LHW leaders club updates and comments
Jan 6, 2026 | 9:51 am
#423
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: PHL
Posts: 392
Jan 7, 2026 | 2:16 am
#424
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: BA Gold, SPG Gold, IC Plat RA, Fairmont Plat...
Posts: 536
Jan 22, 2026 | 5:14 am
#425
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: BA Gold, SPG Gold, IC Plat RA, Fairmont Plat...
Posts: 536
Has anyone had any recent experience with Sterling or Aurelian and the pre-arrival upgrades being granted?
I wonder how LHW and the hotels are handling the increased volume operationalising it all properly?The Leading Hotels of the World, will now benefit from an exclusive partnership with American Express U.S.
Through this collaboration, over 4 million U.S.
Platinum and Centurion Card Members will receive complimentary Leaders Club status:
Platinum = Sterling Tier
Centurion = Aurelian Tier
Leaders Club, LHW's guest recognition program, offers exclusive member rates, room upgrades, and exceptional on-property experiences at the world's most remarkable independent hotels.
I wonder how LHW and the hotels are handling the increased volume operationalising it all properly?The Leading Hotels of the World, will now benefit from an exclusive partnership with American Express U.S.
Through this collaboration, over 4 million U.S.
Platinum and Centurion Card Members will receive complimentary Leaders Club status:
Platinum = Sterling Tier
Centurion = Aurelian Tier
Leaders Club, LHW's guest recognition program, offers exclusive member rates, room upgrades, and exceptional on-property experiences at the world's most remarkable independent hotels.
Jan 22, 2026 | 6:11 am
#426
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP; UA 1MM & PP; Marriott AMB; Hyatt Globalist; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 61,999
Just booked stays at three high-end properties for a trip to Naples and the Amalfi Coast Looked at all options for booking, including LHW. LHW (including Sterling status through AMEX) offered no appreciable benefits over booking through the property, and their prices were slightly higher. I just booked direct.
Jan 22, 2026 | 3:43 pm
#427
Join Date: Jun 2022
Location: Everywhere all at once
Programs: BA Gold; LHW Sterling; SLH Inspired; GHA Plat; HT P9; (ex) AA survivor; Harrods Gold
Posts: 169
Just booked stays at three high-end properties for a trip to Naples and the Amalfi Coast Looked at all options for booking, including LHW. LHW (including Sterling status through AMEX) offered no appreciable benefits over booking through the property, and their prices were slightly higher. I just booked direct.
Mar 14, 2026 | 10:03 am
#428
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: BA Gold, SPG Gold, IC Plat RA, Fairmont Plat...
Posts: 536
Has anyone had any recent experiences with the pre arrival upgrades being granted etc? I wonder if the US AMEX Platinum and Centurion will either dilute things or improve the recognition and processes?
Mar 14, 2026 | 2:28 pm
#429
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Programs: AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Delta Silver Medallion, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 16,422
Just booked us the Sacher in Vienna for the first time in a decade. My husband loves this place. I am setting my expectations quite low this time. We'll be there in the fall.
Mar 23, 2026 | 1:41 pm
#430
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: NJ
Programs: UA LTG, AA LTG, Bonvoy LTP, LHW Sterling
Posts: 2,599
I booked 2 hotels last week (one Wednesday, other Thursday) and so far neither pre-arrival upgrade has come through.
Mar 24, 2026 | 3:21 pm
#431
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: BA Gold, SPG Gold, IC Plat RA, Fairmont Plat...
Posts: 536
Ive had the same experience - the upgrades rarely seem confirmed in advance. And then it says its returning the upgrade request to my account which makes no sense as Im Aurelian anyway so have unlimited requests..
Mar 27, 2026 | 7:24 am
#432
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: NJ
Programs: UA LTG, AA LTG, Bonvoy LTP, LHW Sterling
Posts: 2,599
As part of our commitment to your satisfaction, the Leaders Club team will update you on the status of your request closer to your arrival date. We appreciate your patience and look forward to delivering an exceptional experience on your upcoming stay.
Warm Regards,
The Leaders Club Team
Disappointing. In the past this hotel (Schwitzerhof Bern) usually applied them only a day or two after booking.
Update: Received the same message for the second reservation.
Last edited by schriste; Mar 31, 2026 at 7:37 am
Mar 30, 2026 | 6:29 am
#433
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: BA Gold, SPG Gold, IC Plat RA, Fairmont Plat...
Posts: 536
For one of my bookings last week I just received an email stating:
As part of our commitment to your satisfaction, the Leaders Club team will update you on the status of your request closer to your arrival date. We appreciate your patience and look forward to delivering an exceptional experience on your upcoming stay.
Warm Regards,
The Leaders Club Team.
Disappointing. In the past this hotel (Schwitzerhof Bern) usually applied them only a day or two after booking.
As part of our commitment to your satisfaction, the Leaders Club team will update you on the status of your request closer to your arrival date. We appreciate your patience and look forward to delivering an exceptional experience on your upcoming stay.
Warm Regards,
The Leaders Club Team
Disappointing. In the past this hotel (Schwitzerhof Bern) usually applied them only a day or two after booking.