"Fine Dining" program a joke?
 

Speaking to a restaurant manager at one of the restaurants in Amex's either fine dining or hot plates (can't remember or discern the difference between these two programs). I asked if he really kept a table reserved each day for Amex and he laughed. When they call, if he's got a table available, they book it, and if the restaurant is full, no table. On top of that, with Amex booking, if you don't go, I think you get charged something like $15/person, which wouldn't happen if booked directly at the restaurant. Is this just an isolated case I wonder?

Similarly, I just received that marketing ploy that comes with the bill, and it lists limited packages available for Rock-n-roll fantasy camp. Just out of curiosity, go to the promoters website, and they are selling the same packages at the same price. Maybe they've reserved a few packages for their members, but it seems like the same problem with restaurants. By saying there is no more availability, who is to know if there was any to begin with? Its not like with fine dining you can know who already got the Amex table du jour.

I agree. The fine dining and hot plat for Amex has not helped me in anyway when it comes to hard to get reservation restaurants (ex: Per Se, Spicemarket, Daniel, Gramercy Tavern). I think most NYC restaurants are not very impressed with them.

The Centurion concierge has been able to get me last-minute reservations at some very tough restaurants, including Market and Taillvent in Paris and a last-minute party of six for New Year's Eve in Portland.

QL

I have a couple of comments:

1. I would always try to reserve with the restaurant directly. If that failed, and Amex always was unable to secure a reservation, then that would be a good indication that it was a nonesense benefit.

2. Can anyone explain the difference between "Fine Dining" and "Hot Plates?" I've read and re-read the descriptions, and although there is different wording, I can't for the life of me figure out what the actual difference is.

My experience is completely opposite to pod's.

A few months ago I tried to book Sydney's premier restaurant, Tetsuya's, directly three weeks ahead but was not successful. But upon ringing Centurion, they were able to get me that same booking ^ .

So this should prove that the Fine Dining program is not a fake.

pod, maybe you weren't using the Fine Dining program?

BigSpender-
My experience booking through Fine Dining/Hot Plates has been that they've been able to get me some requested reservations, other times have had no luck. Whether this is a function of Amex's ability remains unclear. My post was based on talking with the restaurant manager I know who told me that although they are part of Hot Plates, they do not "reserve" a table every day for Amex as the program claims. What I wonder is if some top restaurants realize that a Centurion card holder might be more likely to order really expensive bottles of wine, and thus sneak in a reservation on a full night, which has led to some peoples success booking. Or I wonder if it is particular concierges who know how to play up that expense angle? I just don't know if I fully believe that the program actually has a table available every day at each restaurant they list for Amex's exclusive guarantee.

In Australia, I have not come across a 'Hot Plates' program offered by AMEX, only Fine Dining while I was a Plat and now as a Cent. So I can't offer any comments on 'Hot Plates'.

All I can say is next you try first with the restaurant direct and if unsuccessful then use 'Fine Dining'. Another method would be when ringing 'Fine Dining' ask the executive immediately whether another member has booked a table on the same day as you. Since this would be an internal allocation the person who answers the phone should be able to advise you without needing to call you back later.

All the best! Enjoy those fancy restaurants!

Market is one of my favourite restaurants - was there a month ago and Nicole Kidman was at the next table. I think she had a thing for me - kept staring at me and I was with my wife too tchh. Some people ;)