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Amex Travel: Everything You Need to Know [2021]

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American Express has a very robust travel portal. Not only can you book different types of travel, but you can also take advantage of a lot of additional perks and benefits depending on the type of cards you have.

But you need to know the ins and outs of how everything works in order to squeeze out all the value you can.

In this article, I’ll break down everything you need to know about Amex Travel.

I’ll start by explaining the bonus points you can earn and how to use your points to book travel. I’ll then cover some of the special perks you can get through the program like 5X earnings.

And I’ll show you the results from my research I did to see if Amex Travel is cheaper or more expensive than booking directly (the results are a little surprising).

Finally, I’ll show you how to efficiently use Amex Travel to book your travels.

Table of Contents

What is Amex Travel?

Amex Travel is an online travel portal that allows you to book various forms of travel including:

Rental cars

• Vacation Packages

Amex Travel overview

Bonus earnings.

Membership Rewards-earning cards will earn one extra Membership Rewards point for every dollar spent on certain purchases like:

• Pre-paid hotels
• Vacation packages (flight + hotel packages)
• Cruise reservations

Eligible travel purchases do  NOT  include car reservations, non-prepaid hotels, ticketing service or other fees

These Membership Rewards-earning cards that earn an extra point include favorites like the:

• Amex Gold Card
• Amex EveryDay
• Amex EveryDay Preferred
• The Centurion Card
• Blue Business Plus Credit Card
• Business Gold Card
• Business Green Rewards Card

Tip: Use WalletFlo for all your credit card needs. It’s free and will help you optimize your rewards and savings!

Platinum Cards

Platinum and Business Platinum Cardmembers are only eligible for 1 additional point on cruise reservations. However, they earn 5X on prepaid hotels and airfare.

If you value Membership Rewards at 1.75 cents per point then it’s like earning  8.75% back on airline purchases !

The Platinum Card earns some pretty impressive rates across the board when it comes to Amex Travel.

Take a look at all of the 5X categories:

Tip: The Platinum Card also comes with some pretty stout benefits including the best airport lounge access offered by any credit card.

Amex Green Card

The Amex Green Card earns a very respectable 3X on a wide range of travel purchases which include amextravel.com. Therefore, you can earn 3X on airfare, hotel bookings, cruises, etc.

Lowest price guarantee

When it comes to booking hotels, you can get the lowest price guarantee with Amex Travel.

Like other similar guarantees, the terms are very strict about when this can be honored.

You will need to find the exact same room in the same hotel for the exact same dates and number of children and adults.

The price will need to be found online before taxes and fees and you must submit your claim prior to your stay before the date of check-in. This perk is only valid for American Express cardmembers.

Certain types of rates not available to the public will be excluded including:

• Rates or discounts that are not available to the general public (e.g., corporate, AAA, government, etc.)
• Hotel rooms booked with loyalty points, coupon promotions, etc.
• Rooms booked on websites that do not allow you to see the name of the hotel until your reservation is complete
• Promotional packages, deals, all-inclusive packages
• Bundles that include additional amenities such as parking, meals, etc.
• Rates booked through the Fine Hotels & Resorts and The Hotel Collection programs.

Elite benefits

If you book through Amex Travel, you will likely lose out on the ability to earn elite credits and also you might even lose out on receiving elite benefits.

For example, if you are a Hilton Honors Gold member, typically you would earn 18 points per dollar spent at a Hilton property.

In addition, you would be eligible for benefits like a free breakfast, upgrades, and late check out.

But if you use Amex Travel to book a stay at a Hilton property, you would not earn 18 points per dollar and you may not receive things like a free breakfast.

You won’t always miss out on receiving your elite perks as I recently received an upgrade as a Hyatt Discoverist on a stay I booked through Amex Travel.

However, it will be on you to contact the property and add your loyalty number to your accounts. In addition, you likely will need to be proactive about requesting benefits like upgrades.

Tip: You can still get elite benefits with the Fine Hotels & Resorts and The Hotel Collection programs.

Access to Amex Travel

Initially I thought that only American Express cardmembers could use Amex Travel to book travel. But I inquired with an American Express agent and they informed me that anybody can use the travel portal.

Is Amex Travel cheaper?

The most important question you are probably wondering is whether or not it is cheaper to book your travel through Amex Travel or directly through the airlines, hotels, etc.

To answer this question, I did a handful of sample bookings for flights, hotels, rental cars, and cruises.

Below are the results.

For flights, all five sample bookings were a little bit cheaper when I chose to book directly. In many cases the price was about $7 cheaper which isn’t a huge gap but is still cheaper nonetheless.

Here are the prices that I compared:

It’s worth noting that American Express imposes small fees for certain airline bookings.

For example, they will charge a non-refundable fee of $6.99 per domestic ticket and $10.99 per international ticket for each ticket for an airline that pays them a standard fee or commission.

So the price differences above likely were affected by these fees.

Tip: Logged in Platinum cardmembers and Centurion members will not be charged this fee.

For hotels, the opposite was true.

Amex Travel was cheaper on more occasions although in some cases the price was virtually identical.

Also, you can earn 5X Membership Rewards on pre-paid hotel stays with your Platinum Card. That’s a lot of points and in some cases it could make up for the lost value of elite benefits.

The rental car prices were almost completely identical.

The cruises were generally cheaper with direct booking. This was partially the result of flash sales that were happening with some of the cruise lines. These flash sales were not showing up on Amex Travel.

Overall, my data points showed that booking flights is slightly more expensive through Amex Travel (likely due to Amex fees) but that booking hotels and rental cars can be virtually identical.

Cruises may also be identical in pricing but you may not have access to flash deals which can cause significant discrepancies in price.

Tip: The Platinum Card receives special perks on some cruise packages such as credits.

Using Membership Rewards to book Amex Travel

One of the cool things about Amex Travel is that you can use your Membership Rewards points to book travel.

Your redemptions must involve a minimum of 5,000 Membership Rewards.

Something important to know is that the value of your points will differ based on the type of travel that you book.

Here is a breakdown of the value your points get for different types of travel.

Tip: You can also use the points calculator to check out the value of your Membership Rewards.

As you can see, flights and hotels through the FHR get the most value for your points. Other types of redemptions like hotels are not great.

When you consider that a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred can get you 1.25 cents per point in the Chase Travel Portal on all different types of travel, all of a sudden redeeming Membership Rewards for .7 cents per point seems very poor.

If you have a small business card like the Business Platinum Card or the Business Gold Card , you can actually get more value for your points.

The Business Gold Card has a 25% bonus which comes out to 1.33 cents per point . Meanwhile, the Business Platinum Card  has a 35% bonus which comes out to 1.54 cents per point.

You can only get the bonus/rebate for either a First or Business class flight on any airline or for flights with your selected qualifying airline.

Here some of the airlines you might be able to choose:

• Alaska Airlines
• American Airlines
• Delta Airlines
• Frontier Airlines
• Hawaiian Airlines
• JetBlue Airways
• Spirit Airlines
• Southwest Airlines
• United Airlines

Note: There is a limitation on your rebate as you will only be able to receive up to 250,000 bonus points per calendar year for the Business Gold Card and up to 500,000 points per calendar year for the Business Platinum Card.

Alternative to using points for Amex Travel

Instead of using your points on travel, you could redeem them in other forms such as cash back, gift cards, or on Amazon.

The values for cashback and Amazon are not very good as you can see below but sometimes gift cards can be a decent option when you can cash out at one cent per point.

Should you use your Membership Rewards?

Even though your Membership Rewards can be transferred out to valuable travel partners for optimal value, sometimes it could make sense to use a travel portal.

One of the biggest reasons is that using something like Amex Travel is simpler.

You don’t have to deal with black out dates, award inventory, or figuring out how to do transfers and booking with partners.

However, if you do decide to transfer your points to American Express travel partners, here is a breakdown of the partners you can transfer to:

Related travel programs

There are three programs that are related to Amex Travel but are also different and stand out in different ways.

These include the:

The Hotel Collection

Fine hotels and resorts, international airline program.

These programs are mostly focused on premium and luxury travel so if you are in those markets, you will get the most value out of these related programs.

The Hotel Collection is a special hotel portal that allows you to receive up to $100 in property credits and upgrades when you book hotels of two nights or longer.

The Hotel Collection is only available to the following U.S. American Express Card Members:

• Consumer and Business Gold Card Members
• Business Gold Rewards Card Members
• Consumer and Business Platinum Card Members
• Consumer and Business Centurion Members

The hotel credit will equal the amount spent on the hotel at checkout up to $100 and it will be credited at check out based on qualifying charges made excluding charges for taxes, gratuities, fees and cost of room.

You must make your payment in full with an American Express Card in the Eligible Card Member’s name.

Also, the cardholder must travel on the itinerary booked. There is a limit of one credit per room per stay and a three room limit per card member per stay.

Room upgrade is based on availability and eligibility at check-in.

For bookings made on  amextravel.com , you will earn 2X Membership Rewards on each The Hotel Collection booking and you can also use Pay with Points.

Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts , also known as “FHR,” is a luxury hotel program that offers special elite-like perks at over 975 world-class properties all around the world. 

There are also special hotels within this program known as Preferred Hotels & Resorts which “represents one of the world’s finest and most diverse portfolios of independent hotels.”

These hotel networks are only available to cardmembers of Platinum Cards and Centurion Cards.

Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts offers an entire suite of benefits which include: 

• Noon check-in, when available
• Guaranteed 4pm late check-out
• Room upgrade upon arrival, when available
• Daily breakfast for two people
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Special amenity unique to each property

As mentioned above, you can earn 5X with the Platinum Card on prepaid bookings through FHR . Something else that stands out is that you can still receive your elite benefits and elite credits when going through this portal.

The Amex International Airline Program (IAP) is a special program available to Platinum cardholders and Centurion cardholders that allows you to receive special discounts on up to eight first class, business class, and premium economy fares when booking through Amex.

The discounts can range from saving a couple of hundred bucks to saving a few thousand bucks so the International Airline Program can be arguably the most valuable benefit offered by any American Express card.

Not every airline participates in the program. Currently, here is the list of airlines that participate:

• Air New Zealand
• Asiana Airlines
• British Airways
• Brussels Airlines
• Cathay Pacific
• China Airlines
• Etihad Airways
• Japan Airlines
• South African Airways
• Virgin Atlantic

You’ll notice that notably absent are domestic carriers United and American.

How to use Amex Travel

• Head to the Amex Travel website
• Choose the type of travel you want to book and input your destinations, travel dates, etc.
• Utilize filters to find the type of booking best suited for you
• Complete your booking!

The main menu

If you hover over “Book” you will then be able to select the type of travel you want to book.

(The default menu already displays flights, hotels, and vacations so you can easily start the booking process for those.)

For flights, simply enter in your departure and arrival locations along with your dates and other details such as cabin preference.

You’ll then see results populated and you can use filters to narrow down the results. You can sort by things like price, duration, and departure time. You can also filter the results down by airline.

The search results allow you to quickly view details like baggage fees and in some cases you’ll also be able to view the seat map which is very convenient.

The hotel search results also provide you with robust filters and sort features to make your searching efficient.

I like to use the map feature and to filter by stars to narrow down my potential properties.

You can also filter by price and if you are interested in the luxury hotel collection or find hotels and resorts you can filter by those programs.

If you do come across a hotel that is part of the Fine Hotels and Resorts, you will see that clearly indicated on the search result.

The same applies for The Hotel Collection.

Make sure that you pay attention to the cancellation policy for that specific hotel.

As you view the search results, you can see if there is flexible cancellation which would allow you to cancel up to a certain window prior to booking.

If there is a flexible cancellation policy, you will be able to view the exact terms to see the deadline to get a refund. When you click on “cancellation policy” you will see a message like this:

There is no charge for cancellations made before 18:00 (property local time) on March 16, 2021. Cancellations or changes made after 18:00 (property local time) on March 16, 2021 or no-shows are subject to a property fee equal to 100% of the total amount paid for the reservation.

Other hotels will be completely nonrefundable.

Again, you can always click on a hotel and then click on view cancellation policy to get the specific terms for that booking.

For rental cars, you have a lot of filters that you could use for things like the size of the rental car, the rental car company, price, etc. You will be able to easily view if the booking has free cancellation or not.

If you have an account, you should take a short amount of time to fill in your profile.

You will be able to input your personal details like your name and birthdate to make a booking quicker in the future. You can also input your known traveler number and your redress number if you have one.

In addition to your personal information, you can also easily add loyalty numbers to your frequent flyer program and hotel loyalty programs.

Next you can select things like your travel preferences. So for example, for flights you can select if you want a window or aisle seat. Or perhaps you have a meal preference such as gluten free meals.

And then if there are any additional preferences like unaccompanied minor status , vision impairments , etc., you can select those.

Finally, you can also add companions.

Amex Travel also has a section where you can view all of your booked trips.

This is really convenient when you need to change or cancel the booking since you have a quick way to find them.

You can also view past trips.

Amex Travel FAQ

Based on my 20 data points, Amex Travel is slightly more expensive for airfare (likely due to Amex fees) but prices are virtually identical for other types of travel such as hotels and car rentals. In some cases, Amex Travel had cheaper prices.

The Platinum Card is the best Amex card to use because you can take advantage of special 5X earnings on flights and hotels and also receive solid travel protections.

You may not receive your elite status benefits when booking hotels through Amex Travel because it is considered an OTA. However, you can still contact the hotel ahead of time and ask them to add your loyalty number to your reservation. After they do that, you may be able to receive some elite benefits depending on the brand and property. You can still get elite benefits with the Fine Hotels & Resorts and The Hotel Collection programs.

Yes, you can book travel with points on Amex Travel. However, you will have to use a minimum of 5,000 Membership Rewards.

Yes, Membership Rewards earning cards will earn one additional point when booking on Amex Travel for certain types of purchases. However, some cards like the Platinum Card and the Green Card will earn additional points.

Yes, but you may be subject to a non-refundable telephone air transaction service fee of $39 per ticket for airline tickets or air + hotel packages. Also, reservations within 6 hours of departure cannot be made by telephone.

Yes, you can change your airline booking but you may be subject to fees from the airline. In addition, American Express may charge you a $39 change fee per ticket reissue .

For bookings made online you can call Amextravel.com at: 1-800-297-2977. If you made your booking by phone with a Platinum Travel Counselor, you can call 1-800-443-7672.

No, you will need to use a card that has travel insurance like the Platinum Card or purchase a travel insurance package to get insurance for your bookings.

Flights Hotels Rental cars Cruises Vacation Packages

Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and the credit card app, WalletFlo . He is a former attorney turned travel expert covering destinations along with TSA, airline, and hotel policies. Since 2014, his content has been featured in publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, and CNBC. Read my bio .

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Platinum problem solvers: How Amex’s Concierge team handles ordinary, extreme requests

Update : Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

Years ago, I came across a great Reddit thread about a former American Express Concierge. I loved re-reading his entertaining stories about member requests that came to his office. Today, I'll cover my own personal experiences in conjunction with other data to show you how to maximize the capabilities of the American Express Concierge.

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter .

Cards that are eligible for American Express Concierge

The Concierge is available to anyone who holds one of the Platinum variety of cards from American Express, as well as select premium cobranded cards. Eligible cards include Business Platinum Card® from American Express, The Platinum Card® from American Express, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card and the exclusive "Black Card" known as the Amex Centurion Card. Centurion cardholders will have a dedicated concierge assigned to them. Meanwhile, Platinum cardholders receive a different concierge for each request.

The information for the Hilton Aspire card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

How to contact the American Express Concierge

Call 1-800-525-3355 to reach an American Express Concierge. For international collect calls, dial 954-473-2123. There is no service charge to use the concierge. Any charges related to your request will be placed on your Platinum Card. In my experience, the concierge usually asks for a not-to-exceed amount based on what you're trying to get done.

Types of Amex Concierge requests

Most requests coming into the Platinum Concierge fall into one of the following categories: flowers, concert/show tickets or restaurant reservations. Here are some tips on how to proceed with each:

Have the concierge contact local florists instead of online services like 1-800-Flowers or FTD. Because my last two online confirmed orders weren't delivered on time, I now use the concierge. The service works directly with a local shop to confirm details like delivery time, price range and the particular arrangement I request.

Related: The best ways to earn rewards when ordering flowers

Concert/show tickets

Perhaps an undersold value of this service is that Amex can grab tickets the second they go on sale for your desired concert. This means you don't have to step out of a meeting at an awkward time or continually hit the refresh button only to miss out on the tickets anyway.

Give the concierge an adequate heads-up before tickets going on sale, with as much or little direction about the location and ticket costs as you desire. Tickets purchased by the concierge through TicketMaster don't have the online convenience fee.

Restaurant reservations

The Amex Global Dining Collection allows you to search a database of restaurants that are familiar with taking reservations from the Amex team. Some of the concierges who routinely work the dining reservations are rumored to be on a first-name basis with the host and maitre d' of some of the best restaurants in New York City, Paris and London. You should still plan as far in advance as possible to ensure you'll get a table.

I've found the concierge helpful for dining situations where I say, "I'd like a romantic Italian dinner in Chicago near the Navy pier. Can you provide three or four options for me that have reservations for tonight?" I once got a last-minute table at the classic Parisian restaurant A la Biche au Bois — and it was fantastic. I've even got extra perks like free drinks at appetizers at Global Dining Collection restaurants.

Related: Booking reservations at some of the top restaurants in the world is about to get easier

Travel-related assistance

Although you should contact Amex Travel if you need help booking new travel, the concierge may be able to help with already-booked trips. During the pandemic, many cardholders have utilized the concierge to help with complicated cancelations, trip rebookings and getting refunds while airlines were slammed with other requests. Similarly, they can help you get home quickly when things go wrong during a trip. For instance, when TPG's Brian Kelly was stranded in Bali during the Mount Agung volcano eruption , his Centurion concierge strung together a series of vans, ferries and planes to get him off the island at a time when most other people were out of options.

Related: Unadvertised perks of the invite-only Amex Centurion Card

Unusual Amex Concierge requests

The sky's the limit here, but you must give your request a common-sense check before submitting something so outlandish that no one can accomplish it. My own requests have included:

• Having a baby sun hat waiting at the Hyatt Regency Guam. I was flying in from cold Japan with my four-month-old on a last-minute business trip. A few hats were waiting at the check-in desk when we arrived — unfortunately, none that fit.
• A few years ago, the concierge located a two-foot-tall balloon in the shape of the number one, for my son's first birthday party and had it delivered to the house.

Some of my favorite (successful) requests I've read about include:

• A gentleman asking the concierge to have his children picked up from school because he was with his mistress. The concierge arranged a limo service to pick them up.
• A gentleman in a hotel bathroom requested a new wardrobe as he had an accident during a business meeting. The concierge contacted the hotel concierge, who delivered new slacks, underwear and socks to the man in the stall.
• A woman saw a pair of earrings in an obscure foreign film. She called the concierge, told them the film and scene with the earrings. The concierge was able to locate a store that sold them.

Success with unusual requests can come down to the individual concierge and how much effort they're willing to put into getting you what you want. As with all customer service, not all concierges are created equal. It's obvious that many times they did a quick Google search or made a single phone call and found out a reservation or ticket was not available. However, most have tried to go the extra mile for me and provide an alternative if my number-one choice wasn't attainable.

Related: 10 bizarre hotel guest requests that were actually granted

Is concierge service worth the call?

The concierge service available to Amex Platinum cardholders is most valuable to people too busy to complete time-sensitive tasks like making reservations, buying tickets and doing a little research. Relying on the good people on the other side of the phone for these errands can simplify things. Plus, if you're polite and gracious to a concierge who has been particularly helpful, they do have the option of giving you their extension so you can work with them routinely.

If you're counting on the concierge to come up with last-minute heroics, my experience suggests success would not be the norm, but it still is a possibility. For routine requests, I've had nothing but positive experiences.

There are similar stories of success and failure from the Amex concierge over at FlyerTalk , which may get your creative juices flowing for how you could best utilize the service.

Other Amex Platinum benefits

Aside from the concierge benefit, The Platinum Card® from American Express offers lots of other valuable benefits. Some of these benefits aren't useful, with the coronavirus pandemic impacting our ability to travel. Some of these benefits have been amended so that cardholders can use them from home.

$200 airline fee credit

As a cardholder, you get an up to $200 airline rebate once per calendar year, meaning every Jan. 1, you get $200 to spend on an airline that you designate. Enrollment required for select benefits.

Airport lounge access

Airport lounge access is a cornerstone of the Platinum Card. Cardholders get complimentary access to Delta SkyClubs when holding a valid ticket for same-day travel. Amex has ramped up access to its own Centurion Lounges, with locations in Dallas (DFW), Las Vegas (LAS), New York (LGA), San Francisco (SFO), Miami (MIA) and Seattle (SEA). Cardholders get complimentary access , along with immediate family or up to two guests. You'll also receive Priority Pass Select membership. Enrollment required for select benefits.

Global Entry or TSA Precheck application fee reimbursement

Platinum cardholders can receive a statement credit of up to $85 for TSA Precheck application fee every 4.5 years or up to $100 Global Entry application fee once every 4 years. Global Entry will get you out of lengthy customs and immigration lines when you return from traveling abroad.

Automatic Marriott and Hilton Gold status

With the Platinum Card, you can get automatic Gold status with Marriott and Hilton Honors. Marriott Bonvoy Gold status gets you 25% bonus points on stays, late checkout, room upgrades and more.

Meanwhile, Hilton Honors Gold members get 80% bonus points, free breakfast and space-available room upgrades, among other perks.

This Platinum card benefit is incredibly valuable, especially considering that Gold status normally requires you to complete 25 nights with Marriott and 40 nights or 25 stays with Hilton.

Fine Hotels & Resorts program

The Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts program for American Express Platinum and Business Platinum Card® from American Express cardholders is a hotel booking site that includes added perks and benefits when you use it to book stays. Benefits include availability-based room upgrades, free night offers, complimentary breakfast, early check-in and guaranteed 4 p.m. check-out, resort credits for expenses like restaurants or spa treatments and free Wi-Fi at select properties.

Amex Concierge FAQ

How long do amex concierge requests take to process.

I've had most usual requests handled in a matter of hours, but some have taken 2-4 days depending on business hours and the amount of research required.

Can I use the Amex concierge to book travel?

I don't recommend calling the concierge to arrange any type of travel. They'll pass you off to an American Express Travel Services representative who will begin a very long, drawn-out process of trying to book standard travel over the phone.

Will anyone else be notified of my concierge request?

Your requests will not be shared with anyone, including authorized users, except yourself. If you're having flowers delivered to someone other than (cough) your spouse, they cannot find out. Apparently, many angry spouses have called the service demanding answers for charges on the statement.

Bottom line

The American Express Platinum Concierge is an often-overlooked perk of Amex's premium cards but can be highly valuable. From scoring hard-to-get tickets to finding exactly what you need anywhere in the world, the sky's the limit with what type of requests the concierge can fulfill.

Benji Stawski contributed to this story.

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Who can use the American Express Travel portal?

Benefits of booking travel on amex travel, how to book travel in the portal, is travel insurance included when booking through amex travel, downsides of booking via amex travel, final thoughts on the amex travel portal.

The American Express Travel portal is similar to many other online booking sites in that it allows you to purchase flights, hotels and other travel reservations. The main difference is that only those who hold an American Express card can use it.

Certain cards come with additional perks for booking in the portal. For instance, some AmEx cards allow travelers to earn extra points for bookings, receive a 35% points rebate, pay for a portion of the reservation with points, get room upgrades and more. Terms apply.

Here's a look at what the AmEx Travel portal offers and how to use it to maximize your benefits.

American Express Travel flights, hotels and other reservations are available for American Express cardholders. Depending on which American Express card you have, you may earn additional points on your reservation or unlock additional features. Terms apply.

For example, The Platinum Card® from American Express cardholders earn 5x points on flights booked directly with an airline or through AmEx Travel and 5x points on prepaid hotels booked through AmEx Travel. They also have access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts collection through the travel portal. Additionally, American Express® Gold Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express cardholders can book room reservations with The Hotel Collection . Terms apply.

Here are eight reasons why booking with AmEx travel could be a good idea.

1. Earn up to 5x points

When you book flight through the AmEx Travel portal, your credit card may earn additional points for the purchase. In addition, prepaid hotel reservations through the AmEx travel portal also earn extra points. These are a few of the cards that offer a bonus when making reservations through AmEx travel:

on American Express' website

• 5 points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel, on up to $500,000 spent per year.

• 5 points per $1 on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.

• 1 point per $1 on other eligible purchases.

Terms apply.

• 4 points per $1 at restaurant plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.

• 4 points per $1 at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per year).

• 3 points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel.

• 3 points per $1 on eligible travel purchases.

• 3 points per $1 on restaurants worldwide.

• 1 point per $1 on other purchases.

• 2 points per $1 on the first $50,000 in purchases each calendar year.

• 1 point per $1 on purchases above $50,000 in a calendar year.

» Learn more: AmEx Membership Rewards: How to earn and use them

2. Pay for reservations using Pay with Points

With American Express Travel, flights, hotels and more can be paid for with points instead of cash. Members can even choose to pay a portion of the trip with points and the rest with cash. Once your reservations have been booked, the full amount of your trip will be charged to your American Express credit card, and then a credit will be posted for the points redeemed within 48 hours.

You must redeem at least 5,000 points in order to use Pay with Points. Points are redeemed at a value of 1 cent per point when booking flights or making Fine Hotels & Resorts reservations. Other eligible travel receives only 0.7 cents per point. NerdWallet values Membership Rewards points at 2.8 cents per point if you take advantage of transferring to and booking through travel partners, so the redemption rates in the travel portal are significantly below our ideal value.

If you need to cancel your reservation, you'll receive a statement credit on your card for the cash equivalent. Members who would rather have the unused Membership Rewards points returned to their accounts must contact American Express customer service at 800-297-3276. Terms apply.

3. Upgrade flights with points

Eligible flights booked with cash can be upgraded using your American Express Membership Rewards points. You'll receive 1 cent per point credit towards the cost when upgrading a flight with points (which is again below our AmEx point valuation ).

To upgrade your flight with points, select your airline and provide your reservation details in the AmEx travel portal. You will be notified if your flight is eligible or not. If your flight is eligible, you can submit an offer to the airline for the upgrade. The airline will accept or reject your bid between one and five days of your flight's departure and you'll receive a decision via email.

If your upgrade offer is accepted, the points will be deducted from your account. Your statement will show a charge and a credit for the corresponding points.

» Learn more: You can now use AmEx points to bid on flight upgrades

4. Discounted international flights through AmEx IAP

Platinum cardholders have access to discounted flights through International Airline Program (IAP) , which allows members to book first, business and premium economy at a discount on select airlines and routes. Plus, you'll receive 5x Membership Rewards points on the booking when using your The Platinum Card® from American Express or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express to pay for the flight. Terms apply.

There are 25 airlines that participate in this program. You can book refundable and nonrefundable tickets for up to eight passengers through the IAP. Tickets can be paid with your card, points or a combination of the two. You will have to pay a $39 nonrefundable ticketing fee, however the discount received on these tickets should outweigh the fee.

5. Cancel For Any Reason insurance

CFAR is shorthand for an insurance policy that allows you to cancel your trip for any reason whatsoever and receive a refund. In May 2022, AmEx launched its own version of CFAR coverage for airfare booked through the travel portal using an AmEx card.

This feature, called Trip Cancel Guard, will get you up to a 75% reimbursement on nonrefundable airfare costs, provided you cancel at least two calendar days out from your departure. You'll need to purchase Trip Cancel Guard coverage at the point of booking and if you cancel, whether through the airline directly or through AmEx Travel, you can request reimbursement online or over the phone.

» Learn more: The guide to Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) travel insurance

6. 35% points rebate with The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

When The Business Platinum Card® from American Express cardholder book flights using points through the AmEx travel portal, they can receive up to 35% of their points back . The benefit is available on first or business class flights on any airline and all economy flights with their chosen airline. This benefit provides up to 500,000 points back per calendar year.

However, as with all AmEx credits , it's not as straightforward as you may hope. You will have to designate the airline for the 35% rebate and the airline must be the same as the one chosen for the $200 airline incidental credit .

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

7. Fine Hotels & Resorts

The Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando. (Photo by Sally French)

Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) is a collection of resorts and benefits available only to Platinum Card members. There are over 2,000 properties worldwide that participate in this program. When making reservations with Fine Hotels & Resorts for one night or more, you'll receive the following benefits:

$200 statement credit provided once per year.

Noon check-in (when available).

Room upgrade upon arrival (when available).

Daily breakfast for two.

Guaranteed 4 pm late checkout.

Complimentary in-room WiFi.

Unique property benefit valued at least $100.

These benefits rival those that many travelers receive when booking directly with hotels to obtain elite status perks. Some locations also offer a last-night free benefit, depending upon when you make your reservation. And some of the best hotels to book using FHR credits offer especially-unique amenities.

For example, many theme park fans consider Loews Portofino Bay Hotel as the best FHR hotel in Orlando . That's because — on top of all the above benefits — guests receive complimentary Universal Express Unlimited ride access, which allows you to skip the lines inside the Universal theme parks .

8. The Hotel Collection

The Loews Sapphire Falls at Universal Orlando falls under The Hotel Collection. (Photo by Sally French)

AmEx Gold and Platinum cardholders receive elite status-level perks at more than 600 hotels worldwide. When you stay for two nights or more, you'll receive a $100 resort credit and an upgrade upon arrival (when available). In addition, you can use your AmEx Membership Rewards credit card to book and pay for your reservation entirely or partially with your points.

While you can book travel over the phone with an agent, it is often quicker and more convenient to make your reservations through the AmEx Travel portal.

Here's how to book travel in the American Express travel portal:

Go to americanexpress.com/en-us/travel/ .

Log in with your username and password.

Select flights, hotels, flight + hotel, cars, or cruises.

Enter your travel dates, cities and other relevant information.

Choose options based on your trip.

Pay with your American Express credit card, points, or a combination.

Since you need an American Express card to make reservations through AmEx travel, you may already hold a card that offers complimentary travel insurance . If you don’t get travel insurance perks through your AmEx card, you can purchase Trip Cancel Guard through when making your booking.

Trip Cancel Guard works similarly to CFAR in that it allows you to cancel your trip for any reason whatsoever and get up to a 75% reimbursement of your travel costs as long as the cancellation is made two full days before your trip.

What is the AmEx Travel cancellation policy?

When you book travel through the American Express travel portal, you may be eligible to cancel your reservation within 24 hours and get a full refund. However, the cancellation policy is determined by the airline.

As such, AmEx instructs travelers to refer to the cancellation policy on the itinerary or reach out to customer service with any questions. Terms apply.

There are many appealing reasons why travelers want to book reservations with the AmEx travel portal. However, there are some downsides as well. These are some of the most common reasons why you shouldn't:

Low value for your points. Redeeming points through the AmEx travel portal yields a value of 1 cent per point or less. That's at least a 50% reduction compared to our value of Membership Rewards points.

Complicated customer service. Resolving flight or hotel reservation issues becomes more complicated when you book through a third party such as AmEx travel. The airline or hotel blames the booking agency and may not immediately resolve the problem in some instances. However, providers have no scapegoat when you book direct.

No hotel elite status benefits or loyalty credits. Most hotels require you to book directly to receive elite status benefits, stay credits or earn points. For travelers looking to take advantage of their elite status or earn status for the next year, booking AmEx travel hotel reservations is not a good idea.

Despite the above policy, hotels booked through Fine Hotels & Resorts allow you to earn elite night credit and earn loyalty perks associated with your elite status level on any hotel reservations — regardless if you book in the portal or not.

The AmEx travel portal offers numerous benefits for all American Express cardholders. If you have a Membership Rewards credit card, you can pay for all or part of eligible travel reservations using your points.

And any portion that you pay with your Membership Rewards card can earn up to 5x points. AmEx Travel also offers two hotel collections that provide additional perks similar to elite status benefits.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

On a similar note...

Wealthy Nickel

Amex Platinum Travel Phone Number

American Express has been voted one of the best financial institutions for satisfactory customer service. The Platinum Card from American Express is the best card offering amazing benefits towards travel purchases annually. Some of the best rewards and benefits include exclusive perks such as complimentary travel insurance and airport lounge access.

The more cardholders pay for eligible purchases, the more Membership Rewards points they receive. Therefore, the cardholder of the Amex Platinum Card or Amex Business Platinum Card will enjoy premium benefits towards travel.

Aside from receiving the best benefits, all card members will access 24/7 customer service from American Express during travel. The American Express Travel website facilitates online flight booking and assists cardholders to secure reservations in partnering hotels such as Hilton Hotels. Cardholders will also use the concierge services to help book travel destinations and tickets to sold-out events in-person or online. The concierge service also covers emergencies faced by the cardholder during travel, ensuring the cardholder’s safety.

Thus, the Platinum Card from American Express offers cardholders maximum benefits and the best customer service options.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

·         The Platinum Card from American Express offers the best customer care service for cardholders during travel

·         Cardholders of the Amex Platinum Card will receive help for different services through different numbers offered by American Express

Priority Pass Number

The Priority Pass Lounges are a partnering lounge that offers cardholders complimentary access to the lounge as they wait for their flight. The cardholder must show their eligible Platinum Card, same-day boarding pass, and Priority Pass Card to receive an entry. Cardholders will receive the complimentary membership upon card account opening since they must show the Priority Pass Card as a requirement for access.

Also, cardholders will receive complimentary guest access for one guest in participating lounges across the world. Additional guests will be charged at a cost per the charge rate charged through the Platinum Card after the visit is reported.

There are over 1000 Priority Pass Lounges worldwide which Platinum cardholders have access to as they travel. In case of any issue concerning Priority Pass, Amex Platinum cardholders can contact American Express when they are in or outside the US. The official number given by American Express on matters relating to Priority Pass is 1-800-801-6564 for those within the US.

If you are traveling outside the US and need to make a call, you can use the call collect at 1-954-503-8868 across the world.

Platinum Card Concierge Service Contact Number

The Platinum Card Concierge services offer any form of assistance, especially in a hotel, but it can extend to other companies. The Platinum Card concierge services offer various services to its cardholders, assisting them in their trip. The Platinum Concierge service is only available to premium cards such as the Platinum Card, Business Platinum Card, or its other versions.

Cardholders can make dining and tickets reservations, in-store and online purchases, and ask a concierge to book restaurants on their behalf. Thus, concierge services help the cardholder, including in emergencies such as retrieving missing baggage during travel.

The cardholder is responsible for fees and taxes charged when a concierge is purchasing items on their behalf. The cardholder picks the tab covered by the Amex Platinum Card, but the purchases remain protected under American Express policies. Cardholders will request concierge services by calling 800-525-3355 while in the US, the same as the number on the Amex Travel website.

International calls can be made through a call collect at 617-622-6756 for cardholders outside the US. Alternatively, call the number on the back of your card, which allows you to choose the concierge service you need.

How do I contact Amex Travel International?

American Express customer services extend all over the world, especially for cardholders making a trip outside the US. American Express has offered numbers that ensure cardholders speak directly to customer service attendants for further help. The international phone numbers are available 24/7, although some have specific times that the lines are open. They include the following:

Amex Number

Availability

United Kingdom

+44 1273696933

+88 6227190707

+34 902375637

+66 22735544

New Zealand

+61 292718666

+81 332206100

+52 5553262929

+39 0672282

+1 9054740870 or +1 8006682639

+54 1143103002

+55 34 21026266

+33 147777000

+91 1242801800

+43 810910940

+49 6997971000

+85 222771010

+65 68801900

Netherlands

+31 205048000

M-F 8:00-20:00

+45 70 20 44 99

M-F 8:30-16:30

+47 24 05 52 63

M-F 8:00-18:00

+46 771295600

M – F: 8:00-18:00

+35 8961320400

M-F: 9:00-18:00

No matter the location, cardholders will receive quality services with ready-to-serve attendants to assist in any way possible. That way, the cardholder will feel secure and protected as they book their flight, even through American Airlines or flying a different airline. Cardholders will receive other services, including help to cancel or book restaurant reservations, book a hotel stay, and submit membership for partnering airport lounges.

Travel has never been easier using a travel card like the American Express Platinum Card. Aside from offering travel rewards and offers, the Platinum Card offers other benefits through their travel phone number. Cardholders can access Platinum Card concierge services, Priority Pass membership, and other forms of assistance through a phone number. Whether in the US or international countries, cardholders will still receive assistance from American Express.

Alternatively, cardholders may call the number on the back of their cards if they need help remembering the numbers to call.

How do I contact Amex Travel?

The Amex Travel contact can be found on the amextravel.com website, mainly used by cardholders to book a flight directly through the airlines. The number is 1-800-525-3355 for cardholders within the US or a collect call at 617-622-6756 for those outside the US. Alternatively, cardholders may contact the number on the back of their card for help directing them to the right channels.

Most countries have 24/7 open customer service numbers, which cardholders use to reach American Express for assistance.

What is Amex Global Travel phone number?

American Express cardholders can access customer care in over twenty different countries worldwide. However, each country has a unique phone number cardholders use to access American Express services. If you lack the option of using the numbers, try calling the number on the back of your Platinum Card for further assistance.

Does Amex have 24-hour customer service?

Yes, Amex has a 24-hour customer service number readily available to all cardholders, regardless of location. However, some areas limit the hours the Amex customer care service is running and accessible to cardholders. The number found on the back of your Platinum Card will always work, especially if you need immediate assistance.

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American Express Travel: Your Guide to Booking Flights, Hotels, Car Rentals, & Cruises

Jarrod West

Senior Content Contributor

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Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

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Director of Operations & Compliance

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What Is AmexTravel.com?

Fees for using the portal, searching for flights, insider fares, the hotel collection, american express fine hotels and resorts, standard hotel booking, searching for packages, compare flights+hotel to booking separately, searching for cruises, special offers, cruise privileges program, amextravel.com insiders, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

American Express is best known as a credit card issuer, but the company also offers other products and services, including travel booking and planning using AmexTravel.com.

While AmexTravel.com is available for anyone (not just cardmembers), holding an Amex card can definitely help you get extra value when using the program.

Here’s a look at what AmexTravel.com is, what services it provides, what the cost to use, the best ways to use it, and when it’s worth using!

At its most basic, AmexTravel.com is an online travel booking portal (or “online travel agency”) just like Expedia , Kayak , and Orbitz .

You can use it to book a whole trip or just a flight, hotel (or flight + hotel packages), rental cars, or even cruises. If you’d like extra assistance from a customer service agent, you can book by phone as well.

Flights booked through the portal can be subject to small fees. However, sometimes the benefits can make these fees worth it, and they’re waived for holders of the Platinum Card ® from American Express .

There are also a few “sub-categories” that fall under the AmexTravel.com umbrella, including the Hotel Collection and Fine Hotels and Resorts .

Why Should You Use AmexTravel.com?

The main reason to book with AmexTravel.com is the incredible customer service . If you run into any problems during your trip (like delays, cancellations, over-bookings, etc.), you can connect with a live travel agent by phone 24/7 who will work with you to find a solution.

Additionally, if you hold an Amex credit card that earns Membership Rewards points, you can often earn 2x points or more by using it to pay for travel services booked through AmexTravel.com.

Hot Tip:  If you use your Amex Platinum card , you can earn 5x Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or with AmexTravel.com. 

Anytime you book a flight through AmexTravel.com (either on its own or as part of a package), you’ll pay a fee of $6.99 for domestic flights and $10.99 for international flights .

These fees are waived if you have the Amex Platinum card and are logged into your account.

If you choose to book a flight by phone rather than online, there’s an added $39 phone service fee .

If you make changes to your flight, there’s a $39 reissue fee in addition to whatever fee the airline charges. This only applies to advance changes, not changes due to problems like canceled flights .

Below, we’ll take a look at how to use AmexTravel.com to book flights, hotels, vacation packages, rental cars, and cruises.

Booking Flights With AmexTravel.com

Searching for flights with AmexTravel.com is similar to other online travel agencies. You can search by city or by specific airport, select your departure and return dates, and click whether you want to search for lower fares within 3 days of your chosen dates.

On the results page, American Express lists the most relevant Delta result at the top highlighted as a “featured airline.” The featured airline is followed by the lowest available fares.

When you scroll down, you can use the controls on the left sidebar to filter the results by the number of stops, departure/arrival times, airline, or even specific flight number.

By default, flights are displayed in price order starting with the lowest, except for a featured Delta flight at the top (when available). At the top of the search window above the results, all available airlines are shown, as well as the lowest available price with each airline.

Depending on your search, you may see a blue tab labeled “Insider Fares Available” above some of the airlines listed at the top of the search window.

These are discounted fares, and they only apply if you pay for the entire flight with Membership Rewards rather than cash. Note that cash prices are rounded to the nearest dollar.

If you’re logged in and have enough Membership Rewards points to cover the entire flight, you will be able to see these discounted fares.

For example, in the below search, you’ll see an example of an Insider Fare available for purchase. The Insider Fare offered a slight discount rather than just matching the cash price in points with each point worth 1 cent (more on that below).

The difference can be fairly minimal. In the JFK-ATL example above, the discount was from 25,259 Membership Rewards points to 24,120 — changing the value from 1 cent per point to about 1.05 cents per point .

Amextravel.com charges a fee to book, but they bundle this into the displayed price. The fee is $6.99 per domestic ticket or $10.99 per international ticket. These fees are waived as a benefit of the Amex Platinum card , just make sure you’re logged into your Amex account when booking.

Hot Tip: AmexTravel.com now offers Trip Cancel Guard coverage that you can add when purchasing flights via AmexTravel.com whether paying with an American Express card, with Membership Rewards points using the Pay With Points option, or a combination of both. It provides for reimbursement of up to 75% of the cost of the non-refundable prepaid flight expense, penalty and change fees caused by the cancellation, or the amount of any expired vouchers/flight credits received for the canceled flight. Coverage is applicable when your flight is canceled for any reason and is valid until 2 full calendar days prior to your trip’s originally scheduled departure date.

When searching several different flights across different online travel agents, we found similar results to the below example each time.

To compare prices, we searched multiple online travel agents and portals using the same search parameters: departing John F. Kennedy-New York (JFK), arriving at London-Heathrow International (LHR), round-trip, 1 traveler, economy, and nonstop on specific dates.

We selected the lowest-priced nonstop flight available through AmexTravel.com: a Finnair flight operated by Oneworld partner , American Airlines.

When searching on AmexTravel.com, the flight was $595.86. This breaks down to $133 in base fare and $462.86 of government, airline, and American Express-imposed fees.

We received the same search results when we replicated this search on Finnair’s U.S. website, Kayak, and Orbitz.

In a second search, we looked for a domestic round-trip from Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) to Los Angeles International (LAX) on the same dates. This flight was priced at $199.40. Keep in mind, you would usually see this rate plus the $6.99 Amex booking fee, but again, this is waived for Amex Platinum cardholders.

When cross-referencing this itinerary on Delta’s website, we found the same price listed for a regular economy fare of $199.40. However, there was a basic economy option that was a bit cheaper, which was not available through AmexTravel.com.

Other online travel portals, including Orbitz and Kayak , listed the same price.

This means, if you’re already set on the specific itinerary you want to fly, booking through AmexTravel.com can often cost the same as booking directly with the airline, or through a third party . This assumes you receive waived booking fees for being an Amex Platinum cardholder.

However, what if you’re just looking for the cheapest flight on a particular day? If you do a general search for a route on set dates, will AmexTravel.com find the same rates as other portals? In our experience, the answer is no.

In our example search, here are the lowest available regular economy non-stop flights we could find between New York (any airport) and London (any airport) when searching the same set of dates on a few different websites (sorted by price ascending):

*Including a $10.99 AmexTravel.com booking fee.

The reason for these results is likely due to the fact that the Amex portal doesn’t include some low-cost carriers like Norwegian, so travel portals that do will often win on price.

Even excluding the low-cost carriers, though, other portals like Expedia and Orbitz were able to offer lower fares by about $15.

That said, AmexTravel.com was able to find about the same fares you would find when booking directly with an airline.

Hot Tip: If you hold The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express you can get a 35% rebate on select flights when you pay with points through AmexTravel.com.

AmexTravel.com Hotel Programs

There are actually 3 programs offered for booking hotels:

• Fine Hotels and Resorts
• AmexTravel.com booking (standard)

What Is The Hotel Collection?

The Hotel Collection is a program through AmexTravel.com only available to holders of certain cards:

• The American Express ® Gold Card and the American Express ® Business Gold Card

The Amex Platinum card and the Business Platinum Card ® from American Express

The Centurion card

Perks of The Hotel Collection

When you book a hotel through The Hotel Collection, you get certain perks including:

• Room upgrade at check-in (if available)
• Up to a $100 hotel credit for on-site amenities like the restaurant, bar, room service, or spa
• Ability to use Pay With Points on prepaid reservations
• 3x Membership Rewards points for Amex Gold cardholders on prepaid bookings
• 5x Membership Rewards points for Amex Platinum cardholders on prepaid reservations
• Up to $200 credit each year towards prepaid hotel reservations with either The Hotel Collection (2-night stay) or Fine Hotels and Resorts with select credit cards

Usually, American Express guarantees that any hotel booked through AmexTravel.com will have the lowest publicly-available rates (prepaid rates only), but this rule does not apply to bookings through The Hotel Collection per the terms & conditions . Be certain to check multiple booking options to ensure you’re getting the best deal.

Rooms have to be booked through AmexTravel.com. That means that if you book directly through the hotel or another service, you won’t get the perks, even if the hotel is a part of The Hotel Collection and you pay for the stay with your American Express card.

Further, you must stay a minimum of 2 nights , and you cannot book consecutive stays within 24 hours of each other.

The good news is that these benefits are available for up to 3 rooms per stay . So if you book 3 rooms for family members, you’ll get a total hotel service credit of up to $300.

Hotel Points and Elite Benefits

Typically, you won’t earn points through a hotel loyalty program if you book through a third party, and this includes the AmexTravel.com portal.

Further, you won’t get any elite benefits that you might otherwise be entitled to if you have status with that hotel chain.

Bottom Line:  The Hotel Collection is potentially useful if you’re planning to pay with your eligible Membership Rewards-earning card. This comes at the expense of hotel-specific elite benefits, including points and elite credits in any hotel loyalty program.

What Is the Fine Hotels and Resorts Program?

AmexTravel.com runs a second hotel program called Fine Hotels and Resorts (FHR). It can be a little bit confusing since it sounds like it would overlap with the Hotel Collection, but that’s not the case.

The Fine Hotels and Resorts program is exclusive to Amex Platinum cardholders (personal or business) , as well as those with the invitation-only Centurion Card .

FHR includes different hotels and resorts than The Hotel Collection, with minimal overlap. The FHR collection tends to be more geared toward leisure travelers who wish to book stays at higher-end properties.

Perks of Fine Hotels and Resorts

Booking hotels through the Fine Hotels and Resorts collection entitles you to a handful of potentially valuable perks, including:

• Early noon check-in (when available)
• Room upgrade on arrival (when available)
• Daily breakfast for 2 people
• Guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• A unique amenity valued at $100 or more; examples include a property credit, dining credit, spa credit, or similar amenity

Unlike The Hotel Collection, rooms booked through Fine Hotels and Resorts are not all prepaid. In fact, most are standard rates that you’ll pay for at the end of your stay when you check out. In comparing several properties, including the Park Hyatt in Chicago, we found rates identical to the non-prepaid rates when booking directly through the hotel.

However, keep in mind that the hotel may directly offer prepaid and early-purchase options which may be much cheaper, though you won’t benefit from the Fine Hotels and Resorts perks.

There are fewer terms with Fine Hotels and Resorts than with The Hotel Collection. You must book through AmexTravel.com/FHR to receive the benefits .

As with The Hotel Collection, if you book directly with the hotel or through a different travel agency or portal, you won’t be able to claim FHR benefits even if it’s a participating hotel. Other terms vary by property.

Good news here! Unlike stays booked through The Hotel Collection, stays through American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts count as “qualifying rates” for hotel loyalty programs. That means if you’re staying at a hotel that’s part of a loyalty program, you’ll be able to earn points and receive the relevant benefits if you hold elite status.

Hot Tip: Want to know about the differences between these programs? Dig into our dedicated guide on the differences between the Hotel Collection and Fine Hotels & Resorts .

Searching Hotels

Searching for hotels at AmexTravel.com works more or less the same as with flights. You enter your city, dates, number of rooms, and guests. You can check a box to have properties from The Hotel Collection and Fine Hotels and Resorts displayed at the top.

Of course, if you’re interested in booking through either of those programs, you could also just book on their dedicated pages.

By default, search results are ranked by “recommended,” which seems to be decided by an algorithm factoring in price, location, and reviews.

Terms vary by the specific hotel and rate you book, so make sure to read the fine print.

The site can be a bit confusing when trying to compare prices since American Express doesn’t include all taxes and fees in the price displayed (while some hotel websites do).

For example, we searched for a 4-night stay at the Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill. American Express quoted an average of $337/night, which should make the total stay around $1,348. When you go to book, though, the total with fees is $1,625.

While it initially looks more expensive to book directly with Hyatt (where the cost is quoted at $404/night), that price includes all taxes and fees , so you’ll actually pay $1,611, or $14 less.

Our search for the Marriott Regent Park yielded similar results. It’s listed at $233/night in the search function, which implies the total to be $932.

In reality, once you click through, the total is $1,120. Booking directly with Marriott, rates are listed at $261/night, but that includes taxes and fees — for a total prepaid rate of $1,080.

For the 2 hotels in question, here’s how total prices compared through different portals (sorted by price ascending):

In both tickets, AmexTravel.com was within a few dollars of the other online travel agencies, which were all more expensive than booking directly through the hotel’s website.

Similar to The Hotel Collection, rates booked through AmexTravel.com aren’t eligible for elite benefits or hotel loyalty points.

Bottom Line:  Like most other online travel portals and agencies, prices can vary between AmexTravel.com and the hotel’s direct booking channel. You won’t get elite benefits or hotel points, so it might be worth booking directly if those are valuable to you. 

Flights+Hotel Packages

Like with many online travel portals and even airline websites, you can book packages that include flights and hotels through AmexTravel.com. Usually, the point of booking these packages is to get a discount, special perks, or promotions.

The search window for Flights+Hotels is simple: input airports (or cities), dates, number of travelers, and rooms. Results are listed in a recommended order by default just like when searching for a standard hotel.

Terms vary by the specific package you book, so make sure to read the fine print !

As with standalone flight reservations, AmexTravel.com charges a fee to book Flights+Hotel packages: $6.99 per domestic ticket or $10.99 per international ticket .

Again, these fees are waived for holders of the Amex Platinum card  or the Centurion card.

In the results field, a total starting price  per person is listed, including all taxes and fees with the cheapest flight option. American Express also lists how much you’re saving with the package, although this is missing for some hotels.

Once you select the hotel, you can customize your flight. The total price changes based on which flight you select.

In a sample search, we chose the Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill, and picked the cheapest nonstop flight: British Airways flight, which was Newark Liberty International (EWR) to LHR and London-Gatwick (LGW) to JFK. The package came to $1,446 per person, or $2,892 total.

Annoyingly, AmexTravel.com doesn’t show a breakdown of hotel and airfare costs and fees; instead, it just displays a total per person.

For comparison, you can search the flight and hotels separately. We tried searching for the flight first on the same day.

We found Finnair flights operated by American Airlines for $660 per person — an option that wasn’t offered as part of the package (although with the booking fee, the flights should have been $671). When we filtered the search to British Airways only, it showed a ton of options for $671.

Searching hotels next, we again chose the Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill’s lowest prepaid rate. It was listed as $337 per night for 1 room (plus taxes and fees), for a total of $2,031. For the 2 flights and the hotel, that comes to a total of $3,351, or $1,675.50 per person.

In this case, booking the trip as a package saves almost $460, even though the search results page didn’t highlight any savings specifically.

The main downside to booking a package is that you have less flexibility. Say you want to change hotels for part of the trip or maybe stay with a friend for the last few days. This isn’t an option because you must book a single hotel for the entire time between your flights. It can also make solutions harder to find if there are any problems — although the AmexTravel.com customer support should make up for that.

Bottom Line:  If you’re using AmexTravel.com and your plans allow for the lack of flexibility, you might be able to save a lot of money with a package. Just make sure to compare the listed price to booking everything separately. Note that you can’t book a package retroactively: you have to book the flights and hotel at the same time. 

Rental Cars

AmexTravel.com also offers a rental car booking service. You can make reservations from rental stations at airports and elsewhere.

To search for rental cars, simply enter an airport or city . You can also click a button to search near a specific address.

Results are shown in a handy grid format, with each column showing a different rental company, and each row displaying the pricing for a different category of car (economy, compact, midsize, and so on).

Bookings of up to 4 days are charged a daily rate, while bookings 5-7 days are charged on a weekly basis. There are specific rates for weekends and weekdays, as well as monthly options, with specific details varying by the rental agency.

In several sample searches, prices were generally consistent with other online travel agencies — though sometimes lower by $1-$2/day. Prices were identical to booking with the rental company directly.

Bottom Line:  Renting a car through AmexTravel.com doesn’t get you any benefits above what you’d receive for paying with your credit card, such as the collision damage waiver for paying with your Amex Platinum card. However, the convenient search page makes it a great option for comparing multiple prices at once. 

AmexTravel.com also offers tools to book cruises . In addition to letting you search for cruises all over the world, AmexTravel.com periodically highlights special offers on cruises, usually in the form of credits to use onboard.

To search for cruises, you need to enter the region you want to travel in, the cruise line(s) you want to travel with (or search all available lines), the month you’re planning the trip for, and the approximate length of the cruise you want.

Results are shown in order, from the lowest-priced option to the highest . Note that this is based on the lowest available rate; hovering over any result will show all available cabin types and the corresponding prices.

Under each result, the information shown includes the port of departure/return, date of departure, and ports visited.

Hot Tip:  Wondering what to pack for your time at sea? Check out our ultimate cruise-based packing list  — it’s printable and complete with tons of tips and advice!

Cruise rates booked through AmexTravel.com were within $1-2 of rates found on other online travel agents and websites . We found identical prices on the various cruise company websites — though each online travel portal and cruise line offers different promotions, so it might be worth comparing them.

For example, during a sample search for a weeklong Caribbean cruise in December, we found that Royal Caribbean was offering a $50 onboard credit if you booked directly.

On the search results page, you might notice a tab labeled “Special Offers.” Those offers are generally onboard credits, but can also include discounts or other special features. If you aren’t committed to a specific cruise line, these are often worth exploring.

Those with the Amex Platinum card have special access to the Cruise Privileges Program . Like the Fine Hotels and Resorts program, this is only available on specific cruises, although it’s more limited than FHR.

It includes onboard credit (often higher than otherwise offered) and a special onboard amenity, like complimentary dinner for 2 or a bottle of premium champagne.

Bottom Line: It can be worth booking a cruise through AmexTravel.com, especially if there are special offers. Make sure to compare different booking sites , though, as some may have better or exclusive promotions.

AmexTravel.com offers a feature called Travel Insiders. When you use the program, American Express connects you with a travel expert who can help you plan an itinerary based around your desired destination. Fees vary based on location, length of the trip, and details of the itinerary.

AmexTravel.com can be a very useful tool when booking flights, hotels, vacation packages, cruises, or rental cars. In many cases, it may not offer the best rate options , but it’s worth comparing to other booking sites and airlines or hotels directly.

If you have an American Express card that offers access to the Hotel Collection or Fine Hotels and Resorts, the perks can be very worthwhile.

Additionally, the extra Membership Rewards points you earn by booking through AmexTravel.com can be valuable, as long as the price is right.

Aside from the Hotel Collection and Fine Hotels and Resorts, the real value of AmexTravel.com is in the customer service provided. Booking a trip on your own is easy — dealing with problems when they arise can be less so!

If you book through AmexTravel.com, you’ll have easy access to someone who can help you get on a new flight, find a new hotel, or manage whatever other issues come up day or night. So if you’re looking to have that extra support, then AmexTravel.com might be a great choice for you!

The information regarding the Centurion ® Card from American Express was independently collected by Upgraded Points and was not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. 

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here . For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here . For rates and fees of the American Express ® Gold Card, click  here . For rates and fees of the American Express ® Business Gold Card, click here .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is american express travel.

AmexTravel.com is an O nline  T ravel  A gency (OTA), just like Orbitz , Kayak , or Expedia . You can book flights, hotels, rental cars, or cruises through AmexTravel.com.

Do I need an American Express card to use Amex Travel services?

Whether or not you have an American Express card, you can book flights, hotels, rental cars, or cruises through AmexTravel.com. If you do have an Amex card, you might be eligible for certain perks or rewards.

Does American Express Travel cost anything?

If you book a flight through AmexTravel.com, there’s a small fee ($6.99 for domestic flights, $10.99 for international) that fee is waived for Amex Platinum, Amex Business Platinum, and Centurion cardmembers. Other services, like hotels and cruises, do not have fees.

Why should I book with American Express Travel?

AmexTravel.com has very helpful customer service resources. If you have any problems with your trip (like a canceled flight), you can call an agent who can help solve the issue.

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About Jarrod West

Boasting a portfolio of over 20 cards, Jarrod has been an expert in the points and miles space for over 6 years. He earns and redeems over 1 million points per year and his work has been featured in outlets like The New York Times.

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How can I contact American Express Customer Service?

It’s easy to connect with an American Express Representative by phone. Personal credit card users can access 24/7 support by calling 1-800-528-4800. You can also correspond online with American Express Customer Service representatives 24/7 by logging into your existing account dashboard or through your mobile app and clicking on the “Chat” icon in the bottom corner of your home screen.

American Express’s customer service is noted for its general excellence. Account holders typically report high levels of satisfaction with their customer service experiences. One reason is because American Express offers its customers a variety of ways to get in touch. Customers may connect with representatives by:

• Online Chat
• Social Media

In order to access many of these channels, you must be an American Express account holder. Not yet an American Express account holder? Find out how likely you are to qualify .

Otherwise, read on to learn more about connecting with American Express Customer Service.

How can I get the fastest customer service?

The fastest way to get customer service is to call the phone number connected to your specific account type. American Express customer service makes it easy to connect with live human help by channeling accounting holders to specific customer services departments. So for the most efficient help, your best bet is to check out the American Express directory of numbers.

You’ll find contact numbers for every type of credit card that American Express offers along with hours of availability, options for hearing impaired customers, and alternative automated calling systems if you just wish to make payments over the phone.

American Express offers unique phone numbers for Personal Cards, Corporate Business Accounts (1-800-528-2122), Traveler Rewards Cards (1-800-297-2977) and Membership Rewards Cards (1-800-297-3276). But really, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. 

The phone numbers listed in the American Express customer services directory include specific departments for small businesses, merchants, and those who use AmEx for their accounts payable solutions. You can also find specific phone numbers for booking cruises, managing personal loans, and much more.

Still shopping around for the right American Express Card? Check out this list of 30 questions you should ask before settling on the right credit card offer for you.

How can I contact American Express customer service online?

You may contact American Express Customer Service online using the “Chat” feature on your American Express website account dashboard. In order to use the Chat feature, you must be an account holder with access to your online account portal. If you already have an American Express card, but you have not yet created an online account, you can register here .

Once you have created an account, you will not only be able to manage payments, request higher credit limits, redeem rewards and and replace lost or stolen cards through your online dashboard, but you will also be able to use the online “Chat” feature to contact 24/7 customer service. Simply locate the “Chat” icon on the bottom of your homepage to initiate a conversation.

How can I connect with American Express Customer Service using my mobile app?

Once you have an American Express account, you’ll want to grab the AmEx mobile app for your smartphone or tablet. The mobile app gives you the power to manage your account, make payments, request credit limit increases, and replace lost or stolen cards all while on the go. And the mobile app also offers direct access to a 24/7 Chat feature. Find the “Chat” icon on the top right corner of your mobile app, click it, and connect with American Express customer service.

How can I connect with American Express on Social Media?

American Express also invites its customers to reach out directly through a number of leading social media channels in order to engage on a variety of topics. Customers may use these channels to engage directly with public facing company representatives.

For instance, American Express has a publicly accessible Facebook page on which customers are free to share their views–both positive and negative–on the company, their experiences as customers, and their views on the company’s policies writ large. A quick scan of comments on the page shows that American Express representatives are highly responsive to customer feedback of all shapes and sizes.

At one time, American Express also operated a Twitter page called Ask AmEx. This page is no longer active, instead directing visitors, “For Amex service, please contact us directly by phone, app or at http://amex.co/contactus .”

And in general, American Express strongly advises its customers to reach on through more private channels to address personal customer service matters. According to its own community service guidelines, “For customer care inquiries specific to your account, please call the number on the back of your Card, chat with us on americanexpress.com or within our mobile app . If you have a Card issue from an American Express Network Partner, please contact your issuer by calling the number on the back of your Card.”

How can I contact American Express Customer Service by mail?

You may contact American Express Customer Service by mail. If this is your preferred form of correspondence, you may send communications, forms, and documents to the following address:

American Express P.O. Box 981535 El Paso, TX 79998-1535

Protect Your Privacy

Before corresponding and transmitting personal information through any of these channels, be sure that you’ve taken all the appropriate steps to protect your privacy, your identity, and your account information. American Express stresses the importance of protecting your privacy, especially when corresponding through its social media channels.

In its Community Guidelines statement , American Express advises account holders to “protect your privacy and don’t share personal information about you, your family, or others on the American Express Facebook page. For example, you should never post your Card number, Social Security Number, phone number, or other non-public personal information about yourself or anyone else.”

While it may seem obvious that you shouldn’t share your Social Security Number on Facebook, there are plenty of far less obvious ways that identity thieves, hackers, and credit card scammers can steal your information. To learn more, and keep yourself safe, check out our list of ten ways you can protect yourself against credit card fraud.

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Credit Cards

Amex Gold vs. Platinum

Harrison Pierce

Julie Sherrier

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

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The American Express® Gold Card (terms apply, rates & fees ) and The Platinum Card® from American Express (terms apply, rates & fees ) are two popular rewards cards offered by American Express. Both cards can have a place in your wallet, but should be used in different ways. The Platinum Card earns more points per dollar on flights booked directly with the airline or American Express Travel and prepaid hotel stays booked via American Express Travel than the Gold Card, but the Gold Card earns more at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, so you’ll want to strategize where you spend with each card. 

The Platinum Card offers over $1,500 worth of annual statement credits that can easily offset its high annual fee. There are also numerous benefits across travel, dining and entertainment. Plus, cardholders gain access to the Global Lounge Collection (including Centurion, Delta Sky Club, Lufthansa, Plaza Premium and Priority Pass Select airport lounges), which can significantly enhance your travel experience. Similarly, the Platinum Card will be the best bet for someone looking for comprehensive travel protections and insurance. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

However, if you can’t justify the $695 annual fee on Amex Platinum card and still want a card that offers some travel protections and statement credits, you can go with the Gold Card. Let’s take a deep dive into the most significant differences with the Amex Gold vs. Amex Platinum cards. 

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The Platinum Card® from American Express

Welcome Bonus

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Regular APR

Credit score.

Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Editor’s Take

• Over $1,500 in travel and entertainment credits can offset the annual fee.
• Comprehensive lounge access benefit.
• Generous travel and purchase protections.
• High annual fee and spending requirements.
• Amex’s once-per-lifetime rule limits welcome bonus eligibility.
• Annual statement credits have limited use.

Card Details

• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• 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 with American Express Travel when you pay with 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.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card®. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
• $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®.
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
• $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
• $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card®. Learn more.
• $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 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.
• $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card®. An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

Amex Gold vs. Amex Platinum

Earning rewards.

The Amex Gold Card earns 4 Membership Rewards points per $1 at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., 4 points per $1 at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1 point), 3 points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express travel and 1 point per $1 on other eligible purchases.

If you have the Platinum Card, you can earn 5 Membership Rewards® points per $1 for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel on up to $500,000 per calendar year, 5 points per $1 on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel and 1 point per $1 on other purchases. 

Winner for rewards: Tie

Redeeming rewards

With both cards, you can redeem your Membership® Rewards points when shopping at Amazon.com and other popular brands, for Airbnb gift cards, as a credit to cover a charge made on your card, as a deposit into an American Express® Rewards Checking account, for travel on American Express Travel, or transfer your points to several different travel partners. The exact value of a point will vary depending on your redemption method. 

Winner for reward redemption: Tie

Transfer partners

American Express has 11 airline partners and three hotel partners. You can transfer your Membership Rewards at a 1:1 ratio to Asia Miles, British Airways Executive Club, Delta SkyMiles, Emirates Skywards, Etihad Guest, Flying Blue, Iberia Plus, Qantas Frequent Flyer, SAS EuroBonus and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. 

The following transfer partners have a different transfer ratio: 

• Singapore KrisFlyer: 3 Membership Rewards points = 2 KrisFlyer mile
• Marriott Bonvoy: 2 Membership Rewards points = 3 Marriott points
• Hilton Honors: 1 Membership Rewards point = 2 Hilton Honors points
• Radisson Rewards: 1 Membership Rewards point = 3 points

Note that some partners have a minimum transfer amount, and the transfer time can vary from one business day to 15 business days. Transferring your points is typically the best way to maximize your redemption value. Consider the transfer partners before applying for either card to see if you regularly fly with these airlines or stay at these hotels. 

Winner for transfer partners: Tie

Welcome offers

The Amex Gold Card currently offers 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership.

The Platinum Card offers 80,000 Membership Rewards Points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. 

As long as you can reach the spending threshold, either amount of points can undoubtedly take you places. 

Winner for welcome offer: The Platinum Card

Travel benefits

The amex gold card.

When you book a two-night minimum stay with The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel, you can receive a $100 experience credit to use during your stay. The Gold Card also offers a baggage insurance plan and car rental loss and damage insurance as secondary coverage. Note that the baggage insurance plan only covers lost luggage, not delayed. 

The Platinum Card

The Platinum Card outshines the Amex Gold Card in terms of travel benefits. First, you can receive up to $200 as a statement credit each calendar year on select prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel. Plus, you receive complimentary room upgrades and a $100 experience credit for select activities during your stay. 

When flying, cardholders can access the American Express Global Lounge Collection, which includes over 1,400 lounges in 140 countries. These are high-end lounges, like the Centurion Network, Delta Sky Club, Lufthansa Lounge, Plaza Premium Lounge and Priority Pass Select (enrollment required). 

One of the other travel benefits of the Platinum Card is the airline fee statement credit, which allows you to select one qualifying airline and receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when you are charged incidental fees. 

Cardholders can also quickly make it through the airport with a $189 CLEAR ® Plus credit each calendar year and an enrollment fee statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck (up to $100). Platinum cardholders receive Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status, Hilton Honors Gold Status and premium status with popular car rental companies Avis, Hertz and National. Enrollment is required for select benefits. 

In terms of insurance coverage, the Platinum Card includes secondary car rental loss and damage insurance², trip delay insurance⁴ and trip cancellation and interruption insurance⁴. You’ll also have access to the Platinum Travel Service to help plan your trips.

Winner for travel benefits: The Platinum Card

Dining and entertainment rewards

The Amex Gold Card offers up to $10 in monthly statement credits for purchases at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations, up to $120 per calendar year (enrollment required). Cardholders also receive $10 in Uber Cash each month, up to another $120 annually (card must be added to Uber account to receive this benefit). Taking full advantage of these statement credits almost entirely covers the card’s annual fee. 

The Platinum Card offers numerous dining and entertainment benefits that can provide substantial value. Cardholders can receive up to a $20 monthly statement credit for eligible purchases from the following digital entertainment providers: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Similarly, cardholders receive $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December, for rides or UberEats orders in the U.S. Cardholders also have exclusive access to reservations on Resy. Enrollment is required for select benefits. 

Winner for dining and entertainment rewards: Tie

Shopping perks

You’ll get access to Amex Offers with both the Amex Gold and Platinum Card. 

In addition, the Amex Gold offers purchase protection¹ and extended warranty coverage¹, which can be very useful coverages, but doesn’t offer much else in terms of shopping perks.

The Platinum Card offers purchase protection and extended warranty coverage¹, as well as cellphone protection⁴ and return protection. It also comes with a slew of other shopping benefits such as a $155 Walmart credit to cover the cost of a Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal), plus up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases made at Saks Fifth Avenue (up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually). Cardholders also receive up to $300 in statement credits each year for an Equinox+ digital subscription or Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal), as well as a $300 statement credit towards the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike. (An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Cardholder must charge the full price of the bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment required). 

Winner for shopping perks: The Platinum Card

There’s a noticeable difference in the annual fees for these cards. The Amex Gold Card has an annual fee of $250, while the Platinum Card will cost you $695 each year. That’s more than double the cost just to hold the card. 

You can easily offset the annual fee of either card by making the most of available statement credits and cardholder perks. 

Additional cardholders on the Amex Gold are complimentary up to 5 authorized users, then $35 for additional cardholders, while every authorized user you add to the Platinum Card will cost $195.

Neither card charges foreign transaction fees.

Winner for fees: Amex Gold Card

Who should choose Amex Gold?

The Amex Gold Card may be a good fit for you if:

• You are looking for a mid-tier rewards card and want to avoid a high annual fee. 
• You regularly ride with Uber or order UberEats and dine at eligible restaurants for the dining credit and can utilize the annual statement credits.
• You spend big on restaurants, groceries at U.S. supermarkets and travel-related expenses so you’ll benefit from the high earning rates in these categories.

American Express® Gold Card

• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Up to $240 in combined credits for Uber Cash and on select dining.
• High rewards rate on restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and travel.
• Generous welcome bonus.
• $250 annual fee.
• Minimal travel perks.
• Complex rewards structure.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
• Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
• Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $250.

Who should choose Amex Platinum?

The Platinum Card could be the best choice for you if:

• You will actually use all of the annual statement credits — if you take the time to enroll and maximize your credits, you can get more than $1,500 in value from credits alone.  
• You regularly book flights, hotels and car rentals and would benefit from high rewards rates in these categories.
• You’re a regular guest at Marriott, Hilton or other luxury properties where you’ll receive status and other benefits. 

Which card should you get?

Both the Amex Gold and Platinum cards are fantastic options for frequent travelers and they’re two of the most popular reward cards for different reasons. One isn’t automatically better than the other for everyone. To pick the right one for you, consider the cards you currently have in your wallet. Look for potential gaps in your points and miles strategy to see which card makes more sense. 

You should also analyze your monthly spending and your travel and financial goals. While the Platinum Card offers many more benefits than the Amex Gold Card, it also comes with more than double the annual fee. While long lists of perks can be very enticing, it’s essential to make sure you’ll actually use them in order to offset the higher cost. 

Of course, you don’t have to choose between them. These cards also pair very well together to deliver the best of both worlds. Plus, you can combine points earned from each card. 

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

One card is not better than the other. The best card for you will depend on your spending habits and travel needs. While the Gold Card offers bonus categories for restaurants and groceries at U.S. supermarkets, the Platinum Card is more travel-focused and offers more annual statement credits for a much higher annual fee. 

No, the Amex Gold Card does not provide any lounge access. 

American Express will consider many factors when reviewing your application. However, you should have a good to excellent credit score to improve your chances of getting approved. On the FICO model, this is a credit score of 670 or more. 

The Amex Gold Card does not have a preset spending limit , nor does the Platinum. This means the amount you can spend will adapt based on multiple factors, like your purchase, payment and credit history. 

Whether the $695 annual fee for the Amex Platinum is worth it will depend on your spending habits. If you can take advantage of the statement credits, you can likely wholly offset the annual fee. However, you might be better off with a different card if you don’t purchase many flights and hotel stays throughout the year. 

For rates and fees for the American Express® Gold Card please visit this page .

For rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express please visit this page .

¹Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

²Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

³Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

⁴Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. 

Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Harrison Pierce is a freelance writer and digital nomad that is passionate about all things personal finance and travel. While traveling full-time, he refined his love for writing and now enjoys working with various brands to tell stories and create meaningful content.

Julie Stephen Sherrier is a personal finance writer and editor based in Austin, TX. She is the former senior managing editor for LendingTree, responsible for all credit card and credit health content. Before joining LendingTree, Julie spent more than a decade as the managing editor and then editorial director at Bankrate and CreditCards.com. She also served as an adjunct journalism instructor at the University of Texas at Austin.

Grace Pilling is a deputy editor for credit cards at USA TODAY Blueprint. She believes credit cards are the ultimate choose-your-own-adventure tools of the financial world and gets excited about helping people discover the best credit card strategy for their unique goals. Prior to joining Blueprint, Grace worked on and led personal finance teams at Bankrate, CreditCards.com, MoneyUnder30 and MoneyGeek. She has a bachelor’s degree in English and writing and a diploma in editing and publishing.

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