One of the most valuable travel perks on the American Express Platinum Card® and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is the hotel statement credit — a benefit that can make luxury stays far more affordable.
Cardmembers receive up to $600 in hotel statement credits each calendar year (up to $300 biannually) for prepaid bookings with Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection properties through American Express Travel®. (THC requires a minimum two-night stay.)
The Platinum’s hotel credit was increased in the card’s latest refresh, while the credit was added to the Business Platinum as a new benefit.
Let’s walk through how to maximize this benefit.
What is the Amex Platinum and Business Platinum prepaid hotel credit?
Platinum and Business Platinum cardmembers receive up to $600 back in statement credits each calendar year when they make bookings through Amex FHR or THC.
The benefit is earned as an up to $300 statement credit every six months — one for January to June and the other for July to December.
Amex FHR provides true elitelike benefits when you book at more than 3,100 luxury properties worldwide, including:
- Complimentary daily breakfast for two
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout
- Noon check-in*
- Room upgrade upon arrival*
- A $100 experience credit, unique to each property
Booking with THC also provides solid benefits (though not as many as FHR):
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- Noon check-in*
- Late checkout*
- Room upgrade upon arrival*
- A $100 credit toward eligible charges, such as food and beverage and spa treatments
*Subject to availability
Keep in mind that you must book a stay of at least two nights with THC, while FHR does not have any minimum stay requirements.
Not all hotels are eligible for the prepaid hotel credit. Your hotel must be booked with Amex Travel and specifically part of FHR or THC for the credit to kick in.
How to use the Amex Platinum and Business Platinum prepaid hotel credit
Unlike other Platinum or Business Platinum credits, you don’t have to register for the prepaid hotel credit before using it.
To get started, you can either head to Amex Travel directly to search for a hotel or navigate to the FHR and THC landing page.
Searching on the general Amex Travel site, you can filter hotels based on their program affiliation as FHR and THC properties.
Then, go through the booking process as you typically would and use your card to pay for your reservation.
American Express states it may take up to 90 days for your statement credit to post, but it usually takes only three days on average. In my experience, a recent FHR booking was credited to my card within a day.
How to maximize the Amex Platinum and Business Platinum hotel credit
To get the most out of your credit, start by browsing FHR properties that are priced competitively. Here, your credit can stretch further thanks to competitive nightly rates and generous on-property perks, both of which can enhance your stay without extra out-of-pocket costs.
Additionally, keep an eye out for limited-time promotions. These deals can sometimes include a bonus night when you book a minimum stay, effectively lowering your nightly rate.
For example, TPG contributing credit cards editor Matt Moffitt recently booked a three-night stay at InterContinental Athénée Palace Bucharest in Romania and only paid for two nights because the third night was complimentary. His total stay was $441, meaning his out-of-pocket cost was only $141 (taking into account the credit).
And you don’t have to use all $300 of your hotel credit on a single reservation. The credit is issued twice per year and you can apply it across multiple bookings if you prefer. This flexibility means you could, for example, use part of the credit on a shorter stay at a lower-priced FHR or THC property, then apply the remainder toward another reservation later in the same six-month period.
However, because many participating hotels are at higher price points, combining the credit with a promotion like a free night offer is often the most effective way to maximize the value of your credit.
Related: I rarely stay at major hotel chains — here’s how I maximize my reward travel anyway
Key considerations
Maximizing this credit goes beyond just finding the right hotel — it’s also about understanding the fine print around cancellations, elite perks and who can actually use the credit.
Changes and cancellations
Keep in mind that statement credits from your Amex Platinum or Amex Business Platinum may not be received or may be reversed if the booking is canceled or modified. If you need to change your booking dates, it’s best practice to call Amex Travel to see if you are eligible to do so.
If the booking is canceled, you may find that your hotel credit has been clawed back from Amex — even if you receive a refund. You may not receive another credit until the next six-month cycle.
Elite status benefits
As mentioned above, bookings through FHR and THC come with their own suite of benefits. So, whether or not you’ll receive benefits from being an elite status member with a brand like Hilton or Marriott depends on where you stay.
Some properties will still provide your loyalty benefits, but not all do. Matt’s experience has been positive, with his two most recent THC stays (at a Hilton property in Porto, Portugal, and an IHG hotel in Madrid, Spain) honoring his elite status.
Authorized users
Finally, note that Platinum and Business Platinum authorized users do not receive their own hotel credit. However, the benefit can be split across all cards on the account.
Related: A comparison of luxury hotel programs from credit card issuers
Bottom line
The prepaid hotel credit on the American Express Platinum and Business Platinum is one of the most valuable benefits on each card.
If you’re able to fully use the credit (or even come close) you’ll already be getting excellent value from your card. The properties bookable through the American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts and The Hotel Collection program are highly-rated premium properties, offering elevated stays thanks to your card’s benefits.
Pairing this credit with an FHR or THC promotion can turn a premium hotel stay into an exceptional deal.
To learn more, read our full reviews of the American Express Platinum and Business Platinum.
Apply here: American Express Platinum
Apply here: American Express Business Platinum
