If you have American Express® cards that come with premium hotel credits (or several as many in our community do), you’re probably looking to maximize those benefits. Whether you plan to wander the streets of Europe or take the kids to Disney World, let’s help you find the perfect stay.

Enrollment is required for select benefits. Terms apply.

 

What The Credits Are 

The American Express Platinum® Card and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express come with $300 credits for prepaid stays booked through their Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection Program twice per year. 

Each card offers one $300 credit once between January and June and another between July and December. You don’t have to stay during these timeframes; you simply need to book in time for the credit to post to your account. 

If you’re booking through Fine Hotels + Resorts®, you can earn the credit on a one-night stay. If you’re booking through The Hotel Collection (where hotels tend to be less expensive), you must book two or more nights to get your credit. 

These hotels offer elite-like perks to Amex’s customers. Fine Hotels + Resorts® benefits include: 

• 12 p.m. check-in, when available
• Room upgrade upon arrival, when available
• Complimentary daily breakfast for two people
• $100 property credit 
• Guaranteed 4 p.m. late check-out
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

The Hotel Collection benefits include: 

• 12 p.m. check-in, when available
• Room upgrade upon arrival, when available
• $100 property credit
• 4 p.m. check out, when available 

While free breakfast is not officially a Hotel Collection benefit, some Hotel Collection properties offer it. It will be listed when you book, so keep an eye out for that if you’re comparing properties. 

 

How to Use Your Credit 

1. Find the hotel you want to book on American Express Travel®. 
2. Select your dates and room type and select “Book and Pay Today.” 
3. Note the cancellation policy. While your room will be prepaid, typically you can cancel a few days before the stay. 
4. Pay with the American Express Platinum® or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express. 
5. Your credit will be posted to your account. Mine typically posts within about three days. 

 

Tips to Maximize Your Credits 

While you must pay at least $300 to get your credit, you can pay for the balance with your American Express Membership Rewards®; however, we do not recommend this. Unlike Chase, which allows you to use your points at up to 2 cents per point when booking through their premium hotel program, using your American Express Membership Rewards® on a hotel with Amex Travel is a poor value for your points. We’d recommend paying cash for your entire booking and using the credit as a savings (and earning 5x on the spend.) 

One of the other major advantages of booking through these programs is they are much more flexible than booking with points. Hotels often limit the number of rooms that can be booked with points or the types of rooms you can book with points. If you want a particular room type (such as a suite that can hold the whole family), this can be a great option over booking with your hotel points. 

So, when using these credits I prioritize: 

• Properties with a cash rate I’m willing to pay (off-peak times typically) 
• Shorter stays (one night with Fine Hotels + Resorts® or two with The Hotel Collection)
• Independent hotels or hotels affiliated with programs I have low-level or no status with (since many of the elite benefits are similar to what you’d get as an elite).
• Hotels that I don’t have points with or there’s no availability.

 

Let’s look at a few stays where you might want to use your credits. 

 

The Grand Mark Prague 

 

 

Next winter, my husband and I are planning to visit Prague for a two-night stay. While I know Jess raved about her stay at the Andaz Prague (which is also bookable with your credit), I wanted to explore some other options. This is an off-peak time for Europe, so the cash rates were reasonable. 

I found a gorgeous, two-level suite with a kitchenette and living room at the Grand Mark Prague (a former palace!) for just over $700 for two nights. With my credit, this brought my cost to $209 per night—not bad for a suite at a five-star, luxury hotel. Even without the credit, I would’ve been happy to pay this cash price. 

The Grand Mark Prague is a Fine Hotels + Resorts® hotel and part of the Leading Hotels of the World. I don’t have any of their points and have status only through my American Express Business Platinum® Card. So, this stay checked all my boxes above. I’m looking forward to the stay and will report back on it.

This would be a great use of your credit for a short, family stay in Prague. The property offers spacious family suites that fit four people, which is typically very difficult to book on points in Europe. 

 

 

 

Sofitel New York 

 

 

Speaking of winter travel, I love traveling to New York City in the winter when it’s far less crowded and expensive (just pack accordingly!) With lower hotel prices, you can often book a room that can hold the whole family at a much more reasonable price. 

The Sofitel New York, for example, has two-night stays in a family-size room for $900 for a two-night stay in February, so the credit would save you about one-third of your cost. 

The Sofitel is a high-end hotel in Midtown Manhattan, close to Times Square and Fifth Avenue. This location is ideal for Broadway shows and other Midtown attractions, so if you’re bundling up in the winter months, you won’t have to go far. 

 

 

The Swan (Orlando, Florida) 

 

 

The Swan and The Dolphin are popular properties for families visiting Disney World, and both participate in The Hotel Collection. If you’re traveling to Disney at a lower-demand time, the $300 credit can be a pretty significant savings. 

For example, I found a two-night stay in October at The Swan for about $400 per night. So, that $300 savings would almost cover one night in a family-size room that sleeps four! This could also work well if you need two rooms and don’t have enough Marriott Bonvoy points or free-night certificates to book both. 

The Swan is within walking distance to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, and the hotel provides free shuttles to other Disney parks. For your non-Disney days, the hotel offers lots to do, including six pools and a beachside playground for the kids. 

 

 

 

JW Marriott Anaheim Resort 

 

 

If you live closer to the West Coast, Disneyland might be the better option for your family, and there are properties there to use your credit as well. The JW Marriott Anaheim is about a short walk to Disneyland (though there is also a shuttle). The property is a short walk to Anaheim’s GardenWalk restaurant and entertainment district. You can also watch the Disney fireworks from the property, ideal if the kids (or parents) prefer an early bedtime! 

I found a fall weekend at this property for $865 for a family-sized room, so that’s a nice savings with your credit. Additionally, this is one of The Hotel Collection properties that provides free breakfast for two. 

 

 

 

Hilton Cancun Mar Caribe All Inclusive Resort 

 

 

If the beaches of Mexico are calling, you can use your credit to book an all-inclusive resort! The Hilton Cancun Mar Caribe All Inclusive Resort has availability for a fall weekend for about $700 per night for a family-size room. This beachfront property offers plenty for families. The property has a kids’ club, teens’ club, and 13 pools! The hotel also offers a spa and golfing opportunities for parents while the kids enjoy their activities. 

This property is part of The Hotel Collection, so you will need to book at least two nights to get your credit. While that’s still pricey, it could work for your family since your food and beverages will be covered. 

Given how much Hyatt has devalued their all-inclusive properties over the years, booking an all-inclusive stay with your credits might make more sense than using Hyatt points.

 

 

Bottom Line

Whether you’re looking for a relaxing stay on the beach or a big city adventure, your Amex credits can help you save on the stay. Where are you headed with your credits? 

Opinions, reviews, analyses, and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities. Terms apply.