VIRTUOSO in Europe
Oct 17, 2008, 8:59 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Here, There, and Everywhere
Posts: 226
VIRTUOSO in Europe
Hi,
There does not seem to be any Virtuoso agents in Europe. Any ideas on how or who would be dealing with reservations here in Europe ? or Do I need to contact a travel agent in the states?
Thanks
There does not seem to be any Virtuoso agents in Europe. Any ideas on how or who would be dealing with reservations here in Europe ? or Do I need to contact a travel agent in the states?
Thanks
Oct 17, 2008, 9:08 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,874
You'll need to contact a US agent. DavidO who posts a lot on here is a Virtuoso agent and has booked stuff for me. It doesn't seem to matter that you, the guest, are not based in the US.
Oct 17, 2008, 3:30 pm
#5
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Chicago
Programs: United 1K, American EXP & 3 Million Miler, Hyatt Globalist & Marriott Ambassador Elite
Posts: 2,360
Oct 18, 2008, 12:16 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,874
In my experience the deals are very very similar. However .... Amex FHR only refreshes its list on 1st January each year. New hotels, eg Four Seasons Florence, will not therefore appear until 2009. Virtuoso lists them on opening.
Oct 18, 2008, 11:29 pm
#10
Join Date: May 2006
Programs: SPG: Plat; Amex: Plat.; Star Alliance: Gold, One World: Gold
Posts: 101
BTW the hotel was dissappointing. I will write a review in Luxury hotels forum.
Oct 20, 2008, 11:48 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: here and there
Programs: some
Posts: 3,382
Oct 21, 2008, 8:02 am
#12
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 382
Agreed, although I've found that any Virtuoso agent beats an FHR rep. In general, an FHR rep will only offer you the FHR amenitites with the negotiated FHR rate whereas if there is a better rate or package being offered by the hotel than the negotiated Virtuoso rate, a good Virtuoso agent will at least try to get some or all of the Virtuoso amenities included while paying the lower rate. I've yet to encounter an FHR rep interested in making that effort. Also remember that a Virtuoso rep has access to FHR rates while the reverse is not true.
Oct 22, 2008, 3:59 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,874
No, Virtuoso agents simply have access to tailored packages with special rates or amenities at certain 5* places. You book as you would through any other agent. No fees to you, the agent will take the standard 10% commission from the hotel.