Our Point Hacks in-house travel agent Luke Vaughan has now joined Ensemble, which is a value-added Hotel program that offers premier accommodations at more than 600 four-and-five star properties in the most popular resort and city destinations around the world.

In this post, we introduce the program, explain the extra benefits available to you, and advise how to maximise your points and status earn.

One important note is that Ensemble hotel reservations via Luke can only be made in conjunction with an airfare booking. He can’t help with frequent flyer point redemption questions—that is more our forte—but is happy to advise on all your paid airfare and hotel needs.

The benefits for you

Ensemble enhances your accommodation experience with exclusive complimentary perks and services including customised encounters, resort credits and dining discounts.

The rates are usually identical to what the hotel offers direct to the public (excluding any advance purchase or instant payment promotions) and provide the same flexibility as these direct rates. This means that there are usually no amendment or cancellation fees up until the day prior to check-in, and no prepayments required, with bookings being guaranteed via credit card at the time of booking.

All Ensemble Hotel & Resort Collection hotel bookings include (when available):

• Upgraded room at time of check-in
• Early check-in
• Late check-out

In addition to the above, properties offer their own added benefits which often include complimentary breakfast, a resort credit and other amenities and perks.

Examples of benefits at specific hotels

Ensemble covers properties across a number of hotel brands, such as Starwood-Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt but it is important to note that not all hotels within those brands are included in the program. You can check the list of properties in the Ensemble Hotel eBook, last revised in January 2017 and updated yearly.

Here are some examples for properties within the Starwood and Marriott brands:

W Hotel Bali Seminyak

• Full buffet breakfast for two daily
• $100 USD food and beverage credit

The breakfast buffet at the W Bali – read our full review here

The St. Regis Bali Resort

• Breakfast for two daily
• Classic afternoon tea for two at the King Cole Bar once per stay
• 60-minute Agua Vitale pool treatment for two once per stay

Vedema, A Luxury Collection Resort

• Fruit and wine in room upon arrival
• American buffet breakfast for two daily
• $100 food & beverage credit per room, per stay

Pool views from Vedema in Santorini, Greece

The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe

• Breakfast for two daily in Café Blue or Manzanita
• $100 resort credit per room, per stay

Does booking through Ensemble affect points earn or hotel status?

Booking through Luke does not affect points earn, meaning clients will earn onto their chosen program as normal, as well as having their status with the program recognised in addition to being considered a VIP Ensemble client.

Summing up

If you are in the market for a luxury hotel stay, then it pays to do your research and see if Luke can either match or beat your best price and throw in some added benefits – you’ve got nothing to lose.

Point Hacks doesn’t make commissions on the bookings for readers that work with Luke but does earn a small customer referral fee for each new customer Luke ends up working with.

I would encourage anyone who does end up using Luke and Ensemble to make a booking to report back on your experience in the comments below.