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.
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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
@will - This could be an invaluable benefit for me. FYI - I have been to most of the worlds top 50 and Osteria Francescana barely deserves to be on it. The chef, Massimo, is an amazing wonderful and charitable person and I believe that is why his restaurant is on the list. With that said, Modena (and all of Piedmont) is a wonderful region with amazing restaurants and definitely worth wasting your money on. Also , it was not had for me to get the ressy. I was just diligent in booking when the window opens. The fanciest high end restaurant I went to in the region was in Alba, Piaza Dumo (I think). If you go to Modena, also get a reservation at Osteria Gusti. It is one of the best family local retaurant I have ever been to. A reservation is a must and should be secured as soon as you know your travel plans. It is also featured in the show Masters of None. A season was filmed in Modena. Worth watching before you go. If you need more info, let me know. My main pleasure in life is wasting money for food, both high end and street food, and your site helps me mike tons of miles to cover the flying. Thanks . My instagram is @NYfoodsnob You can see my Francescana pics as well as many other places.
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?
Amex has some deals with restaurants where you get a free glass of wine or a free appetizer etc.
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
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.
Also some restaurants that are partnered with Amex you might get some free perks, like maybe a complimentary drink/appetizer
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).
It says Amex holds the exclusive rights to reservations for many of them.
Probably availability at higher tier restaurants
Sweet. Maybe this will get me into dorsia.
Great sea urchin ceviche