Fairmont President’s Club Coming to an End

The Fairmont President’s Club is the complimentary loyalty program for the Canadian based, Fairmont Hotel Group, and they have recently announced that on July 2, 2018, they will merge with Le Club AccorHotels.

While these types of announcements are rarely positive, the Le Club AccorHotels program is award winning and will open up benefits at many more hotels, in fact this program currently includes 13 brands, with more than 3,400 hotels in nearly 100 countries. That’s quite a step up from Fairmont’s 80 locations.

Fairmont insists that “while your loyalty program is changing, the personal recognition and familiar perks you have come to appreciate while staying at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts will not change. We are committed to exceeding your expectations on each and every stay.” The also have stated that the Fairmont President’s Club will not change between now and July 2nd, and that they are even honoring their March 1st, 2018 membership renewals.

If you frequent Fairmont Hotel locations and are a President’s Club Member, you may want to check out the Frequently Ask Questions to answer any questions you may have.

What about Credit Cards?

There are a number of credit cards that include benefits surrounding the Fairmont President’s Club:

1. American Express Aeroplan Platinum
2. American Express Aeroplan Reserve
3. American Express Platinum
4. Scotiabank Platinum American Express
5. CIBC Aerogold Visa Infinite Privilege
6. TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege
7. Desjardins Odyssey Visa Infinite Privilege
8. RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege

Rumor has it that American Express will be removing this as a benefit at the end of 2017 and they have already removed mention of it on card landing pages. One reddit user even posted an email that they received from Amex:

Removal of the Fairmont President’s Club Platinum Membership Benefit Effective January 1, 2018, enrollment in the Fairmont President’s Club (FPC) Platinum Membership will no longer be a benefit on the Platinum Card. However, if you obtain FPC Platinum status by December 31, 2017, you will keep it for the period March 1, 2018 – February 28, 2019, unless terminated earlier by the FPC program’s administrator in accordance with its governing terms and conditions. Please note, though, that the benefits associated with your status may change when Fairmont joins Le Club AccorHotels on or about July 2, 2018.

Any eCertificates issued in 2017 will remain valid until February 28, 2018, as previously committed. If you obtain FPC Platinum status for 2018, you will receive your 2018 eCertificates on or about March 1, 2018, and they will remain valid until February 28, 2019. FPC eCertificates will continue to be accepted at all Fairmont Hotels for as long as they remain valid.

To achieve status by December 31 2017, Platinum Cardmembers must visit: www.fairmont.com/plat5 or call 1-888-320-5959 to enrol and provide the promotion code PLAT5 if you are new to the Program, or use code PLATIN5 if you are an existing FPC member. Once enroled, you must complete a minimum of 5 overnight stays at a Fairmont property with your Platinum Card by this date.

It seems that the Visa Infinite Privilege cards are following suit and removing this benefit all together together as well. Their website states the following:

Hotel Loyalty Program Status – Fairmont Hotel Loyalty Tier Status

As of December 31, 2017, 11:59:59 pm EST, the Fairmont President’s Club elevated status benefit is no longer available for enrollment. Cardholders that have registered for this benefit on or before December 31, 2017 will receive their elevated Fairmont status until February 28th, 2018. On March 1, 2018, Fairmont will renew existing enrollees at a minimum of the Premier Status level. E-certificates will be reissued and redeemable until February 28, 2019.

Whether Amex or Visa Infinite will add a Hotel Loyalty Program in its place remains to be seen, which is unfortunate, because this perk was a nice draw for people.