Hyatt free nights got a ton of talk when affiliate commission got involved, and there’s been so little talk about the Fairmont card, which is in some ways better.
As Stefan (from Rapid Travel Chai) and I discussed, they have so many awesome and historic hotels, that it’s an opportunity, every bit as much as the Hyatt card.
So I want to discuss some details and benefits of the card, and then talk about the best Fairmont Hotels. Also, there have been some misconceptions of how some of the benefits work, especially around the certificates. This post is about understanding and getting the most from the Fairmont card.
Card / Free Night Details
2 free nights after spending $3,000 in 3 months.
The free nights can only be used at “Fairmont” brand hotels, and not partners in the chain (like Raffles and Swissotel).
“Earn 1 Complimentary Night each anniversary year that you make $12,000 in purchases with your card”
This is a killer benefit, and to some is worth keeping the card year after year and paying the $95. Either way, I would be aiming to spend $12,000 before the anniversary date to get the extra free night.
But I’m not sure it’s worth keeping the $95 annual fee. This is a time where the phrase “opportunity cost” would actually make sense. Meaning, that spending $12,000 on this card, means that you won’t spend it on a 2% cash back card. So if you have a 2% card, you could be missing out on an additional $120 cashback, and paying the $95. That may or may not be worth the $95 fee for you. Maybe it depends on the hotel.
For me, I don’t like paying annual fees for “benefits”, as you can go broke saving money. It adds up.
More card details:
- $0 annual fee the first year
- $95 annual fee starting the second year
- Premier Status
- No foreign transaction fee
- Get an extra “stay” towards status after spending $7,500 (up to two “stays”)
Premier Status benefits
- 1 upgrade certificate
- 1 suite upgrade certificate
- $50 Dining/Spa e-certificates
- 3rd night free
If you get the card and you already have status, you get a few extra benefits.
Existing members with Premier / Platinum status also get:
- Upgrade from Deluxe to “Gold Floor” (like Club Floor), with lounge
- $50/$100 in dining credits for Premier/Platinum members
Understand that these benefits are in addition to the ones you already got as part of your status. So without status already, you would get Premier status upon card approval, which would give you $50 in certificates. If you already had the status, you would get an additional $50 in dining certificates.
Pro tip: Combine suite upgrade & free nights
Room and suite upgrades can be applied to these free nights!
Right from the card’s terms and conditions:
Certificate may also be used in conjunction with an FPC Room or Suite Upgrade Certificates and with any other certificates offered in connection with this program.
Great award availability!
Another amazing thing about these free nights, is that they aren’t capacity controlled like most reward programs’ availability. This means that if there is a standard room cash rate, you can use your free night.
The only exception is the Savoy, which has some sort of capacity control. Which would be less annoying if you could search what that availability is online… but you just have to call back to search.
What the heck are Fairmont points good for?
Fairmont points seem to be more or less handled by Chase, at Chase.com/FairmontRewards.
Don’t get hung up on it being related to Fairmont because it’s not, as they don’t have a points system at all. Really, it’s Chase giving you 1%. There is a travel section and a gift card section, where you can redeem points for 1 point for 1 cent of travel/gift card. If you had 10,000 points, you could get a $100 flight, or a $100 gift card.
Although there is one Fairmont related option, which is to redeem your points for their Fairmont Ovation Collection Certificates. It’s a bit of a rip off. 25,000 to 75,000 points for these certificates, when it’s $250 to $750 worth of points via the travel booking portal. 99.99% of the time, you’ll end up paying more via the certificates, than booking the same hotel via the portal.
Use the points for travel bookings or gift cards you’d use.
Best Fairmont Hotels To Use Free Nights
Let me share with you some of the awesome Fairmont hotels.
The Plaza, New York – $900
A very famous hotel (on the Top 500 hotel list), and one of Fairmont’s prized hotels.
However, the terms and conditions only allow one night on a reservation. Here’s what it says in the T&C:
Only one Certificate may be redeemed per stay at The Plaza Hotel, New York City, USA. In addition, a Certificate redeemed at The Plaza Hotel may not be combined with any other room-type certificates (suite upgrade, room upgrade, etc.).
The Savoy, London – $800
Another Travel & Leisure Top 500 hotel that brings in some really expensive rates (often over $1,000) in a very expensive city.
As mentioned above, there is some capacity control at this hotel that requires calling.
The Fairmont Royal Pavilion, Barbados – $600
The Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui, Hawaii – $600
On the Travel & Leisure Top 500 Hotels list, and on the beautiful island of Maui. Not a bad place to spend 2 nights.
Fairmont Copley Plaza, Boston – $400+
Another T&L Top 500, in the heart of Boston.
Fairmont Mara Safari Club, Kenya – $500
It is right outside the northwest entrance of Maasai Mara National Park (which is amazing), and the hotel is a “luxury camping” style tent. It’s a long ways from Nairobi, so it’s still going to have some high costs, but a great experience.
San Diego Fairmont Grand Del Mar – $600
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise – $250
Fairmont Banff Springs – $350
Fairmont Washington DC – $400
There are so many others, that it can go on and on:
- Vancouver Pacific Rim
- Vancouver Waterfront
- The Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle
- The Fairmonts in San Francisco
- Fairmont Singapore
- Fairmont Shanghai
There are just too many high quality Fairmont hotels around the world to list them all.
Good write up but a little confused on something and maybe I am just missing something. So when you use Fairmont Chase “points” for a Cat D hotel it is 65,000 points a night (for example the Plaza). You stated the room costs generally 1,000 a night. So wouldn’t it be better to use the points for a Cat D hotel room and not a gift card? How would I be spending more money? Do they no longer use points for hotel rooms?
There is a way to get all of the above hotels for under $100 per night including club floor. There is a pretty popular facebook group about it too. I am sure you know what i am talking about Drew 🙂
I give up! Can you give me another hint please….?
I don’t know, but I am going to guess it has to do with some kind of BRG.
I don’t know exactly what he is referring to. The BRG they have is that they just match the offer you find on w/e 3rd part site, from what I remember. They do have a “Fairmont Savers” I have only glanced at it and there are some decent discounts but nothing too crazy.
I don’t understand some of the lingo- BRG and w/e 3rd part site. Could you kindly explain. I love the Fairmont credit card and its benefits. My husband and I have each had a credit card from its inauguration and had awesome suite for free for 4 nts at the Fairmont the Palm in Dubai. Has anyone figured out what Dimitar is talking about? If so, please email me at dar1ene(at)me.com.
Are you referring to a F&F rate?
Would you be willing to send some details? 🙂
I’m part of the Facebook group, but I don’t see much activity there and I haven’t seen any great deals recently. There’s more for Canadians on there than for Americans too.
dying to know about this group! any chance on sending me a link? email is nickbil.lings[at]gmail.com
Which group is this? Please let me know at Murusashi@yahoo.com
Would really appreciate it, if someone can send me some hints to this group. hhrobm[at]gmail.com
thank you!!!!!!!
Anyone ever get the info for this Facebook group? Hook me up manhattanit212 at gmail dot com
Hi Drew: If what Dimitar is saying is accurate, would you consider including in your next e-mail to subscribers?
I know the post was awhile back. Also curious about Facebook group. Any chance someone could send link to “m at mnlarsen dot com”
Please send if you can link or better hint on the 100/nite Deal. I am ready!
Thanks
We’re using our free night certificates at the Fairmont Le Montreux Palace. We were already going to Milan and using our Hyatt free nights at the Park Hyatt Milan. Montreux, Switzerland is just a short train ride away. We will probably try to use the annual free night at The Plaza.
We used ours to get 2nts at the Banff property and then 2 nts at lake louise in July. We also put the Calgary Stampede at the front end using pts to stay at the Sheraton which was a great hotel, especially during the stampede. I would highly recommend the two fairmont properties in the summer. The drive through the icefields parkway in July was just spectacular!
I just completed the $12K in spending but my annual fee will post next month. How long after completing the $12K in spending does is take for the free night certificate to become available? If I cancel my card in order to avoid the annual fee, will I still be able to use the free night certificate?
James, you should be fine. I got the Fairmont Visa in June 2012 & spent my $12K by Spring 2013 before my cardmember anniversary. I booked my free night at Monte Carlo for my stay in Aug. 2013, then cancelled the card in June 2013.
Drew, I’m wondering if you have ever actually redeemed one of these or if you simply forgot, but many of the hotels DO have blackout dates.
https://www.fairmont.com/promotions/cardlimitedaccess/
The original Fairmont in San Francisco is really nice and has great history. I think it was supposed to own the day of the earthquake or something like that.
Just stayed at the Fairmont Kea Lani in Maui and can’t recommend it enough. All the rooms are suites. They have a fantastic beach. Great place to stay. Highly recommend.
Yipe I swallowed my gum
I have a different certificate (3rd night Free). Can that be combined with the 2 free night ones?
No, Michah! A “3rd night Free” certificate can be used only in conjunction with 2 money-paid nights! However, you can use your free-night certs immediately after or before said 3 nights if you want a 5-night consecutive stay at one hotel.
Any idea whether an upgrade certificate for such a scenario would apply to all five nights?
what is the policy on fairmont hotel point expiration?
Sadly, I just receive a notice from Chase (Chase Bank runs the reward credit card program for Fairmont) and the rewards card is being discontinued. They will honor all certificates that issue before the program is terminated in August. I have one left and I am going to the Plaza for a weekend overnight stay!