Update: TPG has confirmed that these bookings do earn hotel points, elite night credits and your status is recognized. Fingers crossed when American Express has amextravel offers that these bookings trigger those as well.
American Express offers the fine hotels & resorts program to both personal and business Platinum & Centurion cardholders. Properties booked through this program all come with a number of guaranteed benefits:
- Noon check-in, when available
- Room Upgrade upon arrival, when available
- Daily breakfast for two people
- Complimentary in room Wi-Fi
- Guaranteed 4pm late checkout
- Unique amenity valued at US$100, such as a food and beverage credit or one way private sedan transfer
They have now added a new benefit and you can receive 5x points when booking these properties. There are some restrictions:
- Your booking must be pre-paid (e.g you pay for your room upfront. The cancellation policy remains the same)
- You must book through amextravel.com (phone bookings are excluded)
This is a great addition as previously you effectively had to choose between the FHR benefits or the 5x points and now you receive both. Having to pay in advance seems a little strange, but I guess even if the cancellation policy remains the same hotels see less cancellations this way.
Hat tip to OMaaT
