I’ve been a Business Platinum Card® from American Express OPEN cardmember for 3 years now, and it’s one of the annual fees I’ll happily pay each year (even at $450), because the amount of value I get from the card’s benefits is incredible (here are some ideas to maximize your Platinum Card).
One benefit that I never really paid attention to until today is the American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts reservations system that’s exclusively in place for Platinum Card® from American Express and Business Platinum Card® from American Express OPEN card holders.
Since I have an upcoming anniversary trip to Vegas lined up, I decided to see what I could find using the AmEx FHR portal, and to my surprise, my findings were awesome!
With AmEx FHR, your rate includes a bunch of perks including: free daily breakfast, room upgrades, early check-in, late check-out, free wifi, and a unique resort amenity (usually a $100 resort or spa credit) per stay. You are also able to earn stay credits with these rates.
Since I really have no problem hotel-hopping to maximize the benefits, I figured I would break up my 3 nights in Vegas into one-night stays.
For the first night we’re in town, we’re staying at the Bellagio for $143.10 per night.
The rate includes all of the perks listed above, and after taking advantage of the daily breakfast ($30 x 2), and the $100 resort credit (which we plan on using for dining), we’re already making out ahead. I’ve also heard that mentioning the “free wifi” benefit at check in, eliminates the resort fee that they try to impose.
Our next night will be at the Palazzo for $159 in a luxury suite.
We’ll have all of the same benefits as our first night, but this time around, the $100 resort credit is limited to spa services (which are quite expensive). I’ll probably end up using it for a manicure or short massage and then spend some time enjoying the spa facilities.
Our last night in town is a weekend night, when rates are sky rocket. Luckily I still have MLife Platinum status from when I had Hyatt Diamond, so I was able to contact a casino host and get a complimentary night at The Mandalay Bay… which is not my favorite hotel on the strip, but it sure beats paying $300-$400 a night at a nicer place. Besides, who sleeps in Vegas anyway?
To further “maximize” this trip, we plan on visiting the Centurion Lounge at LAS to grab some free food and drinks upon arrival and before our flight home. I’ll also put my MLife Platinum status to use when it comes to entering clubs and jumping the super-long taxi lines (DYKWIA?)
I’m so glad I discovered some great savings with the American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts booking engine, and I look forward to using it again soon. Let’s hear about your successes…
Yep, FHR works well in Vegas.
Great deals! Do you get stay credit towards elite status when booking this way?
Yes! :) I plan on calling to add my Hyatt and MLife Numbers to reservations
Any luck getting into the nightclubs? I’ve heard NOIR status is required for this type of benefit as the nightclubs are independently owned and operated even though the Mlife website says otherwise.
NOIR status definitely gets you into night clubs. I haven’t had a problem with getting in (I guess it’s because I am a woman), but for men, if you reserve a table, or come with good looking girls, or know a promoter, you’ll have no problem getting in.
Not a huge deal, but the rate is missing a 12% tax and the $32.48 resort fee. (No luck getting it removed.) I had the $135 rate in my head, so slight sticker shock at the final $183 folio. Still worth it though…I think the best value is to check in early on Sunday, and use the $100 credit on the Sunday brunch at Jasmine ($58/person, does not include any drinks though).
Also, the “special” check-in lines weren’t really enforced, as it was a mess when we got there… just get in a line towards the right side, but before the Concierge…I believe it’s marked Invited Guests.
I agree, I wish they would have included the taxes and fees + resort fee in total price… but I’m still going to push for the removal of the resort fee. I’ve heard its YMMV… Thanks for the tips on check in line & brunch (I’m sad that I won’t be there on a Sunday…)
Pretty misleading. You need to add another $35/night + 12% to those rates to get the rate with taxes and resort fee included.
I didn’t find Mlife Platinum useful at all when I stayed at MGM on a weekend. No upgrade at all. Only useful benefits is Taxi and buffet jumper.
I agree the taxi jumper is a great benefit… especially on weekends or convention-heavy weeks. I haven’t tried the buffet jumper yet!
How did you contact a casino host for a free night at Mandalay? Am a Hyatt diamond / Mlife plat as well
I have been getting lots of emails from hosts, mostly pushing promotional events such as concerts, etc. I do play a fair amount of black jack when I am in town, so I decided to just reach out and see if they were able to offer me a room. I was actually offered a room for my entire stay but I chose just one night. I would say it depends on if you gamble or not/minimum bets/average playing time. But Vegas is more generous with comps than Atlantic City.
free night in Vegas by schmoozing a casino host? Details!!!
So, you booked one night at each hotel and got free breakfast and $100 credit for each night? I thought those perks were only if you stayed a minim three nights and then you get the 4th night free, plus free breakfast for every night and $100 credit.
Assuming one was staying three nights, could one technically stay at hotel x on day 1, y on day 2 and x on day 3 and get $300 in hotel credits?
Some hotels have the stay 3 nights, get the 4th free benefit (mandarin is one), but most have the $100 resort credit per stay (can be one night). And yes, your method is exactly how to do it… or if you and the person you are traveling each has a Platinum card, you can book single night reservations at the same hotel, alternating between who books it… then ask the hotel front desk person if you could keep the same room the entire time… YMMV.
How did you contacts casino host ?
I have the same situation as you , but when I called I was just offered a $139.00 rate at aria
Do you just go on the sites and read everything from start to finish. I love hearing your perks although none of our cards overlap! I’ll be looking into my Starwood for my first Vegas trip and Marriott and chase sapphire, flight points are generally more valuable but with all of these perks you really have to assess.
Thank you!