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Virtuoso – How It Works, Travel Advisors, Upgrades & Benefits

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Table of Contents

Everything you need to know about virtuoso, final thoughts.

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If you routinely focus on luxury travel, you might have heard of Virtuoso , an incredible network of travel agencies that deliver huge added value to your hotel stay.

With tens of thousands of travel advisors worldwide capable of delivering extra perks to thousands of luxury hotels in the world, you’ll want to keep this company in your back pocket.

Sure, we pride ourselves on being able to use points for luxury hotel stays, but what if you want to save your points for a different trip? What if you don’t have enough points? Or what if wherever you’re traveling to doesn’t have points hotels?

That’s where Virtuoso can come in. In this guide, we’ll show you how Virtuoso can fit into your travel plans. We’ll walk you through the A to Z of what Virtuoso is, what benefits you can get, and how you can book Virtuoso rates.

Let’s get started!

What Is Virtuoso?

So what exactly is Virtuoso? Virtuoso is a worldwide network of travel agencies with specializations in luxury and experiential travel.

Virtuoso’s network consists of more than 20,000 travel advisors, each of which falls under a larger member agency.

Its travel advisors bring personalized travel recommendations and bookings to the table, whether you’re looking for hotels, cruises, or tours.

Importantly, though, bookings made through Virtuoso come with value-added perks for no additional cost to the traveler.

Virtuoso Benefits

In almost all cases, hotel stays booked through Virtuoso come with the following benefits:

• Daily breakfast for 2 guests per room
• Room upgrade (subject to availability)
• Early check-in (subject to availability)
• Late checkout (subject to availability)
• A special Virtuoso amenity (typically a $100 property credit or other amenity valued at a minimum of $100, like a free massage or round-trip car transfer)

Fees To Use Virtuoso

Virtuoso rates almost always cost the same exact price as the best available flexible rate .

This isn’t the same as a prepaid, advance purchase, non-refundable rate, corporate rate, or member-only rate.

However, if you usually book the best available flexible rates, you’ll literally get hundreds of dollars in added value just by going through a Virtuoso advisor .

In addition, Virtuoso advisors generally don’t charge you any commissions for hotel bookings — they get a commission on the back-end, but that cost won’t be passed on to you most of the time.

This isn’t the same as a planning fee — if you’re booking a complicated trip, you might be quoted for this extra fee depending on the travel advisor.

Hot Tip: Get in touch with Leigh, a next-level Virtuoso agent. UP’s very own Leigh Rowan has deep connections with some of the best hotels and hoteliers in the world. Reach out to him about your upcoming luxury hotel trip, and watch how he’ll upgrade your next stay. Submit your Virtuoso booking request to [email protected] .

Virtuoso Hotel Properties

The complete catalog of Virtuoso hotels includes name-brand luxury chains like:

• Aman Resorts
• Conrad Hotels & Resorts
• Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts
• Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts
• Mandarin Oriental
• Rosewood Hotels & Resorts
• The Peninsula Hotels
• The Ritz-Carlton
• Rocco Forte Hotels
• Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts
• St. Regis Hotels & Resorts
• Viceroy Hotels & Resorts
• Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts

As you can see, this more or less encompasses all luxury hotel chains . In addition, you can book luxury boutique properties that may not have multiple locations. These properties are incredibly helpful if you’re looking to book a more exotic vacation where there aren’t many luxury hotel options.

Earning Points on a Virtuoso Rate

Booking Virtuoso rates is a lot like stacking benefits! Because a Virtuoso hotel rate still goes through the hotel’s internal system, you can earn hotel points, elite night credits/stays, and even enjoy hotel elite benefits when booking through a Virtuoso travel advisor.

For example, if you’re a Marriott Bonvoy Titanium member and you’re booking a Virtuoso hotel stay at an eligible Marriott property, you will earn Marriott Bonvoy points and enjoy Titanium benefits on your hotel stay.

The reason this works is that your travel advisor will also enter your loyalty number when booking your stays.

Virtuoso Travel Advisors

The first thing you’ll need to do is have a stay in mind. You can view the rates for hotels by visiting the hotel search catalog , but you will need to contact a Virtuoso travel advisor (such as Leigh Rowan from our team)  to enjoy these benefits.

Hot Tip: You can even browse Virtuoso travel advisors by their destination specialties or travel interests!

Other Programs Like Virtuoso

Virtuoso is the largest consortium with thousands of luxury hotels and resorts within its purview.

However, other programs offer similar benefits, including Four Seasons Preferred Partner , Belmond Bellini, Dorchester Diamond Club, Hilton Impresario , Rosewood Elite, Marriott STARS, Marriott Luminous , and Mandarin Oriental Fan Club.

Virtuoso actually includes all of the brands above and offers similar benefits — as a result, Virtuoso offers a “one-stop-shop” for booking luxury hotel stays and getting benefits regardless of which exact chain you stay at.

Virtuoso vs. Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts

Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts is similar to Virtuoso in the sense that it offers perks like free breakfast and room upgrades. However, Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts offers a guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout .

Virtuoso is bookable without a specific credit card, while Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts requires a premium Amex card like The Platinum Card ® from American Express .

However, you need to have a Virtuoso travel advisor to help make your booking for you ( online or over the phone). On the flip side, you’ll also get a human who can offer recommendations and advice based on your destination and travel style.

Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts and Virtuoso both have overlapping hotels — that’s not terribly surprising when you consider that these luxury hotels are worldwide chains.

One thing you might notice is a significant markup on Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts rates . For example, if you look at The Ritz-Carlton Osaka stay searched through Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts and compare it to a Virtuoso search, you’ll see a big difference in rates:

Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts is charging $568 per night before taxes and fees, while Virtuoso’s rates are $511 per night. In this case, booking through Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts would cost 11% more than booking through Virtuoso.

Sometimes, the 2 programs have the same rates — however, in many cases, Virtuoso’s prices will beat out Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts.

On the other hand, Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts may have special offers such as a fifth-night free benefit, so you’ll need to evaluate the economics on a case-by-case basis.

Virtuoso is the secret tool that luxury travelers use to get hundreds of dollars worth of extra value on their bookings, especially hotel stays.

Some of the world’s most prestigious hotel brands like Four Seasons, Aman, Rosewood, and The Peninsula are available to book through Virtuoso. It also includes small luxury boutique hotels that aren’t a part of a larger hotel brand, so you can enjoy a boutique experience as desired.

With this program, you’ll enjoy benefits like free breakfast, room upgrades, early check-in, late checkout, and so much more — all for the same price as the best available flexible rate. Virtuoso rates are also often cheaper than Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts rates, so it’s definitely a no-brainer to consider Virtuoso!

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here .

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This bonus value is an estimated valuation  calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.

VIRTUOSO Exclusive Access Built Especially For You

The best of the best.

Virtuoso is the Industry’s leading Leisure Travel Network. This Invitation Only organization is comprised of elite Travel advisors in 22 countries and over 1,000 of the world’s best travel providers and premier destinations. Membership is limited to the top 1% of Travel advisors, Vendors, and Properties.

Being the client of a Virtuoso Advisor means not only will your journey be customized to your every desire by the foremost experts in travel…You’ll be recognized as one of the most prestigious guests in the world with all the privileged access, perks, and service that implies.

Our network generates over $5.1 billion in travel sales annually, making us the most powerful group in the vacation travel segment. Our relationships with the finest travel companies in the world provide our clientele with exclusive amenities, privileged access, and rare experiences built especially for you.

GET INFORMED & INSPIRED

Virtuoso life.

Virtuoso’s flagship magazine provides savvy travelers with  inspiration on where to go next, showcasing the best  hotels, cruises, tours, and experiences around the  world.

VIRTUOSO TRAVELER

Virtuoso Traveler focuses on welcoming new travelers to the world of Virtuoso. It offers a mix of special opportunities, insider tips, and expert advice you can only get from Virtuoso.

BEST OF THE BEST

A comprehensive catalog listing over 1,000 hotels, resorts, & destinations Virtuoso advisors have chosen specifically for unique settings, extraordinary service, & top-drawer amenities.

VIRTUOSO PROMOTIONS

An always up-to-date list of the promotions currently being offered by various Virtuoso properties, tour operators, cruise-lines, and on-sites.

It’s time for your next adventure,  and it begins with the June issue of  Virtuoso Traveler . Get back to nature with stylish tree-house stays from Virginia to South Africa, train or trek your way to Machu Picchu, and indulge your inner child at one of our favorite summer camps for grown-ups, where time is filled with tennis lessons, cattle drives, cooking classes – and yes, campfire s’mores. Also on the roster: Alaska by small ship, long weekends in Big Sur, field-tested birding gear, sustainability in the Seychelles, and Virtuoso travel advisors’ top picks on where to get your greens (we’re talking golf getaways, though kale’s always a good choice).

VIRTUOSO – WELLNESS ESCAPES

While nothing beats the benefits of a good spa day, the world of wellness now extends far beyond traditional pampering. From classic facials and massages to yoga classes, nutrition consultations, or hiking and biking excursions, the following pages offer a glimpse of the variety of bespoke treatments and experiences these cruise lines, hotels, resorts, and tour operators have to offer. The only hard part is choosing what to do first.

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Virtuoso is an exclusive invitation only network of the best luxury travel agencies worldwide. Representing the best of the best in travel, Virtuoso advisors use their global connections to plan the most memorable experiences for their clients, from weekend getaways to dream holidays.

Less than one percent of travel agencies in the world are admitted for membership in this renowned network of luxury travel specialists, which represent combined annual sales of more than $15.5 billion in luxury leisure travel.

Benefitting from the incredible buying power of Virtuoso, we are able to not only offer the most competitive pricing in luxury travel, but also special added-value amenities, at no cost to you.

Key Virtuoso Exclusive Benefits

• Preferred rates
• Room upgrade upon arrival
• Virtuoso-only amenities
• Daily breakfast for two
• Early check-in & late checkout
• VIP treatment & recognition
• Custom-tailored experiences & itineraries

Click here to explore Virtuoso.

Need help or advice? Let us do the leg work. Call one of our experts on 01923 854986

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Luxury Multi Centre Holidays Specialist

Embarking on a new experience excites like nothing else. Travel broadens the mind and inspires the spirit. Established in 1962, Beaver Travel provides tailor made, multi centre luxury holidays for adventure and quality.

Our selection of twin centre country luxury holidays covers the globe: from Latin America to the Far East. We offer inspirational multi centre trips to twin countries like Argentina & Brazil or Australia & New Zealand. When you can’t decide between Canada & Alaska or even between Vietnam & Cambodia, let Beaver Travel take you on a lavish trip to two superb countries. Dabble in and compare and contrast two cultures from exotic Sri Lanka & the Maldives to many more dual destinations of your dreams.

Call us to arrange your trip today. You’ll speak to a multi trip specialist with expert knowledge of the place you want to go, who will manage every detail of your itinerary to create the perfect holiday. Call 01923 854986 and speak with a specialist today.

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Virtuoso Launches Training Program for New Advisors

“The essentials taught in Travel Basics will act as the foundation for success for our advisors and their agencies,” said David Kolner, Virtuoso’s senior vice president of network products and strategy, in a press statement. “While this is just one component in a vast array of professional development offerings from Virtuoso, it’s the most important because it introduces new entrants to the terminology, concepts and practices that seasoned travel advisors have taken years to develop. This expedited ramp-up period is invaluable for new advisors and Travel Basics will set them on a path of readiness and resolve so that they can best serve their clients.”

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