HELP! I have attempted to post these questions on flyertalk.com (website for frequent flier point experts) but they have not yet "approved" my registration. So...hopefully my Fodorite friends can help, please???

Considering using Amex MR (membership rewards) points for hotel(s)in London &amp; somewhere near Gatwick. After being overwhelmed this morning looking at options on the Amex website &amp; trying to figure out who's who &amp; what's what (Amex has every partner under the sun from Starwood to Hilton, Marriott, etc. but the Amex points to hotel points are all different&amp;*&amp;%$#^ AND within the chains they have different point requirements by property), can <b>anyone</b> tell me:

1. In general, is using Amex MR for hotel stays in London/UK a good use of points right now? Is one program better than another?

2. Which hotel program(s) requires the fewest points for a night in <i>central</i> London (March/April 2004)?
Holiday Inn Express wants 20,000 pts/nite can you believe??

3. Are there any special promotions that will increase my points that I can take advantage of? (ie on a post on flyertalk.com from last April, I read about transferring points to Hawaiian air &amp; then transferring to Hilton which doubled points).

4. What happens with VAT &amp; other charges (ie how do they figure tax, on rack rate)?

Finally, in addition to London, I need to stay somewhere near, but not necessarily at, Gatwick for a few days. Finding which chains have what properties has proved to be daunting. I've found a Hilton in Cobham. Any other nice suggestions? Any benefit to using same or different chain for both locations?

Sorry this is so long. Any help <i>at all</i> is much appreciated.

Hi. Call Amex and ask them what specific hotels in London are on their MR program. One night will be 35,000 and up and that usually includes tax but not breakfast. It was very easy doing this on the phone.
I also found it very confusing to check with all the partners.
In my opinion, it's only a good deal if you have lots of miles, hotel prices are high and exchange rates are bad.
June

June where did you stay &amp; how did you like it? 35,000/nite included VAT??

Any other thoughts from anyone else?

Mclaurie:

I am not answering your question directly, but hopefully offering an alternative way of using the AMEX points.

In Canada, I can transfer my points to purchase travel certificates at a rate of 10,000 points for CAD$100. I can then use those certificates to purchase airline tickets, hotels and car rentals at an AMEX travel office or through their central booking agency. I have used the points to pay for airfares and car rentals, but not hotels. For hotels, I have been told that they will book the hotel and then issue a certificate.

The procedure is very simple. I contact the local AMEX office, get a quote and then call AMEX to release the points. They fax the agency the same day and that?s it.

I took this route because, like you, I found the choice and procedure to purchase hotel credits too confusing! I was also not sure if I was getting the advantage of the cheapest rates at the hotels. This way, you get the lowest rate published that day. An agency fee was applied to the airline tickets I purchased, I can?t comment on hotel bookings.

You can find out of this service is available in your region by checking the AMEX website. They also provide a contact number for local AMEX travel agencies and the central group.

It might be worth your while to check this alternative out before you decide on purchasing the hotel coupons.

Hope this helps ..

Regards ..Ger

You can use Amex Miles in London at the Grosvenor House (40,000)
Milestone (50,000)
One Aldwych (65,000)
This would include taxes, not breakfast.
I was in error about the 35,000 pts. That was for another city.
Hope that this is helpful. The info is hard to find on their website. I believe that if you call Amex and ask for the Land and Sea department they will help you.
Good Luck