American Express Travel, often referred to as Amex Travel, is a valuable resource for cardholders looking to maximize their Membership Rewards points and enjoy premium travel benefits. Understanding the terms and conditions associated with Amex Travel can significantly enhance your travel experiences and rewards earnings. This guide breaks down the key benefits and conditions to help you navigate Amex Travel effectively and make the most of your American Express card.
Earning Bonus Membership Rewards Points on Amex Travel
One of the most compelling reasons to book your travel through Amex Travel is the opportunity to earn bonus Membership Rewards points. Depending on your American Express card, you can earn significantly more points on eligible travel purchases made through amextravel.com or via phone. Let’s explore the bonus point structures for different cards:
2X Points for Membership Rewards Card Members
For general Membership Rewards-enrolled card members, booking through Amex Travel earns you a minimum of 2X Membership Rewards points. This includes the base point earned on every eligible dollar spent, plus an additional point for travel purchases made on amextravel.com. Eligible purchases encompass a wide range of travel bookings:
- Flights
- Prepaid Hotels
- Prepaid Short-Term Rentals
- Prepaid Car Rentals
- Vacation Packages (flight + hotel)
- Cruise Reservations
However, it’s important to note that certain purchases are excluded from this bonus, including non-prepaid car rentals and hotels, ticketing service fees, and interest charges. Corporate Card Members are also not eligible for these additional points. Keep in mind that these bonus points cannot be combined with other American Express bonus offers on different purchase categories. Points are typically credited to your account 10-12 weeks after final payment.
3X Points for Business Gold Card Members
The American Express Business Gold Card elevates the rewards for travel booked through Amex Travel. Basic Business Gold Card Members earn a total of 3X Membership Rewards points on eligible travel purchases. This is broken down into the standard point per dollar, plus an additional 2 points for bookings made on their Business Gold Card. This enhanced earning applies to both the Basic Card and any Employee Cards on the account. Eligible travel purchases for the 3X bonus include:
- 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 American Express Travel Consultants
Similar to the 2X offer, some travel categories are excluded from the 3X bonus. These include non-prepaid hotel bookings, vacation packages (excluding flight + hotel), car rentals, cruises, hotel group reservations, ticketing service fees, and other miscellaneous fees. To ensure you receive the 3X points, bookings must be both reserved and charged to the Business Gold Card. Modifications to reservations should also be made through AmexTravel.com or by calling Amex Travel directly. Points are usually credited 6-10 weeks after the purchase appears on your billing statement. Like the 2X offer, this Business Gold travel bonus cannot be combined with other bonus category offers from American Express.
Earning on Gold Card Membership Rewards
The standard American Express Gold Card offers distinct bonus categories, including travel booked through Amex Travel. Gold Card members earn 3X points on airfare booked directly with airlines or through amextravel.com, and 2X points on prepaid hotels, prepaid car rentals, or cruise reservations booked via amextravel.com. These rewards are in addition to the base point earned on all eligible purchases.
- 4X Points on Restaurants Worldwide: On up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year (starting 1/1/2025).
- 4X Points at U.S. Supermarkets: On up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year.
- 3X Points on Airfare: When booked directly with passenger airlines or through amextravel.com.
- 2X Points on AmexTravel.com: For prepaid hotels, car rentals, and cruise reservations.
It’s crucial to note that while airfare booked through amextravel.com earns 3X points, prepaid hotels, car rentals, and cruises booked via the platform earn 2X points. Non-prepaid options and ticketing services are excluded from the bonus. Similar exclusions apply as with other cards, such as purchases within other establishments (like hotel restaurants) potentially not qualifying for the restaurant bonus, and restrictions on third-party payment methods. Points typically post to your account 8-12 weeks after the qualifying purchase.
Green Card Membership Rewards and Travel
The American Express Green Card also provides bonus points for travel, albeit with a different structure. Green Card members earn 3X points on eligible travel purchases, which is broadly defined and includes:
- Airfare
- Hotels
- Cruises
- Tours
- Car Rentals
- Campgrounds
- Vacation Rentals
- Travel Purchases on Third-Party Travel Websites
- Travel Purchases on amextravel.com
This broad definition is a significant advantage, covering purchases across various travel platforms, not just amextravel.com. However, timeshare property purchases are excluded. It is important to remember the exclusions regarding purchases made at restaurants within other establishments or via third-party delivery services outside the U.S., which may not qualify for the restaurant bonus category of the Green Card.
5X Points for Platinum Card Members
For those holding the Platinum Card from American Express, the rewards for booking travel through Amex Travel are even more substantial. Platinum Card Members earn a remarkable 5X Membership Rewards points on eligible travel purchases. This includes:
- Air tickets on scheduled flights (up to $500,000 per calendar year) booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel (phone or amextravel.com).
- Prepaid hotel reservations booked through American Express Travel.
- Prepaid flight + hotel packages booked through AmexTravel.com.
- Prepaid vacation rental reservations booked through AmexTravel.com.
This 5X bonus is a powerful tool for accumulating points quickly, especially for frequent travelers. Excluded purchases include charter flights, private jets, cruises, travel packages (except prepaid flight + hotel packages booked through AmexTravel.com), ticketing fees, and hotel group reservations. Modifying prepaid hotel or vacation rental bookings directly with the hotel or rental company will disqualify them from earning the bonus points. Similar to other Amex offers, this bonus cannot be combined with other category bonuses.
5X Points for Business Platinum Card Members
The Business Platinum Card mirrors the impressive 5X rewards of the personal Platinum card for travel booked through Amex Travel. Business Platinum Card Members also earn 5X points on:
- Scheduled flights booked online at AmexTravel.com
- Prepaid flight and hotel packages booked online at AmexTravel.com
- Prepaid short-term rentals booked online at AmexTravel.com
- Prepaid hotel purchases made online at AmexTravel.com or via phone with American Express Travel Consultants
The eligible purchase categories are very similar to the personal Platinum, focusing on prepaid options booked through Amex Travel. Exclusions also largely align with the personal Platinum, including non-prepaid bookings, vacation packages (excluding flight + hotel), car rentals, cruises, and various fees. Modifications to hotel or air reservations must be made through AmexTravel.com or by calling Amex Travel to remain eligible for the 5X bonus. Points are credited approximately 6-10 weeks after the purchase appears on your billing statement. Like the consumer Platinum, this 5X bonus is not combinable with other bonus category offers.
Utilizing Membership Rewards Points with Pay with Points
Amex Travel also offers the flexibility to use your accumulated Membership Rewards points directly for travel purchases through the Pay with Points option. This allows you to redeem points to cover the cost of eligible travel booked via American Express Travel.
- Eligible Purchases: Generally includes flights, prepaid hotels, prepaid short-term rentals, prepaid car rentals, vacation packages, and cruise reservations booked through American Express Travel. Non-prepaid car rentals and hotels are typically excluded.
- Redemption Process: Points are debited from your Membership Rewards account, and a corresponding credit is issued to your American Express card.
- Minimum Redemption: A minimum of 5,000 points is usually required for Pay with Points redemptions.
- Partial Redemption: If your points don’t cover the entire purchase amount, the remaining balance stays on your American Express card.
Pay with Points provides a straightforward way to use your rewards for travel, offering flexibility and immediate value.
Lowest Hotel Rates Guarantee
American Express Travel aims to provide competitive pricing with its Lowest Hotel Rates Guarantee. This policy ensures that if you find a lower price online for the same hotel, room, dates, and terms after booking a qualifying rate on amextravel.com, American Express will refund you the difference.
- Qualifying Bookings: Applies to hotel rates booked on amextravel.com available to the general public.
- Same Terms: The lower price must be for the same hotel, room type, dates, number of guests, rate type, and cancellation policy.
- Exclusions: The guarantee excludes rates not available to the general public (corporate, group, AAA, etc.), rates from opaque websites, and rates booked through Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection programs. Promotional packages or bundled deals are also excluded.
- Claim Submission: For prepaid reservations, claims must be submitted before check-in. For “pay later” bookings, claims are due within 30 days after completing your stay.
The Lowest Hotel Rates Guarantee offers peace of mind, knowing you’re likely getting a competitive rate when booking hotels through Amex Travel.
Hotel Credits: $200 Platinum Hotel Credit, Fine Hotels + Resorts, and The Hotel Collection
Beyond points and rate guarantees, Amex Travel provides access to valuable hotel credit and premium programs, particularly for Platinum and Gold cardholders.
$200 Hotel Credit for Platinum Card Members
U.S. Consumer Platinum Card Members are entitled to up to $200 in statement credits annually for prepaid bookings at Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) and The Hotel Collection (THC) made through American Express Travel.
- Eligible Bookings: Prepaid FHR and THC bookings made through amextravel.com, the Amex App, or by phone. THC bookings require a minimum two-night stay.
- Booking Deadline: Bookings must be processed before December 31st each calendar year.
- Credit Limit: The total credit is capped at $200 per calendar year per Card Account, applicable to bookings made by both the Basic and Additional Platinum Card Members.
This credit significantly offsets hotel costs for Platinum cardholders who utilize FHR and THC programs.
Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) Program
The Fine Hotels + Resorts program, accessible to Platinum and Centurion cardholders, offers premium benefits and elevated experiences at luxury hotels worldwide when booked through Amex Travel. Benefits typically include:
- Noon check-in (subject to availability)
- Room upgrade upon arrival (subject to availability)
- Daily breakfast for two
- Guaranteed 4 PM late check-out
- $100 hotel credit to use on qualifying charges
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
FHR bookings made through Amex Travel provide tangible value and enhanced stays at participating luxury properties.
The Hotel Collection (THC)
The Hotel Collection, available to Gold, Platinum, and Centurion cardholders, provides benefits at a curated selection of hotels for bookings of two nights or more through Amex Travel. Benefits include:
- $100 hotel credit to use on qualifying charges
- Room upgrade upon arrival (subject to availability)
- Noon check-in (subject to availability)
- Late check-out (subject to availability)
THC offers valuable perks and savings for stays at participating hotels within the collection.
Conclusion
Amex Travel is a powerful platform for American Express cardholders to maximize their travel rewards and access exclusive benefits. By understanding the terms and conditions associated with bonus point earnings, Pay with Points, hotel rate guarantees, and premium programs like Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection, you can strategically leverage Amex Travel to enhance your travel experiences and get the most value from your American Express Membership Rewards. Remember to always review the specific terms and conditions for your card and the latest offers on the Amex Travel website to ensure you’re taking full advantage of all available benefits.
