Feb 18, 2015, 11:31 am
Last edit by: ringingup
Note, added August, 2016: Most Virtuoso agents receive their pay from hotel commissions. Recently, however, I have heard of a few who have started charging an additional fee for making bookings in some cases. I believe that there are still plenty of agents who do not do this, so you may want to ask before making a commitment to a particular agent.
RichardInSF, moderator, luxury hotels
The following is divided into two lists. Each list is in alphabetical order.
Virtuoso and FT members also in high-end chain programs
There are many high-end chains but these members are at least participants in ALL of the following programs: Four Seasons Preferred Partner, the Hyatt luxury program, Mandarin Oriental FAN Club, Peninsula Pen Club, and the Marriott/Ritz luxury program.
ABG
BCosinteno
brokenwindow
danielbk
DavidO
Fitstylist5j
jetsettingjacob
KristenNix
Luxefarer
luxtrvlwrks
luxury
MarshKing
merrickdb
poplarflyer (previously lewincg)
ringingup
SojournsOf
TravelConcierge
TravisMT81
thirdpassport
United747
zakami
Virtuoso and FT members not indicating other affiliations
Alexisonsmith
andreadbc
besvisor
bocastephen
chinmoylad
ddavault
price123
sarahlee
Annually, FT members who have not posted for at least a year are assumed to be inactive and deleted from these lists. Last updated Sep 13, 2021.
For those who have not worked with a Virtuoso travel agent before, this thread discusses how the process works:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ferrerid=14479
RichardInSF, moderator, luxury hotels
The following is divided into two lists. Each list is in alphabetical order.
Virtuoso and FT members also in high-end chain programs
There are many high-end chains but these members are at least participants in ALL of the following programs: Four Seasons Preferred Partner, the Hyatt luxury program, Mandarin Oriental FAN Club, Peninsula Pen Club, and the Marriott/Ritz luxury program.
ABG
BCosinteno
brokenwindow
danielbk
DavidO
Fitstylist5j
jetsettingjacob
KristenNix
Luxefarer
luxtrvlwrks
luxury
MarshKing
merrickdb
poplarflyer (previously lewincg)
ringingup
SojournsOf
TravelConcierge
TravisMT81
thirdpassport
United747
zakami
Virtuoso and FT members not indicating other affiliations
Alexisonsmith
andreadbc
besvisor
bocastephen
chinmoylad
ddavault
price123
sarahlee
Annually, FT members who have not posted for at least a year are assumed to be inactive and deleted from these lists. Last updated Sep 13, 2021.
For those who have not worked with a Virtuoso travel agent before, this thread discusses how the process works:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ferrerid=14479
List of Virtuoso (and hotel club) Travel Agents who are also active FT members
Jan 1, 2017, 5:47 am
#31
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,409
There's a new luxury hotel consortium that often gives benefits with the first stay, although you must book through them. Benefits tend to include an upgrade, often confirmed at booking, a $75 F&B credit, and priority for a late checkout. Participants include most Belmonds (former Orient Express hotels), many Design Hotels, and many of the iconic luxury properties in major European cities.
Don't forget the PTS/CTS FHR program if you have an eligible AmEx card. A major advantage over Virtuoso is that the 4pm checkout is guaranteed.
Don't forget the PTS/CTS FHR program if you have an eligible AmEx card. A major advantage over Virtuoso is that the 4pm checkout is guaranteed.
Jan 5, 2017, 6:13 pm
#32
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Toronto
Posts: 426
Often times, I stay 1-2 weeks in a hotel, and I find that the Virutoso rates sometimes offer a hotel credit per stay. That credit (usually $100-200) is flat, no matter if you stay one day or 10.
I find this a bit strange since it encourages you to stay for a shorter period in order to maximize the credit. It makes more sense to split a longer stay up between a few hotels, rather than staying loyal to one.
Is there a way to negotiate this credit directly with a Virtuoso agent or even the hotel directly for longer stays? Have people had any luck doing so?
I find this a bit strange since it encourages you to stay for a shorter period in order to maximize the credit. It makes more sense to split a longer stay up between a few hotels, rather than staying loyal to one.
Is there a way to negotiate this credit directly with a Virtuoso agent or even the hotel directly for longer stays? Have people had any luck doing so?
Jan 5, 2017, 6:50 pm
#33
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
The credited is not intended to be a discount per se, but is offered as an incentive for guests to dine at the hotel or have spa treatments. Offering that incentive to the right kind of guest statistically results in their spending even more on incidentals than they otherwise would.
Jan 6, 2017, 4:04 am
#34
formerly known as deathscar
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: Virtuoso | Four Seasons Preferred Partner | Rosewood Elite | Hyatt Prive - and more
Posts: 2,096
Often times, I stay 1-2 weeks in a hotel, and I find that the Virutoso rates sometimes offer a hotel credit per stay. That credit (usually $100-200) is flat, no matter if you stay one day or 10.
I find this a bit strange since it encourages you to stay for a shorter period in order to maximize the credit. It makes more sense to split a longer stay up between a few hotels, rather than staying loyal to one.
Is there a way to negotiate this credit directly with a Virtuoso agent or even the hotel directly for longer stays? Have people had any luck doing so?
I find this a bit strange since it encourages you to stay for a shorter period in order to maximize the credit. It makes more sense to split a longer stay up between a few hotels, rather than staying loyal to one.
Is there a way to negotiate this credit directly with a Virtuoso agent or even the hotel directly for longer stays? Have people had any luck doing so?
But yes, this can be quite a strange thing (or was before they brought up the Reserve programme) - e.g. credit staying at 9-bedroom villa at Amanpuri for 10 nights is the same as staying in the entry level pavilion for 2 nights (or even 1 night!).
Jan 10, 2017, 2:27 pm
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,539
There's a new luxury hotel consortium that often gives benefits with the first stay, although you must book through them. Benefits tend to include an upgrade, often confirmed at booking, a $75 F&B credit, and priority for a late checkout. Participants include most Belmonds (former Orient Express hotels), many Design Hotels, and many of the iconic luxury properties in major European cities.
Apr 23, 2017, 12:13 pm
#36
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Switzerland; South Korea
Posts: 346
There's a new luxury hotel consortium that often gives benefits with the first stay, although you must book through them. Benefits tend to include an upgrade, often confirmed at booking, a $75 F&B credit, and priority for a late checkout. Participants include most Belmonds (former Orient Express hotels), many Design Hotels, and many of the iconic luxury properties in major European cities.
Don't forget the PTS/CTS FHR program if you have an eligible AmEx card. A major advantage over Virtuoso is that the 4pm checkout is guaranteed.
Don't forget the PTS/CTS FHR program if you have an eligible AmEx card. A major advantage over Virtuoso is that the 4pm checkout is guaranteed.
Apr 23, 2017, 1:03 pm
#37
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
You could also check with programs like Visa Signature/Infinite or World Elite Masercard LHR. Some four star properties not included in other consortia particpate in those programs.
Apr 24, 2017, 4:03 am
#38
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: USA
Programs: Virtuoso, Four Seasons PP, RC STARS, MO FanClub, Dorchester Diamond, Luxury Priv, Peninsula PenClub
Posts: 276
http://www.starwoodpromos.com/partners/luxuryprivileges?layout=amenities
Jul 28, 2021, 1:12 am
#40
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: SAN, BOS
Programs: AS MVPG100K, BAEC Gold, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Plat,
Posts: 2,281
Hello,
I am searching for a TA to make some bookings with Hilton Impersario, Marriott STARS, and Hyatt Prive. I’ve tried searching for a few online until I realized there must be some of you on FT. Thank you
-TZ
I am searching for a TA to make some bookings with Hilton Impersario, Marriott STARS, and Hyatt Prive. I’ve tried searching for a few online until I realized there must be some of you on FT. Thank you
-TZ
Jul 28, 2021, 6:56 am
#41
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Canada
Programs: Virtuoso TA, Four Seasons Pref Partner, Rosewood Elite TA, Ritz Carlton STARS TA
Posts: 4,737
Hello, The wiki at the top of the thread is pretty up to date, with perhaps only BEVISOR in the wrong section, meaning he probably has access to everything under the sun too
Jul 28, 2021, 9:38 am
#42
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,854
The list is set up as a wiki so anyone who has been a member for 90 days and made 90 posts (and is a luxury travel agent) can update their own name.
Jul 15, 2022, 10:00 am
#44
Join Date: Aug 2015
Programs: Virtuoso Luxury Travel Agent; Bonvoy Titanium Elite; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 664
I'm a luxury travel agent and have access to Virtuoso, Four Seasons Preferred, Marriott STARS/Luminous, Hyatt Privé, Hilton Impresario, Belmond Bellini, SLH etc rates. Would be happy to help anyone. I charge no fees. For bookings >5000 USD pre-tax, I offer a 2% cash back as well :-)
Jul 17, 2022, 10:05 pm
#45
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP (OWE), VA PLAT, EY GLD, SPG PLAT, Hyatt DIA, Hilton DIA, Hertz PC
Posts: 8,527
SojournsOf is my Luxury TA (found via TFT) and I could not recommend him enough. As we know, affiliation is one aspect, but what really matters is the TA's relationship to a property.
Ash managed to confirm an upgrade from The Quay Suite to the Rooftop Suite at the Park Hyatt Sydney based on his relationship despite the premium suites being explicitly excluded form any form of upgrade. I never book without him and have recommended several friends who he has similarly looked after.
Ash managed to confirm an upgrade from The Quay Suite to the Rooftop Suite at the Park Hyatt Sydney based on his relationship despite the premium suites being explicitly excluded form any form of upgrade. I never book without him and have recommended several friends who he has similarly looked after.