEA
Posts: 138
Correct. The merchant of record on your statement will be Amex Travel, so it won't trigger brand-specific Amex Offers. If you want the charge to come specifically from the hotel and you're willing to forgo the 5x MR, you may be able to call Platinum Travel Services and have them make the reservation directly with the property.
#55
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: SFO/YYZ
Programs: AC 25K, AS MVP Gold, BA Bronze, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,431
Any more data points on Bonvoy elite recognition with prepaid 5x bookings? There's just the one report from W Taipei above. I don't want to book at 5x if it's not a qualifying rate for benefits and points.
#56
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Piggly Wiggly "Shop the Pig!" Preferred Shopper
Posts: 56,896
Not sure this is much of a data point, but I recently booked FHR reservations in Tokyo and Kyoto and got the 5x deal. That was nice.
#57
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 31,839
#58
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: SFO/YYZ
Programs: AC 25K, AS MVP Gold, BA Bronze, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,431
#59
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Philadelphia
Programs: Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 1,743
You can still book the post paid rates. Just can't double dip 5x and Marriott points. If you use the Marriott Amex card, you still get 6 Marriott points plus FHR benefits, plus all Marriott benefits.
#60
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: SFO/YYZ
Programs: AC 25K, AS MVP Gold, BA Bronze, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,431
The thing is that I get all the FHR benefits as an elite, and the $100 amenity from the RC card at RC and STR which tend to be most of the Marriott offerings on FHR. Plus with the 10% cash back ebates has been doing once or twice a month, which is really 10x AMEX MR if you link to AMEX. Just seems not worth it to do FHR in my case. Would definitely do it if I ever lose status though. Or perhaps if I just needed a one night stay and wanted the $100 amenity. And of course, tons of amazing independent properties on FHR or smaller chains.