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| I took this picture, featured on the Virtuoso website, in Java, Indonesia |
Have you been searching the web, looking for the very best value for a stay in a luxury hotel? You may very likely have run across references to Virtuoso, FHR, Four Seasons Preferred Partner, Ritz Carlton STARS, and other jargon. If you find it confusing, then Google has led you to the right place!
More value for you is the common denominator of all of these hotel amenity programs. You generally pay the same "best available flexible rate" that you find on hotel website, but you get value-added extras for no additional cost. These include:
- free daily breakfast for two guests
- a room upgrade upon availability at check-in
- an extra amenity that varies by hotel (such as a $100 food and beverage credit)
It's a no-brainer! There is no downside when using these programs. You do not have to prepay (unless it's a resort that would take a deposit anyway), and you benefit from the same exact cancellation policy that you'd get by booking online. Here's a primer for the various hotel amenity programs out there.
Virtuoso is a luxury travel consortium that has negotiated contracts with nearly one thousand luxury hotels and resorts around the world. To get the Virtuoso amenities, all you need do is make your booking through a Virtuoso travel consultant such as Ourisman Travel (an affiliate of Brownell).
Fine Hotels and Resorts (FHR) is similar to Virtuoso, but with less hotels under contract. The one advantage that FHR carries is a guaranteed 4 p.m. late check-out (but often I can negotiate the same consideration). To be eligible to use FHR, you must be an American Express Platinum Cardmember (which carries a $450 annual membership fee) and pay for your stay with an American Express card. Ourisman Travel can make FHR bookings for U.S.-based cardmembers, saving you the bother of dealing with Amex's 800 number or their [very slow] website.
Four Seasons Preferred Partner (FSPP) is an amenity program for every Four Seasons hotel and resort in the world. Preferred Partner guests receive a full American breakfast daily (including buffets and room service), priority upgrade status, and either a $100 food and beverage credit or a $100 spa credit (depending upon the property). You even get the amenities when booking Experience More promotions such as Third Night Free and Hotel Credit rates.
Ritz Carlton STARS amenities apply to every Ritz Carlton hotel and resort in the world. You get breakfast for two daily (when booking the best available flexible rate) and also receive a customized welcome amenity and late 4 p.m. check-out. These are in addition to Virtuoso amenities for those Ritz Carlton properties that are also members of Virtuoso.
Mandarin Oriental FAN Club and Park Hyatt Prive are programs similar to the STARS program described above. You will receive complimentary daily breakfast for two and other amenities at any Mandarin Oriental or Park Hyatt in the world. This is useful for those properties that are not members of Virtuoso.
Ourisman Travel is one of a very select group of travel consultants who can take advantage of each of these programs through our affiliation with Brownell. Please email or phone us if you have any questions.
Virtuoso travel consultant (search here on Google)
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