Get complimentary breakfast, room upgrades and more with the Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts program
Editor's Note
- American Express cardmembers with a Platinum- or Centurion-branded card can book select hotels through the Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts program.
- The program provides a generous list of elitelike benefits, including complimentary room upgrades, breakfasts, a unique experience credit, early check-in and late checkout.
- Combining this program with other Amex cardmember perks can make Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts even more rewarding.
One of the easiest ways to enjoy extra perks during your hotel stay is to book through a credit card issuer's luxury hotel program, such as the American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts program.
Only select American Express cardholders can book stays through the Fine Hotels + Resorts program, and only some hotels and resorts participate in the program.
My husband and I usually book at least one Fine Hotels + Resorts stay each year to use the prepaid hotel credit on his The Platinum Card® from American Express. But now this credit is semiannual, and now my The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has a similar credit. So, we'll be booking Fine Hotels + Resorts stays more frequently going forward to use these credits.
Since the recent Amex Platinum refresh and Amex Business Platinum refresh mean more cardmembers have more credits they can use for Fine Hotels + Resorts stays, here's what you should know about the program.
The Platinum Card from American Express: Find out your offer. You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases in your first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.
What is Fine Hotels + Resorts?
Fine Hotels + Resorts is a luxury hotel program that offers elitelike benefits at select hotels and resorts.
U.S. consumer, business and corporate Platinum Card and Centurion members can book stays through Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts. So, if you have The Platinum Card from American Express or The Business Platinum Card from American Express, you're in. Likewise, you're also eligible if you are an additional Platinum Card member on a consumer or business Platinum or Centurion card account.
However, keep in mind the following cardmembers aren't eligible to book stays through Fine Hotels + Resorts:
- Companion cardmembers on consumer Platinum and Centurion card accounts
- Additional Business Gold and additional Business Expense cardmembers on Business Platinum and Centurion card accounts
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum cardmembers
You must have an eligible card to book a Fine Hotels + Resorts stay. But you can pay for the stay using any American Express card in your name. You must travel on the itinerary you book; you can't book a Fine Hotels + Resorts stay for someone else if you won't be traveling with them. However, you can get benefits on up to three rooms per stay.
Related: Our favorite American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts properties where you can get elite perks
Benefits for Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings
With the recent card changes, The Platinum Card from American Express and The Business Platinum Card from American Express offer cardmembers up to $300 back in statement credits semiannually for up to a total of $600 per year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel. So, if you have one of these cards, you'll likely want to book at least one prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts stay during each half of the calendar year. Many prepaid ("Book and Pay Today" rates) offer a refundable option if you aren't ready to book a nonrefundable rate. (*Minimum two-night stay for THC)
Aside from those great credits, one of the main reasons you might want to book through the Fine Hotels + Resorts program is the elitelike benefits it provides. Here's an overview of these perks:
- 12 p.m. check-in (subject to availability at check-in)
- Room upgrade upon arrival (subject to availability at check-in; certain room categories are not eligible)
- Daily breakfast for two (valued at $60 or more per room per day; you must charge your breakfast bill to your room)
- $100 credit at checkout toward eligible charges to your room (the eligible charges vary by property)
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Guaranteed 4 p.m. checkout
You can enjoy the above benefits on each Fine Hotels + Resorts stay. However, you can't book consecutive stays and expect them to each get the above benefits. According to Amex's terms for Fine Hotels + Resorts, "back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional FHR benefits." So, for instance, if my husband and I booked consecutive stays at the same property, each of us using our respective cards, we would still only get one $100 credit for eligible charges across our two stays.
Related: 12 truly special luxury hotels and resorts you can book with points
How to book Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts stays
To book a Fine Hotels + Resorts stay (or check your options), log in to your American Express account, click "Book a Trip" from your homepage and enter your stay details into the search bar.
On the results page, click "Filter" and check the box next to "Fine Hotels + Resorts" under "Card Member Benefits." Scroll to the bottom of the filter window and click to apply the filters. Doing so dropped the results from 1,614 to 14 properties in Bangkok.
Scroll through the options and select one you like.
Then select the room type you want to book.
Next, select the rate you want to book. You'll have the option to pay now or at check-in, and you may see the option to book a nonrefundable rate or a rate that offers free cancellation until a specific date.
You'll see your full cost, cancellation policy and more on the final checkout page. Between the special requests box and the payment area, you can enter your hotel loyalty number in a box. By doing so, you might be able to earn elite nights, points and on-site status perks from the hotel loyalty program on Fine Hotels + Resorts stays (but not other stays booked through Amex Travel).
You can pay for your booking with an Amex card, Membership Rewards points or both. However, if you redeem Amex points, you'll only get 1 cent per point. TPG's September 2025 valuations peg the value of Amex points at 2 cents apiece, so only getting 1 cent per point would be a relatively low-value redemption.
Once you've checked all the booking details and entered your payment information, click "Reserve Now" to book your stay.
Related: Amex Platinum vs. Business Platinum: Which premium Amex card is right for you?
How I use Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts
Let's be honest: The rates at most Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts make these stays a splurge for most folks, so it makes sense to book when you have statement credits or other enticements like a third or fourth night free.
However, with the new semiannual statement credits for prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel on both The Platinum Card from American Express and The Business Platinum Card from American Express, that value proposition might change for some folks.
For us, personally, we will likely book four relatively inexpensive Fine Hotels + Resorts stays each year since he has the Amex Platinum and I have the Amex Business Platinum and we can each take advantage of $300 biannual statement credits.
There are two reasons to use these statement credits on Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings instead of The Hotel Collection bookings, too.
First, The Hotel Collection bookings require at least a two-night prepaid stay in order to trigger the $300 biannual statement credits, whereas FHR bookings do not. Second, Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings offer cardholders more stay-related perks in general.
Be sure to check Fine Hotels + Resorts rates for each destination you visit to ensure you are taking every opportunity to leverage your card's statement credits. You can also use MaxFHR to see some of the least expensive Fine Hotels + Resorts options worldwide, and you can even see price calendars for each property through MaxFHR. For instance, my favorite Fine Hotels + Resorts stay so far was at The Naka Island, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Phuket, so I may use MaxFHR to find some of the least expensive dates for a return trip next year.
Finally, it's worth remembering that you'll sometimes see deals or discounts for select Fine Hotels + Resorts properties. For example, some properties may offer a complimentary third night. A complimentary night plus all the Fine Hotels + Resorts perks can provide excellent value on some stays that can help stretch your dollars (and enjoyment) even further.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. 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, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. 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, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.