The Amex Platinum Card – How To Use the Annual $200 Prepaid Hotel Credit

If you can maximize your card’s benefits, the value proposition of The Platinum Card^® from American Express has never been greater.

Our guide will walk you through all the nuances of the up to $200 prepaid hotel credit and inspire you with high-value ways to use it. We hope that you’ll walk away knowing how to utilize this credit efficiently.

Amex Platinum Card – Snapshot

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 125k (or 150k) points with the Amex Platinum. The current public offer is 80,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

What Is the Amex Platinum Card’s Prepaid Hotel Credit?

The prepaid hotel credit on the Amex Platinum card is a benefit that takes the form of a statement credit on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum 2-night stay through AmexTravel.com.

Don’t be scared of the “prepaid” language, though, because almost all these bookings are cancellable and refundable!

Typically, when you book a stay through AmexTravel.com, you can opt to pay for your booking in 2 ways:

1. Prepaid (can earn 5x points)
2. Pay at the hotel (cannot earn 5x points)

So, if you’re interested in maximizing your points, you’ll want to book a prepaid booking anyway — rest assured that these reservations are refundable.

In total, you can receive up to $200 in these statement credits every calendar year. It may take up to 90 days for the credit to be posted to your account, though this has actually been within a week in practice.

The 8 Best Ways To Use Your Prepaid Hotel Credit at Fine Hotels + Resorts

American Express’s signature set of luxury hotels is Fine Hotels + Resorts — think of globally-known luxury brands like Four Seasons and lavish boutique brands like Aman.

Whenever you book a Fine Hotels + Resorts stay, you’ll enjoy:

• Room upgrade upon arrival, when available
• Daily breakfast for 2 people
• Noon check-in, when available
• Guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Unique property amenities, such as a spa or food and beverage credit valued at a minimum of $100

There’s no minimum stay requirement, which means you can enjoy all these benefits on 1-night stays!

Let’s explore our favorite ways to use your $200 prepaid hotel credit at Fine Hotels + Resorts properties.

1. Midtown Shangri-La, Hangzhou (China)

One of the newest, sleek city hotels you can book is the Midtown Shangri-La, Hangzhou in China.

This riverfront, 5-star hotel is situated along the Guxin River, just 3 miles from Zhejiang Art Museum and 2 miles from West Lake.

Each of the 414 rooms and suites starts at 462 square feet and offers luxury amenities such as floor-to-ceiling windows, modern decor, a king bed appointed with soft bedding, a work desk, a sitting area with a couch, a balcony, a flat-screen TV, a set of coffee and tea facilities, a minibar, and more.

The spacious bathroom welcomes you with a separate shower, a deluxe soaking tub, posh Shangri-La bathrobes and towels, and designer toiletries.

You’ll find 3 restaurants, a cocktail lounge, and a lobby lounge for food and beverage options.

Plus, the property has a gym, spa, indoor pool, whirlpool, steam room, boutique, and an abundance of event space.

If you book a 1-night stay during the weekday, you could potentially net a free stay using your $200 prepaid hotel credit, as rates are typically below $200 per night!

2. The Ritz-Carlton, Tianjin (China)

Booking a night at The Ritz-Carlton probably was outside your realm of realistic ways to use a $200 prepaid hotel credit, considering how some properties command over $1,000 per night!

But thrifty luxury travelers rejoice — The Ritz-Carlton Tianjin is a posh property in China just 5 minutes from the metro station and 3 miles from the Tianjin Museum.

This opulent property has rooms measuring at least 538 square feet. Each room has a king bed with incredibly soft Frette bedding, a work desk, a private balcony overlooking the garden or courtyard, coffee and tea facilities, and more.

There’s a full marble bathroom with twin vanities, a separate tub and rainfall shower, a powder room, a toilet with a bidet, and a lighted make-up mirror.

This property has 3 restaurants, a cocktail lobby lounge serving afternoon tea, a full-service spa, a fitness center, an indoor pool, a Club Lounge, and a meeting space.

By booking a weekday stay within 1 month of the stay, you might be able to find room rates at around the $200 per night cutoff, including taxes and fees!

3. Shangri-La Sydney (Australia)

Shangri-La Sydney is a high-rise luxury property just a 5-minute walk from the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, a 7-minute walk from Circular Quay train station, and half a mile from the famous Sydney Opera House.

The superb location isn’t the only thing going for it — each of the spacious and comfortable rooms starts at 430 square feet in size with amazing views of Darling Harbour and comes with signature bedding, a sitting area, a full-size executive desk, a flat-screen TV, coffee and tea, a minibar, and a pillow menu.

The marble bathroom has a separate soaking bathtub, shower, and Shangri-La toiletries and bathrobes.

Once you leave your room, you can recharge at the restaurant, coffee shop, or cocktail lounge with sweeping city views. Enjoy the indoor pool, gym, spa, or Jacuzzi to rejuvenate!

This property represents a fantastic balance between 5-star luxury and reasonable pricing — you can enjoy all of the Fine Hotels + Resorts benefits available and pay around $250 for a 1-night weekday stay!

4. Mr. C Coconut Grove (Florida)

Mr. C Coconut Grove often has room rates of around $200, including taxes and fees. This is a steal, considering how pricey these Miami can get.

Often, Mr. C properties are the cheapest Fine Hotels + Resorts properties in the vicinity, so value-focused travelers will have a blast at any of these 3 properties!

5. Taj Campton Place (San Francisco, California)

If you’ve ever looked for a Fine Hotels + Resorts property in San Francisco, you’ve probably seen a particular property come up as one of the most affordable options: Taj Campton Place (a member of Taj Hotels).

This property is primely located in San Francisco’s Union Square neighborhood and is actually a prominent landmark.

Offering classical Indian luxury, this elegant luxury hotel is just outside the Financial District and is a half-block from Union Square and a 5-minute walk from Montgomery Street BART station.

Each of the classy rooms starts at 250 square feet large and has a California king bed, a work desk, premium bedding, an iHome docking station, a pillow menu, a well-stocked minibar, turndown service, an LED TV, and a Nespresso machine.

The limestone bathrooms contain a single vanity, a walk-in shower or a shower/tub combo, a bath menu, bath salts, plush bathrobes, slippers, and more.

You’ll enjoy a 2-Michelin-starred restaurant, a bar and bistro, and private dining options here.

This property has an open-air fitness center and a 24/7 business center, too.

Although it’s increasingly rare to find Fine Hotels + Resorts room rates less than $175 per night in an expensive city like San Francisco, you might discover 1-night stays with a Sunday or Friday check-in booked as far out as 1 month in advance for that price.

Hot Tip: If you prefer to avoid booking a cash rate, check out the best San Francisco hotels to book with points for maximum value.

6. The Beekman, A Thompson Hotel (New York)

If you’re thinking of checking out New York, you’ve probably come to terms with the fact that you’ll probably be shelling out a handsome amount to book your hotels here.

And while it’s true that a $200 prepaid hotel credit isn’t enough for a Fine Hotels + Resorts stay (rooms average around $380 per night), you’d be remiss in discarding the possibility entirely because The Beekman, a Thompson Hotel, is competitively priced!

Located in the Downtown Financial District area of Lower Manhattan, this 5-star hotel is a 3-minute walk from Fulton Street subway station and a 14-minute walk from Brooklyn Bridge. It is surrounded by other attractions like the 9/11 Memorial, One World Trade Center, and more.

Each of the rooms at this property boasts high ceilings, curated art, aged oak floors, 285 square feet of space, eclectic furnishings, a minibar, a cocktail table, a flat-screen TV, a courtesy luxury house car available upon request, and more.

The bathroom is tiled with Carrara marble and is appointed with an oversized rain shower, D.S. & Durga bath amenities, an oversized walk-in rain shower, a single vanity, and more.

Here, you’ll also find eateries run by famous chefs, a wood-paneled cocktail lounge, a chic bar, and an awe-inspiring 9-story atrium!

Although this property tends to be the cheapest Fine Hotels + Resorts property in New York, you’ll enjoy nothing but the finest 5-star luxuries here.

7. Sofitel Mexico City Reforma (Mexico)

Experience quintessential French luxury in Mexico City’s Reforma district, a historic destination that immerses you into French and Mexican poshness.

Sofitel Mexico City Reforma features views of the Angel of Independence monument and is a 9-minute walk from Insurgentes metro station and a little more than a mile from Chapultepec Castle.

Here, you’ll live the French way with floor-to-ceiling windows, a king bed or 2 double beds, a work desk, at least 410 square feet of space, an LED TV, urban Mexico City views, a Nespresso machine, and much more.

The marble bathroom features plenty of counter space, bathrobes, L’Occitane amenities, and a walk-in shower.

You’ll find 5 dining options here, plus a gym, a sauna, meeting rooms, and pet-friendly policies!

We found the cheapest Fine Hotels + Resorts room rate was around $250 per night, excluding taxes and fees, for a weekday stay.

Still, using the prepaid hotel credit, this property is your best bet for a value-packed Mexico City stay!

Hot Tip: Save money on your hotel stay and your flight — see the best ways to fly to Mexico with points and miles (step-by-step).

8. Condado Vanderbilt Hotel (Puerto Rico)

Our last inclusion in the Fine Hotels + Resorts section is Puerto Rico’s best-value property, the Condado Vanderbilt Hotel.

Make no mistake — this time-tested luxury resort has amazingly consistent reviews, a spectacular Condado Beach location, and is a crown jewel for value luxury.

Each of the standard guestrooms has at least 350 square feet of real estate with either 2 queen beds or 1 king bed with Rivolta Carmignani linens, a sitting area with 3 chairs, a desk, a flat-screen TV, an in-room French press coffee maker with Puerto Rican coffee and tea, and a minifridge.

The sleek bathroom has marble tiling, a shower-tub combination, a single vanity, bathrobes, bamboo towels, and C.O. Bigelow amenities.

Notably, 9 dining options include a cigar lounge, a cocktail bar, an oceanfront restaurant, a fine dining spot, and more. You’ll also find a chic spa, 4 pools, a gym, and a meeting space.

The cheapest Fine Hotels + Resorts rate we could find is $258 before taxes and fees. Considering all the other perks you’ll enjoy with Fine Hotels + Resorts, this is an excellent opportunity to use your prepaid hotel credit.

Bottom Line: You can use your $200 prepaid hotel benefit on 1-night stays at Fine Hotels + Resorts locations, while The Hotel Collection properties require a 2-night stay.

The 5 Best Ways To Use Your Prepaid Hotel Credit at The Hotel Collection

The Hotel Collection is the “little sister” of Fine Hotels + Resorts.

A different set of hotels fall under The Hotel Collection, and these are almost always upscale or luxury hotels, compared to the opulent properties a notch higher at Fine Hotels + Resorts.

Although The Hotel Collection requires a stay of at least 2 nights, these properties are almost always more affordable, so getting an entire short stay paid for using your $200 prepaid hotel credit is possible.

To make things better, all bookings at The Hotel Collection afford you with:

• $100 credit to spend on qualifying dining, spa, and resort activities
• Room upgrade at check-in, if available

Let’s get into some neat ways to get some fantastic value at The Hotel Collection with your $200 prepaid hotel credit!

1. Conrad Bali (Indonesia)

One of the most spectacular ways to use your prepaid hotel credit is on luxury properties in affordable leisure destinations.

One of these destinations is Bali — specifically, the Conrad Bali is a fantastic 5-star resort that will have you dreaming about a stay here.

Conrad Bali has 368 rooms and suites in the Nusa Dua area. Every room is at least 484 square feet large. It is outfitted with garden views, a private balcony/terrace, blackout curtains, a pillow menu, a desk, a separate sitting area, a minibar, a flat-screen TV, and coffee and tea facilities.

You’ll find a granite bathroom with a single vanity, walk-in shower, separate bathtub, Shanghai Tang amenities, and a water closet.

The amenities here are fantastic, including 3 restaurants, a pool bar, a lobby lounge, sprawling lagoon pools, beachside cabanas, a spa, a gym, and more.

But the most incredible part is the price tag — you can easily find rates available for $158 per night (excluding taxes)!

2. Hôtel Des Arts Saigon – MGallery Collection or Pan Pacific Hanoi (Vietnam)

Vietnam is one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. And even though tourism has exploded rapidly, we haven’t necessarily seen a corresponding increase in lodging costs.

Luckily, that means you can book a 2-night stay for around $200, including taxes and fees!

Whether you’re visiting Ho Chi Minh City in the south or Hanoi in the north, The Hotel Collection has properties that will impress the value-focused luxury traveler:

• Hôtel Des Arts Saigon – MGallery Collection
  • $120 per night ($240 total for a 2-night stay)
• Pan Pacific Hanoi
  •  $97 per night ($194 total for a 2-night stay)

As a reminder, you get access to a room upgrade upon availability and a $100 property credit, which means you could get $300+ of value for almost nothing out-of-pocket after the $200 prepaid hotel credit!

3. Sofitel Wellington (New Zealand)

New Zealand can be expensive to travel to — but if you stay at the Sofitel Wellington, you’ll enjoy affordable 5-star luxury in Wellington’s business and government hub.

This chic property is a 6-minute walk from Wellington Botanic Garden and a little more than a mile from the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

Each lavish room starts at 215 square feet, with a queen Sofitel MyBed, a Bose sound system, specialty coffee and tea, a minibar, a flat-screen TV, and a sitting area with 2 chairs and a coffee table.

The French bathroom offers a modern walk-in rain shower, a make-up mirror, bathrobes, French bath amenities, and a single vanity.

There’s 1 full-service restaurant, a cocktail bar, a meeting space, a club lounge, and much more.

The lowest rates we found are around $112 per night, excluding taxes and fees, which is a great deal!

4. Grand Hyatt São Paulo (Brazil)

Grand Hyatt São Paulo is one of South America‘s few constituent properties within The Hotel Collection, and the cash price makes booking a short 2-night stay attractive.

This popular 5-star property has standard rooms at least 398 square feet large, a plush queen bed or 2 twin beds, a large closet, a sitting area with city views, a work desk, a flat-screen TV, black-out curtains, a minifridge, and coffee and tea facilities.

The bathroom contains a walk-in rainfall shower, a separate soaking bathtub, Granado bath products, and more.

This Brazilian property hosts a full-service restaurant, a poolside cocktail bar and terrace, a day spa, a fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, a business center, and more.

For 5-star luxury, you’ll pay as little as $122 per night before taxes and fees, bringing up a 2-night stay to an excellent $258! This is an amazing opportunity to enjoy fantastic accommodations while minimizing your cash outlay.

5. Delano Las Vegas (Nevada)

Delano Las Vegas is one of the hidden gems of Las Vegas. Situated in the Mandalay Bay Resort complex in a 43-story tower with all-suite accommodations, South Beach energy, and reasonable cash rates, this property has a lot going for it.

Each modern suite starts at 725 square feet large and is equipped with elegant whites and grays throughout, starting with the chic king bed or 2 queen beds. Within the suite, you’ll find a separate living area with seating for 5, a flat-screen TV in the bedroom and living room, a work desk, a dual closet armoire, a bedside stereo system, and a fully stocked minibar.

The bathroom is laden with granite and marble. It contains double vanities with a backlit make-up mirror, a separate walk-in shower, a separate soaking tub, and a private water closet. There are even bathrobes and luxury bath products!

This property has 2 full-service restaurants, a coffee shop, and 2 bars, plus an outdoor pool, a spa, and a gym.

This resort is one of the rarest The Hotel Collection properties that can have paid rates of around $100 per night.

Because of this, flexible travelers can get a free weekend in Vegas using their $200 prepaid hotel credit! Plus, you’ll get all The Hotel Collection amenities, like the $100 experience credit and room upgrades (if available).

That means you could come out ahead from your booking and get lots of freebies in addition to not paying for your stay at all!

Purchases That Do Not Trigger the Prepaid Hotel Credit

Overall, here are a few examples of purchases that don’t trigger the prepaid hotel credit:

• Purchases not made with an eligible Amex Platinum card
• Purchases not made through AmexTravel.com
• Purchases not made with a property in Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection

So, if you book a hotel through Booking.com, you won’t qualify for the prepaid hotel credit.

You won’t get the prepaid hotel credit if you book a hotel using a different card like the American Express^® Gold Card.

If you book a hotel that is on AmexTravel.com but isn’t a member of Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection, you won’t be able to get the prepaid hotel credit.

What If My Purchase Isn’t Automatically Reimbursed?

As we mentioned above, it may take up to 90 days for your statement credit to post. Usually, it credits much faster than this.

If you wait 90 days and still don’t see your statement credit posted to your account, you can contact Amex over chat or via the number on the back of your card.

Final Thoughts

Overall, using your $200 prepaid hotel credit is super easy. You’ll save $200 on your next hotel booking if you stay within the eligibility parameters.

And while it can be a tall order to get a free hotel night outright at Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection properties, you’ll at least appreciate the $200 discount, which may bring a 1-night stay to less than $100 out of pocket!

We hope you’ve found this guide helpful in using the Amex Platinum card’s $200 prepaid hotel credit!