Certain American Express, MasterCard and Visa Cards Offer Exceptional Luxury Hotel Benefits! What Does Your Card Offer?
March 2016
Having a credit card that rewards you with travel points and miles is excellent. But many travelers unknowingly fail to reap all of the benefits of their cards simply because they don’t know about them. It will reward you greatly to spend a few minutes learning about all of the perks your credit cards provide (e.g. hotel benefits, priority airline services, purchase protection, travel protection, airline fee reimbursements, etc.).
In this Tip we will focus specifically on luxury hotel benefits. Because let’s face it, hotel stays are a lot more pleasant when you have Elite status benefits. What if you could still enjoy VIP treatment if you want or need to stay in a hotel where you don’t have Elite status? It’s possible you already have a credit card in your wallet that will do the trick!
Imagine a third or fourth night free, an upgrade to a better room, early check-in and a late departure, full breakfast each day for two and significant resort credits at luxury hotels where you may not have Elite status benefits - sounds luxurious to us!
With American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts, MasterCard World and World Elite Luxury Hotels & Resort Portfolio and Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection, VIP benefits can be yours for the taking as long as you have the right credit cards.
THE BENEFITS OF THE THREE MAJOR CREDIT CARD LUXURY HOTEL PROGRAMS:
AMERICAN EXPRESS Fine Hotels & Resorts (for Platinum and Centurion American Express credit card members) features over 800 luxury properties across the world.
The Perks:
Complimentary daily breakfast for 2
Hotel amenity or a resort credit (will vary by hotel or resort but often includes a significant resort credit)
Room upgrade - when available
Guaranteed 4 p.m. check-out
Noon check-in - when available
Complimentary in-room Wi-Fi - when available
Free nights at certain hotels based on a minimum stay
Special Note: This is an excellent program with competitive rates that typically match the prices you enjoy when booking directly with the hotel. And unlike most reservations made through an online travel agency, you are still eligible to earn points and Elite stay credits from most hotel loyalty programs when staying at an affiliated hotel so it is a win-win!
MASTERCARD WORLD AND WORLD ELITE Luxury Hotels & Resorts Portfolio features over 1,000 luxury properties across the world.
The Perks:
Complimentary daily breakfast for 2
A welcome amenity up to $100 per stay (other special amenities will vary by hotel)
Room upgrade - when available
Late check-out - when available
Early check-in - when available
Special Note: While you may not earn hotel reward points or Elite status credits when booking MasterCard World and World Elite Luxury Hotels & Resorts Portfolio stays, the rates are competitive and typically match the prices you enjoy when booking directly with the hotel with the added benefit of luxury perks for no extra charge.
VISA SIGNATURE Luxury Hotels Collection features over 900 luxury properties across the world.
The Perks:
Best available rate guarantee
Complimentary continental breakfast daily
$25 food and beverage credit per stay
Automatic room upgrade upon arrival - when available
3 p.m. check-out upon request - when available
Complimentary in-room Wi-Fi - when available
VIP Guest status
Special Note: While you may not earn hotel reward points or Elite status credits when booking Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection stays, you will be assured of the guaranteed best price and lots of extra VIP perks for no additional charge.
And Visa’s luxury hotel benefits are widely available to anyone with a Visa Signature credit card. You’ll be surprised to learn how many of Visa’s travel reward credit cards are Signature including:
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature
BankAmericard Travel Rewards
Capital One Venture Rewards Chase Sapphire Preferred
Most of the Chase airline Visa cards including United Airlines
Most of the Chase Visa hotel cards including Ritz-Carlton, Marriott and Hyatt
Citi Hilton HHonors Reserve
Club Carlson Premier Rewards Visa Signature
FlexPerks Travel Rewards Visa Signature
The Wrap-Up:
Whenever you stay at a hotel where you don’t have a high level of Elite status it’s comforting to know you can still enjoy VIP treatment. What’s not to love about perks like faster lines, late check-out, free Wi-Fi, complimentary breakfast, free nights and resort credits?
And while it is easy to get caught up in all of the luxurious perks, it’s always important to comparison shop to make sure you aren’t overpaying for your stays. If you find a lower price for the same room type, we suggest you place a quick call as you may have the price matched on the spot and you’ll have extra protection with Visa Signature’s best price guarantee.
If you haven’t already, sign up for complimentary alerts so you never miss another hotel Perk or Tip and other important trvlvip updates! Dreaming is fun, but make that next luxurious trip happen!
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