Four Seasons Advance Purchase vs. Flexible Rate
Four Seasons Advance Purchase vs. Flexible Rate: Which to Choose? (2025 Guide)
When booking a luxury getaway at Four Seasons, one of the first decisions travelers face is choosing between the Advance Purchase Rate and the Flexible Rate. Both offer clear advantages—but the right one depends entirely on your travel style, risk tolerance, seasonality, and how likely your plans are to change.
This guide breaks down the differences in plain language, compares pricing, explains cancellation policies, reveals insider strategies, and helps you confidently choose the best option for your next Four Seasons stay.
What Are Four Seasons Rate Types?
Four Seasons typically offers two core rate categories:
1. Advance Purchase Rate (AP) – “Pay now, save now.”
Usually 10–25% lower than the Flexible Rate
Non-refundable
Full prepayment required at booking
No changes, no cancellations
Best for travelers with fixed dates
2. Flexible Rate – “Pay later, change anytime.”
Fully refundable until the property’s standard cancellation window
Pay at the hotel (no deposit in many locations)
Often includes the best room assignment priority
Best for travelers who want total flexibility
These two options often create confusion, especially because the price difference can be substantial—sometimes hundreds or even thousands of dollars for longer stays.
Let’s walk through the real differences and when each one makes sense.
Advance Purchase Rate: Pros, Cons & Real Savings
The Advance Purchase Rate is the most common way to lock in savings at Four Seasons.
✔ PROS
1. The Lowest Price Available
This is the single biggest advantage.
Depending on the season, the savings can be anywhere from $200 to $1,500+ per stay.
Example:
Flexible Rate: $1,200/night
Advance Purchase: $1,020/night
→ Three-night savings: $540
2. Good for Peak Seasons
High-demand destinations like Maui, Costa Rica, Bora Bora, Los Cabos, Jackson Hole, and Paris often sell out months ahead.
The Advance Purchase Rate gives you:
Guaranteed room
Lower cost
Protection from future price increases
3. Ideal for Business or Fixed-Date Events
If you’re traveling for:
A wedding
A conference
A set vacation week
School holidays
…your dates aren’t moving—so the AP risk is low.
✘ CONS
1. Fully Non-Refundable
You cannot:
Change dates
Modify guests
Cancel for credit
If plans change, you lose the full amount paid.
2. Requires Full Upfront Payment
Large trips become expensive to prepay, especially for:
Suites
Villas
Holiday dates
3. Doesn’t Always Stack With Promotions
Some properties restrict:
3rd night free
4th night free
Resort credit packages
Specialty seasonal offers
to Flexible rates only.
Always compare before assuming AP is the best deal.
Flexible Rate: Pros, Cons & Who Should Choose It
The Flexible Rate is the best choice for travelers who want peace of mind.
✔ PROS
1. Free Cancellation
Most Four Seasons hotels offer full refunds when cancelling:
7 days before arrival (resorts)
48–72 hours (urban hotels)
But some peak dates require:
21 days
30 days
Even 60 days for holidays
2. No Upfront Payment
You pay at checkout, not at booking.
This is ideal if:
You’re booking far in advance
You’re coordinating multiple rooms
Rates may drop before your dates
3. Eligible for Preferred Partner Benefits
When booked through a luxury travel advisor with Four Seasons Preferred Partner status, the Flexible Rate includes:
Daily free breakfast for two
$100+ resort or spa credit
Welcome amenities
Priority upgrade
Early check-in and late check-out
VIP handling by the hotel
These benefits alone can add $300–$600/day in value—often outweighing the AP discount.
4. Best for Uncertain Travel Dates
If your plans can change due to:
Work
Kids
Event schedules
Weather
…paying extra for flexibility is worth it.
✘ CONS
1. The Price Is Higher
Depending on the hotel, the difference can be:
10–25% more
$100–$400+ per night
Much more for suites or villas
2. Popular Dates Sell Out
By the time you finalize plans, the room you want may be gone.
3. Can Tempt You Into Cancelling Too Often
Some travelers book multiple hotels “just in case,” and then forget to cancel.
This leads to accidental late fees—especially during holiday periods.
Head-to-Head Comparison: Advance Purchase vs. Flexible
Here’s a clear comparison chart to help you decide:
| Feature | Advance Purchase | Flexible Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Lower | Higher |
| Cancel Anytime | ❌ No | ✔ Yes |
| Pay at Hotel | ❌ No | ✔ Yes |
| Upfront Payment | ✔ Yes, full | ❌ No |
| Refundable | ❌ Non-refundable | ✔ Fully refundable |
| Eligible for FS Preferred Partner Benefits | ✔ Always yes | ✔ Always yes |
| Good for Peak Holidays | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
| Good for Uncertain Plans | ❌ No | ✔ Yes |
Pricing Example: Which One Is Really Cheaper?
Let’s break down a realistic comparison for a 4-night stay.
Flexible Rate
$1,400/night
Preferred Partner includes:
Daily breakfast for two
$100 resort credit
Possible upgrade
Early check-in/late check-out
Total value of benefits = ~$400–$700+
Advance Purchase Rate
$1,180/night
Savings: $880 total
No benefits
No upgrade
No free breakfast
Which is better?
If breakfast for two costs $60–$90 per person, the Flexible Rate often delivers equal or greater value—especially for couples or families.
Who Should Choose the Advance Purchase Rate?
Choose AP if:
✔ Your travel dates are 100% fixed
Family weddings
Honeymoons
Business travel
School breaks
Holiday weeks
✔ You don’t mind prepaying in full
Some people prefer getting the cost out of the way early.
✔ You’re traveling during extremely high demand
Like:
Christmas
New Year's
Spring break
Summer peak
Major sporting events
AP locks in your room and protects you from price hikes.
✔ You’re staying at a city hotel for 1–2 nights
Urban properties typically have:
Lower nightly rates
Fewer blackout dates
Shorter cancellation windows
For a short stay, the discount may be worth it.
Who Should Choose the Flexible Rate?
Choose Flexible if:
✔ Your plans might change
Especially important for families, business travelers, and couples coordinating schedules.
✔ You want Four Seasons Preferred Partner perks
These benefits often exceed the value of AP’s discount.
✔ You prefer not to prepay thousands of dollars
Especially for long resort stays.
✔ You’re booking far in advance
If you're booking:
6 months ahead
9 months ahead
12+ months ahead
…flexibility is crucial.
✔ You're booking a suite or villa
Higher nightly rates = more financial risk if plans change.
Insider Tip: Sometimes the Flexible Rate Is Cheaper
Yes—this happens.
Many Four Seasons properties run promotions like:
3rd night free
4th night free
20% off suites
Kids stay free
Resort credit packages
These almost always apply to Flexible Rates, not Advance Purchase.
Example:
Flexible Rate with 4th night free = 25% savings.
Advance Purchase = 15% savings.
→ Flexible wins.
This is why comparing side-by-side is essential.
Another Tip: Preferred Partner Often Beats Advance Purchase
When booking through a Four Seasons Preferred Partner advisor, the added value can exceed $600 per night for some resorts.
This usually includes:
Free breakfast for two adults
Extra breakfast for kids (in many resorts)
$100 resort credit
Upgrade priority
Welcome amenities
VIP treatment
AP rates rarely include these perks.
Case Studies: Real Situations and Which Rate Wins
1. Maui – Family of Four
Flexible Rate: $2,100/night
Preferred Partner adds:
Breakfast ($140 value/day)
$100 resort credit
Advance Purchase: $1,850/night
Flexible wins due to family breakfast value + upgrade potential.
2. Four Seasons Paris – Romantic Weekend
Flexible Rate: Higher
Breakfast is €70 per person
Upgrades often granted through Preferred Partner
AP savings: €200 total
Flexible wins for couples wanting breakfast + upgrade chances.
3. Four Seasons Boston – One Night Business Trip
AP savings: $120
Breakfast irrelevant
Dates fixed
AP wins for short, predictable stays.
4. Four Seasons Los Cabos – Holiday Dates
Holiday rates are sky-high
Suites sell out early
AP savings: $600+
Flexible availability tight
Advance Purchase wins to lock in both price and room type.
Should You Ever Avoid the Advance Purchase Rate?
Yes—absolutely.
Avoid AP if:
You’re traveling with kids (plans change often)
You’re booking during hurricane season
You’re planning a destination with flight-related risks
You’re booking more than 6 months out
You want a suite upgrade (AP rarely upgrades)
You’re not 100% locked in
The financial risk is simply too high.
Best Practice: Book Flexible Now, Switch Later
Here’s a trick most travelers don’t know:
Step 1: Book the Flexible Rate today
Locks your room, no risk.
Step 2: Watch for AP rates or new promos
Many appear 30–90 days before arrival.
Step 3: Switch only if it makes sense
You can rebook at the better rate and cancel the flexible booking.
This strategy gives you:
Full availability
Maximum savings
Zero risk
Luxury travel advisors do this constantly on behalf of clients.
Conclusion: Which Rate Should You Choose?
Here’s the simplest breakdown:
Choose Advance Purchase if…
Your dates won’t change
You want the lowest upfront price
You’re traveling during peak season
You want to lock in availability early
Choose Flexible Rate if…
You want Four Seasons Preferred Partner perks
Your plans could shift
You prefer not to prepay
You’re maybe booking a long or expensive stay
You want upgrade priority
For most travelers—especially couples and families—the Flexible Rate offers better overall value, thanks to breakfast, credits, and upgrades.
However, if your dates are locked and the savings are significant, the Advance Purchase Rate can be the smarter option.
