One of the most valuable travel perks American Express Platinum Card® and American Express Business Platinum Card® is Hotel Statement Points—a benefit that makes a luxury stay more affordable.
Cardmembers can earn up to $600 in hotel bill points per year (up to $300 every two years) when they book a prepaid stay at a Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection hotel through American Express Travel®. (THC requires a two-night minimum stay.)
In the latest update to the card, hotel points have been increased on the Platinum Card, while points have been added as a new benefit to the Business Platinum Card.
Let’s take a look at how to maximize this advantage.
What are American Express Platinum and Business Platinum Prepaid Hotel Points?
platinum and Business Platinum Card Cardmembers can receive up to $600 in statement points back each calendar year when booking through Amex FHR or THC.
This benefit can earn you up to $300 in statement credits every six months, one from January to June and one from July to December.
Amex FHR offers truly elite benefits when you book at more than 3,100 luxury hotels worldwide, including:
- Free daily breakfast for two
- Free Wi-Fi
- Guaranteed late check-out at 4pm
- Check in at noon*
- Room upgrade upon arrival*
- Each hotel has a unique $100 experience credit
Pre-ordering with THC also offers tangible benefits (although not as many as with FHR):
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- Check in at noon*
- Late check-out*
- Room upgrade upon arrival*
- The $100 credit can be used to pay for qualified expenses, such as dining and spa treatments
*Subject to availability
Keep in mind that you must book a minimum stay of two nights through THC, while FHR does not have any minimum stay requirement.
Not all hotels are eligible for prepaid hotel points. Your hotel must be booked through Amex Travel, specifically as part of FHR or THC, to earn points.
How to Prepay Hotel Points with the American Express Platinum and Business Platinum Cards
different from others platinum or Business Platinum Card Points, you don’t need to register for prepaid hotel points before using them.
First, you can go directly to Amex Travel to search for a hotel, or navigate to the FHR and THC landing pages.
When searching on the general Amex Travel website, you can filter hotels based on their program affiliation, such as FHR and THC Hotels.
Then, complete the booking process as usual and pay for your booking using your card.
American Express says it can take up to 90 days for your statement to post, but it usually only takes an average of three days. In my experience, recent FHR bookings were credited to my card within a day.
How to Maximize American Express Platinum and Business Platinum Hotel Points
To make the most of your credit, start by browsing competitively priced FHR properties. Here, your credit can be further extended thanks to competitive nightly rates and generous on-property benefits, both of which enhance your stay without additional out-of-pocket costs.
Also, keep an eye out for limited-time promotions. These deals can sometimes offer bonus nights when you book the minimum stay, effectively lowering your nightly rate.
For example, TPG credit card contributing editor Matt Moffitt recently booked a three-night stay at the InterContinental Bucharest, Romania, but only paid for two nights because the third night was free. His total lodging cost was $441, which meant his out-of-pocket expense was only $141 (taking into account credits).
And you don’t have to use up $300 in hotel points on one booking. The points are issued twice a year and you can apply them to multiple bookings if you wish. This flexibility means you can use some of your points for a shorter stay at a lower-priced FHR or THC hotel, and then use the remainder toward another booking within the same six-month period.
However, since many participating hotels have higher prices, combining points with promotions like free night offers is often the most effective way to maximize the value of your points.
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Key considerations
Making the most of this point isn’t just about finding the right hotel, it’s also about understanding the fine print around cancellations, elite benefits, and who can actually use the points.
Changes and cancellations
Remember, this statement comes from your American Express Platinum Card or American Express Business Platinum Card If a reservation is canceled or modified, it may not be received or may be revoked. If you need to change the dates of your reservation, it is best to call Amex Travel to see if you are eligible to do so.
If your reservation is canceled, you may find that your hotel points have been charged back to your American Express card—even if you receive a refund. You may not receive another credit until the next six-month cycle.
Elite status benefits
As mentioned above, booking with FHR and THC comes with its own set of benefits. So whether you’ll get the benefits of elite status from a brand like Hilton or Marriott depends on where you stay.
Some hotels will still offer you loyalty benefits, but not all will. Matt’s experience has been extremely positive, and his two most recent THC stays (Hilton Hotel in Porto, Portugal and IHG Hotel in Madrid, Spain) underscore his elite status.
authorized user
Finally, please note that Platinum and Business Platinum authorized users do not receive their own hotel points. However, the benefit can be distributed to all cards in the account.
Related: Luxury hotel plans compared by credit card issuers
bottom line
Prepaid hotel points American Express Platinum Card and Business Platinum Card is one of the most valuable benefits on every card.
If you’re able to max out your credit card (or even come close), you’re already getting great value from your card. Hotels booked through the American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts and The Hotel Collection programs are high-quality, highly rated hotels that enhance your stay with your card’s benefits.
Combine this points with FHR or THC promotions to turn a premium hotel stay into a great deal.
To learn more, read our full review of the American Express Platinum Card and Business Platinum Card.
Apply here: American Express Platinum Card
Apply here: American Express Business Platinum Card
