Thread: Hotel Upgrades with Amex Platinum Card?

I'm considering upgrading to the Amex Platinum card. According to their website - and a friend who has one - as a Platinum card holder, you get complementary hotel room upgrades when available. Does this only apply to the "Fine Hotels & Resorts" or does it apply to virtually any hotel? For example, if I take a trip to the Washington DC area, would I only get a room upgrade if I were staying at the Mandarin Oriental or Ritz-Carlton (or something comparable), or could I conceivably get an upgrade if I stayed at a more modestly priced hotel, like a Hilton? At first glance, that seems like a great deal, but if it only applies to those high-end hotels, which I don't typically stay in, this card might not be ideal for me.

Any ideas? Can anyone with direct experience answer?

Thanks!

It only applies to five star hotels. A Hilton may not be part of the program. I stayed at Trump and they were not a part of it. Ritz Carlton is and you automatically ge upgraded without asking.

It's not necessarily just 5-star hotels. Strictly speaking the complimentary upgrade is for the FHR places, most of which are very high end but not always as expensive as you might think. I stayed in FHR places 3 time in 2011 and each time the price was comparable to a Marriott or Hilton in the same city. Also, with platinum you get elite status at starwood hotels so that will get you an upgrade often too.

I have a lot of experience using my Business Platinum card at resorts. If you book though American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts, you are guaranteed the opportunity of an upgrade if it is available upon check in, along with daily breakfast for 2, a late check out, and an elective property amenity. For example, Bellagio in Las Vegas offered a $100 Spa Credit/$85 restaurant credit (in the form of a voucher).

Now being a Business Platinum Cardmember, I have booked hotels through American Express Travel (not Fine Hotels & Resorts) as well as through hotels directly and sources like Jetsetter and SniqueAway. My favorite line to use at check-in is "are you able to offer any additional amenities for AMEX Platinum Members?". Sometimes this will yield something, sometimes not. I booked a heavily discounted room at Loews Ventana Canyon in Tucson, AZ using SniqueAway, and used that line at check in, and was granted complimentary internet and a waive of the rollaway bed fee. Not much, but it was something because I mentioned AMEX Platinum. This also came in handy with JW Marriott at their Desert Ridge property. The check-in agent granted complimentary spa pool & facility access to all three members of my family, which would've normally been $30/person per day.

So the cut & dry tested answer is, no guaranteed upgrade unless you book with FHR, but mentioning (or showing) you're AMEX Platinum can bring nice things.