Awhile back, I booked a room at Skyloft in Vegas through Centurion and got a straight-up good deal... about 20% off the cheapest rate, as I recall plus some Centurion extras.

My most recent experience left me slack-jawed, however. Planning a trip to Buenos Aires, I looked at the Park Hyatt, which looked like a pretty nice place to stay. Their website and most other on-line booking services showed rates starting at $400/night. Seeing that they were a part of the Centurion Hotel Program, I decided to go to the inconvenience of talking to one of their reps instead of booking online. When I reached the CTS rep and gave her the dates of my stay, she quoted me a minimum rate of $650 and started up from there. When I told her that I was presently looking at the hotel's own website and that they were showing rooms for $400, she paused for a couple of seconds, then said "oh yes, way down in the bottom of my screen, I do see they have a few other rooms at $400, but they aren't in the Centurion room inventory and don't come with the amenities."

...!?! The only Centurion "amenities" are a space available room upgrade upon checkin, daily continental breakfast for two, late checkout, and a $100 spa services credit.

Gee.... let's see, something tells me that I could probably take the $750 (3 days @ $250/day plus substantial taxes & fees)... say another 20% (or $900 total and buy my own $100 spa service, pay 1/2 day late check out-fee if really unlucky (another $200), 3 days of continental breakfast (say $75 total) and I'm still left with $525 to give the front desk guy to find me a good room.

What a rip-off.

Actually, Centurion is supposed to get the upgrade at booking; platinums get it at check-in. And I'm not sure that the Park Hyatt is only going to charge $10/person for the breakfast buffet, but you never know. Otherwise, you're probably correct. The hotels program, much like everything else, is a matter of comparison shopping. If you just assume that they are giving you the best rate PLUS all the benefits then shame on you. Fortunately in this case you did your homework and realized that it isn't the right choice.

I've had plenty of situations where the negotiated rates are better than what is available publicly, and a few that were not. I book the ones via the Card when it makes sense and don't when it doesn't. Sounds like you will, too.

Of course, you could save $2,500 that you're spending on the annual fee and use that to just buy bigger rooms or whatever other benefits you are actually using from the card, so maybe that is a rip-off as well, no?

If there is no FHR inventory in the cheaper rooms, you can't get those rates. If there is inventory, then you get the good rate plus the FHR benefits. It's not a scam. It's just an availability thing. If you get high prices and you don't think it is worth it, then book on the hotel website. I've done this many times at Mandarin Oriental hotels. Usually FHR gives me a good deal, plus you get the one night free at all MO hotels each year. But on occasion, the price doesn't work out and the MO website has a good deal and I book direct with them.

Its not a scam, its simply how the programme works. In general, FHR rates are fixed. If the hotel runs a promotion at a slack time, you may be able to book directly for less. At a busy time, though, the FHR rate will offer you a good deal. Simple as that.

Well, now I know. I always assumed that the Centurion Travel rate was the best rate (and that they would offer me the best rate without my prompting). Sounds like I was wrong on two accounts:

1) making the assumption that Centurion rates are always competitive; and

2) being offended that they don't disclose the lowest rates which appear on their screens if such rates aren't in the Centurion inventory.

Are you sure you have a Centurion and not a Platinum? Centurion gives you the upgrade at booking. I've run into situations where the PTS/FHR rate is higher than what I can get elsewhere, but those lower rates don't include the upgrade eligibility or FHR amenities. If the cost is much higher for FHR, I just use the normal American Express Travel, which guarantees you the lowest rate (no FHR though).

HKG,

I made the same assumptions you did when I first got my Plat card. I "assumed" that I would at least get the best rate I could find elsewhere-that was a rude awakening for me.....

cent gives you confirmed upgrades at SOME chains/properties.

park hyatt is not one of them.

virtuoso also offers some confirmed upgrades, although at fewer properties.

not sure why anyone would make assumptions about a TA, unless its their personal TA, and/or theyve already told them what they expect.

Just stayed at MGM Skylofts through (Centurion) FHR last month, received no confirmed upgrade at time of reservation and didn�t receive one when I checked in. They said I could check back later in the stay to see if one became available.

The only way I see a value in this is if they give you at 1500.00 per night suite for the 650.00 per night. Then its a good value. You getting an instant upgrade at time of reservation should make it easy to find out.

I'm a plat and its alway a gamble if you get the upgrade. You also have to watch some of the hotel's that consider a room on a higher floor a "upgrade". To me a suite is the only upgrade i care about.

When I was Plat I basically boycotted FHR for that exact reason. Every time I checked I found a better deal myself


But as Cent-- I've always saved money-- I've gotten great rates at the Bellagio, Wynn, Mandarin Oriental and Ritz (Hotel Arts Barcelona was an incredible deal) I never blindly book through Cent-- I check first and use them for the booking if I come out ahead.


By the way-- I booked a stay (myself) at the Park Tower later this month
on "Taste of Luxury" ( Rate Plan Description Taste Of Luxury
4Th Night Free Feb 07 To Mar 08 And Is Applied At Checkin. Incls Daily Full Breakfast. Tax Is Not Included) With the free 4th night-- a 4 night stay
is only $333/night (Rate Plan: TASTE OF LUXURY 444.00 in US DOLLARS per night) for a Grand Deluxe suite with Butler service:

1 King
Butler Service, Comfortable Work Area, Grand Deluxe Suite, Free Access To Health Club, Luxurious Marble Bathroom, One Bedroom Ste W/living Room, Cd, Video. Marble Bath W/jacu Zzi, Toilet. Well-lit Desk W/fax. Magnificent View. Bulter S

Ya, I agree, you have to watch out for the properties that unilaterally redefine the word "upgrade". I have had that argument before as well.

Before booking through FHR, you should try and check the hotel's website to get the breakdown of what the different room categories are, and then book the exact category directly under the one you want to get upgraded to. You have to pay attention to distinctions like "bay-view" or "city-view" because they will sometimes argue with you that this minor difference equals an upgrade. To me, "upgrade" equals "bigger room" or "club floor", period.

All that said, FHR is wonderful and I find that we get upgraded far more often than not, not to mention the real value in free breakfasts for the whole stay plus whatever amenity or resort credit you get in addition. I really don't think it's a 'scam'.

The CSR **DID** offer you the lowest Centurion Inventory rate. When you call the service, you are calling about their negotiated rates available to them. If you got a cheaper rate then good for you (of course that would be sans amenities).

You sound annoyed at something just a few months ago you were elated at. The FHR program DOES say - "where available" - not ALWAYS GUARANTEED AVAILABLE. Perhaps you missed that in the T&Cs becuase you were so inconvenienced by calling PTS this time. I'm sure you'll be luckier at another property once again soon.