WeGalavant vs. Amex (And Why It’s Better To Book Your Next Trip With A Travel Club, Like Us!)

“Why should I book with WeGalavant when I could just book through Amex?”

This is one of the most common questions we get, along with…

“Aren’t the hotel perks the same? Why is booking with WeGalavant better?”

Read on to learn why booking travel with us means a better booking & travel experience for you.

Reason 1: WeGalavant offers a highly personalised booking experience; Amex bookings are made via an online booking site or call centre.

When you book travel with us, you’re working one-on-one with a real person ( Club Curator) who has been expertly matched to you that will take the time to understand your travel style, needs and budget. And they’re able to provide highly personalised recommendations and support along the way.

When it comes to your bookings , We take time to select the perfect options and personalise the extras.

Booking via Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts (or Amex FHR, the brand’s booking platform) means you’re sacrificing that level of personalisation.

Amex’s other option to its FHR booking platform is waiting on hold to speak with a call centre agent. And, with Amex’s nearly 7,000 agents, you’re never getting the same person twice.

Plus, when you book with us, you can assure the little things are taken care of. You won’t get the same care and attention to detail when booking through Amex (or any other credit card )

Reason 2: When you book with WeGalavant, you get prioritised for room upgrades & more.

Yes we know: Amex offers perks like free breakfast and up to $200 resort credit. But We’ll let you in on a little secret: booking with us means you’re getting all the same perks, but you are prioritised for room upgrades above Amex (more on that below).

Why? Because the travel industry is all about relationships, and we have general managers & sales directors on speed dial!

We have built meaningful relationships with hotels & partners around the world. Our colleagues attend all the industry events and use our black book daily to provide the best possible experiences for our travellers. And while Amex provides perks for card holders (at roughly 2,300 hotels), there’s no real relationship with many Amex travel agents. The partnership is with Amex’s corporate brand, as a whole.

And it doesn’t stop at upgrades. We have acccess to nearly every major preferred partner program, including Four Seasons Preferred, Preferred Platinum, Dorchester Diamond Club, Hilton Impresario, Hyatt Privé, IHG Luxury and Lifestyle and Virtuoso & much more.

Preferred partnerships are not easy to get; these are selective, invitation-only programs developed and cultivated by hotels to reward agencies who deliver consistent, high-quality clientele at significant volume. Clients who come from us and other preferred agencies book higher room categories, spend more at the property and are more loyal than any other channel. You benefit from the many years of this track record.

What does this mean? 

Beyond getting priority above Amex for room upgrades, you’re going to be at the top of the food chain. When you book a trip with us, you’re a client that comes to them via a preferred partnership. This means you’ll be the hotel’s top priority, always marked as a VIP prior to your arrival at the hotel. This is where you land the above-and-beyond hospitality.

Reason 3: Booking with WeGalavant means you have dedicated, 1:1 support to square away all the details and look after you before & after the trip.

Relationships come in handy before, during and after your trip. 

Since we have relationships and book directly with the hotel, we are ready to double-check reservations, make sure all of the details are squared away and also problem-solve for you if something goes awry when you’re travelling.

When you become a member, it’s basically like having a best friend who has the General Manager on speed dial. No corporate back-and-forth, or waiting on hold with call centres.

This level of attention and personalisation is especially valuable if you’re interested in a multi-stop trip, or one that requires logistical planning (like a safari) or on-the-ground resources (like tours and transfers). 

But wait… how should I use my Amex?

Amex has a great points program, lounge access and numerous other perks that cardholders love. Our advice? Book your flights with Amex and rack up points on other expenses. When it comes to travel, We’ll do all the legwork and unlock a smoother, more personalised and VIP experience for you.