For American Express cardholders, the world of travel is not just about destinations; it’s also about rewards. Amex Travel Services, the dedicated travel platform for American Express members, offers a unique opportunity to amplify your Membership Rewards points and unlock exclusive benefits. Understanding how to leverage Amex Travel Services can significantly enhance your travel experiences while making your points work harder for you. This guide will walk you through the key advantages and features of Amex Travel Services, ensuring you make the most of every journey.
Understanding Amex Travel Services and Membership Rewards
American Express Membership Rewards is a program designed to reward cardholders for their spending. By using your eligible American Express card for purchases, you accumulate points that can be redeemed for various rewards, including travel. Amex Travel Services (amextravel.com) acts as a central hub where card members can book flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and vacation packages, all while maximizing their point earnings.
Different American Express cards offer varying levels of rewards and benefits when used with Amex Travel Services. Whether you hold a Platinum, Business Platinum, Gold, Business Gold, or Green Card, there are specific advantages tailored to each card type within the Amex Travel ecosystem. It’s crucial to understand these nuances to strategically plan your bookings and optimize your rewards.
Boost Your Points: Earning Multipliers with Amex Travel
One of the most compelling reasons to use Amex Travel Services is the opportunity to earn bonus Membership Rewards points on eligible travel purchases. Depending on your American Express card, you can earn significantly more points compared to booking directly or through other travel platforms.
2X Points for Everyday Card Members
For general Membership Rewards-enrolled Card Members, Amex Travel Services provides a baseline bonus. You’ll earn at least 1 Membership Rewards point for every eligible dollar spent on your enrolled American Express Card, and an additional point for each dollar of eligible travel purchases made on amextravel.com. This effectively doubles your points earning on travel booked through the platform.
Eligible travel purchases include a wide range of bookings made on amextravel.com such as:
- Flights
- Prepaid Hotels
- Prepaid Car Rentals
- Vacation Packages (flight + hotel)
- Cruise Reservations (only Platinum and Business Platinum Card Members are eligible for the additional point on cruise reservations)
It’s important to note that certain purchases are not eligible for the bonus points, including:
- Non-prepaid car rentals
- Non-prepaid hotels
- Ticketing service or other fees
- Interest charges
Keep in mind that this offer cannot be combined with other bonus offers from American Express. Points are typically credited to your account 10-12 weeks after final payment.
3X Points with Business Gold Card
The American Express Business Gold Card steps up the rewards for business travelers. Basic Card Members earn a total of 3 Membership Rewards points for each dollar spent on eligible travel purchases when using their Business Gold Card and booking through Amex Travel Services.
This enhanced earning applies to:
- Scheduled flights booked online at amextravel.com
- Prepaid flight+hotel packages booked online at amextravel.com
- Prepaid hotel purchases made online at amextravel.com
- Prepaid hotel purchases made through American Express Travel over the phone
However, the 3x points benefit does not extend to:
- Non-prepaid hotel bookings
- Scheduled flights and prepaid flight+hotel packages booked over the phone
- Vacation packages
- Car rentals
- Cruises
- Hotel group reservations or events
To ensure you receive the 3x points, bookings must be reserved and charged to the Business Gold Card. Modifications should also be made through amextravel.com or by calling Amex Travel. Points are usually credited 6-10 weeks after the purchase appears on your billing statement.
5X Points with Platinum and Business Platinum Cards
For premium travel rewards, the Platinum Card® and Business Platinum Card® from American Express offer the most lucrative earning potential with Amex Travel Services. Card Members earn a total of 5 Membership Rewards points for each dollar spent on eligible travel purchases made on amextravel.com.
Eligible purchases for the 5x points multiplier include:
- Scheduled flights booked on amextravel.com
- Prepaid hotel purchases (including hotels and flight+hotel packages) booked on amextravel.com
- Eligible air purchases of scheduled flights made directly with passenger airlines or through American Express Travel (via phone or online) – limited to the first $500,000 per calendar year for Platinum Card®.
Conversely, the 5x points benefit excludes:
- Non-prepaid hotel bookings
- Car rentals
- Cruises
- Hotel group reservations or events
Similar to the Business Gold Card, to qualify for 5x points, travel must be reserved and charged using the eligible Platinum card. Changes to reservations should be made via amextravel.com or by contacting Amex Travel. Points are typically credited 10-12 weeks after final payment for air, prepaid hotel, and travel packages.
Exclusive Hotel Programs: Fine Hotels + Resorts & The Hotel Collection
Beyond bonus points, Amex Travel Services unlocks access to two exceptional hotel programs: Fine Hotels + Resorts® (FHR) and The Hotel Collection (THC). These programs provide premium benefits and elevated experiences at luxury properties worldwide, exclusively for eligible American Express Card Members.
Fine Hotels + Resorts® (FHR) is available to U.S. Consumer, Business, and Corporate Platinum Card® Members, and Centurion® Members. Bookings through FHR on Amex Travel Services come with a suite of valuable benefits, including:
- Noon Check-in: Subject to availability, allowing you to start your stay earlier.
- Room Upgrade: Upon arrival, based on availability, offering a chance to enjoy a more luxurious room.
- Daily Breakfast for Two: Typically valued at a minimum of $60 per room per day, providing a delightful start to your day.
- Guaranteed 4 PM Late Check-out: Enjoy your room longer on your departure day.
- US$100 Experience Credit: To be used on eligible charges during your stay, such as dining, spa, or other hotel amenities.
- Complimentary Wi-Fi: Ensuring you stay connected throughout your stay.
The Hotel Collection (THC) is accessible to U.S. Consumer and Business Gold Card, Platinum Card® Members, and Centurion® Members. When booking two or more consecutive nights through THC on Amex Travel Services, you can enjoy:
- Room Upgrade: Subject to availability at check-in.
- US$100 Experience Credit: For eligible charges during your stay.
Furthermore, Platinum Card® members can leverage a $200 Hotel Credit annually. This statement credit is applicable to prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings made through Amex Travel Services, adding even more value to these already beneficial programs.
Redeeming Points: Pay with Points Option
Amex Travel Services also offers flexibility in how you use your Membership Rewards points. The Pay with Points feature allows you to redeem your accumulated points directly towards eligible travel purchases made through Amex Travel.
When using Pay with Points:
- Points are debited from your Membership Rewards account.
- A corresponding dollar amount is credited to your American Express Card account.
- If points don’t cover the entire purchase, the remaining balance stays on your Amex Card.
- The minimum redemption is just 1 point, offering great flexibility.
This option provides a seamless way to offset your travel costs using your rewards, making your points instantly valuable for your next trip.
Lowest Hotel Rate Guarantee
For added peace of mind, Amex Travel Services offers a Lowest Hotel Rate Guarantee. If you book a qualifying prepaid hotel rate on amextravel.com and find the same room, same hotel, same dates, and same guest occupancy at a lower price online, Amex Travel will refund you the difference.
To take advantage of this guarantee:
- For prepaid reservations, claims must be submitted before check-in.
- For “pay later” bookings, claims must be submitted within 30 days after your stay.
- The lower rate must be available to the general public and exclude specific discount types (e.g., corporate, group, loyalty, etc.).
This guarantee ensures you are getting a competitive rate when booking hotels through Amex Travel Services.
Conclusion
Amex Travel Services is more than just a booking platform; it’s a gateway to maximizing your American Express Membership Rewards and accessing exclusive travel benefits. From earning bonus points on every booking to enjoying premium perks at luxury hotels through Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection, Amex Travel Services is designed to elevate your travel experiences. By understanding and utilizing the features and benefits outlined in this guide, you can strategically plan your travels, accumulate rewards faster, and travel in greater comfort and style. Explore amextravel.com today and unlock the full potential of your American Express card in the world of travel.
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