American Express Travel Rewards is a program designed to offer cardholders valuable points and benefits when booking travel through the American Express Travel portal (amextravel.com). This guide will break down the various ways you can earn and redeem Membership Rewards points, specifically focusing on travel-related perks for different American Express cards. Understanding these benefits can significantly enhance your travel experiences and maximize the value of your American Express card membership.
Earning More Points on Travel Bookings
One of the key advantages of American Express cards is the opportunity to earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel purchases made through amextravel.com. The number of bonus points you can earn varies depending on the specific American Express card you hold. Here’s a breakdown:
Double Points for Basic Membership Rewards Card Members
For those enrolled in the Membership Rewards program, using your American Express card on amextravel.com ensures you earn at least 1 Membership Rewards point for every eligible dollar spent. Furthermore, you’ll receive an additional point for each dollar spent on eligible travel purchases made on the platform. This effectively doubles your points earning on travel booked through American Express Travel, excluding Corporate Card Members from this additional point benefit.
Eligible travel purchases for this double points offer include a wide range of options booked on amextravel.com:
- Flights
- Prepaid Hotels
- Prepaid Car Rentals
- Vacation Packages (flight + hotel)
- Cruise Reservations (note: Platinum and Business Platinum Card Members receive only 1 additional point on cruise bookings)
It’s important to note that certain travel purchases are not eligible for bonus points, such as non-prepaid car rentals, non-prepaid hotels, ticketing service fees, and interest charges. Also, rewards from other Amex promotions cannot be combined with this offer. Points are typically credited to your account 10-12 weeks after final payment.
Triple Points with the Business Gold Card
The Business Gold Card elevates travel rewards, offering Basic Card Members a total of 3 Membership Rewards points for each dollar spent on eligible travel purchases. This includes the standard one point per dollar, plus an additional two bonus points.
Eligible travel purchases for the Business Gold Card’s triple points include:
- Scheduled flights booked online at amextravel.com
- Prepaid flight + hotel packages booked online at amextravel.com
- Prepaid hotel purchases made online at amextravel.com or via phone with American Express Travel Consultants
However, it’s crucial to be aware of exclusions. The 3x points benefit does not apply to:
- Non-prepaid hotel bookings
- Flights and flight+hotel packages booked over the phone
- Vacation packages (excluding flight+hotel packages as mentioned above)
- Car rentals
- Cruises
- Hotel group reservations or events
- Ticketing service, cancellation or other fees
- Interest charges
- Purchases of traveler’s checks, prepaid cards, or other cash equivalents
To ensure eligibility for the 3x points, bookings must be reserved and charged to the Business Gold Card. Modifications to reservations must also be made through amextravel.com or by calling their representatives. Cancellations can incur hotel penalties, and if hotel reservations are managed directly with the hotel, the 3x points benefit will not apply.
Gold Card: Bonus Points on Flights and Restaurants
The American Express Gold Card offers a distinct set of bonus categories, including significant rewards for travel and dining. Cardholders earn:
- 4X Points at Restaurants Worldwide: This includes 3 bonus points on top of the base point.
- 4X Points at U.S. Supermarkets: On up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases.
- 3X Points on Airfare: For scheduled flights booked directly with passenger airlines or through amextravel.com, earning 2 bonus points on top of the base point.
It’s important to note that restaurant purchases within larger establishments like hotels or casinos may not qualify for the bonus, as they might be coded differently. Similarly, purchases at bars, nightclubs, and convenience stores are excluded from the restaurant bonus category.
Green Card: Rewards Across Travel, Transit, and Restaurants
The American Express Green Card provides a versatile rewards structure, earning bonus points across several everyday categories:
- 3X Points on Travel: This broad category includes airfare, hotels, cruises, tours, car rentals, campgrounds, travel purchases on third-party travel websites, and amextravel.com bookings (2 bonus points). Timeshare purchases are excluded.
- 3X Points on Transit: Covering a wide spectrum of transit options like trains, taxis, rideshares, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways (2 bonus points).
- 3X Points at Restaurants: Similar to the Gold Card, this benefit applies to restaurant purchases (2 bonus points), but excludes establishments within hotels or certain other venues, as well as bars and similar establishments.
Platinum and Business Platinum: Leading Rewards on Travel
For frequent travelers, the Platinum Card® from American Express and the Business Platinum Card® offer the highest earning potential on travel booked through American Express Travel. Cardholders earn:
- 5X Points on amextravel.com Purchases: This significant bonus applies to eligible travel purchases made on amextravel.com, comprising 4 bonus points in addition to the base point.
- 5X Points on Airfare (Platinum Card): For the personal Platinum Card, this also extends to scheduled flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel (phone or online), on up to $500,000 per calendar year.
Eligible travel purchases for the 5x points bonus on both Platinum cards through amextravel.com include:
- Scheduled Flights
- Prepaid Hotel Purchases (including hotels and flight+hotel packages)
However, certain exclusions apply:
- Non-prepaid hotel bookings
- Car rentals
- Cruises
- Hotel group reservations or events
- Ticketing service, cancellation or other fees
- Interest charges
- Purchases of traveler’s checks, prepaid cards, or other cash equivalents
Similar to the Business Gold Card, modifications to reservations for maximizing the 5x points must be made through amextravel.com or by contacting their representatives. Hotel reservations modified directly with the hotel will not qualify for the bonus points.
Maximizing Benefits with Hotel Programs and Credits
Beyond bonus points, American Express Travel Rewards offers exclusive programs and credits designed to enhance hotel stays booked through their platform.
Fine Hotels + Resorts® (FHR)
The Fine Hotels + Resorts program is a premium offering for Platinum Card and Centurion Members. Bookings through FHR provide a suite of luxury benefits, including:
- Noon Check-in: Subject to availability.
- Room Upgrade: Upon arrival, also subject to availability.
- Daily Breakfast for Two: Valued at a minimum of US$60 per day, per room.
- Guaranteed 4 PM Late Check-out.
- US$100 Experience Credit: To be used on-property for dining, spa, and other eligible amenities, varying by property.
- Complimentary Wi-Fi.
These benefits combine to offer significant value and elevate the hotel experience. It is important to book FHR properties through American Express Travel to avail these perks.
The Hotel Collection (THC)
The Hotel Collection is another valuable program, accessible to Gold Card, Platinum Card, and Centurion Members. Bookings of two or more consecutive nights through THC come with benefits like:
- Room Upgrade: Subject to availability upon check-in.
- US$100 Hotel Credit: For eligible spending during your stay.
THC offers a wider range of hotel options compared to FHR, making it a versatile choice for various travel needs.
$200 Hotel Credit for Platinum Card Members
U.S. Consumer Platinum Card Members can leverage up to $200 in statement credits annually for prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings made through American Express Travel. This credit significantly offsets the cost of luxury hotel stays booked through these programs, further enhancing the value proposition for Platinum cardholders. Additional Gold Cards on Platinum accounts can also utilize this credit for THC bookings.
Lowest Hotel Rate Guarantee
American Express Travel offers a “Lowest Hotel Rate Guarantee” for bookings made on amextravel.com. If you find a lower publicly available rate for the same hotel, room type, dates, and guest occupancy online, American Express will refund you the difference. Claims must be submitted prior to check-in for prepaid bookings or within 30 days after completing the stay for “pay later” bookings.
Redeeming Membership Rewards Points for Travel
American Express Membership Rewards points offer flexibility in redemption, and travel is a popular and often high-value option.
Pay with Points
The “Pay with Points” feature allows you to use your Membership Rewards points to cover eligible travel purchases made through American Express Travel. This provides a straightforward way to offset travel costs directly with your accumulated points. Eligible purchases exclude non-prepaid car rentals and hotels. Points are deducted from your account, and a corresponding credit is applied to your American Express card statement.
Membership Rewards Program Overview
The Membership Rewards program encompasses a wide range of redemption options beyond travel, including gift cards, merchandise, and statement credits. However, for maximizing value, particularly for travel enthusiasts, leveraging points for flights and hotels through Amex Travel, or transferring to partner airlines and hotels, often yields the best returns. The value of Membership Rewards points can vary depending on the redemption method chosen, and it’s advisable to explore different options to find the most advantageous use for your points.
Conclusion
American Express Travel Rewards provides a robust ecosystem of benefits for cardholders who book travel through amextravel.com. From earning bonus points on various card types to accessing exclusive hotel programs and credits, understanding and utilizing these rewards can significantly enhance your travel experiences and maximize the value of your American Express membership. By strategically using the right American Express card for your travel bookings, you can unlock a world of premium travel benefits and rewards.
