American Express Travel FHR Review and Guide

American Express Travel FHR is a fantastic perk for card members, offering exclusive hotel rates and amenities.

FHR stands for Fine Hotels & Resorts, a program that partners with over 1,000 luxury hotels worldwide to provide unique benefits.

Card members can earn 1x Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on FHR bookings, in addition to their existing hotel rewards.

To access FHR rates, simply book through the Amex website or mobile app, and look for the FHR logo on participating hotels.

The American Express Travel FHR program is a game-changer for luxury travelers. It offers elite benefits and perks at over 1,600 properties worldwide when you book through American Express.

You can book rooms at any hotel within the collection and receive exclusive perks, negotiated pricing, and limited-time offers that aren't available to the general public. This is a curated collection of hotel properties within the U.S. and across international destinations.

Eligible American Express customers can book through the program to get extra perks on their stay and ease a few of the stresses of traveling.

The program is reserved for cardmembers with a Centurion or specific Platinum cards, including the Platinum Card and the Business Platinum Card.

Here's a quick rundown of the benefits you can expect:

The Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts program is the big daddy of Amex's hotel benefits programs, offering select Amex cardholders a luxurious experience.

You'll receive a room upgrade upon arrival, when available at check-in, which can make a big difference in your stay.

Daily breakfast for two people is included, which can be worth quite a bit if you would otherwise consider paying the breakfast prices at these luxury hotels.

A guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout is also included, which has come in handy for many travelers.

Noon check-in, when available, is also a perk, allowing you to get a head start on your stay.

Complimentary Wi-Fi is included, which is especially useful for travelers who need to stay connected.

Experience credit, valued at $100 or more, is also included, which can be used for a variety of experiences such as dining, spa services, or property credits.

Here are the main perks you can expect with every Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts booking:

These perks are useful and easy to capitalize on, and if you book your stay through Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts with the Amex Platinum's hotel credit, you'll get an even better deal and your high-end benefits.

You can use Membership Rewards points for Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings and get a value of 1 cent per point. However, transferring points to Membership Rewards transfer partners can get you a value of 2 cents each.

To book Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts stays, you'll need to book through American Express Travel. You can use any American Express card in your name to pay for your reservation, but prepaid Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts stays booked online earn 5 Amex Membership Rewards points per dollar spent with the Amex Platinum or Amex Business Platinum card.

To maximize value when making an AmEx FHR reservation, consider earning 5x points on your stay by paying with the Amex Platinum card, saving money with hotel credits, and booking free night offers.

You can use Membership Rewards points for Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings, and get a value of 1 cent per point, which is lower than the 2 cents per point you can get by transferring points to Membership Rewards partners.

Paying for your stay with a Platinum card and earning 5 points per dollar spent on prepaid bookings is generally a better option, especially considering the value of your points.

To get the most out of your points, consider using your Amex Platinum or Amex Business Platinum card for prepaid bookings, which earn 5 points per dollar spent.

The 1 cent per point value for Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings is still a decent return, but it's worth exploring other options.

By using your Platinum card for prepaid bookings, you can earn more points and potentially get a higher return on your travel expenses.

The Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts program offers a $100 experience credit, but you'll get more value from it if you book shorter stays. This is because the credit represents a larger percentage of your total stay.

You can earn 5x points on your stay when paying for FHR reservations with The Platinum Card from American Express or The Business Platinum Card from American Express.

If you book through Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts, you can snag elitelike benefits at nonchain hotels, including boutique hotels. This is especially valuable for travelers without elite status.

To maximize value, consider booking multiple short stays. Since some benefits are once per reservation, like the $100 experience credit, you'll get more value from the FHR program if you're willing to change hotels every few days.

If you have a spouse or partner with a Platinum card, you can try booking back-to-back reservations in their name. This might qualify you for the $100 credit on each night, but it's not guaranteed and the FHR terms specifically exclude this technique.

Here are some benefits you can expect to receive with Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts:

Note that the $100 local amenity credit is once per stay, so booking back-to-back reservations in the same name might not qualify you for the credit on each night.

To make a reservation through American Express Travel FHR, you'll need to log into your American Express account or visit the FHR home page directly.

You can search your destination and travel dates to see which hotels are available, and the search results typically include FHR and The Hotel Collection properties towards the top.

To narrow down your choices, you can use filters to sort by star rating, price, neighborhood, amenities, and other factors, and you can also view TripAdvisor reviews to help determine the best hotel for your stay.

Once you've selected your hotel and room type, you'll have the option to review available promotions, such as free nights, resort credits, discounts, or a combination of these perks.

To book a Fine Hotels & Resorts reservation, follow these steps:

1. Log into your American Express account or visit the FHR home page directly.

2. Search your destination and travel dates to see which hotels are available.

3. Compare FHR options and review the available promotions.

4. Use filters to narrow down the choices.

5. Select your hotel and room type.

By following these steps, you'll be able to make a reservation through American Express Travel FHR and take advantage of the benefits and perks that come with booking through this program.

You can earn 5x points on your Fine Hotels & Resorts reservation by prepaying with your Amex Platinum Card. This is a great opportunity to rack up points on your luxury hotel stays.

Whether you'll get elite status earnings and benefits on your Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts stay varies greatly, so it's a good idea to book a refundable prepaid reservation and ask the property a few days after making the reservation.

Earning 5x points on prepaid hotels and flights booked through AmexTravel.com is just one of the many benefits of having the Amex Platinum card. This card also offers a $200 airline fee credit, Uber Cash, travel insurance, and access to the Global Lounge Collection.

You can also earn 5x points on your Hotel Collection reservation by prepaying with your Amex Platinum Card. This is a great way to earn points on your hotel stays, especially if you're booking a hotel through Amex's Hotel Collection.

The Hotel Collection and Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) programs offered by American Express have their perks, but they also come with some drawbacks and limitations.

You probably won't be able to combine the $100 credit with a budget hotel stay, since the properties in The Hotel Collection are generally high-end locations.

Many properties in FHR aren't available to book online, which can be a big deterrent for some people. Hotel prices offered by American Express can sometimes be higher than booking the hotel directly, negating any benefit you receive through FHR.

These are all high-end hotels, which may make this benefit out of reach for a lot of people. You can book up to 3 rooms per stay, but each cardmember is limited to 1 "package" per room per stay.

You can't double-dip with hotel elite status benefits when booking through AmEx FHR, as most hotel loyalty programs require members to book directly to receive elite benefits. Rates may be higher when booking through FHR, so be sure to compare prices through the hotel website and other online booking sites.

Some stays at luxury hotels may earn hotel points and stay credits when you provide your member number at check-in, but this is not guaranteed. Minimum stay requirements may apply to receive all FHR benefits, such as staying at least 3 nights to get the third-night-free benefit.

Here are some key limitations to keep in mind:

To be eligible to receive benefits at Hotel Collection locations, you need to hold one of the following credit cards: The Platinum Card from American Express, The Business Platinum Card from American Express, American Express Gold Card, American Express Business Gold Card, or the Centurion Card from American Express.

The benefits of booking through Hotel Collection include a $100 credit to spend on qualifying dining, spa, and resort activities, and a room upgrade at check-in if available. However, you can only receive one credit per room, but you can book up to 3 rooms.

Here are some examples of Hotel Collection properties in Chicago and their prices:

It's worth noting that booking through Hotel Collection can be a good option if you value a flexible reservation with free cancellation, but if you're looking for the lowest price, booking a nonrefundable reservation through the hotel's website may be a better option.

The Hotel Collection is a group of hotels that offer premium benefits on stays of at least 2 nights at select properties across the globe. You can receive a $100 credit to spend on qualifying dining, spa, and resort activities.

To be eligible for these benefits, you need to hold one of the following American Express credit cards: The Platinum Card, The Business Platinum Card, American Express Gold Card, American Express Business Gold Card, or the Centurion Card.

Your reservation must be paid for with an American Express card, and the cardholder must travel on the booked itinerary to receive benefits. The hotel credit will be awarded upon check-out for each dollar of qualifying dining, spa, and resort activity, up to $100.

Qualifying charges do not include taxes, gratuities, fees, or the cost of the room. You can only receive 1 credit per room, but you can book up to 3 rooms.

Here are the credit cards eligible for The Hotel Collection benefits:

The Hotel Lancaster Paris Champs-Elysees, a luxury hotel in Paris, is one of the properties bookable in The Hotel Collection, offering a $100 food and beverage credit.

The Hotel Collection properties are high-end locations, and you can't combine the $100 credit with a budget hotel stay. They're generally the kind of places you'd want to splurge on.

To book a Hotel Collection property, you'll need to log in to your American Express account and follow the steps outlined in the article. This will take you directly to the AmexTravel.com website.

The Hotel Collection has a variety of properties around the world, but it's worth noting that booking through American Express might not always be the cheapest option. For example, if you're looking for a non-refundable rate, you might be able to save some money by booking directly with the hotel.

Here's a comparison of prices for three Hotel Collection properties in Chicago:

This shows that if you value flexibility and free cancellation, booking through American Express might be a good idea. However, if you're looking for the lowest price, booking a non-refundable reservation directly with the hotel could be a better option.

If you're looking for a luxurious getaway, Fine Hotels & Resorts is a great option. They offer a range of high-end properties around the world.

One of the best things about Fine Hotels & Resorts is that you can get all the benefits on a 1-night stay, no minimum number of nights required. This makes it perfect for a quick weekend escape.

You can enjoy room upgrades upon arrival, subject to availability, which is a great way to get a taste of luxury. Daily breakfast for 2 people is also included, so you can start your day off right.

Guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout is another benefit that's hard to beat, giving you more time to enjoy your stay. And, you'll get complimentary Wi-Fi, so you can stay connected without any extra costs.

A unique property amenity valued at $100, such as a spa or food and beverage credit, is also included with your stay. This is a great way to experience the local culture or relax and unwind.

Fine Hotels & Resorts benefits are available to cardholders of Amex's most elite cards, including the Amex Platinum card, Amex Business Platinum card, and Centurion card. If you hold one of these cards, you'll also get a $200 annual credit towards your stays with Fine Hotels & Resorts.

The Conrad Maldives is one of the top hotels in the Maldives, and it's a top points hotel too. It's arguably the best value hotel in the country if you use the Fine Hotels + Resorts program.

One of the standout benefits of staying at the Conrad Maldives is the complimentary lunch or dinner for two people per room, excluding alcoholic beverages, taxes, and gratuities, once during your stay. This perk alone could be worth $300+.

Villas at the Conrad Maldives start at 925 square feet, offering plenty of space to relax and unwind. The amenities are abundant, and the service is top-notch.

The Conrad Maldives is 50-75% cheaper than other luxury resorts in the Maldives, making it a more affordable option for those looking to indulge in a luxurious getaway.

The Fairmont San Francisco is a great choice for travelers to San Francisco. It's situated centrally in the historic Nob Hill, making it an ideal location for exploring the city.

Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings at this hotel cost around $300 per night, which is a steal considering how expensive other luxury hotels in San Francisco are. This means you can enjoy 5-star service without breaking the bank.

With a $100 food and beverage credit, you'll be able to enjoy the hotel's amenities without worrying about overspending. This credit is on top of the usual perks, making your stay even more enjoyable.

American Express Travel FHR policies and procedures are designed to provide a seamless experience for its members. The program is only available to American Express Centurion members, who can earn rewards and benefits.

The FHR program allows members to book hotel rooms at a discounted rate, with savings of up to 50% off the standard rate. Members can also earn points and rewards for their bookings.

To book a hotel through FHR, members must call the American Express Travel Service at (866) 623-3907 to make a reservation. The service is available 24/7.

You can check your loan or credit application approval status without impacting your credit score. This is because most lenders allow you to check your application status online or by phone without triggering a hard credit inquiry.

Hard credit inquiries can temporarily lower your credit score, but soft inquiries do not. Soft inquiries are when you check your own credit report or application status.

Many lenders also offer online portals where you can view your application status 24/7. This way, you can stay up-to-date on the progress of your application without having to make a phone call.

In some cases, you may even be able to track your application status through a mobile app or email updates. This can be especially helpful if you're waiting for a decision on a large loan or credit limit increase.

Amex promptly takes back its $200 credit when you cancel your prepaid Fine Hotels & Resorts or The Hotel Collection booking.

We've cancelled and re-booked several times and had Amex correctly claw back and re-apply the credit multiple times on the same account. The system seems to be set up to recognize when to credit or debit based on reservation activity.

If you cancel one of multiple qualifying reservations, the credit will get clawed back. For example, if you make two separate $200 prepaid bookings and you later cancel one of them, Amex will take back the credit.

Making multiple prepaid reservations may be a way to hedge your bets, though it's untested. If you make multiple bookings and cancel one, you may have a leg to stand on with Amex to make the argument to be manually re-credited.

Single-night Fine Hotels & Resorts bookings qualify for the $200 Platinum card prepaid bookings credit. We've used this benefit multiple times for single-night bookings and can confirm this from real-world experience.

The Hotel Collection bookings require a minimum of two nights to qualify for both The Hotel Collection benefits and the credit. A single-night booking will not trigger the credit, even if it costs more than $200.

Booking through Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts can provide valuable benefits, but the program's rates are often (but not always) more expensive than booking directly.

The elitelike benefits provided on Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts stays have tangible value, making it a worthwhile choice for some trips.

Using your Amex Platinum to make a prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts booking online will earn you a 10% return via the 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent.

At some hotels, you'll still get elite benefits and earnings when booking through Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts, making it a better choice than booking directly.

Luxury travelers who don't stay at a particular brand enough to earn hotel elite status will find AmEx FHR benefits worth it.

In some cases, the perks included with each stay are more than what they would receive with top-tier status at the hotel.

Budget travelers may find it difficult to locate FHR properties that match their travel style, as these 1,500 hotels are primarily high-end hotels.

Booking directly may be cheaper, but if you snag an Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts property offering a free night, booking through the program can be significantly cheaper.