3 ms·

I often wonder why the yearly fees even come up in these discussions. Presumably, if you aren't getting enough value to easily offset the cost, why on earth wou

I often wonder why the yearly fees even come up in these discussions. Presumably, if you aren't getting enough value to easily offset the cost, why on earth would you ever get the card. When I book hotels through Amex's FHR portal, I get upgraded nearly every time into suites that cost hundreds more than I'm paying. To say nothing of the free nights, hotel credits, and early check-in/late check-out. Makes the annual fee laughable, but you have to be using these cards the right way.

hueving 10y ago
>When I book hotels through Amex's FHR portal Every time I went to book with my amex platinum, the hotels they offered were way overpriced for the area. I can't help but suspect you were already paying suite prices the moment you decided to book with amex. Either that or I'm just unlucky in the cities I pick to test with.
- selectodude 10y ago
  He's booking "Fine Hotels and Resorts", so he's looking at a room at the Ritz Carlton, and getting a better room at the Ritz Carlton. He isn't looking for a room at the Embassy Suites.
- rsync 10y ago
  "Every time I went to book with my amex platinum, the hotels they offered were way overpriced for the area. I can't help but suspect you were already paying suite prices the moment you decided to book with amex. Either that or I'm just unlucky in the cities I pick to test with." I'm suspicious of this too ... It's very easy to get discounts and upgrades on rooms when you start with the rack rate anyway ... can the grandparent provide some additional details or examples ? I'm genuinely curious. I am personally a starwoods member and starwoods AMEX holder and I do typically get minor upgrades (basic room class upgraded to just-better-than-basic) as a matter of course, but it never has anything to do with what card I use - rather it is based on my current points/status with SPG ... In fact, SPG/StarwoodAMEX is my only frequent flyer or club or membership that I have - I don't bother with any frequent flyer memberships (even when I do, in fact, fly routes/airlines frequently) and I don't join any other clubs. There absolutely is a savings/benefit to be had but I never feel that it outweighs the mental overhead and complication. I could perhaps see "upgrading" from Starwoods AMEX to AMEX Platinum in order to get all the lounge access and the instant low-tier status at all hotels and airlines - that's one of the benefits, right ?
  - morgante 10y ago
    > I don't bother with any frequent flyer memberships (even when I do, in fact, fly routes/airlines frequently) and I don't join any other clubs. It honestly pains me to hear that. It's like someone saying "I saw $100 on the street but didn't feel that its value outweighed having to lean over." Frequent flier miles are super simple (just put your number when booking the ticket) and very rewarding. It's idiotic to not collect them.

hueving 10y ago

>When I book hotels through Amex's FHR portal Every time I went to book with my amex platinum, the hotels they offered were way overpriced for the area. I can't help but suspect you were already paying suite prices the moment you decided to book with amex. Either that or I'm just unlucky in the cities I pick to test with.

selectodude 10y ago
He's booking "Fine Hotels and Resorts", so he's looking at a room at the Ritz Carlton, and getting a better room at the Ritz Carlton. He isn't looking for a room at the Embassy Suites.
rsync 10y ago
"Every time I went to book with my amex platinum, the hotels they offered were way overpriced for the area. I can't help but suspect you were already paying suite prices the moment you decided to book with amex. Either that or I'm just unlucky in the cities I pick to test with." I'm suspicious of this too ... It's very easy to get discounts and upgrades on rooms when you start with the rack rate anyway ... can the grandparent provide some additional details or examples ? I'm genuinely curious. I am personally a starwoods member and starwoods AMEX holder and I do typically get minor upgrades (basic room class upgraded to just-better-than-basic) as a matter of course, but it never has anything to do with what card I use - rather it is based on my current points/status with SPG ... In fact, SPG/StarwoodAMEX is my only frequent flyer or club or membership that I have - I don't bother with any frequent flyer memberships (even when I do, in fact, fly routes/airlines frequently) and I don't join any other clubs. There absolutely is a savings/benefit to be had but I never feel that it outweighs the mental overhead and complication. I could perhaps see "upgrading" from Starwoods AMEX to AMEX Platinum in order to get all the lounge access and the instant low-tier status at all hotels and airlines - that's one of the benefits, right ?
- morgante 10y ago
  > I don't bother with any frequent flyer memberships (even when I do, in fact, fly routes/airlines frequently) and I don't join any other clubs. It honestly pains me to hear that. It's like someone saying "I saw $100 on the street but didn't feel that its value outweighed having to lean over." Frequent flier miles are super simple (just put your number when booking the ticket) and very rewarding. It's idiotic to not collect them.