
As an American Express cardholder, you're already ahead of the game when it comes to travel perks. With the American Express Travel Guide, you can unlock exclusive discounts on flights and hotels.
One of the best ways to save is by booking your flights and hotels together as a package, which can often lead to significant savings of up to 50% compared to booking separately.
Intriguing read: Booking Travel through American Express
Who Can Use?
American Express Travel is reserved for American Express cardholders, who can earn rewards and unlock exclusive features.
You can earn 5x points on flights booked directly with an airline or through AmEx Travel, and 5x points on prepaid hotels booked through AmEx Travel, if you have The Platinum Card from American Express.
American Express Gold Card and The Platinum Card from American Express cardholders can book room reservations with The Hotel Collection through the travel portal.
The Platinum Card from American Express cardholders also have access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts collection through the travel portal.
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Benefits and Features
Booking travel with AmEx Travel can be a great idea, especially with the 3 points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel. This can really add up and make your travel more rewarding.
You can also earn 1 point per $1 on other eligible purchases, which is a nice bonus. Plus, you'll get 2 points per $1 on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases made through American Express Travel.
One of the most valuable benefits is the $200 Airline Fee Credit, which can help offset the costs of incidental travel fees on one selected qualifying airline. This can be a huge help when you're booking flights or checking bags.
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$200 Airline Fee Credit
The $200 Airline Fee Credit is a fantastic perk for travelers who frequently book flights with a qualifying airline. You can receive up to $200 per calendar year in statement credits when you charge incidental travel fees to your eligible Card account.
To be eligible, you need to select a qualifying airline and charge their incidental fees to your Card account. This can include fees like baggage fees, change fees, or seat selection fees.
One airline to consider is the one you fly with most often – it might be worth selecting them as your qualifying airline.
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Vs. Cash
When booking travel, you have two main options: paying with cash or using your points. If you choose to use points, you'll want to know the value you're getting. With American Express Travel, you can expect a value of 1 cent per point when using Pay with Points.
However, if you're an Amex Business Platinum cardmember, you can get 35% of your points back when paying with points on Amex Travel. This can provide a value of 1.54 cents per point.
You can also pay with a combination of points and cash. The minimum number of points you can use is 5,000. Each point is valued at 1 cent.
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Here's a comparison of the points earned with different Amex cards when booking travel through Amex Travel, booking directly with airlines, and booking on other travel portals:
Hotel Booking
You can book hotels through American Express Travel with a Gold, Platinum or Centurion card.
As a Platinum or Business Platinum cardmember, you'll earn 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotel reservations, which can be a great perk.
To book a hotel, simply input your destination, dates, number of rooms and number of guests, including separate fields for adults and children.
You'll then choose your preferred room and pay with points or cash, with a value of 0.7 cents per point for hotel bookings compared to 1 cent for flights.
Note that these bookings are considered third-party, so you may not earn hotel points or elite credits for your stay.
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Booking Hotels
Booking hotels through American Express Travel is a convenient option, especially if you have a Gold, Platinum, or Centurion card. You can book hotels with a minimum stay of two nights through the Fine Hotels + Resorts program or The Hotel Collection.
To book hotels, log in to your American Express account and select the "Hotels" option. You can then input your destination, dates, number of rooms, and number of guests. Separate input fields are available for adults and children.
You'll earn 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotel reservations with a Platinum or Business Platinum card. However, these bookings are considered third-party reservations, so you may not earn hotel points or elite credits for your stay.
The Fine Hotels + Resorts program offers additional benefits, including a room upgrade upon arrival (when available), daily breakfast for two people, guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout, noon check-in when available, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a unique property amenity valued at $100 or more.
Here's a comparison of the benefits offered by the Fine Hotels + Resorts program and The Hotel Collection:
Note that the $100 on-property credit for The Hotel Collection can be used for qualifying dining, spa, and resort activities.
The Hotel Collection
The Hotel Collection is a program that allows you to book hotels with benefits, available to Amex Gold, Platinum, and Centurion cardholders.
You can book hotels through American Express Travel, and as a Platinum or Business Platinum cardmember, you'll earn 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotel reservations.
The Hotel Collection offers a room upgrade at check-in (if available) and a $100 on-property credit for qualifying dining, spa, and resort activities.
To book a hotel through The Hotel Collection, you'll need to stay for at least two nights, and the booking is eligible for the $200 hotel credit on the Amex Platinum.
The Hotel Collection bookings also offer additional onboard amenities, such as $100-$500 in onboard ship credit, which cannot be used for casino or gratuity charges.
Here are the benefits you can expect from The Hotel Collection:
- Room upgrade at check-in (if available)
- $100 on-property credit for qualifying dining, spa, and resort activities
- $100-$500 in onboard ship credit
- Additional onboard amenities, such as spa vouchers, a bottle of Champagne, shore excursion credits, or a private ship tour
Travel Insurance and Protection
Travel insurance can be a lifesaver, especially when booking through AmEx Travel. You may already have a card that offers complimentary travel insurance, so it's worth checking.
If you don't have travel insurance perks through your AmEx card, you can purchase Trip Cancel Guard when making your booking. This policy allows you to cancel your trip for any reason and get up to a 75% reimbursement of your travel costs.
To be eligible for reimbursement, you must cancel your trip two full days before departure. This gives you a bit of flexibility in case something unexpected comes up.
Rewards and Credits
You can earn up to 5X points on flights booked through the Amex Travel portal, and prepaid hotel reservations also earn extra points. The Amex Travel portal offers a range of cards that earn bonus points for bookings, including the Platinum Card, American Express Gold Card, and American Express Green Card.
If you have The Business Platinum Card, you can receive up to 35% of your points back when booking flights using points through the Amex travel portal. This benefit is available on first or business class flights on any airline and all economy flights with your chosen airline.
To take advantage of these rewards, be sure to book your travel through the Amex Travel portal and use your eligible American Express card. You can also earn bonus points or receive partial rebates when redeeming MR points for flights, depending on your credit card.
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Earn Up to 5x
Earning up to 5x points is a game-changer for travel enthusiasts. You can earn 5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel, on up to $500,000 spent per year.
The Platinum Card from American Express offers this benefit, allowing you to earn 5x points on flights. This can add up quickly, especially if you're a frequent traveler.
You can also earn 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. This is a great way to earn points on your hotel stays, in addition to the points you earn on your flights.
Some American Express cards offer bonus points on other purchases as well, such as 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, or 2 points per dollar on the first $50,000 in purchases each calendar year.
Here are some American Express cards that offer bonus points on travel and other purchases:
Keep in mind that these benefits may have spending limits or other restrictions, so be sure to check your card's terms and conditions for more information.
6.35% Rebate with Business Platinum Card
The Business Platinum Card from American Express offers a 35% points rebate on flights booked through the AmEx travel portal. This rebate is available on first or business class flights on any airline and all economy flights with your chosen airline.
The rebate provides up to 500,000 points back per calendar year, which can be a significant perk for frequent flyers. However, you'll need to designate the airline for the rebate and ensure it matches the one chosen for the $200 airline incidental credit.
To qualify for the rebate, you must book your flights using points through the AmEx travel portal. This means you can't use the rebate if you book flights directly with the airline or through a different travel portal.
If you're a Business Platinum Cardholder, it's worth exploring the AmEx travel portal to see if you can take advantage of this rebate. Just be sure to choose your airline carefully and book your flights using points to maximize your rewards.
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$200 Hotel Credit
The $200 Hotel Credit is a great perk for American Express Platinum Card holders. You can get up to $200 back in statement credits each year for prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings or The Hotel Collection bookings of two nights or more through American Express Travel when you pay with your eligible Platinum Card.
This credit is a nice bonus, especially if you're planning a luxury getaway. To be eligible, you'll need to book through the American Express Travel portal and pay with your Platinum Card.
If you're not sure which hotels participate in the Fine Hotels + Resorts program, there are over 2,000 properties worldwide that offer these benefits.
ETicket Flight Credits
You can redeem your eTicket Flight Credits with Amex Travel, and learn about your redemption options and expiration and ticket details.
eTicket Flight Credits are available for redemption, and you can explore your options to use them towards your next flight.
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If you have eTicket Flight Credits, you can find out more about how to use them by visiting Amex Travel.
You can earn eTicket Flight Credits by using your Amex card for travel bookings, but the specifics on how to earn them aren't mentioned here.
Redeeming eTicket Flight Credits is a great way to get the most out of your travel rewards, and Amex Travel can help you make the most of them.
To redeem your eTicket Flight Credits, you'll need to visit Amex Travel and follow their instructions.
You can find more information on how to redeem your eTicket Flight Credits and their expiration details by visiting Amex Travel.
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Lounge Access and Perks
As a Platinum Card Member, you can enjoy access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting.
You can find a lounge that suits your travel plans by searching online.
Platinum Card Members can also enjoy special offers with Fine Hotels + Resorts, which includes perks like room upgrades and breakfast.
Fine Hotels + Resorts offers exclusive benefits at over 1,000 luxury hotels worldwide.
Membership Rewards points can be earned and redeemed for travel-related expenses, making your trips more rewarding.
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Booking and Payment
You can book travel on the American Express travel portal, which is often quicker and more convenient than booking over the phone with an agent. To get started, go to americanexpress.com/en-us/travel/ and log in with your username and password.
The booking process is similar to other popular sites, and you can even customize your booking by selecting your preferred class and the number of travelers. You can also use the options on the left-hand side to filter flights by number of stops, departure and arrival times, flight duration and airline.
To pay for your travel, you can use your American Express credit card, points, or a combination of both. You must redeem at least 5,000 points in order to use Pay with Points, and the value of your points will depend on the type of travel you're booking.
Here's a breakdown of the Pay with Points redemption rates:
- Flights or Fine Hotels & Resorts reservations: 1 cent per point
- Other eligible travel: 0.7 cents per point
- Membership Rewards points transferred to travel partners: 1.2 cents per point
How to Use Pay
To use Pay with Points, you'll need to have at least 5,000 points in your American Express account. You can then use these points to pay for all or part of your qualified booking.
Pay with Points can be used to pay for flights, hotels, and more, and you can even choose to pay a portion of the trip with points and the rest with cash. The points will be redeemed at a value of 1 cent per point when booking flights or making Fine Hotels & Resorts reservations, but only 0.7 cents per point for other eligible travel.
If you need to cancel your reservation, you'll receive a statement credit on your card for the cash equivalent. If you'd rather have the unused Membership Rewards points returned to your account, you'll need to contact American Express customer service at 800-297-3276.
The redemption rates for Pay with Points are as follows:
Cancellation Policy Overview
If you book travel through the American Express travel portal, you may be eligible to cancel your reservation within 24 hours and get a full refund.
The cancellation policy is determined by the airline, so it's best to refer to the cancellation policy on the itinerary or reach out to customer service with any questions.
To cancel your trip and receive a refund, you'll need to do so at least two calendar days out from your departure date if you purchased Trip Cancel Guard coverage.
You can request reimbursement online or over the phone if you need to cancel your trip.
Trip Cancel Guard coverage will get you up to a 75% reimbursement on nonrefundable airfare costs if you cancel your trip.
Travel Arrangements
Booking cruises and car rentals through the Amex Travel portal is a great way to use your Membership Rewards points. You can search by cruise line, destination, travel dates, and sailing duration.
The prices shown reflect the cost per person, based on double occupancy cabins. Depending on your card and cruise options, you can redeem Amex MR points for a portion of or all of your sailing.
Booking a cruise through the Amex Travel portal can earn you 2X points per dollar spent, and if you have a Platinum Card or Business Platinum Card, you can score stateroom credits of $100–$300 and other onboard perks through the Cruise Privileges program.
To book a car rental, simply plug in your destination, whether you want to drop the car off in the same place or in a different location, your dates, and the time you want to begin and end your rental.
You can filter car rental results by type, price, pick-up location, rental car company, and features like unlimited mileage or automatic vs. manual transmission. Sort results by distance or total price to find the best option.
Choosing to pay now when booking a car rental means you can use MR points to book part of or all of your prepaid rental, while paying later earns you 2X points per dollar.
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Redeeming Rewards
You can redeem your American Express travel rewards points for flights, hotels, and other travel expenses through the Amex Travel portal.
If you have eTicket Flight Credits available, you can redeem them for flights. You can also earn points when booking flights through the Amex Travel portal, with some cards offering bonus points or partial rebates.
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The Platinum Card from American Express offers 5X points on flights booked through the Amex Travel portal or directly with the airline, up to $500,000 worth of flights per calendar year.
The Business Platinum Card gives cardholders a 35% points rebate when redeeming MR points for economy flights with their preferred airline or booking premium-class flights through the portal, up to 500,000 points per calendar year.
You can also use your points to cover airline incidental fees, such as checked bag fees, change fees, and pet fees, with some cards offering up to a $200 Airline Fee Credit per calendar year.
Here are some American Express travel rewards cards that can help you get started:
- The Platinum Card from American Express: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 within the first six months of card membership.
- American Express Gold Card: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- American Express Green Card: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express: Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the card within your first 3 months of card membership.
- The Business Platinum Card from American Express: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the card within your first 3 months of card membership.
- American Express Business Gold Card: Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
Platinum Card Benefits
Booking travel on AmEx Travel can be a great idea, especially with the rewards you can earn. You can earn 1 point per $1 on other eligible purchases.
If you book flights directly with airlines or through American Express Travel, you'll earn 3 points per $1. This is a great way to rack up points quickly.
For prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases made through American Express Travel, you'll earn 2 points per $1. This is a nice bonus for those who plan ahead.
You can earn 3 points per $1 on eligible travel purchases, which is a great incentive to book your travel through AmEx.
Insider Fares and Discounts
Insider Fares offers flight deals that require fewer Membership Rewards points to book. This can be a great option for those with limited points.
You can access these deals at AmexTravel.com if you have enough points to cover the entire fare. Terms apply, so be sure to check those before booking.
Platinum cardholders can also enjoy discounted international flights through the International Airline Program (IAP), with 25 participating airlines to choose from. You can book refundable and nonrefundable tickets for up to eight passengers, paid with your card, points, or a combination of both.
A nonrefundable ticketing fee of $39 applies, but the discount you receive should outweigh this cost. You'll also earn 5x Membership Rewards points on the booking when using your Platinum Card to pay for the flight.
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Fine Hotels and Rentals
Fine Hotels and Rentals offer a range of benefits to Platinum Card members, including over 2,000 properties worldwide to choose from. With Fine Hotels & Resorts, you'll receive a $200 statement credit provided once per year.
You'll also get noon check-in (when available), room upgrade upon arrival (when available), daily breakfast for two, and guaranteed 4 pm late checkout. Complimentary in-room WiFi is also included, along with a unique property benefit valued at least $100.
Some hotels, like the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando, offer especially-unique amenities, such as complimentary Universal Express Unlimited ride access.
Fine Hotels & Resorts
The Fine Hotels & Resorts program is a game-changer for travelers who want to experience luxury without breaking the bank. With over 2,000 properties worldwide participating, you'll have plenty of options to choose from.
One of the best things about FHR is the range of benefits you'll receive, including a $200 statement credit, noon check-in, room upgrade upon arrival, daily breakfast for two, and a unique property benefit valued at least $100. These perks rival those of elite status perks, making FHR a great option for travelers who don't have hotel loyalty programs.
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You can book FHR reservations through American Express Travel, and as a Platinum Card member, you'll receive a $200 statement credit for prepaid reservations. This credit can be redeemed once per year, and it's a great way to offset the cost of your stay.
Some locations offer a last-night free benefit, depending on when you make your reservation, so be sure to check the fine print. And if you're a theme park fan, you'll love the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel in Orlando, which offers complimentary Universal Express Unlimited ride access in addition to the standard FHR benefits.
Here are the standard benefits you'll receive with every FHR booking:
- Room upgrade upon arrival (when available)
- Daily breakfast for two
- Guaranteed 4 pm late checkout
- Noon check-in when available
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Unique property amenity valued at $100 or more
These benefits are available regardless of the length of your stay, making FHR a great option for both short and long trips.
Rentals: Cars & Cruises
Reserving a car through the Amex Travel portal is relatively simple, just input your pickup and drop-off times and location.
You can see rental car prices listed in cash and points, with points valued at 0.7 cents each.
To book a cruise on Amex Travel, you'll see four drop-down menus to choose a destination, filter by cruise lines, select a month for travel, and choose a cruise duration.
You can filter your results by cruise duration, departure port, and ship, and sort them by sailing date, value, price, or ship rating.
Using points for a cruise will result in a low valuation of 0.7 cents per point, but it can be a money-saving option if you prefer not to spend cash.
The Platinum cardmember must be one of the travelers on the cruise to enjoy these benefits.
Membership Rewards
Earning Membership Rewards points is a great way to get the most out of your American Express travel experiences. You can earn points by booking flights, hotels, and other travel needs through the Amex Travel portal with an American Express branded credit card.
The Amex Travel portal allows you to pay for travel with cash, but you'll need a card that earns Membership Rewards points to view the number of points required for a booking.
Several American Express travel rewards cards offer lucrative welcome offers to help you get started. Here are some of the cards and their corresponding welcome offers:
Having The Platinum Card or The Business Platinum Card also gives you the opportunity to earn bonus points or receive partial rebates when redeeming MR points for flights. For example, The Platinum Card lets cardholders earn 5X points on flights booked through the Amex Travel portal or directly with the airline on up to $500,000 worth of flights per calendar year.
You can also use these cards to cover checked bag fees, change fees, and other incidental fees with your preferred airline, thanks to the up to $200 Airline Fee Credit.
Terms & Conditions
At American Express Travel, we want you to feel confident and protected when booking your trip. Our Terms & Conditions outline the rules and regulations that govern our services.
We require a valid credit card to secure your booking, and a deposit is usually required at the time of booking, which can range from 10% to 50% of the total cost.
You're responsible for ensuring that all information provided to us is accurate and complete. This includes your name, address, and contact details.
Changes to your booking can be made, but may incur a fee, which can be up to $99 per person, depending on the type of change.
If you need to cancel your booking, you'll need to do so within the cancellation period specified in your booking confirmation, which can range from 24 to 72 hours depending on the type of travel.
We'll refund any unused portions of your booking, minus any fees or penalties incurred. Refunds are usually processed within 5-7 business days.
What is a Portal?
A portal is a website or platform that provides access to multiple services or features. Think of it like a one-stop shop where you can find and use various tools in one place.
Amex Travel is a great example of a portal, as it allows users to book flights, hotels, rental cars, and cruises all in one spot. You can even pay with points, cash, or a combination of the two.
Using a portal like Amex Travel can be super convenient, especially if you're planning a trip and want to book everything at once. It saves you time and effort, and you can even earn rewards points along the way.
Final Thoughts and Bottom Line
The AmEx travel portal is a game-changer for American Express cardholders, offering numerous benefits and perks. You can pay for all or part of eligible travel reservations using your points, and any portion paid with your Membership Rewards card can earn up to 5x points.

Booking through the AmEx travel portal is a simple way to redeem your MR points, but you'll usually get more value if you transfer them to an airline or hotel partner's loyalty program. This is because transferring points typically yields more rewards.
If you do book through the AmEx travel portal, keep in mind that your points are worth 1 cent per point towards flights and 0.7 cents apiece towards other travel, except when booking a Fine Hotels + Resorts property. This is a crucial consideration when planning your trip.
Ultimately, the AmEx travel portal offers a convenient and user-friendly way to book travel and earn rewards, but it's essential to weigh the benefits against the potential value of transferring your points to airline or hotel partners.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifies as travel for Amex?
Eligible travel includes flights, prepaid hotels, car rentals, and cruises booked through American Express Travel
Is American Airlines a travel partner with American Express?
American Airlines is not a direct transfer partner with American Express, but you can still book AA flights through Amex Travel or partner airlines like British Airways and Qantas. For more details on using Amex points with AA, see our full guide.
Sources
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/amex-travel-portal-guide
- https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/travel/help-center/
- https://thepointsguy.com/loyalty-programs/amex-travel-guide/
- https://www.cnbc.com/select/how-to-use-the-amex-travel-portal-booking-flights-hotels-and-more/
- https://www.travelandleisure.com/american-express-point-me-rewards-flights-8607426
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