Augusta Stone is a credit cards writer for TPG. She joined the TPG team in 2023 and is excited to take points and miles beginners with her on a journey toward maximizing rewards.
July 20, 2026 • 7 min read
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Quick summary
The Hotel Collection offers eligible cardmembers perks such as room upgrades, hotel credits for dining, spa treatments and resort activities at over 1,300 select properties, provided bookings are for at least two nights.
Benefits include early check-in, late checkout and up to $100 in credits toward eligible charges, enhancing stays especially for those without hotel elite status.
Bookings may also allow travelers to stack hotel loyalty program benefits, potentially earning points and elite perks during their stay.
Comparatively, the sister program Fine Hotels + Resorts provides additional benefits like complimentary breakfast and Wi-Fi, but typically features higher-priced properties.
What to consider
A minimum two-night stay is required to access The Hotel Collection benefits and credits, and back-to-back stays within 24 hours at the same property are treated as a single stay for credit purposes.
Eligible lodging credits only apply to prepaid bookings, so selecting the 'Pay Today' rate is necessary to trigger these credits.
Additional cardmembers on certain accounts may not be eligible for The Hotel Collection benefits; eligibility varies by card type.
What you'll miss from the article
Detailed strategies for maximizing value, including tips on stacking loyalty benefits, leveraging statement credits and identifying special promotions.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
American Express's The Hotel Collection gives eligible cardmembers access to perks like room upgrades and hotel credits for dining, spa treatments and resort activities (as long as you book a stay of two nights or more at a select property).
I've used the program myself and been consistently impressed by how it has elevated my stays.
Here's what you need to know about how The Hotel Collection works, which cards give you access and how to make the most of it.
What is The Hotel Collection?
The Hotel Collection and its sister program, American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts, are Amex's two luxury hotel programs offered to select cardmembers. There are more than 1,300 hotels included in The Hotel Collection.
The following American Express cards allow members to book hotel stays through The Hotel Collection*:
The Centurion Card (invite-only, both business and personal versions are eligible)
The information for the Centurion and Business Centurion 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.
*Eligible charges vary by property.
WYATT SMITH/THE POINTS GUY
Additional cardmembers on personal and business Platinum and Centurion accounts are also eligible for The Hotel Collection benefits. However, this doesn't extend to additional cardmembers on Gold or Business Gold accounts.
And, you'll only get The Hotel Collection and its perks when you book a stay of at least two nights at an eligible property through American Express Travel® or the Amex Travel App™.
It's important to note that back-to-back stays within 24 hours at the same property are considered one stay and won't get multiple $100 hotel credits.
Eligible bookings through The Hotel Collection include:
Room upgrade at check-in (when available)
Up to $100 in credits toward eligible charges (varies by property)
12 p.m. early check-in (when available)
4 p.m. late checkout (when available)
These benefits are mainly geared toward leisure travelers. Booking through The Hotel Collection can be particularly useful when you don't have elite status with a particular brand.
CARLY HELFAND/THE POINTS GUY
Plus, food, drinks and spa services at hotels can be costly. So, most travelers won't have trouble using the $100 credit.
One sweet spot for this program is business travelers whose companies already reimburse their room and meals. After all, these hotel guests could also use the $100 credit toward drinks and spa services, which most company expense policies do not allow.
While hotel loyalty programs generally won't give elite earnings and benefits if you don't book directly, we've found that bookings made through The Hotel Collection are eligible to stack benefits.
TPG contributing editor for credit cards Matt Moffitt has used The Hotel Collection on multiple occasions. He has almost always received the benefits from both The Hotel Collection and the hotel chain's loyalty program during his stays.
and cardmembers also receive up to $600 in lodging statement credits each calendar year (up to $300 biannually) for prepaid bookings with Fine Hotels + Resorts, The Hotel Collection or Airbnb Luxe properties through American Express Travel or the Amex Travel App. The Hotel Collection and Airbnb Luxe require stays of at least two nights. Beginning Jan. 1, 2027, Fine Hotels + Resorts will also require a two-night minimum stay in order to use the lodging credit.
Comparing The Hotel Collection to Fine Hotels + Resorts
THC's sister program, FHR, is only available to Amex Platinum and Centurion cardmembers (personal and business versions for each).
KIMPTON EPIC HOTEL MIAMI/EPICHOTEL.COM
While these two programs are similar, FHR offers a couple of extra benefits, including complimentary daily breakfast for two and free in-room Wi-Fi. Plus, you aren't required to book two nights to receive FHR benefits, like you have to with THC.
Generally, however, FHR properties tend to be more expensive than those in THC.
Ultimately, the real benefit of THC. appears to be access to extra perks at high-end (rather than ultra-high-end) hotels.
How to maximize your stays with The Hotel Collection
To book a stay with The Hotel Collection, log in with your eligible Amex card and navigate to "The Hotel Collection" through Amex Travel. You can also go through this same booking process on the Amex Travel App.
Be sure you filter by "The Hotel Collection". From here, you will see all of your eligible options for benefits and your lodging credit.
AMERICAN EXPRESS
Once you’ve found a property, these tips can help you get even more value from your stay:
Look for promotions. The Amex Travel website and app occasionally feature offers, such as third- or fourth-night-free promotions or free breakfast, that can significantly reduce the cost of your stay.
Check TripAdvisor reviews. Reviews are integrated into the Amex Travel platform, making it easy to compare properties before booking.
Pay in advance to trigger your statement credit. Eligible lodging credits apply only to prepaid bookings, so be sure to select the "Pay Today" rate at checkout.
Maximize your Platinum lodging credit. If you’re using the lodging credit on the , looking for stays that cost around $300 can help minimize your out-of-pocket expense. Booking during the offseason can also stretch your credit further.
Add your hotel loyalty number. Enter your loyalty program number at checkout and, where possible, book brands where you already hold elite status. We’ve found that many THC stays earn hotel points and elite benefits, giving you the opportunity to stack perks and potentially receive an even better room upgrade.
I’ve had success using this strategy myself. This year, I booked a two-night stay at The Hiatus Clearwater Beach, Curio Collection by Hilton through The Hotel Collection. My Amex Platinum’s biannual lodging credit reduced the cost by $300, bringing my out-of-pocket total to $277. Since I added my Hilton Honors number to the reservation, I also expect to receive my Hilton Diamond elite benefits during the stay.
For eligible Amex cardmembers, access to The Hotel Collection is an excellent way to enhance your hotel stay. You get standout perks, including a $100 property credit, to elevate your experience — without needing elite status. And, if you do have elite status with a hotel's loyalty program, we've seen many instances of those benefits stacking.
Just remember to book a two-night minimum stay through an eligible card, and if you're chasing your Amex Platinum or Business Platinum's biannual statement credit, pay in full at booking to unlock it.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
