The Chase Luxury Hotel Resort Collection (LHRC), is an often-overlooked booking resource. LHRC is similar to Fine Hotels and Resorts (FHR) which is the American Express version that tends to get more publicity. In fact, many times, hotels will just refer to a LHRC booking as a FHR booking. Booking though LHRC provides you benefits and perks comparable to having status with a hotel brand and more. The collection consists of over 1,000 resorts and hotels worldwide.
Booking through LHRC provides a standard set of benefits which typically include daily breakfast for two, a unique property benefit, upgrades, and early check in/late check out if available. These benefits can vary, but like any other program, LHRC has its sweet spots. Although this can be used throughout the world, the location where I utilize this program the most and find the most value is Las Vegas, like I did on my recent trip.
The Program
You must have certain Chase cards in order to be eligible to use the LHRC program. For those familiar with this program, you used to be able to utilize other cards regardless of what site said. However, now you are prompted to log into your Chase account after choosing which card you want top access with. You must have the Chase Sapphire Reserve, United MileagePlus card, or a J.P. Morgan Reserve card. When searching, the LHRC site will show you the pricing for each hotel available as well as the benefits for each hotel.
The Benefits
As mentioned, the benefits vary by hotel and brand. Many of the booking options are for suites as well. In addition, this program is unique. Although you may not receive your ordinary elite status benefits from a particular hotel group's loyalty program, in some cases you can earn nights and or points in a hotel's loyalty program even when booking through LHRC. Keep in mind the benefit amount may vary depending on hotel or resort. In my most recent stay, I chose The Delano which is an MGM brand hotel which also has a partnership with Hyatt.
The benefits included with my booking included:
- Early Check in (if available, by request)
- Late check out (if available, by request)
- $100 in food and beverage credits
- $60 in breakfast credits ($30 per person)
- Upgrade if available
As I mentioned, MGM also happens to have a partnership with Hyatt, which allowed me to double dip by earning an MGM stay and a Hyatt stay with points earned. On an important side note, you can also status match to MGM Gold status if you are Hyatt Explorist or Globalist. Since I just reached Hyatt Explorist, I took the opportunity to opt-in to this match via an easy online process.
Analysis
In my most recent LHRC booking, I booked at $152 for the night which included taxes. Typically you are required to pay the resort fee on top of this, which for Delano is $44.22 with taxes. The site states, “additional resort fees may apply”. That meant my total with the resort fee should have been about $196.22. The resort fee ended up being backed out of my rate. It listed the room at $109 on my bill. This could be an error, or an a new inclusion, which will have to be researched via booking data points.
Since the benefits included a food and beverage credit of $100 as well as a breakfast credit of $30 per person for a standard booking, that meant I was getting $160 in food and beverage credits. Since my rate was $152, this means that I came out ahead $8 (less the resort fee, if it had been charged on top of the rate). I was also able to take advantage of the early check in and late check out.
In Las Vegas, it is easy to stay and eat in the resort, especially in 2020. Although prices may be a bit higher, Las Vegas in general can be an expensive dining out option without some research. I have done Las Vegas with some luxury dining and with cheap eats before. At check in, I was given a welcome letter with a list of benefits, including a list of the included dining options. Keep in mind that some benefits may be daily, while others may only be per stay. So while breakfast is a daily credit, the food and beverage credit is a total amount per stay. I will let you get creative with the hacks possible to extend your stay and maximize the credits.
Final Thoughts
I am always looking for ways to save while traveling. The Luxury Hotel Resort Collection is one such way when you are booking a cash rate, rather than points. You get to add on elite benefits that you may not normally get to experience. It can be nice to have a little bit of a luxury experience. Have you used LHRC to book? Come over to our Facebook group and let us know your thoughts.
