Ethan Brooks
American Express offers its cardholders benefits such as room upgrades, hotel credits for dining, spa and resort activities, and complimentary breakfast at select hotels. These benefits are available through two programs: The Hotel Collection and Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR). The Hotel Collection is available to Gold Card Members and Business Gold Card Members, as well as Platinum Card Members. FHR, on the other hand, tends to be more expensive and offers benefits like complimentary breakfast, early check-in, and guaranteed late checkout at over 1,600 lavish properties worldwide. So, does the Amex Hotel Collection include breakfast?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Card type | Gold, Platinum, Centurion |
| Hotel Collection properties | 1,000+ |
| Hotel Collection property price range | $251 lower than booking through Amex to $351 more than booking through Amex |
| Booking benefits | Room upgrades, hotel credits for dining, spa, and resort activities, $100 credit |
| Breakfast | Not complimentary |
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What You'll Learn
Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) program
The American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts Program (FHR) is a program that offers eligible Card Members exclusive perks and benefits at over 1,600 lavish properties worldwide. The program is designed for leisure travellers who can afford expensive trips and want to enjoy premium benefits.
FHR properties tend to be more expensive than the Amex Hotel Collection properties, and the benefits of FHR stays are superior, including complimentary breakfast, early check-in, and guaranteed late checkout. The real benefit of The Hotel Collection is access to extra perks at high-end hotels. The $100 credit offered by The Hotel Collection can be especially valuable for business travellers whose companies reimburse their room and meals, as they can put the credit toward drinks, pay-per-view movies, and spa services, which may not be allowed by company expense policies.
To book a Hotel Collection property, cardholders can log in to their American Express account, select "Travel>Book a Trip," or go directly to the AmexTravel.com website. They can then select "Hotels" and search for available Hotel Collection properties.
Only cardholders of specific American Express cards can book hotel stays through The Hotel Collection, including the Amex Gold, Platinum, and Centurion cards. These cardholders can receive benefits such as room upgrades and hotel credits for dining, spa, and resort activities when booking through The Hotel Collection.
The Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts Program provides eligible Card Members with an average value of $550 in benefits, including complimentary breakfast for two, guaranteed late checkout, and room upgrades when available.
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Room upgrades
The Amex Hotel Collection is a group of 1,000+ hotels where certain American Express cardholders get special perks, such as room upgrades and credits for dining, spa treatments, and other hotel activities. Cardholders must stay for at least two consecutive nights at a participating hotel to avail of these benefits.
The room upgrade is defined as a room one category higher than purchased and is based on availability and eligibility at check-in. Cardholders will be welcomed as American Express Hotel Collection guests and will be upgraded to a better room if one is available at check-in.
In addition to the base perks of the Amex Hotel Collection, cardholders also get increased rewards depending on the card. For example, Platinum Card Members get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings.
While the Amex Hotel Collection offers room upgrades, the Fine Hotels + Resorts program provides additional perks, including guaranteed late checkout, daily breakfast for two, and special amenities exclusive to Platinum and Centurion cardholders. These benefits are available even on one-night stays, whereas the Amex Hotel Collection requires a minimum of two nights to earn benefits.
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On-property credits
Eligibility
To be eligible for on-property credits, you must be an American Express cardholder with a Gold, Platinum, or Centurion card. The Hotel Collection program is designed specifically for these cardholders, offering various benefits at over 1,000 carefully curated properties.
How It Works
When booking through The Hotel Collection with an eligible card, you can receive on-property credits for dining, spa treatments, and resort activities. These credits are typically $100 per stay, and you can earn them at select hotels when you stay for two or more nights. The credits are awarded for each dollar spent on qualifying charges, and they can be especially advantageous when travelling with a group, as you can book up to three rooms and receive a credit for each room.
Maximising Your Credits
Exclusions
It is important to note that on-property credits do not include taxes, gratuities, fees, or room charges. Additionally, any unused credit cannot be carried over to another stay or redeemed for cash, so it is essential to utilise the full credit during your stay.
Comparing with Other Programs
When comparing with other programs, such as the American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts program, the benefits may differ. The Hotel Collection offers access to extra perks at high-end hotels, while the Fine Hotels + Resorts program caters more to leisure travellers, offering benefits like complimentary breakfast and early check-in at ultra-high-end properties.
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Loyalty programs
American Express offers two programs that provide benefits to select cardholders: The Hotel Collection and the Fine Hotels + Resorts Program (FHR).
The Hotel Collection Loyalty Program
The Hotel Collection is a group of over 1,000 carefully curated hotels visited annually to ensure they meet American Express' standards. This program is available to American Express Gold Card Members, Business Gold Card Members, and both business and consumer Platinum Card Members. Cardholders can receive benefits such as room upgrades and hotel credits for dining, spa treatments, and resort activities when staying for two or more nights at select hotels. The $100 credit can be used for eligible charges, which vary by property, and cardholders can earn 5x points on their purchase if they prepay for their reservation using their Amex Platinum card.
The Fine Hotels + Resorts Program (FHR) Loyalty Program
The Fine Hotels + Resorts Program (FHR) offers eligible card members perks and benefits at over 1,600 lavish properties worldwide. Benefits include complimentary breakfast for two, early check-in, guaranteed late checkout, and room upgrades. While the FHR properties tend to be more expensive than The Hotel Collection properties, the benefits are geared towards leisure travelers who can afford these expenses.
Comparison between the two Loyalty Programs
The Hotel Collection appears to focus on providing access to extra perks at high-end (rather than ultra-high-end) hotels. The $100 credit offered by this program can be valuable for business travelers whose companies reimburse room and meal expenses, as they can use the credit for drinks, pay-per-view movies, and spa services, which may not be allowed by standard company expense policies.
In contrast, the FHR program provides an average value of $550 in benefits, including complimentary breakfast, late checkout, and other exclusive perks.
It's important to note that the availability of loyalty points and benefits may vary depending on the hotel's policies. Some properties may grant hotel loyalty points and benefits regardless of booking channels, while others may require direct booking through their channels instead of intermediaries like Amex Travel.
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Booking directly with hotels
One of the main advantages of booking directly with hotels is the ability to negotiate better rates and take advantage of any ongoing promotions or discounts that the hotel may be offering. Hotels often provide exclusive deals or packages that may not be available through online travel agencies or other third-party booking sites. Additionally, by booking directly, you can develop a direct relationship with the hotel, which can lead to potential perks or personalized experiences during your stay.
Another benefit is the streamlined communication and customization of your stay. When you book directly, you communicate directly with the hotel staff, allowing for clearer and more efficient communication regarding your preferences and special requests. This direct communication can result in a more tailored experience, as the hotel staff can better understand your needs and accommodate any specific requirements you may have.
However, booking directly with hotels may also have some drawbacks. One of the main disadvantages is the potential lack of price comparison and the need to spend extra time researching. When booking directly, you might need to visit multiple hotel websites or make numerous phone calls to compare prices and availability. This process can be more time-consuming compared to using online travel agencies that aggregate prices and availability from multiple hotels in one place.
Another consideration is the possibility of missing out on certain rewards or benefits offered by third-party booking platforms. These platforms often have loyalty programs or reward structures that provide incentives, such as discounted rates, upgrades, or access to exclusive deals. By booking directly with a hotel, you may not be able to take full advantage of these rewards-based ecosystems that are tailored for frequent travelers.
Lastly, booking directly with hotels may limit your payment options. Some hotels may require full payment upfront or have less flexible cancellation policies compared to third-party booking sites that often offer more lenient cancellation terms. Therefore, it is essential to carefully review the payment and cancellation policies of the hotel before finalizing your reservation.
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Frequently asked questions
The Amex Hotel Collection does not include complimentary breakfast. However, the $100 credit provided by the Hotel Collection can be used towards dining at some hotels.
The Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts program includes complimentary breakfast, while the Hotel Collection does not. The Hotel Collection is available to Gold Card Members, while the Fine Hotels + Resorts program is available to Platinum Card Members.
To book a hotel through the Amex Hotel Collection, log in to your American Express account and click on "Travel>Book a Trip". Alternatively, go to the AmexTravel.com website and select "Hotels".
Benefits of the Amex Hotel Collection include room upgrades, hotel credits for dining, spa, and resort activities, and access to over 1,000 hand-picked hotels.
Yes, if you have an Amex Platinum card, you will receive a $200 annual credit towards your hotel booking when booking with the Hotel Collection.
