Fairmont Hotels and Resorts is partnering with Chase as the bank issuer of the new Fairmont Visa Signature Card. New cardholders will receive two free nights plus complimentary breakfast for two at any Fairmont worldwide after $1,000 in purchases on the card within the first three months.
Plus, you’ll receive one complimentary night each year as an ongoing card benefit when you charge $12,000 or more to your card. Cardholders will also be upgraded to Fairmont President’s Club Premier status, with benefits including two-for-one golf privileges, two $25 dining or spa certificates and an annual room upgrade. For each $7,500 spent on the card, cardholders will receive a stay credit towards Platinum status, up to a maximum of two stay credits per year. Other perks that come with the Fairmont Visa Signature Card include a complimentary annual LOUNGE CLUB membership, an independent airport lounge program that allows members to access over 350 airport lounges at 200 airports around the world. There is a $27 per person fee to access participating lounges, but Fairmont Visa cardholders receive two free lounge visits each year.
Cardholders will also earn Fairmont Rewards that can be redeemed for Fairmont stays worldwide, gift cards and charitable donations. Cardholders earn five points for every $1 spent on Fairmont stays, two points for every $1 spent on airline tickets, car rentals, transit and commuting and one point for every $1 spent on all other purchases. Redemption levels start at 25,000 points for a standard room with Fairmont. The $95 annual fee is waived the first year if you apply by July 31, 2012.
Through July 31, 2012, existing President’s Club Premier and Platinum members who sign up for the card through the Charter Member Offer will receive two additional Fairmont Gold Floor upgrade certificates and an extra $150 in dining certificates. Visit http://www.chase.com/Fairmont to apply.
Bottom line: Even if the annual fee weren’t waived the first year, two free nights at any Fairmont hotel worldwide plus breakfast is worth more than $95. And if you apply by July 31, the annual fee is waived the first year, which brings the cost of two nights down to zero. If you can reach the $12,000 annual spending threshold, the yearly free night more than compensates for the fee in subsequent years.
