The Luxe Destination Privileges
Arrive as a VIP.
Free breakfast, hotel credits and upgrade priority at 2,000+ luxury hotels.
With VIP recognition at every stay, booked through our partner Classic Travel at the same rate as booking direct.
Pictured: The Peninsula Hong Kong. Courtesy of The Peninsula Hotels.
What it is worth
Three nights. The same rate. Around US$340 more.
Here is a typical three-night stay at a five-star resort booked through Privileges, against the same room and rate booked with the hotel. The price you pay is identical; this is what comes on top.
- Breakfast for two, three mornings≈ US$240
- Hotel credit, once per stayUS$100
- Room upgrade, when availablePriority
- Early check-in and late check-outPriority
- Extra value, before any upgrade≈ US$340
Illustration: breakfast at about US$40 a person, a typical US$100 credit. Benefits vary by programme and hotel — each programme page sets out exactly what it includes.
How it works
Three steps, then you arrive as a VIP.
- 01
Create your free account
Sign up with Classic Travel through our link. It takes a minute, costs nothing, and unlocks the preferred-partner rates.
- 02
Book the Privileges rate
Search your hotel and dates, and book online with instant confirmation. The rate matches the hotel’s own flexible rate; the benefits come on top.
- 03
Arrive as a VIP
The hotel sees a preferred-partner booking. Breakfast, your credit and upgrade priority are attached to the reservation automatically.
The programmes
23 preferred-partner programmes.
Each hotel group runs its own invitation-only programme for a handful of agencies. Through our partner, Classic Travel, you have access to all of them. These four carry the strongest benefits.
The Peninsula
The Peninsula PenClub
The strongest programme of them all: an upgrade guaranteed at the time of booking, and "Peninsula Time" from 6am to 10pm when the hotel can offer it.
See the benefits
Four Seasons
Four Seasons Preferred Partner
Breakfast, a hotel credit and upgrade priority at every Four Seasons, including on promotional rates.
See the benefits
Shangri-La
Shangri-La Luxury Circle
An upgrade confirmed when you book, breakfast in bed if you like, and a promise never to be turned away.
See the benefits
Aman
Aman
Breakfast, a resort credit and upgrade priority at every Aman — benefits you do not get when booking direct.
See the benefitsHotel groups
Rosewood
Rosewood Elite
Breakfast, a property credit and priority upgrades at every Rosewood — and they stack with bonus-night offers.
See the benefits
Mandarin Oriental
Mandarin Oriental Fan Club
An invitation-only agency programme: breakfast, a hotel credit and a one-category upgrade priority.
See the benefits
Marriott
Marriott STARS & Luminous
STARS covers Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, Bulgari, EDITION and The Luxury Collection; Luminous covers W, JW Marriott and more.
See the benefits
Hyatt
Hyatt Privé
Park Hyatt, Andaz, Alila and Grand Hyatt, with an upgrade confirmed within 24 hours of booking.
See the benefits
IHG
IHG Destined
Six Senses, Regent, InterContinental, Vignette and Kimpton, each with a US$100 credit per stay.
See the benefits
Accor
Accor Preferred
Raffles, Fairmont, Sofitel, SO/ and Banyan Tree — the only advisor programme for Raffles and Fairmont.
See the benefits
Hilton
Hilton for Luxury
Conrad, Waldorf Astoria and LXR — with double Hilton Honors points.
See the benefits
Belmond
Belmond Bellini Club
Belmond hotels, trains and river cruises, with property credits of up to US$200.
See the benefits
Kempinski
Kempinski Club 1897
Europe's oldest luxury hotel group, with a US$100 credit and breakfast for every bedroom.
See the benefits
Jumeirah
Jumeirah Passport to Luxury
A US$100 credit, 4pm check-out when available, and free transfers on European suite stays.
See the benefits
The Langham
COUTURE by Langham
Breakfast, a dining or spa credit and upgrade priority at The Langham's flagship hotels.
See the benefits
One&Only
One&Only
Preferred rates and benefits at One&Only resorts and private homes, often stackable with resort offers.
See the benefits
Rocco Forte
Rocco Forte Knights
Every Rocco Forte hotel in Europe, with a US$100 dining credit and priority everything.
See the benefits
Auberge
Auberge Resorts Collection
Virtuoso benefits at Auberge's resorts across the Americas and Europe.
See the benefitsIndependent hotel collections
LHW
Leading Hotels of the World
Virtuoso-style benefits at around 190 independent Leading Hotels of the World.
See the benefits
Preferred Hotels & Resorts
Preferred Hotels & Resorts Platinum
More than 300 independent LEGEND and LVX hotels, with a US$100 credit and breakfast for every bedroom.
See the benefits
Relais & Châteaux
Relais & Châteaux
Benefits at more than 200 of the world's great chef-led country houses and inns.
See the benefits
Small Luxury Hotels of the World
SLH withIN
Breakfast, a credit and upgrade priority across 430-plus Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
See the benefits
Virtuoso
Virtuoso
The broadest of them all: benefits at more than 2,000 luxury hotels, including many independents no chain programme covers.
See the benefitsAt a glance
How the programmes compare.
| Programme | Breakfast | Credit | Upgrade | Early / late | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Four Seasons Preferred Partner | Daily, for two | Yes, by room category | On arrival | — | — |
| Aman | Daily, for two | Yes | On arrival | If available | — |
| The Peninsula PenClub | Daily, for two | — | Guaranteed at booking | 6am – 10pm, if available | — |
| Rosewood Elite | Daily, for two | Yes, varies by hotel | Priority at check-in | Priority | — |
| Mandarin Oriental Fan Club | Daily, for two | Yes | One category, if available | — | — |
| Shangri-La Luxury Circle | Daily, for two (in-room too) | Yes | Confirmed at booking | If available | Shangri-La Circle |
| Marriott STARS & Luminous | Daily, for two | STARS only | At check-in | Luminous | Marriott Bonvoy |
| Hyatt Privé | Daily, for two | Yes | Confirmed within 24h | Priority | World of Hyatt |
| IHG Destined | Daily, for two | US$100 | On arrival | — | IHG One Rewards |
| Accor Preferred | Daily, for two | US$50–100 | At booking or check-in | If available | ALL Accor |
| Hilton for Luxury | Daily, for two | US$100 | At check-in | Priority | Double Hilton Honors |
| Belmond Bellini Club | Daily, for two | Up to US$200 | Priority at check-in | Priority | — |
| Kempinski Club 1897 | Daily, for two | US$100 | On arrival | If available | GHA DISCOVERY |
| Jumeirah Passport to Luxury | Daily, for two | US$100 | On arrival | Until 4pm | Jumeirah One |
| COUTURE by Langham | Daily, for two | Yes | At check-in | — | — |
| One&Only | Daily, for two | Yes | If available | If available | — |
| Rocco Forte Knights | Daily, for two | US$100 | Priority on arrival | Priority | — |
| Leading Hotels of the World | Daily, for two | Yes | On arrival | If available | — |
| Preferred Hotels & Resorts Platinum | Daily, for two | US$100 | On arrival | If available | I Prefer |
| Relais & Châteaux | Daily, for two | Yes | On arrival | If available | — |
| SLH withIN | Daily, for two | US$50 | On arrival | If available | — |
| Auberge Resorts Collection | Daily, for two | Yes | If available | If available | — |
| Virtuoso | Daily, for two | Yes | If available | If available | Usually |
Upgrades, early check-in and late check-out depend on availability unless a programme says otherwise. Credits are per stay and vary by hotel.
Getting the most from it
Five things worth knowing.
- Choose the hotel’s own programme over Virtuoso. Where a hotel offers both, its own programme — Four Seasons, Rosewood, Belmond, Peninsula — carries the stronger VIP status.
- Want a certain upgrade? Look at three programmes. The Peninsula guarantees it when you book, Shangri-La confirms it when you book, and Hyatt Privé confirms it within 24 hours. Elsewhere, upgrades depend on what is free on the day.
- Stack the offers. Four Seasons keeps its benefits on promotional rates, and Rosewood, The Peninsula and Shangri-La combine them with third, fourth or fifth night free offers.
- Already booked direct? A flexible booking can usually be moved across to add the benefits — Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, Hyatt, IHG, Hilton, Accor and Belmond all allow it.
- Mind the minimums. SLH usually asks for two nights, as do Raffles and Fairmont, and some resorts in high season.
Questions
Before you book.
Does it cost more than booking with the hotel?
No. Preferred-partner rates match the hotel's own flexible rate; the breakfast, credit and upgrade priority come on top. The hotel pays the agency's commission, not you.
Do I still earn hotel points?
With most of the big groups, yes: Marriott Bonvoy, World of Hyatt, Hilton Honors (doubled), IHG One Rewards, Shangri-La Circle, ALL Accor and I Prefer. SLH and Leading Hotels points are only earned booking direct.
Who do I book with?
With our booking partner, Classic Travel. You book online with instant confirmation, or through one of their advisers.
Is an upgrade guaranteed?
Only with The Peninsula PenClub, Shangri-La Luxury Circle and Hyatt Privé is the upgrade confirmed before you arrive. Everywhere else you have priority, subject to availability.
What kind of upgrade is it?
Usually the next room category up: a garden-view room to an ocean-view one, or a deluxe room to a premier one. Suites are not promised, though a hotel will sometimes go further when it has space. The programme pages say where the upgrade is a fixed category or confirmed in advance.
Can I cancel?
Cancellation follows the rate you choose, and is shown before you book. Most Privileges rates are the hotel's flexible rate.
The Luxe Destination Privileges is our partnership with our booking partner, Classic Travel. Bookings are made and looked after by Classic Travel at the same rates as booking with the hotel, and we may earn a commission. It never changes what we write.
The Luxe Destination Privileges
Your free account is the key.
Create it once and every future booking carries the benefits — breakfast, credits and upgrade priority at more than 2,000 hotels.