American Express has announced that they are launching a new mobile booking feature that will allow premium cardholders (Platinum & Centurion) to book thousands of restaurants, including Michelin starred restaurants that American Express holds exclusive reservations for. This feature is set to go live in the UK starting at the end of September and into October and will be launched in the US sometime in 2019.
Previously cardholders have been able to make reservations and access these exclusive reservations by calling into the Concierge service offered to cardholders. American Express is adding the option to reserve tables at more restaurants through a partnership with Seven Rooms and Bookatable. When it launches in the UK users will have access to 1,000+ restaurants in London and 2,000+ restaurants across the UK. Top tier restaurants will include: Hakkasan, Nobu, and Chiltern Firehouse.
I really enjoy fine dining on the rare occasion I decide to be reckless with my money and anything that makes booking these top tier restaurants easier is a win in my eyes. Hopefully at some stage I can get a booking at Osteria Francescana.
Am I able to call in the concierge with my Business Platinum to book but then pay with my SPG (right now there’s a promo for 3x spend up to $2k)
yes
So I can just call the concierge and tell them all that? Or I have to coordinate with the restaurant afterwards? I’m lookkng to book TICKETS in Barcelona and this sounds like the perfect opportunity
Thanks for the information, yeah I loved that region of Italy. Only heard positive things about Osteria Francescana, but like you said maybe they were influenced by the charity work as well.
If you don’t do high end tasting menu meals often, I’d skip Francescana. Plenty of better picks IMO.
In conversation with Concierge about such reservations, I have been told many tables are booked several months out, but then people cancel at the last minute. On the one hand, this will enable people to easily see what has become available at the last minute; on the other hand, many people may book tables the minute they become available knowing well that they are likely to cancel a few days before. It will be interesting to see how this plays out and whether AMEX has to put some restrictions in place.
it’s not hard to book these restaurants in western countries, they should add the restaurant in japan
There are still some in NYC and LA that are especially hard to get into and is pretty tough even for Amex. In Japan, it’s basically impossible. You really need to be extremely lucky or know a lot of people in the industry.
What differentiates this from open table or resy?
Probably availability at higher tier restaurants
It says Amex holds the exclusive rights to reservations for many of them.
amex has agreements with some higher end restaurants that provide special reserved tables (when fully booked) or more desirable tables (like window views on the ocean).
Also some restaurants that are partnered with Amex you might get some free perks, like maybe a complimentary drink/appetizer
Your decent restaurants often aren’t on OpenTable
I wouldn’t say that. Most of the Michelin starred restaurants in my area are on OT. Whether they release a lot of availability to OT is a different question.
Really depends on the restaurants you’re looking at.
Amex has specialty agreements to have tables “set aside” for Amex Platinum members at restaurants that are typically booked for months. This means you can usually get a same day reservation at a restaurant that is completely booked up, and would be unavailable on OpenTable
Amex has some deals with restaurants where you get a free glass of wine or a free appetizer etc.
Sweet. Maybe this will get me into dorsia.
Great sea urchin ceviche