Amex Concierge- what have they done for you? [2007 - 2014]
Dec 3, 2013, 4:21 pm
#647
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SNA
Programs: Bonvoy LTTE/AMB, AmEx Plat, National EE, WN A-List, CLEAR+, Covid-19
Posts: 4,966
Remember, kids: if Concierge can't get you a reservation, and you want to dine there badly enough, showing up last-minute as "'Hamilton', party of 2" (or if it's really exclusive, "'Jackson', party of 2"), palmed off to the check-in person as inconspicuously as possible (usually while shaking their hand "Hello") has worked for me 99% of the time 
I dunno if this would work at El Bulli or French Laundry though, but hey, it won't (shouldn't!) cost you anything if it doesn't work
I dunno if this would work at El Bulli or French Laundry though, but hey, it won't (shouldn't!) cost you anything if it doesn't work
Dec 7, 2013, 9:16 am
#648
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: YYZ
Posts: 1,666
Has anyone tried using the Platinum concierge to get a reservation at one of the Michelin-starred sushi establishments in Tokyo?
Dec 7, 2013, 11:39 pm
#649
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: AA LT Platinum, WN CP, National EE, Hertz PC, Avis PC, Hilton Diamond, Sheraton Gold
Posts: 278
Remember, kids: if Concierge can't get you a reservation, and you want to dine there badly enough, showing up last-minute as "'Hamilton', party of 2" (or if it's really exclusive, "'Jackson', party of 2"), palmed off to the check-in person as inconspicuously as possible (usually while shaking their hand "Hello") has worked for me 99% of the time
I dunno if this would work at El Bulli or French Laundry though, but hey, it won't (shouldn't!) cost you anything if it doesn't work
I dunno if this would work at El Bulli or French Laundry though, but hey, it won't (shouldn't!) cost you anything if it doesn't work
Dec 11, 2013, 8:52 pm
#650
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,818
Remember, kids: if Concierge can't get you a reservation, and you want to dine there badly enough, showing up last-minute as "'Hamilton', party of 2" (or if it's really exclusive, "'Jackson', party of 2"), palmed off to the check-in person as inconspicuously as possible (usually while shaking their hand "Hello") has worked for me 99% of the time
I dunno if this would work at El Bulli or French Laundry though, but hey, it won't (shouldn't!) cost you anything if it doesn't work
I dunno if this would work at El Bulli or French Laundry though, but hey, it won't (shouldn't!) cost you anything if it doesn't work
Real exclusive places? When I lived in NYC it was Grant.. Nowadays it's Franklin.. I remember once at Peter Lugers (minimum 6 week reservation), a guy slipped the maitre d' a Jackson. The maitre d' returned it and said sorry we're full... That event was over 10 years ago..
Dec 11, 2013, 9:29 pm
#651
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,026
Tried Centurion Concierge for:
1.) Lunch reservations at Club 33 in Anaheim. No go
2.) 2 tickets for Garth Brooks Jan 3 or 4 in Vegas. No go. Did however provide some aftermarket prices but they were more expensive than stub hub.
3.) Dinner reservations at the Foundation Room in Las Vegas. - Still working on that.
I did use Centurion travel to book the Wynn. A very helpful agent. Got me a rate cheaper than online with all the Cent FHR benes. She was quick to invite me to the Centurion lounge at LAS which was a nice touch.
1.) Lunch reservations at Club 33 in Anaheim. No go
2.) 2 tickets for Garth Brooks Jan 3 or 4 in Vegas. No go. Did however provide some aftermarket prices but they were more expensive than stub hub.
3.) Dinner reservations at the Foundation Room in Las Vegas. - Still working on that.
I did use Centurion travel to book the Wynn. A very helpful agent. Got me a rate cheaper than online with all the Cent FHR benes. She was quick to invite me to the Centurion lounge at LAS which was a nice touch.
Dec 12, 2013, 7:16 pm
#652
Join Date: Apr 2008
Programs: AA EXPLT, Marriott Titanium (LT PLT), HHonors Gold, AMEX PLT, UA Silver, National EXC
Posts: 1,059
Amex Plat Travel Service - trying to book a 4x4 SUV for Reno/Tahoe tomorrow, looking around Hertz' site it was going to be over $150/DAY (With CDPs, etc.). Amex Platinum travel service on the phone just booked me a "FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE" for $132 ALL inclusive for 2 days. (Pickup Friday AM drop off Sunday AM)
Success! Got a Kia AWD intermediate SUV and the keys were ready for me, no fuss. (Updated after picking up at airport)
Success! Got a Kia AWD intermediate SUV and the keys were ready for me, no fuss. (Updated after picking up at airport)
Last edited by fotoflyer88; Dec 13, 2013 at 2:07 pm Reason: Details.
Dec 13, 2013, 12:03 pm
#653
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: UA 1K, Hertz 5*, IHG RA, Hyatt Diamond, Amex Plat, SPG Gold
Posts: 717
AMEX Concierge has gone downhill. They copy and paste what they google.
Tried to have them make reservations 5x and unsuccessful each time. I asked them to make a reservation for French Laundry any day for dinner in a 6 week window. They came back and said nothing was available. I asked any future dates and they said "sir, I apologize, nothing is available".
I just called the restaurant and told them I'm looking for a weekend within a 6 week window and if not, a weekday will do. Put me on hold for 2 minutes and secured a Saturday night reservation 5 weeks out.
Tried to have them make reservations 5x and unsuccessful each time. I asked them to make a reservation for French Laundry any day for dinner in a 6 week window. They came back and said nothing was available. I asked any future dates and they said "sir, I apologize, nothing is available".
I just called the restaurant and told them I'm looking for a weekend within a 6 week window and if not, a weekday will do. Put me on hold for 2 minutes and secured a Saturday night reservation 5 weeks out.
Dec 13, 2013, 12:06 pm
#654
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,818
AMEX Concierge has gone downhill. They copy and paste what they google.
Tried to have them make reservations 5x and unsuccessful each time. I asked them to make a reservation for French Laundry any day for dinner in a 6 week window. They came back and said nothing was available. I asked any future dates and they said "sir, I apologize, nothing is available".
I just called the restaurant and told them I'm looking for a weekend within a 6 week window and if not, a weekday will do. Put me on hold for 2 minutes and secured a Saturday night reservation 5 weeks out.
Tried to have them make reservations 5x and unsuccessful each time. I asked them to make a reservation for French Laundry any day for dinner in a 6 week window. They came back and said nothing was available. I asked any future dates and they said "sir, I apologize, nothing is available".
I just called the restaurant and told them I'm looking for a weekend within a 6 week window and if not, a weekday will do. Put me on hold for 2 minutes and secured a Saturday night reservation 5 weeks out.
Dec 13, 2013, 12:22 pm
#655
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 698
Amex Plat Travel Service - trying to book a 4x4 SUV for Reno/Tahoe tomorrow, looking around Hertz' site it was going to be over $150/DAY (With CDPs, etc.). Amex Platinum travel service on the phone just booked me a "FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE" for $132 ALL inclusive for 2 days. (Pickup Friday AM drop off Sunday AM)
The real test will be tomorrow morning when I arrive. Do I get my 4x4? Or do I play the Jerry Seinfeld "BUT I HAVE A RESERVATION" game. AMEX advised me to call them if this kind of situation happens.
Fingers Crossed.
The real test will be tomorrow morning when I arrive. Do I get my 4x4? Or do I play the Jerry Seinfeld "BUT I HAVE A RESERVATION" game. AMEX advised me to call them if this kind of situation happens.
Fingers Crossed.
Dec 13, 2013, 2:09 pm
#656
Join Date: Apr 2008
Programs: AA EXPLT, Marriott Titanium (LT PLT), HHonors Gold, AMEX PLT, UA Silver, National EXC
Posts: 1,059
Dec 13, 2013, 6:29 pm
#657
Join Date: May 2013
Location: LAX / ONT
Programs: DL GM, AmEx Plat, DL AmEx Plat, SPG Gold, National Exec
Posts: 59
I have asked the Concierge to actually help me locate certain items I was hoping to buy but couldn't find. Sometimes articles of clothing, sometimes gifts, one time I really wanted to buy a CD (I hate digital downloads), and could not find the damn thing for the life of me anywhere online or in stores and figured I'd give Plat Concierge a shot. Lo and behold they managed to locate a website I'd never heard of that had it for sale.
Dec 13, 2013, 8:41 pm
#658
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 406
I was having a party one night and the TV in the living room stopped working. Called AMEX early in the morning and asked them to locate a place who could deliver a new TV to me same day. They promised to get back to me by 1pm. Alas, they never emailed me for over 24 hours. Not even an apology.
Also I asked for One Direction tickets during the "pre-sale" and they got me nothing. Just an apology.
Also I asked for One Direction tickets during the "pre-sale" and they got me nothing. Just an apology.
Dec 15, 2013, 7:59 am
#659
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: AA SPG Amex
Posts: 4,644
I was having a party one night and the TV in the living room stopped working. Called AMEX early in the morning and asked them to locate a place who could deliver a new TV to me same day. They promised to get back to me by 1pm. Alas, they never emailed me for over 24 hours. Not even an apology.
Also I asked for One Direction tickets during the "pre-sale" and they got me nothing. Just an apology.
Also I asked for One Direction tickets during the "pre-sale" and they got me nothing. Just an apology.
Dec 16, 2013, 9:30 am
#660
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: UA 1K, Hertz 5*, IHG RA, Hyatt Diamond, Amex Plat, SPG Gold
Posts: 717