Planning your next getaway? For American Express Card Members, booking your travel through Amex Travel opens the door to a world of exclusive benefits and rewards, designed to enhance every aspect of your journey. From bonus Membership Rewards points to luxurious hotel perks and unbeatable rate guarantees, understanding how to leverage Amex Travel can significantly elevate your travel experiences. This guide will walk you through the key advantages of booking your flights, hotels, and more with Amex Travel, ensuring you maximize your rewards and travel smarter.
Maximize Your Membership Rewards Points When You Book with Amex Travel
One of the most compelling reasons to book your travel through American Express Travel (amextravel.com) 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 compared to everyday spending. Let’s break down the bonus point structures for different Amex cards:
Earn 2X Points with Membership Rewards® Program-Enrolled Cards
For general Membership Rewards-enrolled Card Members, booking through amextravel.com can automatically double your points earnings on eligible travel purchases. This means you’ll earn at least 2 Membership Rewards points for every dollar spent on:
- Flights: Airfare booked on amextravel.com.
- Prepaid Hotels: Hotel reservations prepaid through amextravel.com.
- Prepaid Short-Term Rentals: Vacation rentals prepaid through amextravel.com.
- Prepaid Car Rentals: Car rentals prepaid through amextravel.com.
- Vacation Packages: Flight + hotel packages booked on amextravel.com.
- Cruise Reservations: Cruise bookings made on amextravel.com (Platinum and Business Platinum Card Members earn only 1 additional point on cruises).
It’s important to note that certain purchases are not eligible for bonus points, including:
- Non-prepaid car rentals and hotels.
- Ticketing service or other fees.
- Interest charges.
Also, remember that Corporate Card Members are typically not eligible for these additional bonus points. Points are usually credited to your account 10-12 weeks after final payment.
Business Gold Card: Triple Your Rewards with 3X Points
The American Express® Business Gold Card takes travel rewards a step further by offering a generous 3X Membership Rewards points on eligible travel purchases booked through Amex Travel. Business Gold Card Members, and Employee Card holders, will earn a total of 3 points per dollar on:
- Scheduled Flights: Booked online at AmexTravel.com.
- Prepaid Flight+Hotel Packages: Made online at AmexTravel.com.
- Prepaid Hotel Purchases: Booked online at AmexTravel.com or over the phone with Amex Travel Consultants.
However, the 3X bonus does not apply to:
- Non-prepaid hotel bookings.
- Flights and flight+hotel packages booked over the phone.
- Vacation packages (excluding flight+hotel packages).
- Car rentals.
- Cruises.
- Hotel group reservations or events.
- Ticketing service, cancellation, or other fees.
- Interest charges.
- Purchases of traveler’s checks, prepaid cards, or cash equivalents.
To ensure you receive the 3X points, bookings must be reserved and charged to your Business Gold Card. Modifications to existing reservations should be made through AmexTravel.com or by calling Amex Travel. Points are credited approximately 6-10 weeks after the purchase appears on your billing statement.
Gold Card: Earn 3X Points on Airfare Booked via Amex Travel
While the standard Gold Card doesn’t offer a blanket bonus for all Amex Travel bookings, it provides a significant 3X points (total of 3 points, plus the base 1 point) on:
- Airfare on Scheduled Flights: Charged directly with passenger airlines or through amextravel.com.
Furthermore, Gold Card members earn 2X points (total of 2 points, plus the base 1 point) on:
- Prepaid Hotels, Car Rentals, or Cruise Reservations: Booked through amextravel.com.
These bonus categories make the Gold Card a valuable tool for booking specific travel components through Amex Travel, particularly flights and prepaid travel arrangements.
Green Card: A Versatile 3X on Broad Travel Categories
The American Express Green Card® offers a straightforward 3X Membership Rewards points structure on a wide range of travel categories, including those booked through Amex Travel. Green Card holders earn 3X points on:
- Eligible Travel Purchases: This broadly includes airfare, hotels, cruises, tours, car rentals, campgrounds, vacation rentals, travel purchases on third-party travel websites, and purchases on amextravel.com.
This broad definition of “travel purchases” makes the Green Card a flexible option for earning bonus points on various travel bookings, whether directly with airlines and hotels or through online travel agencies and Amex Travel.
Platinum Card: The Premium 5X Points on Flights and Prepaid Hotels
For premium travel rewards, the Platinum Card® stands out with its exceptional 5X Membership Rewards points earning on eligible travel purchases. Platinum Card Members earn a total of 5 points for every dollar spent on:
- 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 prime benefit for frequent travelers, especially those who book expensive flights and prefer prepaid hotel stays. However, it’s important to remember that this bonus excludes:
- Charter flights and private jet flights.
- Flights that are part of tours, cruises, or travel packages (except prepaid flight+hotel packages via AmexTravel.com).
- Ticketing or service fees, cancellation or change fees.
- Hotel group reservations or events.
- Non-prepaid hotels and vacation rentals.
Business Platinum Card: Extend Your 5X Rewards
The Business Platinum Card® mirrors the consumer Platinum Card’s generous 5X rewards, offering:
- 5X Membership Rewards points on eligible travel purchases, including scheduled flights, prepaid flight and hotel packages, and prepaid short-term rentals made online at AmexTravel.com, as well as prepaid hotel purchases made through Amex Travel (online or phone).
The exclusions are similar to the consumer Platinum Card, focusing on non-prepaid bookings, cruises, car rentals, vacation packages (excluding flight+hotel), and various fees.
Unlock Exclusive Hotel Benefits Through Amex Travel Programs
Beyond bonus points, booking hotels through Amex Travel unlocks access to two prestigious programs: Fine Hotels + Resorts® (FHR) and The Hotel Collection (THC). These programs offer valuable perks and amenities that can transform your hotel stays.
Fine Hotels + Resorts® (FHR): Luxury and VIP Treatment
The Fine Hotels + Resorts program is exclusive to Platinum Card® and Centurion® Members and offers unparalleled benefits at a curated collection of luxury hotels and resorts worldwide. When booking FHR properties through Amex Travel, you can typically enjoy:
- Noon Check-in: Subject to availability, allowing you to start your stay earlier.
- Guaranteed 4 PM Late Check-out: Enjoy a relaxed departure with extra time in your room.
- Room Upgrade Upon Arrival: Based on availability, you could be upgraded to a superior room or suite.
- Daily Breakfast for Two: Often a full breakfast, sometimes a continental breakfast, valued at a minimum of US$60 per room per day.
- Unique Property Amenity: A special benefit unique to each property, such as a spa credit, dining credit, or airport transfer, typically valued at $100.
- Complimentary Wi-Fi: Stay connected throughout your stay.
The FHR program is designed to provide a VIP experience, making luxury travel even more rewarding for Platinum and Centurion cardholders.
The Hotel Collection (THC): Elevated Stays for Gold and Platinum Card Members
The Hotel Collection is available to American Express Gold Card, Platinum Card®, and Centurion® Members and offers valuable benefits at a wide selection of hotels worldwide for stays of two consecutive nights or more booked through Amex Travel. THC benefits typically include:
- $100 Hotel Credit: To spend on qualifying dining, spa, and resort activities during your stay.
- Room Upgrade Upon Arrival: Based on availability at check-in.
- Noon Check-in, When Available: Start your stay earlier if your room is ready.
- Late Check-out, When Available: Enjoy a more relaxed departure.
The Hotel Collection provides enhanced value and comfort for a broader range of Amex cardholders, making hotel stays booked through Amex Travel more enjoyable and affordable.
$200 Hotel Credit for Platinum Cardholders: Maximize Your Value
U.S. Consumer Platinum Card Members receive an annual $200 Hotel Credit to use towards prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings made through American Express Travel. This credit effectively reduces the cost of luxury hotel stays booked through these programs, further enhancing the value of Platinum Card membership.
Additional Amex Travel Benefits and Guarantees
Beyond points and hotel perks, Amex Travel offers other valuable benefits:
Lowest Hotel Rate Guarantee: Confidence in Your Booking
Amex Travel provides a Lowest Hotel Rate Guarantee. If you find a lower publicly available rate online for the same hotel, room type, dates, and cancellation policy after booking a qualifying rate on amextravel.com, American Express will refund you the difference. This guarantee provides peace of mind, ensuring you are getting a competitive price when booking through Amex Travel.
Membership Rewards® Pay with Points: Flexibility in Redemption
American Express allows you to use your Membership Rewards points to pay for eligible travel purchases through Amex Travel with the Pay with Points feature. This provides flexibility in how you redeem your points, allowing you to offset travel costs directly at the time of booking. A minimum redemption of 5,000 points is typically required.
Booking Your Travel with Amex Travel: Key Considerations
To make the most of booking through Amex Travel, keep these points in mind:
- Eligible Cards: Benefits vary by card type. Ensure you are using an eligible American Express Card to book and pay for your travel.
- Prepaid vs. Non-Prepaid: Bonus points and certain benefits often apply to prepaid bookings. Pay attention to the booking terms.
- AmexTravel.com or Phone: While online booking at amextravel.com is often preferred for bonus points on flights, hotel bookings through the phone may be necessary to access certain agent-assisted services or specific promotions.
- Terms and Conditions: Always review the full terms and conditions of each offer and benefit to understand eligibility, exclusions, and redemption processes.
Conclusion: Book Smarter, Travel Better with Amex Travel
Booking your travel through Amex Travel is more than just a convenient booking platform; it’s a gateway to unlocking significant value from your American Express Card membership. From earning bonus Membership Rewards points to enjoying VIP hotel benefits and rate guarantees, Amex Travel is designed to enhance your travel experiences and reward your loyalty. By understanding the benefits associated with your specific Amex card and utilizing Amex Travel for your bookings, you can travel smarter, experience more, and maximize your rewards. Start planning your next trip and book with Amex Travel today to unlock a world of travel advantages.
