CanadaDH

The semi-annual bonus on Fairmont gift cards is back, and... it's back to 20% again! That's a 16.67% discount off the face value of cards received.

Terms seem similar to past promotions, but this year they've laid out the specific terms below.

e-GIFT CARD PROMOTION RULES & REGULATIONS: Fairmont Moments

I was wondering if this would tradition would continue under Accor. Hopefully it continues, but since there's no expiry date on gift cards, I guess there's no harm in loading up in case they don't continue these bonuses. But, remember for travel to Canadian Fairmont properties, it's still a better value to use the LifeExperiences certificates purchased through Costco, which gets you a 25% discount (or 26.51% for Executive members).

margarita girl

Thanks for the heads up. Was really hoping for one last sale!

travelswithmyself

I wonder if they will be usable across the Accor chain or strictly at Fairmont.

Jasper2009

Thanks for posting!^

edcli

Are they currently applicable to Raffles locations. If so, then that might be indication.

CanadaDH

No, FRHI gift cards were always brand-specific. Swissotel, Fairmont and Raffles each use the same provider, Buyatab, for managing their gift card programs. The redemptions were done through similar terminals, all offering the same great foreign exchange rate conversions, although they are offered in different base currencies (e.g. EUR and USD but not CAD is available for a Swissotel e-gift card purchase, which makes perfect sense). I suspect they kept them brand-specific, not because of system limitations, but on purpose. Whether that changes under Accor, who knows? Keeping them brand-specific probably helps with promotions like the 20% bonus. If one brand's marketing budget is funding the discount, they would probably want to keep the use of the cards within the same hotel brand.

Edit to add... Just browsing through the Raffles facebook page, I see they did a similar gift card bonus program. Feb 6 through 14, they had a Valentine's Day promotion, where you got a 10% bonus for any cards purchased through the site. They did the same 10% deal Dec 11 through 22.

Brendan

I just bought Life Experiences cert.s via Costco.ca to use at the Royal York, where I earn 3 Aeropesos per C$ now thru May 13! But be sure to enter the Promo Code AERO3 on the final payment page!
Do the math: Buy $600 worth at costco.ca for $449.94 & get 1350 Aeropesos free--for cert.s valid only in Canada & only C$1000 per stay.

Or grab the OP's offer on May 9 to buy $600 of unrestricted worldwide cert.s for $500. Which is your only opportunity if you can't get a Costco membership for some reason!

pauq

I've read somewhere else that you can use the e-gift card to pay for a prepaid at the hotel -- meaning the hotel would charge your gift card and refund your original form of payment. Has anyone ever tried to do this?

CanadaDH

Yes, I've done this. I normally e-mail the hotel in advance to ask the question, just so I have it in writing from them when I'm there, in case I get an agent who doesn't want to refund the deposit. I has always worked fine.

Just be aware that if you're travelling somewhere with a different currency than your credit card, you will lose a bit in exchange on the charge and subsequent refund of the deposit. However, that F/X loss should be less than the gift card discount.

escape4

Do the gift cards cover taxes or only the room rate?

Jasper2009

You can use the gift cards to pay for the room rate and all related charges such as tax, resort fees etc. as well as most incidentals (dining, spa treatment etc.)

yeunganson

I assume you can use the gift cards for any hotel restaurants at Fairmont, correct? Going to dine there in a few weeks so this is a good chance to get a break.

CanadaDH

Yes. Per the terms on the website...

The restaurant will take your gift cards, but it might take a few extra minutes to process, since they might have to get the front desk to process it. Not all restaurants will have a gift card terminal right there, but they will be able to take it just fine.

canesfan

Like Brendon said, buying Fairmont gift cards from Life Experiences via Costco online still works, and it gets you 25% off...

CanadaDH

Yes, but as I mentioned in the OP, remember the Life Experience certificates are only good at Canadian Fairmont properties.