Navigating the world of travel rewards can be complex, but American Express offers a streamlined experience for its cardholders through Amex Travel. To fully leverage your American Express card benefits for travel, understanding how to access and utilize the Amex Travel portal is key. This guide will walk you through the essential terms and conditions related to Amex Travel, helping you make the most of your Membership Rewards points and exclusive cardholder perks. While this article details the terms and conditions, remember that logging in to Amex Travel is your first step to accessing these benefits.
Maximizing Membership Rewards Points with Amex Travel
American Express Membership Rewards program offers valuable points that can be redeemed for various rewards, including travel. Booking through Amex Travel can often amplify the points you earn, depending on your American Express card. Let’s explore how different cards boost your rewards when you book your travels via the Amex Travel portal after you log in.
Earning 2X Membership Rewards Points
For many Membership Rewards-enrolled Card Members, booking eligible travel through amextravel.com unlocks a bonus. You can earn at least 2X Membership Rewards points for every eligible dollar spent. This includes a base point and an additional point for travel purchases made on amextravel.com. Remember that Corporate Card Members are typically not eligible for these bonus points.
Eligible travel purchases for the 2X bonus include:
- Flights
- Prepaid hotels
- Prepaid short-term rentals
- Prepaid car rentals
- Vacation packages (flight + hotel packages)
- Cruise reservations
It’s important to note that this bonus excludes non-prepaid car rentals, non-prepaid hotels, ticketing service fees, and interest charges. Also, Platinum and Business Platinum Card Members usually receive only 1 additional point on cruise reservations under this specific 2X offer, as they have potentially higher earning rates elsewhere. Keep in mind that you cannot combine this offer with other category bonuses like the Platinum and Business Platinum 5X bonuses. Points for charges covered by redeeming Membership Rewards points are also not eligible for earning points. Expect the additional points to be credited to your account 10-12 weeks after final payment.
Business Gold Card: 3X Membership Rewards Points
The American Express Business Gold Card elevates your rewards earning on Amex Travel. Basic Business Gold Card Members can earn a total of 3X Membership Rewards points on eligible travel purchases. This includes the base point plus 2 additional points. This applies to purchases made on both the Basic Card and Employee Cards linked to the account.
The 3X points apply to:
- Scheduled flights booked online at AmexTravel.com
- Prepaid flight+hotel packages booked online at AmexTravel.com
- Prepaid hotel purchases made online at AmexTravel.com or via phone with Travel Consultants
Purchases NOT eligible for 3X points include:
- Non-prepaid hotel bookings
- Flights and flight+hotel packages booked over the phone
- Vacation packages (excluding flight+hotel packages as listed above)
- Car rentals
- Cruises
- Hotel group reservations or events
- Ticketing service, cancellation, or other fees
- Interest charges
- Travelers checks, prepaid cards, or cash equivalents
To secure the 3X points, ensure bookings are reserved and charged to your Business Gold Card. Modifications should be made through AmexTravel.com or by calling 1-800-297-2977 to remain eligible. Cancellations may incur hotel penalties, and changes made directly with hotels will forfeit the bonus points. Points are credited 6-10 weeks after the purchase appears on your billing statement, provided your account is in good standing. This bonus cannot be combined with other Amex offers.
Gold Card: Elevated Rewards Across Categories, Including Amex Travel
The consumer American Express Gold Card provides a robust rewards structure across various spending categories. While it’s known for its 4X points on restaurants and supermarkets (on up to certain annual spending caps and terms apply), it also offers enhanced rewards for travel booked through Amex Travel.
Gold Card Travel Rewards via Amex Travel:
- 3X Points on Airfare: Earn 3X points on airfare for scheduled flights booked directly with passenger airlines or through amextravel.com. Note that charter and private jet flights are excluded.
- 2X Points on Prepaid Travel: Earn 2X points on prepaid hotels, prepaid car rentals, or cruise reservations booked through amextravel.com. Non-prepaid options and ticketing services are not included.
Similar to other Amex offers, these bonuses cannot be combined with other promotional offers. Points typically post 8-12 weeks after the purchase. Standard exclusions like fees, interest charges, cash advances, and gift card purchases apply. Merchant coding also plays a role; ensure the merchant is correctly categorized to receive bonus points.
Green Card: Versatile Travel and Transit Rewards
The American Express Green Card offers a solid rewards foundation, particularly for travel and transit. It provides a straightforward earning structure for travel purchases, including those made on Amex Travel.
Green Card Travel Rewards:
- 3X Points on Travel: Earn 3X points on eligible travel purchases, encompassing a broad spectrum, including airfare, hotels, cruises, tours, car rentals, campgrounds, vacation rentals, and even travel purchases on third-party travel websites and amextravel.com. Timeshare purchases are excluded.
- 3X Points on Transit: Benefit from 3X points on transit, including trains, taxis, rideshares, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways.
- 3X Points on Restaurants: Enjoy 3X points at restaurants worldwide.
Like other Amex cards, standard exclusions apply, and merchant coding can affect bonus point eligibility.
Platinum Card: Premium 5X Rewards for Travel
The American Express Platinum Card is renowned for its premium travel benefits and rewards. It offers a leading rewards rate for travel booked through American Express Travel.
Platinum Card Travel Rewards (5X Points):
- 5X Points on Flights: Earn 5X points on up to $500,000 in charges per calendar year for air tickets on scheduled flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel (phone or AmexTravel.com).
- 5X Points on Prepaid Hotels, Packages, and Rentals: Earn 5X points on prepaid hotel reservations, prepaid flight+hotel packages, and prepaid vacation rental reservations booked through American Express Travel.
Travel purchases NOT eligible for 5X points include:
- Charter flights, private jets
- Flights as part of tours, cruises, or non-Amex Travel packages
- Ticketing or service fees, cancellation/change fees, property fees
- Hotel group reservations or events
- Interest charges, cash equivalents
- Hotel or vacation rental bookings modified directly with the provider
These 5X bonuses cannot be combined with other Amex offers. Points are not earned on portions of charges paid with Membership Rewards points.
Business Platinum Card: 5X Points for Business Travel
The Business Platinum Card mirrors the consumer Platinum in offering 5X points on eligible travel, tailored for business needs.
Business Platinum Travel Rewards (5X Points):
- 5X Points on Flights, Packages, and Short-Term Rentals: Earn 5X points on scheduled flights, prepaid flight and hotel packages, and prepaid short-term rentals booked online at AmexTravel.com.
- 5X Points on Prepaid Hotels: Earn 5X points on prepaid hotel purchases via Amex Travel online or through Travel Consultants.
Ineligible purchases for the 5X bonus are largely similar to the consumer Platinum, including:
- Non-prepaid hotels, flights, and flight+hotel packages booked over the phone
- Vacation packages (excluding flight+hotel packages as listed above)
- Car rentals, cruises, hotel group events
- Fees, interest, travelers checks, prepaid cards, cash equivalents
- Hotel reservations modified directly with the hotel
Ensure travel is both reserved and charged on the Business Platinum Card to qualify for the 5X points. Modifications should be made through AmexTravel.com or by calling 1-800-297-2977.
Utilizing Membership Rewards Points: Pay with Points
Amex Travel provides the option to use your Membership Rewards points directly for bookings through “Pay with Points.” This offers flexibility in how you redeem your points.
Key points about Pay with Points:
- Eligibility: Must charge purchase through American Express Travel to a Membership Rewards-enrolled Amex Card.
- Exclusions: Non-prepaid car rentals and hotels are excluded.
- Redemption: Points are debited, and a credit is issued to your Amex Card.
- Minimum Redemption: 5,000 points minimum.
- Balance Payment: If points don’t cover the full amount, the remaining balance stays on your Amex Card.
General Membership Rewards Program Terms
The Membership Rewards program has overarching terms and conditions that apply to all redemptions and earnings. It’s advisable to review these at membershiprewards.com/terms. Participating partners and rewards are subject to change. Point values vary based on redemption method; use the points calculator at www.membershiprewards.com/pointsinfo to understand point value.
Amex Travel Benefits Beyond Points: Hotel Guarantees and Credits
Amex Travel extends benefits beyond points, including a Lowest Hotel Rates Guarantee and hotel credits for Platinum cardholders.
Lowest Hotel Rates Guarantee
This guarantee ensures you get competitive pricing when booking hotels on AmexTravel.com.
Guarantee Details:
- If you find a lower price online for the same room, hotel, dates, and terms before prepaid stay, Amex will refund the difference.
- For “pay later” bookings, claims must be within 30 days after the stay.
- Applies to publicly available online rates, excluding member-only discounts, opaque sites, and package deals.
- Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection rates are also excluded from this guarantee.
- Details
$200 Hotel Credit for Platinum Cardholders
U.S. Consumer Platinum Card Members can receive up to $200 in statement credits annually for prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings made through Amex Travel.
Credit Details:
- Applies to prepaid bookings via amextravel.com, Amex App, or phone.
- The Hotel Collection bookings require a minimum two-night stay.
- Bookings must be prepaid and made through Amex Travel.
- Credits are per calendar year, up to $200 total per Card Account.
- AmericanExpress.com/FHR and AmericanExpress.com/HC for program details.
Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection
These programs offer enhanced benefits when booking through Amex Travel, particularly for Platinum and Gold cardholders respectively.
Fine Hotels + Resorts® (FHR):
- Exclusive to Platinum and Centurion Card Members.
- Benefits include noon check-in, room upgrades (upon availability), $100 experience credit, daily breakfast for two, and guaranteed Wi-Fi.
- Benefits vary by property and are per stay (3-room limit).
- AmericanExpress.com/FHR
The Hotel Collection (THC):
- Available to Gold, Platinum, and Centurion Card Members.
- Benefits include a $100 hotel credit and room upgrade (upon availability).
- Requires a minimum two-night stay.
- AmericanExpress.com/HC
Seller of Travel Information
American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. acts as a sales agent for travel suppliers. For detailed terms, visit www.americanexpress.com/travelterms.
In Conclusion
American Express Travel is a valuable portal for maximizing your card benefits and Membership Rewards points. By understanding these terms and conditions and leveraging your Amex card when booking through Amex Travel after you log in, you can unlock significant rewards, hotel credits, and exclusive perks, enhancing your travel experiences. Remember to always check the specific terms and conditions for your card and offers, and log in to Amex Travel to begin planning your next rewarding trip.
