If you don't mind, what kind of rate did AMEX get for you?

It usually ~$600 for the 1BR no? Maybe more expensive during heavier times.

SkyLOFTS at MGM Grand:

Rate of $850 for a two-bedroom loft. No upgrade as McDonalds' stupid convention booked the whole floor at the last minute. Some serious attitude in the VIP lounge, but pure bliss once on the loft floor.

Free in-room continental breakfast for four ($100 value) which I didn't use.
4pm check out.
$100 spa credit was put to good use.

Will stay again (third stay now), but for the price and intimacy, Tower Suites still takes the Vegas-cake.

Report with video here:

http://www.ratevegas.com/blog/2007/0...ylofts_pa.html

Has anyone tried to use the FHR upgrade for either the St. Regis Bora Bora or Le Taha'a? I noticed on the AMEX website that they are both listed as giving free room upgrades if available, but given some of the posts on this forum, it looks like those hotels are stingy with upgrades. Any experience with this would be most appreciated.

Waldorf Towers

Rate of $665 for a Luxury Towers Suite. Was at least $50 less than web rate at time of booking - forgotten exact number.
No update - claimed they were too full.
Happy to offer 4pm check-out but not used.
Never mentioned the amenity (allegedly free afternoon tea) and we never asked because we were too busy to use it.
All WT guests get free breakfast in the club lounge, so this benefit is worthless here. You cannot use the benefit at Oscars in the Waldorf-Astoria section.

2 rooms at Bellagio Thurs-Sun. Booked the lowest room category of about $175 for the first 2 nights and $325 for the third. No upgrade because we needed 2 beds per room, however they made it clear they would have at least given a fountain view had we only required a king.

Aside from the upgrade issue, the other FHR amenities were nice. The breakfast is actually a $20 credit per person which can be used at a variety of places (we even managed to use it for lunch one day). Also, the $100 spa credit can be used as an $85 lunch credit at one of their restaurants.

That is nice to know

Just returned from THEhotel and had a great time and received ALL the benefits that were said to be provided.

Booked with PTS 2 months ago for 2-nights mid week with a FHR rate that was within a few $'s of what one can get on THEhotel's website. Reserved THEsuite with a guaranteed upgrade if available at check-in.

Checked THEhotel's website a week prior and noticed their published internet rate had gone down below our quoted price from PTS. Called PTS and they checked their rates and sure enough PTS' rate was now lower than what the website was quoting. After 2 minutes on the phone I was given a new reservation and the original one was canceled.

Arrived for check-in at 11am and was immediately helped by a friendly front desk agent. Gave my name and Amex card and was told:

• That our room was already blocked for us WITH the upgrade on the 38th floor with a "strip view" from the bedroom
• Was told that we had a 4pm check-out guaranteed and a $100 spa credit without having to ask
• Received an envelope that held 4-$20 vouchers (2 people, 2 nights) for breakfast to be used in the restaurant (THEcafe). (The FHR amenity page only calls for continental breakfast).

All in all this was a wonderful stay and enjoyed THEhotel and would not hesitate to return. This is a great hotel if you want the serenity of a non-casino type hotel with the casino near by but not adjacent to the lobby similar to the Four Seasons.

I had the exact same experience on a stay this past weekend. I guess we just missed each other SNAGuy.

Booked this week for Late Sept stay (2007) at The Hotel. Cant even get a rate at The Hotel on any website (Amex, Expedia, Etc..). HOTEL's website has it for over $100 more than FHR rate (total difference over 3 nights). Amenities as described by AMEX are as stated above.

Question: Its my wife's birthday, should I call and let them know that?

Definitely, you have nothing to loose. I would call Platinum Travel and tell them to call hotel and let them know. You might be able to get a nice surprise treatment.

Also there was a time for my stay that a few weeks prior AMEX or no other site can book and even THEhotel's site showed no availability for the V-suite but closer in rooms opened up. I think what happens in Vegas in particular is that conventions have rooms blocked but not yet booked and at a certain date prior to that convention what ever is not booked goes back into the "general" inventory available.

So, checking back frequently and closer to your arrival date can show a change in availability and price.

If I book more than one room do I get the stated amenities for each room or only the one that I am staying in. I asked PTS and they said I could book up to 3 rooms.

Up to 3 rooms is correct. All rooms will get amenities.