Concierge Services - Does anybody use them?

[significance]

They can be handy for booking accommodation when you don't have time to look through the options yourself. They won't get the *best* deal or the *nicest* place, but they'll at least cast a human eye over the options and choose something reasonable.

The other time that I have found them useful is to have them telephone around when buying an appliance, to find out which local companies have the model I want, and which of those is cheapest.

 

[N860CR]

I used it once when I needed four hotel rooms in Roma (Queensland) at short notice (which is close to an impossible task).

From memory it was Westpac Black. They called every hotel in Roma (everything online was sold out) and eventually found four rooms. Concierge called me back and patched me through to a very confused sounding rural Queensland hotel owner. I ended up paying using a different (Corporate) card.

 

[bismarck]

Have found them useful for booking restaurants in Europe that don't have online systems, and where I don't want the hassle of trying to call at a Europe-friendly time to potentially find out that they don't speak English.

 

[Sprucegoose]

I always got a decent table through AMEX PLATS and very efficiently.

 

[Renato1]

I used it once when I needed four hotel rooms in Roma (Queensland) at short notice (which is close to an impossible task).

From memory it was Westpac Black. They called every hotel in Roma (everything online was sold out) and eventually found four rooms. Concierge called me back and patched me through to a very confused sounding rural Queensland hotel owner. I ended up paying using a different (Corporate) card.

That was certainly an extremely useful and convenient service they provided.
Cheers,
Renato

 

[Renato1]

The other time that I have found them useful is to have them telephone around when buying an appliance, to find out which local companies have the model I want, and which of those is cheapest.

An unexpected use that I hadn't thought about.
But I like the thrill of the hunt, so I doubt I'd use that service.
Cheers,
Renato

 

[Renato1]

Have found them useful for booking restaurants in Europe that don't have online systems, and where I don't want the hassle of trying to call at a Europe-friendly time to potentially find out that they don't speak English.

This certainly seems to be a major usage.
But we just usually wander round wherever we are till we find something (keeping an eye out to how many people are in the place, which is usually a good guide as to whether or not the restaurants are duds).

Do you feel you get better quality in meals using the concierge?
Cheers,
Renato

 

[bismarck]

This certainly seems to be a major usage.
But we just usually wander round wherever we are till we find something (keeping an eye out to how many people are in the place, which is usually a good guide as to whether or not the restaurants are duds).

Do you feel you get better quality in meals using the concierge?
Cheers,
Renato

Usually only use them for 2-3 hat places where it is important to book in advance (eg. Steirereck in Vienna, Joel Roubuchon's place in Paris etc)