I know, I know. It seems nuts to pay a $450 annual fee for a credit card…but my American Express Platinum is easily the most valuable card in my wallet when it comes to travel benefits. On this trip alone I’ve used the lounge access with USAir, the free (extra) insurance with Hertz, but the best of all is the amazing deal I got at TheHotel at Mandalay Bay that will net me $50 in room credit even after resort fees and taxes!
As you can imagine, weekdays in August are pretty slow in Vegas and you can get some steals at hotels. I’m using that to my advantage and trying out some of the properties that might be out of reach at peak rates like TheHotel. The ability to earn Hyatt points makes it now especially attractive.
Checking American Express’ website, I found a rate of $99, that offers noon checkin, 4PM checkout, free breakfast (given as $80 in cafe credit) and $100 in spa credit. Even with the $20 resort fee and $11 taxes, I’m a guaranteed winner, which is better than I’ll do at the casino!
Believe it or not, this isn’t the first time I’ve seen used the “Fine Hotels and Resorts” program for a room that has ended me up in the positive after room credit. I was able to book the same rate last Spring Break at the Hyatt Chesapeake at a room rate of $179 ending up with $215 in room credit!
Have you ever had an FHR rate net you more than you spent? Please share!
i love using AMEX FHR!
You should clarify that Amex plat’s “free insurance with hertz” is secondary coverage, and only kicks in above and beyond your regular auto insurance.
If you don’t have a car (so presumably don’t carry insurance), then indeed Amex is primary. For all others, it is secondary coverage…and I suspect, in practice, rarely ever used.
NY,
Fair enough…but it is equal to the coverage sold by Hertz, and saves $10/day.
Ohh that spa credit sounds heavenly!
It was…and they forced you to take it as actual SPA, not spa retail, which is both a negative and a positive. Negative, because I always use up spa credits stocking up on beauty goods, positive because it forced me to stop and use the spa, which was gorgeous! I SO needed that pedicure.
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