Stgermainparis

Yes, at big chain hotels that works. Paris Le Meurice doesn't have a "club level".

nesnith

My first experience involved asking Concierge to book the hotel, then I filed the BRG claim myself. The Concierge team said they would extend the 4th night free benefit as a one-time courtesy, but recommended that I go through them with any future booking changes (including BRG claim). Hence, the quoted response in my previous post. This involved quite a bit of emailing back-and-forth to sort things out.

My second BRG claim went through Concierge directly. I asked the Concierge staff to first book a SPG hotel, and then asked the same agent to file the BRG claim on my behalf. This was all done within the same phone call with the same agent.

With my experience in mind, I would personally go through Concierge for the entire process including both the booking and the BRG claim; just so I can be sure both the Concierge (who processes the credit) and I are on the same page. This might also save some hassles when it comes time to actually getting the 4th night credit.

x712xdamx

Searched the thread and didn't see it but does anyone know if you can book Lifestyles Resort All-Inclusive in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic via Cheap Caribbean dot com with the Citi Prestige 4th night? You book that hotel through Cheap Caribbean so I don't know if it would work since it's not the direct hotel's site?!

Stgermainparis

Citi does not book through third parties.

Benjh

I've just used this email address to ask whether a property not listed on the CW website was bookable, and I received a reply within half an hour (and it was a yes).

Maybe it's the time of day, but this is really good.

Edited to add question:

If I book nights 1 through 4 and 6 through 9 with Aspire, and night 5 with the hotel directly, would my 2 Aspire rez be considered not back to back?
Or considering they check with the hotel directly, they'll invalidate the second refund?

Thanks all!

DrSbaitso

Just tried to use this benefit for the first time and didn't have any luck.

Wanted to book four nights at the Four Seasons Serengeti, but was denied because they said the hotel insists on a credit card authorization form, which the travel agent is not allowed to submit. Tried the hang-up-call-again approach and got the same answer.

Anyone know of a workaround to get the 4th night free? The hotel is available on Amex FHR and Virtuoso, so I wonder how they get around the authorization form requirement.

FlyingDoctorwu

Hmmm... I've been able to book a couple hotels that required a CC authorization form... Citi makes the reservation and then I send in the form. Maybe reach out to the hotel directly? Now the other issue you might run into is that this might be technically considered a safari camp....

FDW

Thunderroad

Just bumping this with my original and additional SPG questions:

1. From further perusing the thread, it looks good to get the points and perks, but I wanted to double check since I'm especially interested in getting the nights credits toward status. Any updates on getting nights credits?
2. I'm specifically looking at a rate at spg.com that is prepaid, includes breakfast and is slightly discounted due to being an SPG member. Any problems with any of these aspects of the prospective booking?

Thanks for any help!

nesnith

1. If you are referring to making an SPG booking through Citi Concierge, then yes, you will earn SPG nights and points credits. And, you will get to enjoy SPG elite benefits. Basically, it is like asking Citi Concierge to book the room directly with the hotel on your behalf.

2. There have been a few reports that Citi Concierge won't book rates that include breakfast with the 4th night free benefit since the benefit supposedly only applies to room rates. But, you can definitely call and ask.

Thunderroad

Great. Thanks for the quick and useful reply!

MapleLeafss

If they give you any pushback, just hang up and call again. There is a lot of leeway in what the concierges are willing to do, and if you get a good one, they will book you almost anything you want on 4th night free.

I just got my second 4th night reimbursement of the year, and this one was fast; 8 days after check-out (my January stay took 30 days). My January stay was at a Marriott stacked with the 2x MegaBonus so yes, you definitely do get all of the points from the brand as well.

ellinj

I know if I book a post paid marriot stay I earn points. Do I earn points on a prepaid stay? I know if I book it through the thankyou rewards portal I do not.

linglingfool

Yes.

nesnith

Totally! The classic HUCA trick.

baroqen

You get everything, as long as you go through the concierge. Points. Benefits. Even promotions (Such as the SPG Buy 2 Stay 3 which combined with the fourth night free makes it Buy 2 Stay 4).

And if it's a prepaid rate, you get your refund much quicker. In January, I booked two 4 night pre-paid stays (back to back but different properties) for Boracay in April. I already got the credits for both properties on my Feb statement, two months before my stay.