Navigating the world of travel rewards can be complex, but for American Express cardholders, booking flights through Amex Travel unlocks a world of bonus points and exclusive benefits. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or planning your first getaway, understanding how to leverage American Express Travel Flights can significantly enhance your rewards earning potential and travel experience.
This guide breaks down the essential terms and conditions you need to know to make the most of your American Express card when booking flights. We’ll explore the bonus Membership Rewards points you can earn with different Amex cards, the types of flights that qualify, and important details to ensure you’re maximizing every trip.
Earning Bonus Points on Flights with American Express Cards
American Express offers several cards that reward you with bonus Membership Rewards points for travel purchases made through amextravel.com. Here’s a breakdown of how different cards stack up when it comes to booking flights:
Platinum and Business Platinum Cards: 5X Points
For those holding the prestigious Platinum Card® from American Express or the Business Platinum Card® from American Express, booking flights through American Express Travel flights is exceptionally rewarding. These cards offer a generous 5X Membership Rewards points for every dollar spent on eligible travel purchases, including scheduled flights and prepaid flight + hotel packages booked online at amextravel.com.
This means for every $1,000 spent on eligible flights, you could earn 5,000 Membership Rewards points – a significant boost to your rewards balance.
It’s important to note what doesn’t qualify for the 5X points. Non-prepaid hotel bookings, car rentals, cruises, vacation packages booked over the phone, and various fees are excluded. To ensure you receive the bonus, reservations must be both booked and charged to your Platinum or Business Platinum Card.
Business Gold Card: 3X Points
The Business Gold Card offers a strong incentive for business travelers booking flights through American Express Travel flights. Cardholders earn 3X Membership Rewards points for each dollar spent on eligible travel purchases. This includes scheduled flights and prepaid flight + hotel packages booked online at amextravel.com. Prepaid hotel purchases made through Amex Travel, whether online or via phone with a travel consultant, also qualify for the 3X points.
Similar to the Platinum cards, certain exclusions apply. Non-prepaid hotel bookings, vacation packages, car rentals, cruises, and flights booked over the phone are not eligible for the bonus points. Modifications to reservations must also be made through amextravel.com or by calling Amex Travel to maintain eligibility for the 3X points.
Gold Card: 3X Points on Airfare
While the Gold Card shines in categories like restaurants and supermarkets, it also provides a solid 3X Membership Rewards points on airfare. This applies to scheduled flights charged directly with passenger airlines or through American Express Travel flights (amextravel.com). This is slightly different from the Platinum and Business Gold cards, focusing specifically on airfare rather than all travel booked through Amex Travel.
Charter flights and private jet flights are excluded from this bonus category. It’s also crucial to book directly with the airline or through amextravel.com to ensure you receive the 3X points.
Green Card: 3X Points on General Travel
The American Express Green Card offers a more broadly defined travel bonus category. Cardholders earn 3X Membership Rewards points on eligible travel purchases, which includes airfare, hotels, cruises, tours, car rentals, and even travel purchases made on third-party travel websites and American Express Travel flights (amextravel.com).
This makes the Green Card a versatile option for earning bonus points on a wide range of travel expenses, including flights booked through Amex Travel. Timeshare property purchases are the notable exclusion in this category.
2X Points for Other Membership Rewards Cards
Even if you don’t hold one of the premium cards mentioned above, many Membership Rewards-enrolled American Express cards still offer a benefit when booking flights through American Express Travel flights. These cardholders typically earn 2X Membership Rewards points on eligible travel purchases made on amextravel.com. This includes flights, prepaid hotels, prepaid car rentals, vacation packages, and cruises. Corporate Card Members are generally not eligible for this additional point.
Key Considerations for American Express Travel Flights Bookings
To ensure you maximize your Membership Rewards points when booking flights through American Express Travel flights, keep these important points in mind:
- Prepaid vs. Non-Prepaid: Bonus points are generally awarded for prepaid hotels and flight+hotel packages booked through Amex Travel. Non-prepaid bookings often do not qualify for bonus points and may not be eligible for certain Amex Travel benefits.
- Online vs. Phone Bookings: While some cards offer bonus points for hotel bookings made over the phone with Amex Travel consultants, the highest flight bonuses (5X and 3X) are typically reserved for online bookings at amextravel.com. Always check the specific terms for your card.
- Direct Booking is Crucial: To guarantee bonus points and access to benefits like the Lowest Hotel Rate Guarantee, bookings must be made directly through American Express Travel (amextravel.com or via phone). Modifying reservations directly with the airline or hotel may void your eligibility for bonus points and benefits.
- Eligible Purchases: Carefully review the eligible and ineligible purchase categories for your specific card. Fees, interest charges, car rentals (sometimes), cruises (sometimes), and other ancillary travel expenses may not qualify for bonus points.
- Merchant Codes: American Express uses merchant codes to categorize purchases. If a merchant’s code doesn’t align with an eligible travel category, you may not receive bonus points. This can occur with third-party sellers or payment processors.
- Points Posting Time: Bonus Membership Rewards points earned through American Express Travel flights bookings may take 6-12 weeks to post to your account after final payment. Plan accordingly when anticipating point availability.
- Lowest Hotel Rate Guarantee: If you book a prepaid hotel through amextravel.com and find a lower price for the same room and dates elsewhere online, American Express may refund the difference. Claims must be submitted prior to your stay for prepaid bookings or within 30 days after your stay for “pay later” bookings. Certain rate types and booking methods are excluded.
Unlock Exclusive Hotel Benefits with Flight Bookings
Booking flights through American Express Travel flights can also unlock access to exclusive hotel programs like Fine Hotels + Resorts® (FHR) and The Hotel Collection (THC), especially when booking flight + hotel packages.
- Fine Hotels + Resorts® (FHR): Exclusively for Platinum and Centurion cardholders, FHR offers premium benefits at luxury hotels worldwide when booked through Amex Travel. These benefits often include room upgrades, daily breakfast, experience credits, guaranteed 4 PM late checkout, and noon check-in (all subject to availability).
- The Hotel Collection (THC): Available to Gold, Platinum, and Centurion cardholders, THC provides benefits like a $100 hotel credit and room upgrades (subject to availability) at participating properties when booking two or more consecutive nights through Amex Travel.
These programs can significantly enhance the value of your trip, offering tangible perks and savings on hotel stays when booked in conjunction with your American Express Travel flights.
Conclusion: Fly Smarter with American Express Travel
By understanding the terms and conditions associated with American Express Travel flights, you can strategically maximize your Membership Rewards points and unlock valuable travel benefits. Whether you’re aiming for 5X points with a Platinum card or leveraging the broader travel category of the Green Card, booking your flights through amextravel.com is a smart move for Amex cardholders seeking to elevate their travel rewards. Always review the specific terms and conditions for your card to ensure you’re making the most informed booking decisions and taking full advantage of the rewards and benefits available to you.
