Is Your Hotel Status Enough? Why Top-Tier Elites Should Still Book Advisor Rates
It is no secret that I value my hotel loyalty statuses. There is a certain comfort in arriving at a property knowing that your breakfast is taken care of, a suite upgrade might be waiting for you, and a 4:00 PM late check-out is usually guaranteed. If you have spent the year clocking up nights to reach the top tier of your preferred programme, you might assume that booking through a Luxury Travel Advisor (like Virtuoso, Hyatt Privé, or Marriott STARS) is redundant. After all, why pay a "flexible rate" for benefits you already receive for free?
Photo Credit: Raffles Sentosa Singapore
While it is true that there is a significant overlap in benefits (e.g. complimentary breakfast and room upgrades being the most obvious), ignoring Luxury Travel Advisor rates could mean leaving money and points on the table. Over the years, I have found that "stacking" my elite status with a Luxury Travel Advisor rate like Virtuoso often results in a far superior stay experience.
Unique Amenity - Property Credit
The most tangible benefit of a Virtuoso or STARS booking is the unique credit or amenity that is provided - this is typically a property credit valued at US$100 per stay. This is a benefit that elite status simply does not offer. Whether you use it for dinner, a spa treatment, or just cocktails by the pool, this credit is essentially free money to spend at the hotel. If you are booking a short one or two-night stay, this credit can effectively rebate a significant portion of your room rate.
Photo Credit: Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya
Special Nth Night Free Offer
This is perhaps the best-kept secret of advisor programmes. It is not uncommon to find Stay 3, Pay 2 or Stay 4, Pay 3 offers when you book through channels like Hyatt Privé or Marriott STARS. Unlike advance purchase rates, these promotions are effectively a 33% or 25% discount on the flexible rate, yet they still come with full benefits: the US$100 credit, daily breakfast, and room upgrades. I have often found that the average nightly rate under these free night promotions works out to be significantly cheaper than even the Advance Purchase Member Rate available directly on the hotel's website.
Getting Both Breakfast and Points
As a top-tier elite member, you are sometimes forced to choose between complimentary breakfast or bonus points as your welcome amenity at properties like the St. Regis, or W Hotel. By booking a breakfast-inclusive rate (most, if not all Luxury Travel Advisor rates come with breakfast), it allows you to decline the breakfast amenity and select the bonus points instead. At luxury properties, this ensures you get the full breakfast experience (not just a continental spread), plus the extra points to pad your balance for the next redemption.
Photo Credit: Park Hyatt Bangkok
Priority of Room Upgrade
This is anecdotal, but after speaking with numerous travellers as well as front office managers over the years, there is a consensus that guests who book via Luxury Travel Advisor channels are often prioritised for upgrades over standard elite members booking corporate or advance purchase rates. While a top-tier status is powerful, a loyal member booking a Privé or Virtuoso rate signals a high-value guest to the hotel. When the hotel is running high occupancy, that "double-flagged" status on your reservation might just be the tie-breaker that secures you that suite.
Cancellation Flexibility
Luxury Travel Advisor rates are almost always pegged to the hotel's Best Available Rate or Flexible Rate. While this is initially more expensive than a non-refundable Advance Purchase rate, the flexibility is often worth the premium as these rates generally offer a much more relaxed cancellation policy. Do note that most of these rates only require you to pay at the property and not upfront (which may be an issue if you are planning to use a specialised credit card for 4 miles per dollar on online spend). However, when you factor in the US$100 property credit and the potential for a 3rd Night Free promotion, the effective cost of the advisor rate often drops below the prepaid rate, giving you flexibility for free.
The Comparison: Status vs. Virtuoso vs. Stacked
To visualise the value, here is how a typical stay looks when you stack your benefits.
| Benefit | Elite Status Only | Virtuoso/Advisor Only | Stacked (Status + Advisor) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Promotions | Standard Points | 3rd/4th Night Free (Select) | 3rd Night Free + Points |
| Room Upgrade | Subject to Availability | Subject to Availability | Highest Priority |
| Breakfast | Yes (Welcome Gift) | Yes (Inclusive) | Yes + Welcome Points |
| Property Credit | No | US$100 | US$100 |
| Late Check-out | 4:00 PM (Guaranteed) | 4:00 PM (Subject to Avail.) | 4:00 PM (Guaranteed) |
How to Book
You do not need to call a travel agent to access these rates. I have partnered with ClassicTravel.com to allow you to search and book these rates - including Hyatt Privé, Marriott STARS, and Virtuoso - online instantly. The best part? You still earn elite qualifying nights and points on these bookings, just as you would if you booked directly with the hotel. Simply add your loyalty programme number during the booking process.
Even if you hold top-tier status with a major hotel chain, booking a Luxury Travel Advisor rate can unlock significant additional value. From guaranteed US$100 property credits and "Stay 3 Pay 2" offers to freeing up your welcome amenity choice, here is why you should consider using a luxury travel advisor for your next booking to "stack" your benefits.