American Express offers a suite of benefits for card members who book hotels through Amex Travel. Understanding these benefits can significantly enhance your travel experience and maximize your Membership Rewards points. This guide will walk you through the various advantages of using your Amex card for hotel bookings, ensuring you get the most out of your travels.
Earning Bonus Membership Rewards Points on Hotel Bookings
One of the primary perks of using Amex Travel for hotel bookings is the opportunity to earn bonus Membership Rewards points. The number of bonus points you can earn varies depending on the Amex card you hold. Here’s a breakdown of how different cards reward you:
2X Membership Rewards Points
For many Membership Rewards-enrolled American Express cards, you can earn at least 2X Membership Rewards points for each dollar spent on eligible travel purchases made through amextravel.com. This includes prepaid hotels, prepaid short-term rentals, and prepaid car rentals. It’s important to note that non-prepaid hotels and car rentals, as well as ticketing service fees, are not included in this offer. Corporate Card Members are generally not eligible for these additional points. These points typically appear in your account 10-12 weeks after final payment.
3X Membership Rewards Points with Business Gold Card
American Express Business Gold Card members can enjoy even greater rewards, earning a total of 3X Membership Rewards points on eligible travel purchases. This includes prepaid hotel purchases made online at AmexTravel.com or over the phone with Travel Consultants, as well as scheduled flights and prepaid flight+hotel packages booked online. However, this 3X bonus does not apply to non-prepaid hotel bookings, vacation packages, car rentals, cruises, or hotel group reservations. To ensure you receive the 3X points, bookings and any modifications must be made through AmexTravel.com or by calling Amex Travel directly.
5X Membership Rewards Points with Platinum and Business Platinum Cards
For those holding the Platinum Card or Business Platinum Card, the rewards are even more substantial. Card members can earn 5X Membership Rewards points on eligible travel purchases. For Platinum Card holders, this includes air tickets on scheduled flights (up to $500,000 per calendar year), prepaid hotel reservations, prepaid flight+hotel packages, and prepaid vacation rental reservations booked through American Express Travel. Business Platinum Card members also receive 5X points on scheduled flights, prepaid flight and hotel packages, and prepaid short-term rentals made online at AmexTravel.com, and prepaid hotel purchases made through American Express Travel. Similar to other offers, non-prepaid options and certain travel categories like cruises and car rentals are excluded. Modifications to hotel reservations must be made through AmexTravel to remain eligible for the bonus points.
Leveraging Hotel Programs: Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection
Beyond bonus points, American Express Travel opens doors to exclusive hotel programs: Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) and The Hotel Collection (THC). These programs offer premium benefits designed to enhance your hotel stays.
Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR)
The Fine Hotels + Resorts program is available to Platinum Card and Centurion members, offering a range of premium benefits at luxury hotels worldwide. Bookings must be made through American Express Travel to qualify. Key benefits include:
- Noon Check-in: Subject to availability, allowing you to start your stay earlier.
- Room Upgrade: Upon arrival, based on availability, offering a chance to enjoy a more luxurious room.
- Daily Breakfast for Two: Valued at a minimum of US$60 per room per day, ensuring a great start to your day.
- $100 Hotel Credit: To be used on qualifying charges during your stay, such as dining or spa services.
- Guaranteed 4 PM Late Check-out: Providing extra time to relax and enjoy the hotel amenities.
- Complimentary Wi-Fi: Staying connected is easy with included Wi-Fi.
These benefits combine to offer significant value, often exceeding $600 in value per stay based on average bookings, making luxury travel more rewarding.
The Hotel Collection (THC)
The Hotel Collection is another valuable program accessible to American Express Gold, Platinum, and Centurion Card Members when booking through Amex Travel. For stays of two consecutive nights or more, you can enjoy:
- $100 Hotel Credit: Applicable to eligible charges like dining, spa, and other hotel amenities.
- Room Upgrade: Subject to availability upon check-in.
- Noon Check-in & Late Check-out: Based on availability.
While not as extensive as FHR, The Hotel Collection still provides substantial perks, especially the $100 hotel credit, which can significantly offset your hotel expenses.
Pay with Points for Hotel Stays
American Express Membership Rewards program offers the flexibility to use your points to pay for hotel bookings through Amex Travel. This option allows you to redeem points to cover all or part of your hotel costs. A minimum redemption of 5,000 points is required. Keep in mind that non-prepaid car rentals and non-prepaid hotels are excluded from the Pay with Points option. Using points this way provides a direct way to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses for travel.
Lowest Hotel Rate Guarantee
Amex Travel also offers a Lowest Hotel Rate Guarantee for American Express Card Members. If you find a lower price online for the same room, same hotel, same dates, and same terms after booking a qualifying rate on amextravel.com, American Express will refund you the difference. For prepaid reservations, claims must be submitted before check-in. For “pay later” bookings, claims are valid up to 30 days after your stay. This guarantee ensures you are getting competitive pricing when booking hotels through Amex Travel, providing peace of mind that you are not overpaying.
Important Terms and Conditions
While the benefits are considerable, it’s crucial to be aware of the terms and conditions associated with Amex Travel hotel bookings:
- Eligibility: Benefit eligibility varies by card type. Corporate cards may have different terms.
- Booking Method: To maximize rewards and benefits, ensure bookings are made through AmexTravel.com, the Amex App, or by calling American Express Travel directly.
- Prepaid vs. Non-prepaid: Bonus points and certain benefits often apply specifically to prepaid hotel bookings.
- Exclusions: Certain charges like fees, interest, car rentals (non-prepaid), cruises, and specific booking types (group reservations, events) may not qualify for bonus points or program benefits.
- Modifications and Cancellations: Changes to bookings must also be made through Amex Travel to maintain benefit eligibility. Cancellations are subject to hotel policies.
- Points Posting: Bonus points may take 6-12 weeks to be credited to your Membership Rewards account.
Conclusion
Booking hotels through Amex Travel offers a multitude of benefits, from earning bonus Membership Rewards points to accessing exclusive programs like Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection. By understanding and utilizing these advantages, American Express card members can significantly enhance their travel experiences, enjoy more luxurious stays, and maximize the value of their rewards. Before planning your next hotel stay, explore Amex Travel to discover how you can elevate your trip with these valuable benefits and make the most of your Amex card membership.
