Using a Travel Agent vs. Using Amex Platinum
Krista the Virtuoso Travel Advisor vs...American Express!
Using Amex Platinum vs. Travel Agent
I’ll be the first to admit — I am a sucker for frequent flyer miles and hotel points. I have all the credit cards and have been playing this game for longer than most people. (I was into this stuff before The Points Guy even started his blog!)
So I get it. If you have an Amex Platinum card, you are addicted to the points. If you are like 90% of people though, you are just hoarding points and not spending them!! So my first piece of advice is always to SPEND THE POINTS. Valuations on points are constantly decreasing so always use what you’ve got.
Now, some naysayers will say “Why do I need YOU, Virtuoso Travel Advisor Krista, when I have Amex Platinum?” To give you a very University of Chicago Booth School of Business answer — sorry, Class of 2004! — I really think the answer is “It depends.” Now, of course, I would love if you would always choose to support a small business like mine. But I’m realistic enough and experienced enough to understand that there’s a time and a place for the Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) program which is usually what people are referring to when they mention Amex Platinum. Here’s my take on when you should use Amex Platinum vs. me.
Flights
I don’t add any value on flights really—besides for my many years as the frequentest of frequent flyers. (I was a United Platinum 1K and British Airways Gold member for many years.) With all the miles I’ve clocked in the sky, I will not do things like give you a 45 minute layover in Amsterdam just because the airline lets me do that via their booking platform. 45 minutes is not enough time at Schipol! An Amex call center or Web site can and will do that to you if you are not paying attention. But still…even with my many insights, I don’t add a ton of value on flights. And frankly, the airlines don’t pay me for flight bookings so there’s nothing in it for me either! (Just being honest.) One exception: for international business class or first class, I may have access to wholesale rates. So if you’re flying four people from Florida to Thailand in business class, maybe using me makes sense.
Hotels
As a Virtuoso advisor, hotels is one areas where I add a ton of value. This is mainly at the 5 star level. Occasionally the 4.5 star level. My host agency, Gifted Travel Network, is attached to all the main luxury hotel amenity programs thanks to its relationship with Virtuoso. Unless you are a super advanced traveler, you have probably never heard of these programs, but they include offerings like the Four Seasons Preferred Partner Program, the Rosewood Elite program, and the Marriott Stars & Luminous program. (See all the program logos in my website footer.) Through my amenity programs, you will be prioritized for upgrade, receive complimentary breakfast for two, and often receive a $100 hotel credit or similar amenity.
Now, Amex Platinum does offer similar amenities, it is true. BUT it really depends on the hotel. And there are only 1300 hotels currently in the Fine Hotels & Resorts Program. As a Virtuoso advisor, I have access not only to the 1500 hotels that offer Virtuoso amenities but I also have access to all the hotel chain programs. For instance: Marriott has 9000 hotels worldwide and about 900 of them (5 star and sometimes 4.5 star) are in the Stars & Luminous program.
So…I have more access to more amenities at more hotels worldwide. If the upgrades and perks are important to you, I have more access than Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts.
Also, I don’t force you to pay for your stays in advance. That’s how Amex subsidizes a lot of what it does.
VIP’ing Your Stay
One area where Amex also falls down is that they do not contact the hotel on your behalf prior to arrival. (This is standard practice for me—I send a “VIP letter” a week or so before you arrive at a property to introduce you and confirm everything is in place.) Knowing this, if you were a hotel reservations manager, who would you be more likely to upgrade? The guest who booked through an Amex call center or website or the guest whose travel advisor reached out directly to introduce their client and tell the property their client’s likes and dislikes? In general, when you book through a travel advisor, you are more likely to get upgraded because of that human connection with the hotel. If it’s your anniversary, I tell the hotel. If it’s your birthday, I tell the hotel. If you are allergic to gluten, I tell the hotel. Amex is just not going to do that for you.
A Personal Contact vs. A Call Center
You can call me and always talk to me. Or you can call Amex and talk to one of their 7,000 call center representatives. My goal is to get to know your preferences, travel dreams, and budget. With this knowledge, I can craft an itinerary beyond just hotels, including unique experiences, hidden gems, and insider access. At Amex, you are just a number. And they are just a call center.
Working with a Well-Traveled Person vs. A Call Center
I haven’t been everywhere, but I’ve probably been to most of the places you want to go. Over 75 countries so far. If you are working with a call center rep, it’s possible that they have never even left their country before. They are just an order taker, which can sometimes result in bad advice. Like the time Amex booked an 85 year old from New York to Dubai with three connections. (A true story!) I would never do that to anyone, much less an 85 year old!!
In short, an order taker can be fine for simple, straightforward bookings but not for more complex itineraries.
Curated Itineraries vs ???
I can best work my travel advisor magic if I can do everything for you from start to finish. Transfers, hotels, private touring, train tickets and more. That’s when a travel advisor can truly shine. Amex Platinum just can’t do this for you. It’s too many pieces for them to keep track of. So if you are traveling for a week or more, with multiple stops along the way, I can really help you more than your Amex Platinum can.
Help Beyond the Booking
Travel hiccups happen. Having a dedicated advisor by your side throughout your trip can be a lifesaver. I can help with last-minute changes, additions to your trip while you’re in location, and more.
But What about Those 5X Points with Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts?
5x points is only available on prepaid bookings that may or may not be refundable. And/or there may be crazy cancellation windows. (Like you must cancel two weeks before arrival to get your money back.) If you have the slightest inkling that your plans might change, book through me for more flexible cancellation policies. Also…remember.,..there are only 1300 hotels in the Fine Hotels & Resorts program. So for a lot of properties, you can’t even get the 5x points.
But What about The Guaranteed 4 pm Checkout with Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts?
This is one thing I can’t do for you! So if you need the guaranteed 4 pm checkout, Amex has an advantage and I have no problem telling you that. (Although whether this is really guaranteed is a question mark!) Through Virtuoso and my hotel amenity programs, I can definitely get you prioritized for late check-out though.
Double-Dipping with Hotel Loyalty Program
With Amex, you can’t double-dip with hotel loyalty programs. Meaning…if you try to book a Marriott property through Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts, you can get the 5X points but you can’t get Bonvoy points at the same time. So…if you are looking for hotel program points, better to book through me. (One thing to consider with Amex Platinum…it’s really meant for non-business travelers who don’t really travel enough to get hotel or airline status on their own. So if you do care about accumulating hotel and airline status, it an be better to book through me.)
Summary
I hope that gives you a sense of when Amex Platinum Fine Hotels & Resorts can be a good fit and when it may make more sense to use a travel advisor. Personally, I don’t think this is a binary choice! You do not have to pick one or the other. Really, there’s a time and a place for both!
About Krista
I’m a Notre Dame grad and a Chicago Booth MBA. I spent over 11 years living and working in London, England, selling financial data. My career and personal travel have taken me all over the world. To date, I’ve been to 78 countries. Now I bring the joy of travel to others. Let me make your next vacation seamless for you.
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