Best Credit Cards in November 2024Guides
How Does LendingTree Get Paid?
LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.

How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.
|
Advertising Disclosure
LendingTree is an advertising-supported comparison service. The site features products from our partners as well as institutions which are not advertising partners. While we make an effort to include the best deals available to the general public, we make no warranty that such information represents all available products. We are compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order).

Advertising Disclosure

LendingTree is an advertising-supported comparison service. The site features products from our partners as well as institutions which are not advertising partners. While we make an effort to include the best deals available to the general public, we make no warranty that such information represents all available products. We are compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order).

American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts Guide

Updated on:
Content was accurate at the time of publication.
shortened_cc_editorial_note

The American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts program is offered to those with a Centurion or Platinum American Express credit card. You’ll get cost-saving benefits at more than 1,500 top-rated properties worldwide, which can add significantly to the value of your card.

The program is packed with perks, such as a complimentary breakfast, early and late check-in and a $100 experience credit. It’s a great way to have a VIP travel experience without having to spend enough to hit elite status. Plus, the Platinum and Centurion cards come with their own luxury benefits that can help cover their high annual fees when paired with American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts benefits.

Is American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts worth it?

American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts is worth it because you’ll get high-end benefits valued at around $600 without holding elite status. This is a huge savings when stacked on top of rewards like 5X Membership Rewards® Points on hotel bookings with The Platinum Card® from American Express. Properties in the Fine Hotels + Resorts program range from large luxury hotels like the Fairmont Grand Del Mar in San Diego and independent hotels like The Lodge at Sea Island in Saint Simons Island.

The downside is that you have to book your stay through the American Express travel portal, where you won’t always get the best rate. If you’re a loyalty program member, you’ll also have to skip loyalty program points, and you may have to forgo your elite status benefits.

But many hotels will offer additional perks like a free night that can bring the cost down. Plus, you can combine other card perks and credits like the $200 hotel credit you’ll get each year when you book using your Platinum card.

 

Pros and cons of American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts

ProsCons

 Elite-like benefits and perks

 Large selection of hotels worldwide

 Earn 5x points on your bookings with The Platinum Card from American Express

 Loyalty program members may not always get elite status benefits when booking

 Can't earn loyalty program points on your booking

 May not get the cheapest rate

Which cards offer American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts access?

American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts is available if you have a Platinum or Centurion card. This includes The Platinum Card® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express and the Centurion® Card from American Express.

| Disclosures
The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express
apply-now-icon Apply Now
on American Express's secure site
Rates & Fees
| Terms Apply
N/A
See Pay Over Time APR
$695
5X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or with
  • Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
  • $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
  • $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
  • The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
  • $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can get out and about and explore their local area with $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to get started. Available to Basic Card Member only. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
  • $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
  • Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
  • Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
  • $695 annual fee.¤
  • Terms Apply.
660 720 850
Good / Excellent

How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.

| Disclosures
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
apply-now-icon Apply Now
on American Express's secure site
Rates & Fees
| Terms Apply
N/A
18.99% - 27.99% Variable
$695
5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and
  • Welcome Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
  • 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
  • Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more, on up to $2 million per Card Account per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
  • Unlock over $1,000 in statement credits on select purchases, including tech, recruiting and wireless in the first year of membership with the Business Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. See how you can unlock over $1,000 annually in credits on select purchases with the Business Platinum Card®, here.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to the Card.
  • $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use the Business Platinum Card®.
  • The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
  • $695 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.
660 720 850
Good / Excellent

How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.

| Disclosures
Centurion® Card from American Express*
Centurion® Card from American Express
prime rate + 12.74% for the Pay Over Time feature
$5,000
N/A
  • Complimentary Starwood Preferred Guest Gold & Hilton Honors Diamond Status
  • IHG Priority Club Rewards Platinum Elite
  • Centurion Hotel Program which includes various benefits at Aman, Belmond, Mandarin Oriental, Peninsula and St. Regis Hotels
  • Delta SkyMiles Platinum Medallion
  • Centurion International Arrival Services
  • Gogo In-Flight Wi-Fi
  • Boingo Wi-Fi
  • 30% Membership Rewards Bonus when you use points for airline statement credit
  • Centurion Airport Lounge Access
  • Priority Pass Select
  • Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit
  • $10,000 initiation fee
N/A
*The information related to the Centurion® Card from American Express has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply

How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.

American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts Benefits

The American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts program has six main benefits that apply per room for up to three rooms per stay. According to American Express, these benefits are worth a total of around $600. When you book an American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts hotel through the American Express portal you won’t be able to use hotel loyalty benefits or search for the lowest price, but the $600 value of these benefits will make up for it.

Early check-in: As early as 12 p.m. when available

This is one of two benefits that are not guaranteed at each stay. You’ll need to verify if the hotel has availability to give you an early check-in.

Room upgrade: Upon arrival, when available

Room upgrades are also dependent on availability upon check-in. American Express also notes that certain room categories are not eligible for a room upgrade.

Experience credit: Minimum $100 credit unique to each property. Examples include:

  • Food and beverage: Complimentary meal for two or a credit towards a dining experience
  • Spa: Complimentary massage for two or credit toward a spa treatment
  • Golf: Complimentary round of golf for two
  • Private transfer: Complimentary private transfer to the airport
  • Property credit: Choose how you want to use your credit at the property

The $100 experience credit is one of the most valuable benefits offered with Fine Hotels + Resorts. The hotel chooses the form of credit that you will receive and you’ll be able to see what type of credit you’ll get upon booking. A general property credit or food and beverage credit are the two most popular credits you’ll find.

Complimentary breakfast: Daily during your trip for two people

While the $100 experience credit often applies to dining, adding on a complimentary daily breakfast can heavily reduce your food and beverage spending on your trip. Breakfast is valued at a minimum of $60 per room per day and varies by location.

Late checkout: Guaranteed 4 p.m. checkout

With a guaranteed 4 p.m. checkout, you’ll get almost an entire extra day at the hotel of your choice without having to pay for an extra night. This can also be helpful if your flight is later in the day or you want to take advantage of additional amenities before you leave.

Complimentary Wi-Fi

Although many hotels now include complimentary Wi-Fi, some hotels charge a mandatory property fee that includes Wi-Fi. If this is the case, you’ll get a daily credit for the amount of Wi-Fi applied at check-out.

Other benefits

$200 hotel credit: Platinum card members will get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings with American Express Travel. No enrollment is required.

Complimentary nights and other discounts: Some hotels offer additional perks like a complimentary night or a percentage off of your nightly room rate. For example, the Conrad Punta de Mita has offered a complimentary fourth night and the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island has offered 30% off the nightly room rate on suites.

Higher experience credit: You’ll always get a $100 experience credit with Fine Hotels + Resorts, but some hotels offer an even higher property credit. For example, Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, has offered a $750 property credit.

To see a full list of hotels currently offering deals visit the American Express special offers page.

American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts Destinations

Fine Hotels + Resorts includes over 1,500 properties worldwide. Here are a few examples of qualifying hotels’ popular destinations:

London, England: Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park
Has offered a complimentary third night.

Paris, France: Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome
Has offered a complimentary fourth night and $150 property credit.

New York, New York: Baccarat Hotel New York
Has offered a $250 food and beverage credit and $150 property credit towards spa services.

Miami, Florida: Mandarin Oriental, Miami
Has offered a complimentary fourth night.

Los Angeles, California: Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills
Has offered a complimentary fourth night.

Chicago, Illinois: Waldorf Astoria Chicago
Has offered 25% off the nightly room rate on select rooms.

Las Vegas, Nevada: Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas
Has offered 15% off the nightly room rate on select rooms.

San Francisco, California: The St. Regis San Francisco
Has offered a $200 food and beverage credit.

How to book an American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts stay

  1. Visit the Fine Hotels + Resorts home page and start browsing destinations.

2. Once you input your destination and dates, you can browse and compare all hotels available. You can use the filter on the left side of the page to just show Fine Hotels + Resorts properties. You can also see Tripadvisor reviews to help you make your decision.

3. By clicking “Select” next to the hotel of your choice, you’ll be able to browse room types. Before you can select your room you’ll be prompted to log in to your American Express account.

4. When you’re ready to book your stay, you’ll be able to pay using any American Express card as long as the cardholder has a Platinum or Centurion® card in their name.

You can also use your American Express points to book through American Express Membership Rewards using Pay with Points. If you decide to use Membership Rewards points on your stay, you’ll typically get a higher rate for your points at about 1 cent per point.

When to use American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts

American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts does not always offer the lowest rates, so if you’re looking to snag the best deal you may want to look elsewhere. But, this program is perfect if you’re looking for one of the following:

Elite-like benefits at boutique or non-chain hotels

Boutique or non-chain hotels don’t typically offer the option to get elite status or additional benefits. You may not usually choose a boutique hotel for this reason, but the American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts program is a good solution for this. For example, the Alila Napa Valley is a boutique hotel that offers Fine Hotels + Resorts benefits and an additional free night.

Elite benefits at large hotel brands without the status

Without the Fine Hotels + Resorts program, you’ll need to reach elite status with a specific hotel brand to get the same benefits. For example, you would need to stay 50+ nights and reach platinum elite status with Marriott Bonvoy to get a late check-out benefit.

If you’re loyal to a hotel brand, elite status may give you more hotel-specific benefits. But, if you don’t want to worry about staying at a specific hotel chain enough to hit elite status, the Fine Hotels + Resorts program is a good choice. In some instances, you can even use your elite status and Fine Hotels + Resorts together, though many hotels require you to book through their channels to use your elite status.

Extra savings on short stays

The experience credit is one of the most valuable benefits you can get with the Fine Hotels + Resorts program. The experience credit is at least $100 no matter how long you stay, so you can maximize this credit on shorter trips. For example, if you’re looking for a relaxing weekend getaway to La Jolla, California the Lodge at Torrey Pines will cover $150 in spa services as your experience. This is a huge savings for a one or two-night stay. Plus, if you find a hotel offering a third or fourth night free, you can extend your short trip further at no additional cost.

The Platinum Card® from American Express also offers up to $200 in statement credits after you book one eligible stay. This is another big way to reduce the cost of a shorter stay once a year.

*To see rates & fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.
*To see rates & fees for The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.
The information related to the Centurion® Card from American Express has been independently collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication.

To see rates & fees for American Express cards mentioned on this page, visit the links provided below:

The information related to the Centurion® Card from American Express has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

The content above is not provided by any issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of LendingTree alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. The offers and/or promotions mentioned above may have changed, expired, or are no longer available. Check the issuer's website for more details.