Why Booking Hotels, Cruises and Tours with a Travel Advisor is the Ultimate Luxury Travel Hack

Luxury travelers often assume that booking directly with a hotel—or even using Credit Card Booking Portals—will get them the best possible pricing and perks. But in reality, the best way to maximize your stay, secure the best upgrades, and ensure a seamless experience is by booking through a travel advisor (TA) who specializes in luxury hotels and has strong relationships with top properties.

If you’re already booking 5-star hotels, why wouldn’t you want to add hundreds of dollars in free perks, VIP treatment, and a dedicated advocate—all at no extra cost?

The Hotel Booking Hierarchy: Who Gets Priority?

Not all hotel bookings are created equal. Here’s how hotels rank guest priority, from lowest to highest:

🔻 Lowest Priority: Third-Party Discount Sites (online booking aggregators)

• Hotels categorize these as low-value bookings, and you’ll often get the worst rooms (near the elevator, parking lot view, etc.).

• No loyalty benefits, no upgrades, and little recourse if something goes wrong.

🔹 Medium Priority: Booking Directly via the Hotel’s Website or App

• Much better than an OTA (Online Travel Agency, the online booking aggregators), since the hotel gets the full revenue.

• You’ll earn loyalty points and status benefits, but upgrades are subject to availability, and no one is advocating for you.

🔹 Medium+ Priority: Programs like Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) & Chase Travel

• You’ll get some perks (free breakfast, resort credit, late checkout), but you’re still just a number in a system.

• Upgrade priority is below all partner travel agencies, and you won’t have a real person to escalate issues if something goes wrong.

⭐ Highest Priority: Booking Through a Top-Tier Travel Advisor

• If your travel advisor is a preferred partner of the hotel brand (e.g., Marriott Luminous, Hyatt Privé, Rosewood Elite), you’ll jump to the top of the upgrade list—often even ahead of elite status members.

• Advisors with strong relationships can personally request special treatment, ensuring your stay is as seamless as possible.

• If something goes wrong, your advisor steps in to fix it, leveraging their direct connections and high booking volume to get a resolution.

The Higher the Tier, The Bigger the Perks

The perks of using a travel advisor are significantly amplified at higher-tier hotels. At any true five-star property, the added value is undeniable—better room assignments, stronger upgrade priority, enhanced perks, and personalized attention from hotel management.

If you’re already staying at Four Seasons, St. Regis, Rosewood, Aman, Mandarin Oriental, or similar brands, working with a travel advisor is a no-brainer.

Why a Travel Advisor Outperforms Credit Card Booking Platforms

Many luxury travelers think Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) offers the best perks. While it’s a solid program, it simply doesn’t compare to working with a trusted, high-volume travel advisor.

1️⃣ Upgrade Priority: The Hidden Hierarchy

• Hotels prioritize direct relationships first. FHR guests are at the bottom of the upgrade list, behind both elite status members and travel advisor clients.

• A great TA has direct relationships with general managers and sales teams, meaning they can personally request upgrades, not just rely on availability.

2️⃣ Exclusive Perks Beyond Standard Benefits

• Many preferred TA programs offer higher-value benefits than FHR. For example, many Preferred Partner bookings always get top-tier breakfast and priority upgrades, whereas FHR guests may receive a lower-tier version of the same benefits.

• Some properties offer exclusive VIP-only extras for clients booked through high-volume TAs—something FHR users will never see.

3️⃣ When Things Go Wrong, You Want Leverage

• If you book through FHR and an issue arises (room category mistake, bad service, or the hotel not honoring a benefit), you’re on your own. Your only option is to complain to the front desk.

• A good TA has pull and leverage—they book millions in business for these hotels annually, and hotels care deeply about their relationship with them. If something goes wrong, a TA can fix it for you quickly.

4️⃣ Insider Knowledge: The Data You Can’t Find Online

• Travel advisors book thousands of luxury hotel stays per year. They know which properties are delivering the best experiences at any given time.

• While online reviews can be useful, nothing beats having a TA who knows the latest updates on service quality, renovations, and hidden gems.

Why Long-Term Relationships Matter

If you really want to maximize the benefits of working with a travel advisor, the best way to do it is by building a long-term relationship with one—not jumping around based on what hotel you’re booking.

When you develop a strong relationship with a TA:
✔ They get to know your preferences, travel style, and priorities.
✔ They’ll use their leverage to advocate for you when it matters most.
✔ They’ll anticipate your needs and secure the best possible perks and upgrades.

Not all TAs are equal, though. You want an advisor who books a lot of volume with your preferred hotel brands and properties. The more business they do, the more pull they have to get you better upgrades, personalized service, and special treatment. Our team is consistently in the top 10 for Virtuoso hotels.