For as long as I can remember, well not really, but since mid 2005 when I posted our first ever article on Maximizing the Miles and Points you earn, I have stressed that you should register for each and every promotion right when you become aware of it, even if at the time you may not think you can take advantage of it. I reiterate it time and time again and even in our 2011 update of the Maximize your Miles article.
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| Screenshot from our 2005 article |
And here is proof of why you should do so. In September 2014 American Express sent out emails to members offering a $100 statement credit when spending $500 or more in a single Fairmont Hotels transaction. I registered for the offer right away (on both my American Express Gold Rewards Card and The Platinum Card from American Express) not knowing if and when I would be able to use the offer since some of my Fairmont stays are below the $500 level for this promotion. Well December rolls around and I still need to get one more stay at Fairmont to earn Platinum Status (via the accelerated offer provided by The Platinum Card from American Express) and we decide as a family to stay at the Fairmont Banff Springs once again just before the New Year. This is a busy season and the rates aren’t cheap but we took advantage of the Alberta Residents Rate offer that gives 30% off and booked the Terrace Suite at the Banff Springs as the price was only slightly higher than the regular rooms or Fairmont Gold rooms. By this time I had totally forgot about the offer I had registered for via American Express and since the Banff Springs charges you ahead of time for stays during the Christmas/New Year season the full amount of the stay was charged to my card on December 16. Then on December 17 the following showed up on my Amex Statement:
The $100 statement credit!! I had just saved another $100 off the 30% off the suite even during a major peak season at the hotel.
So take this as a reminder, always sign up for a promotion when you learn about it. If you wait you may forget about it and not earn bonus miles/points, statement credits or other benefits that loyalty programs and credit cards offer to their members! Luckily for me I did register right away then forgot about the offer but since I did register I got the $100 credit.
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| Screenshot of our Instagram post of the holiday stay in the Fairmont Banff Springs Spa/Terrace suite |