Loews Portofino Bay Fine Hotels + Resorts® Review
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How & why you should book Loews Portofino Bay Resort with The Platinum Card® from American Express
One fantastic benefit of having The Platinum Card® from American Express is the annual $200 hotel credit when booking a Fine Hotels + Resort property. You can only book through the Fine Hotels + Resort (FHR) program if you have the Platinum Card®.
You’ll login to your American Express account. Under “Menu”, select “Travel” and then select “Book Fine Hotels + Resorts®”. Here you can search to see if Portofino Bay Resort is offered for your desired days. We stayed here in December 2021 and again in September 2023.
The way the $200 hotel credit works is that you’ll book the hotel via FHR portal. I always pay in full at the time of booking to earn 5x points for hotel stays. Then a few days later you’ll see the $200 credited to your account for this reservation.
FHR Program Benefits
Even if I had already used my annual $200 hotel credit, I would still book this hotel through Amex’s FHR. The reason is because you get amazing perks when booking through this program
- Early check in if available
- Upgraded room if available
- 4pm check out
- $100 food/beverage credit per stay
- Breakfast for 2 daily
Portofino Bay Resort Experience
When you stay at this hotel, you will have access to Universal Studios & Universal Islands of Adventures “Express Pass”. You’ll need to buy your park ticket separately, but your hotel card will work as an express pass at both parks and you’ll use a separate (much FASTER) line for most attractions at the parks.
If you purchased these Express Passes separately (ie. if they weren’t included with your stay) they cost $90+ per DAY, per PARK! With your hotel stay, you get the pass for your entire stay. And if you are only staying 1 night – you get it the day you check in AND the day you check out.
We visited Labor Day weekend 2023. I was nervous even with Express Pass that the lines would be too long. Nope! It was unreal. 5 minute wait for Hulk. 20 minute wait for Velocicoaster. 10 minute wait for Mummy. And that’s pretty much how our 3 days in the parks went.
After staying at this hotel twice, I can honestly say it’s the only place we’ll stay when visiting Universal Orlando. The Express Pass will absolutely determine your happiness in the parks. And booking through Amex’s Fine Hotels + Resort ensures that you’ll have a luxurious resort stay and save money.
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
