Just got an email that the program is extended for 2013. 2012 credits roll over and must be used by June 30, 2013.

Just came to post the same info.

Also want to add that the email states upgrade credits cannot be used from December 15th up to, and including, January 6th. The new FSBI program for 2013 begins January 7th and expires December 15th, 2013.

There are a few changes. Beginning in 2013, credits are earned at the rate of 1 credit for every 3 nights stay, instead of the current 1 per 2.

There's also a, I believe, new clause stating "Benefits afforded to invited guests during the term of the 2013 By Invitation Promotion cannot be combined with other Four Seasons or partner promotional offers and programs." Not sure yet what implications this has.

I was really hoping FS would make these stackable. I've got a pile of them, but can't ever seem to use them as I always book through a FSPP.

Wonder what the thinking is of having the 2012 credits expire on June 30th?

Just got the email as well. As noted above, it's a pretty lousy program and, for me at least, absolutely no incentive to book FS. And if it turns out to be uncombinable with FSPP or Vituoso, then it will be completely useless.

Agreed. If this program isn't combinable with FSPP, I won't use it/benefit from it and it won't build loyality.

I've heard they are going to come out with a corporate loyalty card. It will be interesting to see how the benefits for these two cards compare.

I'm going to investigate this further. A booking made with the FSPP rate code should get the FSPP amenities, and you just add the By Invitation number to the booking.

The only thing that has not combinable is the upgrade. If you use an upgrade credit, you're not (technically) eligible for a second FSPP or Virtuoso upgrade ... although, in practice, a well-run hotel will always want to do the best they can for its best clients and highest producing TAs.

I think it's a poorly written sentence, and I can't believe that it applies to FSPP amenities, just to "promotional offers," whatever that means.

I got the same email. Still haven't used my credits and they keep piling up.

Here's the scoop. The sentence in question refers only to promotions that are a duplication of the By Invitation benefits. With specific regard to FSPP amenities, the upgrade is the only overlap, so all the other amenities are applicable (daily Full American breakfast for two and $100 F&B or Spa credit).

What is not allowed is a doubling-up of upgrades - i.e., if you redeem a By Invitation upgrade certificate, you don't get a second upgrade.

thanks for the clarification. we also got the renewal email and i was suprised that early check in was removed, as well as the breakfast. i also book with FSPP, so the only benefit to me is the "guaranteed" upgrade using credits, vs. the "if available" upgrade with FSPP.

There was no breakfast benefit; there is free internet. I agree that the benefits of this program are minimal.

my mistake ... getting my promotion's mixed up.

By the way, don't forget to read the Terms and Conditions so you don't have a misunderstanding like I did. We recently stayed at Four Seasons Hualalai and I was confused when they told me they didn't participate in certain parts of the program (since they were the hotel that presented us with the membership card). Sure enough, fine print from 2013 program says:

Late Check-Out is not available at Four Seasons Hotel New York, Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at Historic Ka�upulehu, Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane, Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris, and Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong.

They were able to provide us with late check out anyway, but i guess they are just keeping their options open.

I just received an email from Four Seasons saying "As an enrolled guest of our 50th Birthday Promotion, which ended December 15, 2012, you are part of a select group that is automatically pre-enrolled in our exciting, new 2013 By Invitation Promotion, beginning January 7th."

I wonder if all members of the 50th Anniversary by Invitation program are automatically enrolled in the 2013 program, or are there some kind of criteria?

The followings are mentioned as the 2013 By Invitation benefits:
"Upgrade credits, Customised experience , Complimentary basic Internet,
Late check-out, Exclusive access, Exclusive reservation number"

Can anyone give examples of "customised experience" and "exclusive access"?

KrazeeJoe

I got it too and as noted here, they cleverly (?) left a period in December and early January where there was no program in force so I got no credit for a stay then. Not that I have been able to use the credit ever anyhow! If you book through a FSPP, you already get the upgrade if available (apparently it's not confirmable either way) and they don't allow you to "stack" them.

There is no customised experience or exclusive access that I've ever seen, this is simply puffery. The only additional benefit for someone who uses FSPP is free internet in those hotels that still charge for it. This is one meaningless program unless maybe if you are on a corporate rate.

I agree. Frankly, one gets better perks as an "informal" frequent guest by placing a nice five-minute call to a GM in advance of a stay, and often ones that go above and beyond anything that could be outlined on paper (real suite upgrades, significant F&B amenities, VIP designation, etc).

And I will concur, as well. It is a fairly worthless program ... almost like an afterthought.

Initially I was excited about it, but with my discovery of FT, FSPP, and the Luxury Travel forum, I've never once used these credits -- I'm sitting on a pile of them, and doubt I'll ever have a chance to use them.

The ONE tweak that would immediately cause me to change my stance, is if they would allow these to be both stackable and confirmable on booking.

I'd be quite the happy FS'er at that point.