FPC Platinum
 

Is FPC Platinum really worth it any more ?

More and more of the hotels do not recognize the members. The offier of a "Fairmont Room" is really only the basic room.

In comparison, Marriott Platinum gives you access to the lounge and an upgrade.

Some Fairmont properties like Montebello and the Queen E are still good, others like Winnipeg and YVR are going down very fast.

The lack of service and poor attitudea re making Fairmont a difficualt place to do business with.

I have stayed in the Fairmont San Francisco (3 times), Fairmont Dallas and Fairmont Seattle so far this year, and every time I was upgraded either to a suite or a very nice regular room (Tower room in SF). So on the upgrade front I'd say it's pretty much the same as it's always been, at least in my experience.

The "Welcome Amenity" seems to have disappeared, though; I have not received it on any of these 5 stays. Once I complained and was given it a day later, but in no case did was it provided (as it used to be) automatically.

Overall I think Fairmont's program is one of the most generous around. Compare to Starwood with 10 stays (Gold): I always get upgraded at Fairmont, maybe 10% of the time at Starwood. I get 3 free nights at Fairmont, plus more confirmed upgrades than I can use, plus a bunch of extras (massages, lift tickets, etc.), plus dining certificates, plus (last year at least) I got 2 extra "bonus" free nights. At Starwood, with 10 stays at $500 each I'd have enough points for 2 nights at one of their nicer properties, and none of the other benefits. Granted the Starwood points can be used more flexibly, but if you're just looking at elite benefits, it seems like Fairmont is clearly better.

Dollar to dollars spent no one beats Fairmont for upgrades or comp nights. I always get welcome benefits, room upgrades, plus extra perks.

I too think Fairmont has an excellent program. Lets not even start comparing the "lounge" at many chains to a Gold Floor Lounge - there is NO comparison and I would not expect to be comped access to this type of lounge. If you were comped it would not be of the same standard. I just booked a Fairmont Room in Winnipeg and have been upgraded to the Gold Floor, hope the trip happens as YWG is not on my priority list for leisure travel ;) We shall see. On stays that I have NOT pre-booked an upgrade I get upgraded anyways and if I have upgraded I often get upgraded another level. Whistler is a good recent example of a pre-arranged Jr. Suite u/g morphing into an upgrade to a palatial suite on the Gold Floor :)

I will however agree that the Welcome Amenity has been a bit sketchy. Not sure if its something that slips between the cracks or its a conscious decision not to automatically provide it. If the latter then I am more disappointed than if the former. The reason I think its the former is that recently in Banff it was there on one stay and not another.

Overall, well done FPC - keep up the good work. Upcoming stays booked in Winnipeg, the Waterfront, the Olympic, the Palliser, the Chateau Lake Louise and the Olympic for a round two!! Can't wait! PS - this would not be the same without FPC Platinum.

I have had 3 stays at Royal York this year.Each trip I was provided with a welcome amenity.I have noticed that there is a problem when you upgrade or change reservations on check-in.The amenity cannot be moved to accomodate the reservation change.You may have to ask in this instance.

Nice to receive,no big deal if not provided.Fairmont does soooo many other things so well. ^

In my fairmont profile I mentioned that a "welcome amenity is appreciated" under special requests. I have had pretty consistant service ever since. :D