The 3 Best Hotels I’ve Booked With the Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts Program

An often overlooked perk of The Platinum Card^® from American Express is access to the Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) program. Booking luxury hotels through this program gives you additional on-site perks akin to higher levels of hotel elite status, including upgrades, complimentary breakfast, and even on-site dining credits.

Plus, the Amex Platinum card includes up to a $200 annual prepaid hotel credit, which can be used for hotels in the FHR or The Hotel Collection program, though the latter requires a minimum 2-night stay. This perk helps offset a good portion of the card’s $695 annual fee (rates & fees).

I’ve used Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts to book several stays over the years, some of which have been truly special. Here, I’ll show you my favorite hotel stays I’ve booked through this awesome program.

Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts Overview

The American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts program is a handpicked collection of upscale hotels worldwide. Select Amex cardholders can book hotels and receive extra on-site benefits, similar to higher tiers of hotel elite status, including:

• Room upgrade upon arrival, when available
• Daily breakfast for 2 guests
• Guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout
• Early check-in at noon, when available
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Valuable property amenity, typically a $100 spa or dining credit

You can book these stays through AmexTravel.com — just be sure to pay with your eligible Amex card to receive the benefits. Another great perk of the FHR program is that, at participating hotels, you can still earn loyalty points and elite night credits with programs like World of Hyatt.

Best Cards for Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts Bookings

One of the most popular cards for access is the Amex Platinum card, which also includes up to a $200 annual prepaid hotel credit that can be used on FHR bookings. This is enough to cover a night at some of the best Fine Hotels + Resorts properties, and you’ll also earn 5 Membership Rewards points per $1 on prepaid bookings.

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The Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

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The Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Welcome Offer

You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

As High As 175,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $3,850

Annual Fee

$695

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card^® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required), Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $695 annual fee (rates and fees)
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

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Card Highlights

• You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel^® up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel^®.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card^®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card^® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• Enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, with over $500 of annual value if you visit Centurion Lounges and each of our partner lounges including Delta Sky Club^® lounges when flying an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations) , select Lufthansa lounges when flying Lufthansa, Plaza Premium lounges and Escape Lounges, and enroll in Priority Pass Select. See terms.
• A Walmart+ membership can get you free shipping with no order minimum on eligible items shipped by Walmart. Use your Platinum Card^® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) and receive one statement credit for up to $12.95 (plus applicable taxes. Plus Ups not eligible) each month. Free Shipping excludes most Marketplace items, freight & certain location surcharges. Paramount+ Essential plan only, separate registration required.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card^® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
• $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card^® Members can ride or dine in style with $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December after adding their Card to their Uber account. Use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
• $199 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: CLEAR^® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. Receive up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for your CLEAR Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the Platinum Card^®.
• Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck^® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card^®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card^®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• Use Global Dining Access by Resy to access premium dining experiences. Receive Priority Notify and unlock insider access to some of the world's most sought-after restaurants with Global Dining Access by Resy. Download the Resy iOS app or log into Resy.com and add your Platinum Card^® to your Resy profile to take advantage of your special benefits and discover restaurants near you.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express also includes FHR program access but does not have an annual prepaid hotel credit. However, it still earns 5 points per $1 on AmexTravel.com hotel bookings, including FHR properties.

BEST LOUNGE ACCESS

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Welcome Offer

Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.

150,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $3,300

Annual Fee

$695

APR

18.49% - 29.24% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express is a premium travel rewards card tailored toward business owners who are frequent travelers with a high number of annual expenses.

When you factor in the large number of perks that the card offers like the best airport lounge access at over 1,400 lounges, along with tons of annual credits, it’s easy to see why this card can is a top option for frequent traveling business owners.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on flights, prepaid hotels, and short-term rentals and prepaid flight and hotel packages booked through Amex Travel
• Access to over 1,400 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection (as of 10/2024).
• Get 50% more Membership Rewards points (1.5 points per $1) on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (on up to $2 million per calendar year)

Cons

• High annual fee of $695 (rates & fees)
• Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags

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Card Highlights

• Welcome Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection^® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 10/2024.
• Unlock over $2,000 in statement credits with business and travel benefits annually* on the Business Platinum Card. Terms apply. Learn more. *After meeting qualifying spend thresholds
• New! Enroll and get up to $150 in statement credits on U.S purchases directly with Dell Technologies on the Business Platinum Card and an additional $1,000 statement credit after you spend $5,000 or more on that same Card per calendar year.
• New! Enroll and get a $250 statement credit after you spend $600 or more on U.S. purchases directly with Adobe per calendar year on the Business Platinum Card.
• Fly like a pro with a $200 Airline Fee Credit. Select one qualifying airline to receive up to $200 back per year on baggage fees and other incidentals.
• Make the Business Platinum Card^® work even harder for you. Hilton For Business members get up to $200 back per calendar year when you make an eligible purchase at Hilton properties across the globe. Benefit enrollment required.
• 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com
• 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on purchases at US construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more, up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
• 1X points on other eligible purchases
• Use the Business Platinum Card^® and get up to $209 back per calendar year on your CLEAR^® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal).
• $695 Annual Fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 18.49% - 29.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Further, the invite-only Centurion^® Card from American Express and its business equivalent include FHR access as well.

Grand Hyatt Taipei

Taipei, Taiwan, was the last stop on my wife’s and my honeymoon earlier this year. We spent a night in the city on a 36-hour layover, and we wanted to make the most of it with a central hotel close to the restaurants and sites we wanted to experience. After assessing our options, we landed on the Grand Hyatt Taipei.

The hotel is in the town center, near Taipei 101, Taipei City Hall, and other major tourist attractions. As our welcome amenity, we received an upgrade to a larger room and a $100 dining credit, which we used for lunch at Cheers, the hotel’s lobby bar and grill.

Our room was spacious, with a massive shower, seating area, and sectional couch. It could use some updating and refurbishment (for example, our window shades were lopsided), but for roughly $300 per night, including taxes, we felt it was well worth a night in Taipei.

Steigenberger Icon Frankfurter Hof

We had an overnight layover in Frankfurt, Germany, on our way back from a vacation in Malta in 2022. With just under 20 hours to spare, we figured we’d make the most of our time in Germany and stay in the city instead of an airport hotel. I had my Amex Platinum card’s annual prepaid hotel credit to use, so I booked a night at the Steigenberger Icon Frankfurter Hof.

Next to Frankfurt’s central train station, it’s in the middle of the city’s historical center and financial district. We arrived on a Sunday, when much of the city was shut down. Thankfully, we used the $100 dining credit for a nice dinner at Oscar’s, the hotel’s lobby restaurant, after a walk around the center of town.

Our guest room had a large (and comfortable) bed, Acqua di Parma toiletries, a massive bathroom with a soaking tub, and even a pillow menu. The lobby and exterior of the hotel were beautiful as well, remaining largely untouched since the hotel opened in 1876.

Downtown LA Proper Hotel

My wife and I went on our first cruise in 2023. We sailed to and from Long Beach, California, but our flight home departed from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), so we scheduled a day in downtown on the way home.

We booked an FHR stay at the Downtown Los Angeles Proper Hotel, part of Marriott Bonvoy. It’s in the heart of LA’s Fashion District and has stunning rooms with stylish furniture and comfortable beds. There are even Aesop toiletries in the bathroom.

However, my favorite part of the hotel was its rooftop bar and restaurant, with a stunning 360-degree view of Downtown Los Angeles. Using the $100 dining credit included as a welcome amenity, we had sunset drinks and appetizers with a childhood friend who moved to LA, which was a highlight of the trip.

Final Thoughts

The Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts program gives eligible cardmembers a slew of benefits when booking through AmexTravel.com. These perks include complimentary breakfast, room upgrades, dining credits, and more. Plus, the Amex Platinum card gives you an annual, up to $200 prepaid hotel credit that you can use at these properties, giving you even more reason to try it on your next trip.

If you’re eligible, consider booking a stay through FHR the next time you’re looking for a hotel. Rates are often comparable to booking direct, and you still earn points and elite status credit in most cases.