Why Limit Yourself to Just One VIP Program?
If you talk to any travel advisor long enough, you’ll eventually hear the same frustration:
“Those Amex people are the worst.”
It usually goes something like this — a client asks for help finding the perfect hotel, the advisor spends hours comparing locations, reviewing rooms, and making recommendations… only for the client to turn around and book it on Amex because they said it was cheaper.
And don’t get me wrong — sometimes it really is cheaper. More often than not, the difference comes from the type of rate being compared, not the source. When I quote a property, I’m usually showing the flexible best available rate through the hotel — the one that earns loyalty points, counts toward elite status, and allows for changes or cancellations. Clients, meanwhile, are often comparing that to a non-flexible, prepaid rate on a portal like Amex, Expedia, or Booking.com, these Online Travel Agency (OTA) rates are cheaper on paper because you forgo any special treatment, points, or perks from the property.
In some rare cases, an Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) rate may genuinely come in lower than the hotel’s in-house preferred partner rate. Most often this is because the FHR program and the brand-direct programs like Marriott STARS, Hyatt Privé, or Four Seasons Preferred Partner pull from the hotel’s live Best Available Rate (BAR), these rates are dynamic and fluctuate daily.
The one area where Amex might truly come out ahead is a prepaid Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) rate paired with your semi-annual $300 FHR credit. Outside of that, most travelers find far more value — and flexibility — booking through an advisor who can combine OTA access and the by-invitation preferred partner programs that come directly from the hotels themselves.
Between Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR), Virtuoso, and invitation-only partnerships like Four Seasons Preferred Partner, Marriott STARS, and Hyatt Privé, there are countless ways to unlock complimentary breakfast, resort credits, and upgrades.
The key difference? Amex locks you into their portal — essentially an online travel agency (OTA) — with two rate types: standard discounted rates or their perk-based rates. When you book through me, you’re not confined to one system. I can access OTA rates through multiple partners plus a much larger network of direct hotel partnerships that deliver perks, higher upgrade priority, and no hidden up charges.
And best of all, you gain a real human with real travel experience — someone who knows you, your preferences, and your trip — not a portal that leaves you to make decisions alone. And when something goes wrong, you have one trusted point of contact, not a call center queue, ensuring your stay is handled personally and your experience feels truly VIP.
I’ll Be Honest — I Was an Amex Portal Loyalist
I’ve had my American Express Platinum Card for over a decade, and for years I was a true Amex Portal loyalist. I used it all around the world — from my time in military service to endurance races that have taken me across six continents. I’ve booked dozens of stays through both the Amex Portal and Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) programs, and I still use them occasionally when it makes sense — usually to maximize Amex’s semi-annual $300 FHR credit.
Between racing seasons, guiding climbs, and planning client trips, I’ve logged hundreds of hotel nights every year — from alpine huts in the French Alps to resort suites in Hawaii. I know exactly how satisfying it is to find a great rate, and even better when you stack those upgrades and breakfast perks.
But after years of traveling and now working as an advisor, I’ve realized that the Amex Portal and FHR are just two tools among many — and for me, the portal is usually the last one I reach for unless I’m specifically using that credit. As I’ll explain, booking directly with hotels through a preferred advisor often delivers the best overall experience and value.
I can’t count how many times I’ve asked a hotel why my elite status wasn’t recognized, only to hear, “Because you booked through Expedia.” That’s when I learned what most travelers don’t realize: the Amex Travel Portal and most credit card portals are powered by Expedia’s OTA system.
When you do want the convenience of OTA-style pricing, working with an advisor who can advocate on your behalf provides the same access — without the risk of being just another portal booking in the system.
Flights: Expertise Over Algorithms
I’ll be the first to admit: I don’t add much hard value to simple flights beyond saving you time and preventing headaches. Amex, Google Flights, or your airline app can handle the basics — if you’re willing to wade through every option and fine print.
That said, Amex Platinum shines for flights: you’ll earn 5X Membership Rewards® points, get built-in travel insurance, and still enjoy transfer partner options even when booking directly through an agent or airline (no need for the portal).
Where I step in is when flights get complex — premium cabins, multi-stop itineraries, or international routes where timing and connections matter. Through Fora’s in-house flight desk, I have access to professional-grade tools and a team dedicated solely to air travel.
We don’t just find flights — we design travel days that make sense. Too often I’ve seen travelers arrive exhausted or missing bags after chasing “deals” through discount portals that pair separate tickets or impossible layovers. My goal is to make sure you arrive ready for your trip, not recovering from it.
And if something goes wrong mid-journey, you’re not on hold with an airline or Amex call center — you have our flight desk, with direct system access to rebook in real time. For premium, international, or group travel, that support makes all the difference.
Hotels: Expertise Meets Exclusive Access
This is where booking through me makes the biggest difference. Through Fora Travel, I’m connected to every major preferred partner program in luxury hospitality — including Four Seasons Preferred Partner, Marriott STARS & Luminous, Hyatt Privé, Hilton Impresario, Rosewood Elite, Accor STEP, and Belmond Bellini Club.
While Amex FHR lists around 1,600 properties, my network for preferred perks spans over 3,000 luxury and upper-upscale hotels — typically with better perks, flexible cancellation, and no prepaid restrictions.
But access alone isn’t the advantage — expertise is. When you book through Amex or an OTA, you’re left to compare listings and interpret photos. When you book through me, you tap into my firsthand experience plus insights from Fora’s worldwide network of advisors and their clients who have actually stayed at these properties.
That means every recommendation is backed by real traveler feedback, not algorithms. Together, we balance value, amenities, and experience, ensuring you get the right fit for your style — not just the lowest number online.
The Human Advantage: My VIP Letter Makes a Difference
When you book through Amex, your reservation enters an automated queue. The hotel gets a standardized note about your perks — you’ve probably seen it at check-in if you’ve used FHR.
When you book through me, I personally reach out to the hotel’s guest experience or sales team before you arrive. I send a VIP letter introducing you by name, sharing what you’re celebrating, noting arrival details, and flagging requests like dinner reservations or early check-in.
That simple act sets the tone for your stay. It leads to better upgrades, thoughtful touches, and genuine recognition — the kind of hospitality no booking portal can replicate. Because I maintain ongoing relationships with these hotels, you’re not just another guest — you’re my guest, and that matters.
Four Seasons & Other By-Invitation Programs: The Real VIP Lane
If you’re staying at a Four Seasons, always book through a Four Seasons Preferred Partner (like me). While many Four Seasons properties appear on FHR, the Preferred Partner channel is the brand’s top-tier route for recognition, upgrades, and flexibility.
Preferred Partner bookings come with the same core perks — breakfast for two, $100 property credit, and early/late checkout priority — but with enhanced upgrade status, direct communication, and pay-at-checkout flexibility. Four Seasons teams know who my clients are before they arrive — and that makes a difference.
And Four Seasons isn’t alone. Nearly every major luxury brand has a by-invitation advisor program that outranks FHR in service and recognition:
- Marriott STARS & Luminous – St. Regis, Ritz-Carlton, and JW Marriott; full Bonvoy points and elite credit.
- Hyatt Privé – Park Hyatt, Andaz, Alila, and Thompson; stronger upgrade priority.
- Hilton Impresario – Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, and LXR; double Honors points and elite credit.
- Rosewood Elite – Elevated access and personalization across Rosewood properties.
- Belmond Bellini Club – Exclusive to Belmond’s hotels, trains, and cruises.
- Accor STEP – Raffles, Fairmont, and Sofitel Legend with enhanced flexibility and perks.
These are direct hotel relationships, not third-party listings — which means your reservation carries more weight, earns loyalty credit, and unlocks true on-property VIP treatment.
“But What About the 5X Points?”
Amex’s 5X Membership Rewards® points apply only to prepaid stays booked through its portal, which typically require full payment upfront and come with strict cancellation policies. And I’ll be honest — if your main goal is to find the absolute cheapest stay on your own, you’re confident in your travel plans, and you want to maximize Amex points, the Amex Portal or FHR program might be the right fit. You don’t need an advisor to pick a property if flexibility, loyalty status, vibe or personal service aren’t priorities — just know that those 5X points only apply on Amex prepaid rates and don’t combine with hotel loyalty points.
When I book through preferred partner programs, I’m securing the hotel’s best available flexible rate — not an OTA rate. These direct relationships allow you to:
- Earn full hotel loyalty points and elite night credit,
- Enjoy all preferred partner or loyalty perks available, and
- Maintain pay-at-checkout flexibility with standard hotel cancellation policies.
You can still pay with your Amex Platinum to earn regular Membership Rewards® points, but unlike Amex portal or FHR bookings — which code as OTA transactions — my reservations are processed directly with the hotel. That means you can double dip by earning both Amex points and hotel loyalty rewards.
If maximizing points is your goal, I always recommend pairing the right co-branded hotel credit card with your travel strategy. For example, the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card automatically grants Diamond status and earns 20 base points plus 14 bonus points per dollar spent — that’s 34 points per dollar, far more than any OTA even when paired with the Amex 5X Membership Rewards® can deliver.
So while Amex Portal or FHR may come out ahead if you’re chasing the lowest prepaid rate or using your $300 FHR credit, booking directly through an advisor nearly always wins for flexibility, recognition, and total rewards value.
The 4PM Late Checkout
Amex advertises a “guaranteed” 4PM checkout through FHR — and in practice, you’ll usually get it. If that guarantee is crucial, this is one instance where the Amex portal might make sense (as long as the property is part of FHR).
Most by-invitation programs — like Four Seasons Preferred Partner, Marriott STARS, or Hyatt Privé — offer priority late checkout, not a hard guarantee. In reality, though, these programs sit higher in the hotel’s internal hierarchy, and because I personally send a pre-arrival note confirming your preferences, your requested checkout time is usually honored.
So while Amex may technically guarantee it, my clients almost always enjoy the same flexibility — often with better recognition and personal coordination leading up to departure.
When You’re Booking Complex or Multi-Stop Trips
The Amex portal is built for single-city, single-hotel stays. When you’re planning something more ambitious — a two-week European road trip, a golf and spa getaway in Iceland, or a multi-island Hawaii vacation — that’s where I come in.
Sure, you can piece it together yourself: book hotels on Amex, find excursions on Viator, arrange transfers with Uber. I did that for years — and it works — but it’s a lot of screens and moving parts.
With access to preferred partnerships and professional planning tools, my team coordinates flights, transfers, hotels, and experiences so everything lines up seamlessly. No mismatched check-in times, no missed connections, no stress.
You focus on packing. We’ll handle the rest.
When Things Go Sideways
Travel hiccups happen — delays, cancellations, storms, or simple bad luck. When you book through me, you’re not calling a script-reading call center; you have a dedicated advocate who already knows your itinerary, preferences, and priorities.
If something goes wrong, I can work directly with hotels and on-the-ground partners to protect your perks, adjust plans, and keep your trip on track, often before you even realize there’s a problem.
That’s also why I always recommend travel insurance — because pairing strong coverage with a responsive human makes all the difference.
One example: a couple’s dream honeymoon was canceled days before their wedding due to a hurricane. While they focused on the ceremony, I handled the refunds and replanned their trip into a bucket-list whiskey and golf tour they’d long dreamed of.
Travel is an adventure — and when life throws a curveball, it helps to have someone who can turn disruption into a story worth telling.
So, When Should You Use Each?
| Situation | Best Option |
|---|---|
| Simple luxury hotel stay under $300 | Amex FHR (to use your $300 credit) |
| Multi-stop or special-occasion travel | Travel Advisor |
| Flexible cancellation or pay-at-checkout | Travel Advisor |
| Lowest prepaid rate | Depends — compare Amex FHR and advisor OTA |
| Earning loyalty points and elite credit | Travel Advisor |
| Personalized upgrades and VIP treatment | Travel Advisor |
| Round-trip international premium flights | Depends — check Amex International Airline Program or advisor options |
The Bottom Line
You don’t have to choose between your Amex Platinum and a travel advisor — you can use both strategically. Amex offers points and credits; I offer expertise, relationships, and real human connection that often translate into better rooms, smoother experiences, and true VIP treatment.
And this is important for so many reasons. So, here’s what I’ve learned after years of travel, book refundable pay at property as much as you can because travel insurance is a pain (yes you forgo your 5X pre-pay points, focus on the overall value, not just the dollar amount, maximize your points and credit card game, and most of all if someone like a travel agent puts you onto a property, reward them.
How do I do this? You can still enjoy your Amex Platinum perks while unlocking an even wider world of benefits through advisor-only programs. Pairing the two is where the real magic happens.
If you’re ready to see what it’s like to have someone advocating for your trip before you even arrive, let’s talk.
Schedule a complimentary consultation — no sales pitch, just a conversation about where you want to go next.
