How to Maximize the AmEx Platinum Hotel Credit

The Platinum Card® from American Express offers cardholders benefits that can cover its $695 annual fee (see rates and fees), and many users can come out ahead in value. From lounge access via The American Express Global Lounge Collection to hotel elite status and Membership Rewards points, the perks are solid.

Easy to overlook are the numerous benefits that come with the card for airlines, shopping and entertainment, as well as the card’s travel credits. Those include both a $200 airline fee credit (enrollment required) and a $200 hotel credit when booked through the AmEx portal at participating hotels.

Don’t let the valuable hotel perk go to waste if you have the card (or are considering getting it). Here’s what you need to know about the The Platinum Card® from American Express $200 hotel credit and its Fine Hotels and Resorts (FHR) program. Terms apply.

» Learn more: Benefits of The Platinum Card® from American Express

What is the $200 American Express Platinum hotel credit?

The $200 The Platinum Card® from American Express hotel credit is received in the form of a statement credit. Terms apply.

To use it, cardholders must make an eligible, prepaid (you must pay immediately rather than at the hotel) Fine Hotels and Resorts or The Hotel Collection reservation via the American Express travel portal. Reservations can also be made by contacting the phone number on the back of the credit card.

When booking accommodations from The Hotel Collection, a two-night minimum stay is required. It is available to use once each calendar year, and no enrollment is required.

Once booked, the credit will be refunded to your card within 90 days — although travelers who use it report that it appears much faster.

The $200 FHR American Express credit will still apply if you choose to Pay With Points for your hotel reservation.

Even better, valuable benefits (similar to what hotel elite status members generally receive) for booking Fine Hotels and Resorts hotels are still part of the deal when using the credit. They include:

• Noon check-in (based on availability).

• 4 p.m. late checkout.

• Room upgrade (based on availability).

• Daily breakfast for two.

• Complimentary Wi-Fi.

• $100 property credit (varies by hotel for dining, spa and beverages).

How do you book a hotel stay through the AmEx Travel portal?

Cardholders can access the AmEx travel portal by logging in to their credit card account or visiting AmexTravel.com directly.

Members can pay with cash or Membership Rewards points to take advantage of the $200 hotel credit and the associated benefits. Paying with points is a convenient feature, but members can often secure more value for their points by transferring to AmEx’s travel partners to redeem for outsized value.

While the AmEx travel site has a variety of hotels, you can check the Fine Hotels and Resorts and The Hotel Collection boxes in the sidebar under 'Hotel Programs' to filter for hotels that are eligible for this credit.

When using The Platinum Card® from American Express or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, members earn 5 points per dollar spent on up to $500,000 when booking prepaid travel through this site (although you won’t earn points on the $200 statement credit). A reminder that The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is not eligible for the FHR hotel credit. Terms apply.

How to get the most value

Stay at unique properties

It may be wise to use this credit at expensive hotels that are not affiliated with a hotel loyalty program and where you cannot use miles or points to stay. You can shave off some of the cost of the stay while adding value from the perks that come with this card.

» Learn more: 9 awesome FHR options to book

Pay attention to how it affects your elite status

If you do choose to use the credit at a hotel that has a loyalty program, some, but not all, hotels still award points, elite benefits and status-counting nights for a stay booked through the FHR program.

This trade-off might not matter if you aren’t actively pursuing your chosen program's next elite status tier.

» Learn more: The best hotel elite status programs this year

Consider the costs — it may be more expensive, but still worth it

The AmEx Travel portal may not always be the cheapest, so it is wise to compare the cost to book through the portal versus directly with the hotel. The added perks (and $200 hotel credit) can sometimes make an upcharge worth it.

For example, AmEx is charging $326 per night plus eligible perks for a stay at Banyan Tree Phuket booked through the portal.

Meanwhile, the hotel’s website is charging slightly less if booked directly, for $310.95. This rate also includes meaningful perks like breakfast and resort credits.

When booking through the AmEx travel portal is more expensive than the hotel’s website, you should consider whether the $200 hotel credit and any built-in FHR benefits (such as breakfast, early check-in and late checkout) will make up for the extra cost. If not, save the $200 FHR credit for another time.

» Learn more: Best American Express credit cards

Use the entire credit

If the hotel stay is less than the $200 credit, any remaining value can be applied to another reservation within the calendar year. You can track your status for how much has been used after logging into the benefits section of your account. Additional cardholders on the account can also use the credit, but a maximum of $200 per account is available as a credit each year.

If you have not used the benefit before the end of the year, consider booking a reservation for the next year (as long as it posts to your account by Dec. 31 of the current year). The expiration date is for using the credit as payment, not for the actual hotel stay.

Maximize The Platinum Card® from American Express’s $200 hotel credit

The Platinum Card® from American Express is packed with benefits, including a $200 statement credit on eligible hotels booked through its travel portal.

While it is always worth comparing the benefits and rates that the hotel is offering directly, in many scenarios, this FHR hotel credit can net you a lot of value. Terms apply.