6 Surprisingly Good Leading Hotels of the World To Book With Amex Points

At first glance, American Express’ newest hotel transfer partner, Leading Hotels of the World, didn’t look all that exciting to me. A 4:1 transfer ratio means that 1,000 Membership Rewards points become just 250 Leaders Club points, which didn’t sound like a great deal.

But then I started looking at what award nights cost at Leading Hotels of the World properties, and the numbers made more sense. There are some impressive luxury hotels where transferring Amex points could offer good value, particularly when cash rates are high.

Here are 6 Leading Hotels of the World properties that stood out to me and show why this new transfer option may be more valuable than it first appears.

Amex Points Now Transfer to Leading Hotels of the World

American Express recently added The Leading Hotels of the World’s Leaders Club program as a Membership Rewards transfer partner, giving cardmembers another way to use points for luxury hotel stays.

Membership Rewards points transfer to Leaders Club at a 4:1 ratio. That means every 1,000 Amex points you transfer become 250 Leaders Club points.

That may sound like a poor conversion, but Leaders Club points can be worth more than points from larger hotel programs. In some cases, the 4:1 ratio can still provide around 2 cents in value — occasionally even more.

Award rates vary by date and are generally tied to cash prices, so you may not find the exact rates I did. Still, these properties show why the new transfer option is worth a closer look.

1. Capella Bangkok — One of the World’s Best Hotels for 45,000 Amex Points

Capella Bangkok is one of the most luxurious hotels in Bangkok. It was named the best hotel in the world in 2024 and ranked third in 2025 by The World’s 50 Best Hotels. The intimate hotel has just 101 rooms, suites, and villas, all overlooking the Chao Phraya River, so it’s a peaceful escape from the nonstop energy of Bangkok.

Staying here isn’t cheap. On the dates I checked, a Riverfront King cost $993.86 per night, including taxes and fees. That same room was available for 11,130 Leaders Club points.

Since Amex only allows transfers in increments of 1,000 points, you’d need to transfer 45,000 Membership Rewards points and would receive 11,250 Leaders Club points. That works out to about 2.2 cents per Amex point, right in line with our valuation of Amex points — a value we typically associate with premium-cabin flight redemptions rather than hotel stays.

2. Nayara Tented Camp — Luxury Glamping for 66,000 Amex Points

Nayara Tented Camp is in Costa Rica’s Arenal Volcano National Park, surrounded by rainforest. This is far from a basic camping experience, with spacious tents and many of the comforts you’d find at a luxury resort.

The entry-level tent offers 1,700 square feet of space, a king-size bed, 2 daybeds, an outdoor living area, an outdoor shower, and a private plunge pool fed by natural hot springs. It sleeps up to 4 guests, so families can stay in a single tent.

Cash rates start at more than $1,400 per night, including taxes and fees, or 16,400 Leaders Club points. To book a luxury glamping experience here, you’d need to transfer 66,000 Membership Rewards points and would receive 16,500 Leaders Club points.

That gives you about 2.1 cents in value per Amex point, just shy of our 2.2-cent valuation. For a stay that normally costs more than $1,400 per night — and can accommodate a family of 4 — this is a compelling redemption.

3. Hotel Il Pellicano — An Iconic Italian Escape for 47,000 Amex Points

Hotel Il Pellicano is the quintessential setting for an Italian summer. Located along the Tuscan coast, it’s glamorous without feeling overly formal, with beautiful views of the Mediterranean and a relaxed atmosphere that makes you want to stay a while.

On the dates I checked, a Classic Room cost $890.85 per night, including taxes and fees, or 11,595 Leaders Club points.

You’d need to transfer just 47,000 Membership Rewards points and would receive 11,750 Leaders Club points to book a stay at Hotel Il Pellicano.

You’d get about 1.9 cents in value per Amex point with this redemption. Fewer than 50,000 Amex points could cover a night at one of Italy’s most celebrated seaside hotels instead of paying nearly $900 out of pocket.

4. The Fifth Avenue Hotel — New York City’s Number 1 Hotel for 45,000 Amex Points

If you’d rather redeem Leaders Club points closer to home, The Fifth Avenue Hotel in New York City is worth considering. The hotel opened in 2023, but part of the property dates to 1856, when it was built as a mansion for New York heiress Charlotte Goodridge, who became known for hosting society gatherings there.

Located in Manhattan’s NoMad neighborhood, the hotel combines the restored mansion with a newer tower and has just 104 rooms and 45 suites. It has earned 2 Michelin Keys and was named the number 1 hotel in New York City in Travel + Leisure’s 2026 World’s Best Awards.

Across a dozen dates I checked throughout the year, I found rooms from $927.81 per night, including taxes and fees, or 11,188 Leaders Club points. You’d need to transfer 45,000 Amex Membership Rewards points to book at that rate.

That gives you just over 2 cents in value per Amex point and offers a reasonable alternative to spending nearly $1,000 for a luxury hotel night in Manhattan.

5. Chablé Yucatán — A Private Jungle Casita for 64,000 Amex Points

Chablé Yucatán is tucked away in the small town of Chocholá, about 16 miles outside Mérida. It’s a departure from Cancún’s large, busy resorts.

The hotel has just 40 accommodations spread throughout the Yucatán jungle, so it’s quiet, private, and luxurious.

A nearly 2,200-square-foot Casita King costs $1,124 per night, including taxes, or 16,000 Leaders Club points. With the 4:1 transfer ratio, you’d need to transfer 64,000 Amex Membership Rewards points to book the same room. That gives you about 1.8 cents in value per Amex point.

It’s not quite the best redemption on this list based on cents per point alone. But using 64,000 Amex points instead of spending more than $1,100 for an enormous private casita at a secluded luxury resort still feels like a pretty good deal.

6. Halekulani Okinawa — Book a Japan Beach Getaway for 17,000 Amex Points

It’s rare to find a Leading Hotels of the World property for under $400 per night. Finding one for fewer than 20,000 Amex points in Japan is even more unusual, but that’s exactly what Halekulani Okinawa offers.

The Premier Ocean View King and Premier Ocean View Twin were available for the same rate. Each measures 538 square feet, sleeps up to 4 guests, and has a private balcony overlooking Okinawa’s coastline and the East China Sea.

Either room costs $385 per night, including taxes and fees, or 4,216 Leaders Club points.

Considering the affordable rates, you’d only need to transfer 17,000 Amex Membership Rewards points to book a night, giving you about 2.3 cents in value per Amex point — slightly more than our 2.2-cent valuation.

Final Thoughts

These redemptions show that Amex’s 4:1 transfer ratio to Leaders Club is better than it looks. When you can book one of the world’s best hotels for 45,000 Amex points or a beachfront 5-star resort in Japan for just 17,000 points, there’s clearly some value here. Award rates can change along with cash prices, so always confirm the price and availability before transferring. Amex transfers can’t be reversed.

Amex points also transfer to Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy, but neither is usually my first choice for Membership Rewards points. Leaders Club gives cardholders another way to book 5-star hotels and may be the most underrated of Amex’s 4 hotel transfer partners.