That is my concern as well because of the limitation of Raffle brand's presence.

Also even if the chain comes back to tell you it is good for other properties in the chain, but if it is not specifically listed on the GC face or anywhere - I would not feel confident the Fairmonts or Swissotels would honor it.

Another thing is, this is USD card but can only used Internationally - the hotel conversion rate would be terrible and probably eats up a large portion of the additional "value" in redemption, just a rough guess.

I also have an email out to Fairmont because this is the hotel I would be interested in using these GC. Yeah the conversion rate might be in issue in Europe, but I would be looking at using these in Mexico and the Caribbean where the the dollar goes a little further.

I checked the Raffles website and found the T&C for their Gift Cards. It looks to me like they can only be used at Raffles (hence the "international travel only" in the reward description). The Ovation certificates specifically mention Fairmont and Swissotel, but the Raffles Gift Card does not. That's probably why they are priced so much lower than the other hotel gift cards.

On the Raffles website, I found very specific description of the currency exchange rate used:
"If redeemed at a hotel or resort where the local currency is other than the currency in which the gift card was purchased, the gift card terminal will seek the current exchange rate powered by Oanda to calculate the current value of the gift card."
I am not familiar with Oanda, but assume it would be more favorable than a hotel setting their own exchange rate.

I believe Happy wasn't referring to the relative strength of the Euro vs. US$ but rather the hotel using a very unfavorable exchange rate compared to that which you would get using an ATM or credit card. As an example, I recently stayed at a Starwood hotel in Brussels and a Hilton in Amsterdam, where the hotel's posted exchange rate was about 10 cents more unfavorable than bank exchange rates when using ATM or credit cards.

Very interesting! I am familiar with Oanda's web site, but just because the terminal "will seek the current exchange rate powered by Oanda," this verbiage doesn't guarantee that the rate will be comparable to the interbank rate, as opposed to the interbank rate plus x percent.

Thanks for the legwork in checking the T&Cs.

This Raffles Travel Card is useless even its seemingly low price.

Just got a response from Raffles on my email and the Raffle's Gift Card is good only at Raffles Hotels. Have not heard anything from Fairmont yet, but I presume I will get the same answer. Oh well, this would have been a great deal. Had looked at 7-day stay in Cancun for about $1800 (or 2 $900 GC) for a little over 70,000 miles.

It would be FANTASTIC if the Raffles Konottaa (Maldives) ever materialized (for those of us with the Cat. C Suite certs). From my research, most transactions are done in US dollars at the resorts. Can't risk it though in case it never opens or ends up being a Cat. D.

What does that have anything to do with the current $900 Raffles Gift Card (Travel Card)? :confused:

They listened!
 

Very happy to see this. I wrote them telling how I was disappointed the Ovation certs disappeared, and seems they did something about it.

Raffles properties are not many, but since I live in Asia and just got $2700 worth of stays for $1,070 (which were free in the first place), I am a very happy camper. 12 nights in Cambodia perhaps?

No expiration on these is another big plus.

Thanks FT for teaching me how to do this:)


T&C
http://www.raffles.com/EN_RA/MainNav...Conditions.htm
FAQ
http://www.raffles.com/EN_RA/MainNav..._Cards/FAQ.htm

ever the optimist..Looks like they must really be out of the Fairmont cat C suite certs as I have recv'd 2.5 of my 3 orders, and they have credited a full 28,500 points back into my acct yesterday. I guess 5 nights for the "price" of 4 . . . not a bad deal!

Anyone know what cap one uses when they give you their offer of 10k poitns for a $1-100, then 20k for xxxx amount flight ect? I get this offer in my email and wondered if I just book on the website of my airline or ?

Raffles GC's are no more.

Does the purchase of US Miles qualify?
 

I searched but could not find a confirmation of this.
Is there anyone that purchased the US Air Div Miles and DID get the price reimbursed?

yes it does! i purchased my last batch with all the points--$1100 worth......jsut call them to reimburse though....shows up as USAIR POINTS.COM on ur statement