Understanding The Most Misunderstood AMEX Platinum Card Benefit

by joeheg

When it comes to the American Express Platinum Card, I’d have to describe our relationship status as “it’s complicated.” While I can get a decent return on the $695 annual fee, it requires taking advantage of the plethora of statement credits. This is why some refer to the AMEX Platinum Card as one of the most expensive coupon books available.

Some benefits are easy to use, like the monthly Uber and media statement credits. Some are more difficult to redeem, like the airline fee credit. However, there’s another credit that I hadn’t tried to use until recently. As it turns out, this is one credit that causes more confusion than the others.

I’m referring to the $200 yearly Platinum Hotel Credit.

With an AMEX Platinum Card, you can book hotels through two different programs with AMEX Travel. They are “Fine Hotels + Resorts” and “The Hotel Collection.” Both of them feature exclusive hotels and provide VIP benefits when booking through the AMEX website.

When it comes to the $200 Platinum AMEX Hotel Credit, there’s a misconception that you need to book a two-night stay to take advantage of the credit.

When I wrote that I rebooked a room at the Park Hyatt Saigon to take advantage of the $200 credit for a one-night stay, one of our readers commented:

Don’t you have to book 2 nights to get the $200 Amex Credit? Thanks!

Part of the confusion about the credit is due to the wording on the American Express website. You have to dig a little deeper to find the difference between bookings on the American Express Travel website made through the Fine Hotels + Resorts program and reservations through The Hotel Collection.

a screenshot of a hotel

Prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings that are made through American Express Travel with your eligible U.S. Platinum Card are eligible for the Hotel Credit. However, there is a two-night minimum stay required to get the credit when booking hotels that are part of The Hotel Collection

Only reservations made with The Hotel Collection properties require a two-night stay to redeem the credit. Fine Hotel + Resorts properties only require a one-night stay.

I can confirm that a one-night stay qualifies for the credit as I received my $200 statement credit for a one-night stay at the Park Hyatt Saigon.

a screenshot of a phone

In addition, this was for a stay in 2023. It also confirms a well-known trick to use an expiring credit at the end of the year. Since it’s a prepaid reservation, you can book a room for the following year to use your credit.

For my net $139 payment, I’ll get an upgraded room, if available, and a $100 property credit. The hotel has already messaged me about our stay (and asked if I needed two rooms since they noticed that I already had a room booked with Hyatt points).

Final Thoughts

American Express’ website isn’t very clear about the $200 Platinum Hotel Credit. While it says you’ll need to book the reservation with your Platinum Card through the AMEX website, there’s confusing language about the two-night requirement.

To get the credit for a Hotel Collection property, you’ll need to book at least a two-night stay. However, you only need to book a single night at a Fine Hotels + Resorts property to get the $200 credit.

And that clears up the most confusing part of the $200 AMEX Platinum Hotel Credit.

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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary

3 comments

Corbett January 2, 2023 - 5:31 pm

I appreciate the clarification. I understood the perquisite and tried to use it for a single-night stay. I literally had to cry uncle because the navigation of AmexTravel.com is so bad (and I teach web design for a living)! I strongly encourage your readers to ring the toll-free number on the back of their Platinum Card and book the hotel with a human. My attempts to secure the proper use of my card benefit resulted in 85 minutes of my life I’ll never recoup.

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Christian January 2, 2023 - 7:05 pm

Great hotel, the Park Hyatt Saigon. They have toiletries that are seemingly made specifically for them since despite my best efforts I can’t find them elsewhere.

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Robin Richardson January 4, 2023 - 5:21 pm

It would also help if the Amex Customer Service knew the rule as well. Last year i had to go to four different people to eventually get my credit, as they said it required 2 nights. I told them that is only for Hotel Collection – seriously 4 people at Amex to get it resolved.

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