any experience with ClassicTravel.com? (Virtuoso)
Feb 22, 2010, 10:02 pm
#31
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
more specifically, there are poor virtuoso properties, as there are poor properties in every program. while there are properties that are great that may not be virtuoso, but may be in another program. not all virtuoso agencies are FSPP / RC STARS. there may also be poor agents at some virtuoso agencies, like any other agency.
Feb 22, 2010, 11:43 pm
#32
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Across the Pond
Programs: LHW FS BA LH and other things
Posts: 96
more specifically, there are poor virtuoso properties, as there are poor properties in every program. while there are properties that are great that may not be virtuoso, but may be in another program. not all virtuoso agencies are FSPP / RC STARS. there may also be poor agents at some virtuoso agencies, like any other agency.
If all these properties were available via online sources such as expedia travelocity et al. Price then becomes a focus rather than the sell of the product. Hotels are partnered with FHR Virtuoso etc etc for specific reasons to target certain segments of the market (usually high end) adding the amenity for the agency is to further differentiate the product from what else is available and helps form closer ties between the hotel/operators and the agency. If all hotels with benefits where available via websites the hotels would lose profit margin, there would be more guests expecting upgrades etc etc. no upside.
Feb 23, 2010, 8:57 am
#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
Price then becomes a focus rather than the sell of the product. Hotels are partnered with ... Virtuoso etc etc for specific reasons to target certain segments of the market (usually high end) adding the amenity for the agency is to further differentiate the product from what else is available and helps form closer ties between the hotel/operators and the agency.
one thing that does complicate the discussion though, that i just thought about, is whether the hotel program is membership based. a lot of them are, even if free and available to anyone. that makes them a slightly different animal, in terms of the online booking discussion.
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Feb 23, 2010 at 9:04 am
Feb 23, 2010, 7:41 pm
#34
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Canada
Programs: Virtuoso TA, Four Seasons Pref Partner, Rosewood Elite TA, Ritz Carlton STARS TA
Posts: 4,737
I was trying to be flattering... sorry if it came off otherwise. You seem to have knack for finding the most obscure items and pulling the perfect thread from each search on countless points. So I was surprised when you said you only track "a few" things.
Feb 23, 2010, 8:05 pm
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
thank you. i consider that memory, as opposed to my archiving of one thing, and my occasional making note of unique accommodations.
Jun 16, 2010, 1:07 pm
#36
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 1
booking Virtuoso online
Hi...recently booked Montage Beverly Hills a Virtuoso hotel online on http://classictravel.com Got an instant email confirmation that included all the
Virtuoso amenities.
Virtuoso amenities.
Jun 18, 2010, 12:13 am
#37
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Bangkok
Programs: Bonvoy Amb, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 553
Not sure about the only. I recently used Whatahotel.com and it worked great, got exactly what it said on the tin.
Jun 18, 2010, 12:31 am
#38
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP 3 MM
Posts: 4,576
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/13601364-post118.html
Jun 18, 2010, 4:30 am
#39
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Dublin
Programs: EY Platinum/M&M Gold
Posts: 822
have used these guys twice in the last month or so...got exactly what they advertised. Had being talking to a TA in the US/Canada who was a FSPP etc but I think my level of travel (3/4 hols a year) wasn't worth his time so the website suits me perfectly except i dont get personal recommendations.
Jun 18, 2010, 4:51 am
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,871
Compare this to how an upscale travel agent normally works ... spending hours sitting down with a client and talking through various routes, hotels, dates, playing around with availability, finding half the time that the client never books anything, having to book the flights without getting any commission (as the airlines have stopped it) etc ....
Jun 18, 2010, 9:49 am
#41
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Dublin
Programs: EY Platinum/M&M Gold
Posts: 822
Sounds unlikely, assuming you know exactly what you want and where. You e-mail the agent, he makes the booking (10 minutes work max) and pockets, say, $200 on a $2,000 booking. Not bad work if you can get it. In fact, I'm surprised I don't start asking for a 50% commission rebate!
Compare this to how an upscale travel agent normally works ... spending hours sitting down with a client and talking through various routes, hotels, dates, playing around with availability, finding half the time that the client never books anything, having to book the flights without getting any commission (as the airlines have stopped it) etc ....
Compare this to how an upscale travel agent normally works ... spending hours sitting down with a client and talking through various routes, hotels, dates, playing around with availability, finding half the time that the client never books anything, having to book the flights without getting any commission (as the airlines have stopped it) etc ....
Jun 21, 2010, 11:36 pm
#42
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: San Francisco
Programs: Four Seasons Aviara (owner), Starwood, Marriott, Hyatt, Hertz President's Circle, United MP 30+ yrs
Posts: 1,252
Hi...recently booked Montage Beverly Hills a Virtuoso hotel online on http://classictravel.com Got an instant email confirmation that included all the
Virtuoso amenities.
Virtuoso amenities.
Jun 22, 2010, 12:05 am
#43
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Tucson, AZ
Programs: Marriott LTT, Hilton Dia, Hyatt Expl, Avis Pres, Hertz Pres, National EE, AA Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 871
Sounds unlikely, assuming you know exactly what you want and where. You e-mail the agent, he makes the booking (10 minutes work max) and pockets, say, $200 on a $2,000 booking. Not bad work if you can get it. In fact, I'm surprised I don't start asking for a 50% commission rebate!
Since nearly all travel agencies take a chunk of their agent's commissions, you'd be making more money than the agent. A $2,000 booking may only net an agent around $135, thus leaving them with $35 after providing a 50% rebate. Easy come, easy go.
Jan 29, 2012, 5:47 pm
#44
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: OSL
Posts: 2,641
Booked a room through classictravel.com for the Upper House in HKG for this month; city view with upgrade on the day to a Harbour View room. Anyone used Classictravel for this property, and did you get the upgrade? First time in HKG so would appreciate the harbour view - realise it is not guaranteed but is CT/Virtuoso rate likely to be honoured? The stay are on weekdays if that is likely to make it worse/better, leaning to the former.
Also, other amenities, e.g. a car service was offered - do they usually contact you or does one have to contact the property?
Reading this thread, I have a feeling I should have just used a Virtuoso agent straight-out.
Also, other amenities, e.g. a car service was offered - do they usually contact you or does one have to contact the property?
Reading this thread, I have a feeling I should have just used a Virtuoso agent straight-out.
Aug 19, 2012, 3:39 pm
#45
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,741
I've been trying to understand the difference between a Virtuoso booking and a FHR booking. I didn't find a thread in this forum comparing and contrasting, but this thread seems to be the most thoughtful in talking about Virtuoso agents. I found a useful blog from Luckycoins, who stuck his toes in the waters of luxury hotel bookings.
Understanding Virtuoso and American Express Fine Hotels Resorts. A couple of my takeaways:
I hate to disturb an agent unless I am relatively confident I will move forward on a booking. I like learning that I can do some initial research on my own.
Understanding Virtuoso and American Express Fine Hotels Resorts. A couple of my takeaways:
- I can determine which properties are Virtuoso by looking on virtuoso.com. I find that helpful as I can see if a property is a Virtuoso property without having to ask an agent, and I can see if the benefits are interesting to me.
- FHR has a lock on a guaranteed 4pm checkout. Virtuoso has to request it.
- Virtuoso often offers full breakfast where FHR offers continental breakfast.
- Virtuoso agents offer superior service.
I hate to disturb an agent unless I am relatively confident I will move forward on a booking. I like learning that I can do some initial research on my own.