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#262369 by locutus
19 Feb 2010, 09:44
Amex are still advertising Sofitel Privilige with the Plat card (good to see my fees aren't being spent on updating their site!) Do they now give A|Club membership and at what level?

TIA.
#737192 by Neil
19 Feb 2010, 09:56
Yes you get A|Club membership, pretty certain it is only Silver level membership, so really not worth much to you, from what I remember, it was only basic Sofitel level membership also, so again nothing special.
#737196 by locutus
19 Feb 2010, 11:19
Well, Silver still gives upgrades. I was gold, but got demoted back to Silver, though never stayed in a Sofitel. Due to stay at LHR and then NYC next month, unless the rumours are true about the BA strike. [?]
#737200 by jaguarpig
19 Feb 2010, 11:31
You get Gold my renewed card arrived last week.The numpty at the LHR Sofitel didn't even know what it was, so don't hold your breath about any upgrades.
#737203 by Neil
19 Feb 2010, 11:40
quote:Originally posted by jaguarpig
You get Gold my renewed card arrived last week.The numpty at the LHR Sofitel didn't even know what it was, so don't hold your breath about any upgrades.


Ah yes, I have just logged in to my account on line and it is showing as a gold account. Shows how often I use it...
#737204 by northernhenry
19 Feb 2010, 11:45
Out of interest, what other benefits (actually useful & not just flowery marketing stuff) does the Plat card provide..
#737205 by jaguarpig
19 Feb 2010, 11:49
quote:Originally posted by northernhenry
Out of interest, what other benefits (actually useful & not just flowery marketing stuff) does the Plat card provide..


link
#737206 by Neil
19 Feb 2010, 11:59
quote:Originally posted by northernhenry
Out of interest, what other benefits (actually useful & not just flowery marketing stuff) does the Plat card provide..


All the details (including the flowery marketing stuff) are here.

It does depend on how you travel etc, but for me however I would say the main ones are the excellent annual travel insurance for the main Plat and supp card holders, plus for the 5 supp gold card holders. So basically Luke and I have the plat cards, and then between our family they have the 5 gold cards, giving full annual travel insurance to them and their immediate family (wife, children etc).

Also, you get 2 x full Priority passes, one for each of the Plat card holders.

You get access to FHR hotels and the benefits that come with FHR bookings, very good if you stay in top end hotels. FHR benefits include free daily breakfast, room upgrade (subject to availability, we have always got one though), late check out (4pm) and a special hotel gift (this varies between hotel, but in the US it is usually a $100 spa credit, or lunch one day for 2.

You get membership at varies hotel chains/car hire companies. For example, Hilton Honours Gold status, Hertz No 1 Gold Status, giving you the benefits that come with those.

Yes, there is a 300 annual fee, but just entering my third year of having one, the benefits of the card have saved us well over that each year, and already this year, with just a promo at The Wynn hotel, and some savings with the FHR rates, it has saved us about 400, without even including the annual travel insurance for everyone which is say 100 a year saving.
#737207 by locutus
19 Feb 2010, 12:04
Oh, I meant gold too. I was demoted from Plat, but wondered if the Plat was due to Amex. I'm not with it today. Well, if I get an upgrade in NYC I'll be happy. [:)]
#737209 by jaguarpig
19 Feb 2010, 12:07
Doh, sorry didn't read the exam paper sir[:D]

I don't ever charge anything to the plat card, but the comprehensive family travel insurance,2 full priority pass cards and the FHR program just about warrant the 300 fee.

Oh and Eurostar lounge access for quite a few people[:D]
#737211 by Neil
19 Feb 2010, 12:13
quote:Originally posted by jaguarpig
I don't ever charge anything to the plat card,


Ditto, and on the odd occasion I have to, like a deposit for a FHR hotel, the MR points can be transferred to either HH points or VS miles (at a 1:1 ratio, although there are often 10/15% bonus periods too), so you can make use of them. MR points are earned at 1 point per 1 spend.

Neil
#737212 by jaguarpig
19 Feb 2010, 12:32
As I use the BA amex PP card for everything, I have earned no MR points for about 6 years.With the FHR reservations no problem paying with a non plat amex card.
#737213 by Neil
19 Feb 2010, 12:50
quote:Originally posted by jaguarpig
With the FHR reservations no problem paying with a non plat amex card.


I didn't realise that. The PTS agent told me it just had to be charged straight to my account, so you are saying I could use another amex card if I wanted, good to know.

Neil
#737241 by northernhenry
19 Feb 2010, 20:07
quote:Originally posted by jaguarpig
Doh, sorry didn't read the exam paper sir[:D]

I don't ever charge anything to the plat card, but the comprehensive family travel insurance,2 full priority pass cards and the FHR program just about warrant the 300 fee.

Oh and Eurostar lounge access for quite a few people[:D]


The 2 Full Priority cards, assume unlimited access with no additional charges?

Their website details are very limited, hence the questions [?]
The FHR setup is sounding like a popular setup.
#737244 by Neil
19 Feb 2010, 20:47
Yes both the 2 plat card holders get top level priority passes with no charges fo either of them to access any of the lounges. .Each guest is 15

FHR can work very well for you. Just bear in mind you have to book a FHR rate through PTS, you can't just book direct and get the FHR benefits.
#737246 by locutus
19 Feb 2010, 21:34
US Plats have a website to check FHR rates and book. Is there something similar over here?
#737253 by Neil
19 Feb 2010, 22:08
quote:Originally posted by locutus
US Plats have a website to check FHR rates and book. Is there something similar over here?


No, the only way to book FHR is through PTS
#737266 by jaguarpig
20 Feb 2010, 11:30
quote:Originally posted by Neil
quote:Originally posted by jaguarpig
With the FHR reservations no problem paying with a non plat amex card.


I didn't realise that. The PTS agent told me it just had to be charged straight to my account, so you are saying I could use another amex card if I wanted, good to know.

Neil


Yep not a problem Ive never even had to pay a deposit on a FHR booking and have always paid the bill on the BA amex.The other benefit to me of the plat card I had forgotten is the 150 fee for the BA PP amex is waved.
#737275 by Neil
20 Feb 2010, 12:15
quote:Originally posted by jaguarpig

Yep not a problem Ive never even had to pay a deposit on a FHR booking and have always paid the bill on the BA amex.The other benefit to me of the plat card I had forgotten is the 150 fee for the BA PP amex is waved.


Excellent to know. Deposit only ever seems to be required for Vegas hotels, but I think that is the norm out there.
#737283 by locutus
20 Feb 2010, 13:24
quote:Originally posted by jaguarpigThe other benefit to me of the plat card I had forgotten is the 150 fee for the BA PP amex is waved.


Not sure that's the case for new members now though.
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