I got it to get cash back from costco, but I try to use it for gas, travel and resraurants too because I get a higher percentage back than my Chase Freedom.
I used David Ourisman as our Virtuoso agent. I recommend him highly, he is fantastic. www.ourismantravel.com/
Do you get a credit for referrals? If so, PM me your name. I have a hotel in toronto to book this week.
Note: these perks only apply to certain hotels that are part of the Virtuoso or Four Seasons Preferred Partner networks. In Toronto, that is the Four Seasons, Park Hyatt, Shangri-La, or Ritz Carlton. If you're playing on staying elsewhere, I wouldn't bother contacting a travel agent.
Yes, we use our charge card for every day purchases. Fuel, groceries, dining out, etc. We have an add'l Am/Ex credit card (holds a balance) for travel and larger purchases.
Nothing makes me more twitchy than "we don't take American Express." WELL then. I don't shop here. ^o)
Is there a specific AmEx card that you have that gives you the perks.
Which perks? If you're talking about hotel perks, that's an Amex Platinum (or Centurion) thing.
pantsparty -- the travel agents we're talking about are affiliated with Virtuoso and/or Four Seasons Preferred Partners. The perks are only for certain hotels that are part of those programs, but you don't need a particular credit card to take advantage.
Is there a specific AmEx card that you have that gives you the perks.
Which perks? If you're talking about hotel perks, that's an Amex Platinum (or Centurion) thing.
pantsparty -- the travel agents we're talking about are affiliated with Virtuoso and/or Four Seasons Preferred Partners. The perks are only for certain hotels that are part of those programs, but you don't need a particular credit card to take advantage.
How does it work? Do you let your travel agent know the cities/dates and they come up with options for you?
We don't travel on a Four Seasons budget consistently, but maybe it would be nice to spring for on a special trip.
Which perks? If you're talking about hotel perks, that's an Amex Platinum (or Centurion) thing.
pantsparty -- the travel agents we're talking about are affiliated with Virtuoso and/or Four Seasons Preferred Partners. The perks are only for certain hotels that are part of those programs, but you don't need a particular credit card to take advantage.
How does it work? Do you let your travel agent know the cities/dates and they come up with options for you?
We don't travel on a Four Seasons budget consistently, but maybe it would be nice to spring for on a special trip.
I like to pick the hotels myself, so I have done more along the lines of "We are going to x from date to date and want to stay at y," but yeah -- they could probably recommend hotels.
When we went to Hawaii last year, the perks that we got were:
At the first hotel (a Virtuoso-affiliated property): • Upgrade at time of booking, subject to availability (on Partial and Ocean View) [we ended up with a 5-category upgrade] • Daily Buffet breakfast, for up to two in room guests
• $75 USD Resort credit to be utilized during stay
And at the second hotel (a Four Seasons):
Daily full American breakfast for two people per bedroom, served through In-Room Dining or in the hotel restaurant (including buffets)
Food and beverage credit of USD100
Upgrade of one category, based on availability at time of check-in (excluding signature suites and villas) [we ended up with a 12 category upgrade from golf-view room to prime oceanview suite]
Complimentary high-speed Internet access
We also got welcome gifts (chocolates) at both hotels. And we paid the same rate as we would have had we booked ourselves without any of the perks.
Virtuoso and particularly FSPP guests tend to get priority over Amex FHR guests for upgrades, so you're more likely to get a big upgrade (and for an upgrade to be available, generally) if you book through an agent.
If you have a Visa Signature card or World Elite Mastercard, these cards also have hotel programs. The perks aren't as good as Virtuoso/FSPP/Amex FHR, but properties are included that aren't part of those programs.
Post by mrsukyankee on May 7, 2014 11:08:39 GMT -5
Yup, and we can use it a lot of places (London seems Amex friendly). We use it for miles. But we also have a Visa card for those times we can't use our Amex.
I also have the one that gets 6% cash back on groceries (up to 6K a year, then 1% on anything additional). I also get 3% cash back on gas and select department stores, and 1% on everything else. I think I read about the card on one of these boards a while ago. It's $75 a year, but in the first year I go back around $500-600, it is absolutely worth it for me.