For those that don’t know, using an approved Virtuoso booking agent can score you extra benefits in some luxury hotels across the world. Classictravel.com is the first agent I have found who offer these rates online. Many agents operate via email or on the phone, and it’s great looking at the rates here so you can compare value with other sites online.

Benefits often include a room upgrade, breakfast and/or late check-out and sometimes a $100 food and beverage credit.

Most excitingly there are a number of Hyatt properties available at reasonable rates.

• Grand Hyatt, Shanghai
• Park Hyatt Paris – Vendome
• Park Hyatt Toronto
• Park Hyatt  Milan
• Palacio Duhua – Park Hyatt Buenos Aires
• Park Hyatt ,Saigon
• Park Hyatt, Tokyo
• Park Hyatt, Chicago
• Ararat Park Hyatt, Moscow
• Park Hyatt, Sydney
• Grand Hyatt Cannes Hotel Martinez
• Hyatt Regency Kyoto
• Park Hyatt Seoul
• Park Hyatt Beijing
• Park Hyatt Mendoza
• Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa
• Park Hyatt Istanbul – Macka Palas
• Park Hyatt, Zurich
• Park Hyatt Goa Resort and Spa
• Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi
• Park Hyatt, Washington DC
• Park Hyatt, Melbourne
• Park Hyatt Beaver Creek
• Park Hyatt Shanghai
• Park Hyatt Siem Reap
• Park Hyatt Dubai
• Park Hyatt Aviara Resort and Spa
• Hyatt Regency Hakone Resort and Spa
• Hyatt Regency Indian Well Resort and Spa
• Park Hyatt New York

A quick check of the deal showed the following (randomly selected dates):

Park Hyatt, Washington DC (7-8 November)

This is the Virtuoso deal:

• Upgrade at time of booking if available
• Daily full breakfast for two  
• Early check-in/late check-out if available 
• $100 USD Hotel credit

Virtuoso Park Deluxe King – $299 (including deal above)

Hyatt Flexible Rate – $299

Advance Purchase Rate – $255

Grand Hyatt, Shanghai (2-3 December)

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability   
• Daily Buffet breakfast, for up to two in room guests 
• Early check-in/late check-out subject to availability 
• $100 USD Food & Beverage credit, to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)

Viruoso Grand King – CNY2000

Hyatt Flexible Rate CNY2000

Advance Purchase Rate CNY1600

You can check their web site for yourself here.  (No commission being paid)

Classic Travel also have a smaller number of hotels in a separate scheme ‘Preferred Partner Hotels‘ which offer other deals if you book via the Classic Travel site.  Here are some examples – there about over 20 of them so follow the link and check them for your future plans.

Whilst the proposition here is similar that offered through American Express but of course you can use any credit card you like to pay for the deal. Many hotels booked this way allows cancellation 48 hours before arrival, although you need to check this by property. Some properties include a free upgrade at time of booking, not simply at time of check-in. Worth considering if you want to lock in that nicer room.

Four Season, Forte, Ritz-Carlton and non-chain properties are also included so it may well be worth looking when you next plan your trip. There are 25 properties in New York.

Although European hotels do not feature in the examples above, there are plenty of those too.