Have you used a credit card concierge?

[Iceman90]

I found out today that my MasterCard comes with "concierge" service. I've never used this with any credit card I've owned, and wondered if anyone has used this service? If so, what did you use it for, and how did you find the results?

While the service is "free" I wonder what kind of markup they add to prices for things they help you find?

[Northendzone]

Nope - Straight ca$h homie.....

[TorqueDog]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

Nope - Straight ca$h homie.....

Well that was helpful.

I have it through my Visa Infinite card I've had since 2012, but I've never actually used the concierge before. I do use the other card benefits, mainly the travel perks.

For the damn yearly fee on the card, I should start taking advantage of it, but I do wonder about the practicality of trying to use a telephone concierge service in this day and age when car rentals, airline tickets, restaurant reservations and recommendations, etc. can generally be handled with a smartphone app.

[Simon96Taco]

Originally Posted by Iceman90

I found out today that my MasterCard comes with "concierge" service. I've never used this with any credit card I've owned, and wondered if anyone has used this service? If so, what did you use it for, and how did you find the results?

While the service is "free" I wonder what kind of markup they add to prices for things they help you find?

I'm not sure about any markup, but that's a possibility. My immediate concern when I thought of using this type of service would be related to how much (i.e. zero) incentive there is for them to get you a decent price on something vs. just buying the first thing they see.

E.g. You call the concierge and ask them to send your wife some flowers - they call the first # they find and send the first bundle they see....or if you ask them to book you a hotel room on a short holiday - they have no reason to go scouring the local marketplace for the best deal (or the best room).

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by TorqueDog

Well that was helpful.

I have it through my Visa Infinite card I've had since 2012, but I've never actually used the concierge before. I do use the other card benefits, mainly the travel perks.

For the damn yearly fee on the card, I should start taking advantage of it, but I do wonder about the practicality of trying to use a telephone concierge service in this day and age when car rentals, airline tickets, restaurant reservations and recommendations, etc. can generally be handled with a smartphone app.

Not to derail too much, but what are the travel perks for the Visa? I use it too, but didn't think there was much as far as travel goes.

[getbak]

This is a few years old now, but this guy put the services to the test: https://www.creditcards.com/credit-c...-test-1433.php


Basically, it looks like you can usually get a better deal on things just finding them yourself, but if you're a busy person who doesn't have a paid assistant to do these sorts of things for you already, it can save you some time and hassle.

[TorqueDog]

Originally Posted by Wormius

Not to derail too much, but what are the travel perks for the Visa? I use it too, but didn't think there was much as far as travel goes.

Complimentary checked bag, priority boarding and priority check-in... although I'm Air Canada Elite 50k until March 2019, it'll be nice when my Elite status runs out -- I don't travel enough anymore at the new gig to maintain it (mercifully). They say it only applies to Aeroplan bookings, but I've found that not to be the case, as I was boarding Zone 2 and got my complimentary checked bag when I was only Air Canada Prestige 25k (which is the AC Status equivalent of a participant ribbon).

The discounts on Avis rentals, and the travel insurance gives me some peace of mind, too.

https://www.tdaeroplan.com/seethewor...7_TD_WINTER_EN

Just don't carry a balance, the purchase APR is 20%.

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by TorqueDog

Complimentary checked bag, priority boarding and priority check-in... although I'm Air Canada Elite 50k until March 2019, it'll be nice when my Elite status runs out -- I don't travel enough anymore at the new gig to maintain it (mercifully). They say it only applies to Aeroplan bookings, but I've found that not to be the case, as I was boarding Zone 2 and got my complimentary checked bag when I was only Air Canada Prestige 25k (which is the AC Status equivalent of a participant ribbon).

The discounts on Avis rentals, and the travel insurance gives me some peace of mind, too.

https://www.tdaeroplan.com/seethewor...7_TD_WINTER_EN

Just don't carry a balance, the purchase APR is 20%.

Oh, that's a different Visa Infinite. I thought it was the Scotiabank Momentum Infinite. I only get hotel offers, but they're for the super expensive ones that I can't really afford even with the discounts.

[zzibradleyizz]

Originally Posted by Wormius

Oh, that's a different Visa Infinite. I thought it was the Scotiabank Momentum Infinite. I only get hotel offers, but they're for the super expensive ones that I can't really afford even with the discounts.

I have the same card and recently looked at the hotels, I didn't notice a discount on the hotels at all, all were the same price (looking at the Fairmont in Lake Louise), you just get some "Visa Perks" when booking a hotel through them.

Guests who use their Visa Infinite® Privilege card to reserve and pay for their stay at a Hotel Collection property through www.visainfinite.ca/privilege will automatically enjoy the following seven exclusive benefits:

Best Available Rate Guarantee
Automatic room upgrade upon arrival, when available
3PM check-out, when available
Complimentary continental breakfast
Free in-room Internet
$25 food or beverage voucher
VIP Guest Status