American Express expands hotel programs: what you need to know

American Express Travel has expanded its Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) and The Hotel Collection (THC) programs by adding 351 new properties to its global portfolio. This expansion brings the total number of participating hotels to more than 3,400 across 116 countries, providing cardholders with a wider selection of luxury and premium accommodations for their travel plans.

Fine Hotels + Resorts is a luxury hotel program designed for premium American Express cardholders, offering specific on-property benefits like daily breakfast and room upgrades. The Hotel Collection serves as a curated tier of premium properties that provides credits for dining, spa services, or resort activities on stays of two nights or longer. According to American Express Travel, the portfolio is curated based on rigorous criteria that align with the preferences of their premium cardmembers, focusing on service quality, location, and guest experience (The Points Guy, 2024).

New additions to the portfolio

The 351 newly added properties span diverse global regions, including Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania, and South America. These hotels cater to various travel styles, from urban city breaks to wellness-focused retreats and adventure-oriented destinations. Notable new additions include:

• Casa Lucia, Melia Collection (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
• ESPACIO Nagoya Castle (Nagoya, Japan)
• Fontainebleau Miami Beach (Miami, Florida)
• Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa (Honolulu, Hawaii)
• One&Only Moonlight Basin (Big Sky, Montana)
• Park Hyatt Cabo del Sol (Cabo San Lucas, Mexico)
• ROKI Queenstown (Queenstown, New Zealand)
• Selman Marrakech (Marrakech, Morocco)
• Six Senses London (London, United Kingdom)
• The Lake Como EDITION (Cadenabbia, Italy)

Most of these properties are currently available for booking via AmexTravel.com, though some may take several days to appear in the live reservation system.

How the curation process works

American Express employs a dedicated Hotel Curation Team to evaluate potential properties. This team assesses each hotel against a set of required and preferred criteria. The goal is not merely volume, but ensuring that the properties align with the specific values and expectations of premium cardmembers.

Audrey Hendley, president of American Express Travel, notes that the distinction between FHR and THC is determined by the property’s market positioning. Fine Hotels + Resorts is reserved for ultra-luxury, high-end properties, while The Hotel Collection acts as a bridge for premium hotels that offer a high-quality experience but may not meet the specific luxury-tier thresholds of the FHR program. The portfolio is dynamic; hotels are periodically added or removed based on changing cardmember interest and the property's ability to maintain program standards over time.

Understanding your access and benefits

Access to these programs is determined by your specific American Express card product. You should verify your eligibility before planning a trip, as the benefits vary significantly between the two collections.

1. Check your eligibility: Generally, The Hotel Collection is accessible to a wider range of cards, including the American Express Gold Card and Business Gold Card. Fine Hotels + Resorts is typically restricted to the Platinum and Centurion card families.
2. Review the benefits: Fine Hotels + Resorts benefits often include noon check-in, daily breakfast for two, a $100 experience credit, and room upgrades when available. The Hotel Collection usually requires a minimum stay of two consecutive nights to trigger its associated credits.
3. Book through the portal: To receive these benefits, you must book your stay directly through the American Express Travel portal. Bookings made through third-party sites or directly with the hotel website will generally not qualify for these specific cardmember perks.

Practical next steps

If you hold an eligible card, start by logging into your account at AmexTravel.com. Use the filter tools to select the "Fine Hotels + Resorts" or "The Hotel Collection" categories to see the updated list of participating properties. If you are planning a trip, compare the total cost of booking through the portal against direct booking rates, ensuring that the value of the included perks (such as breakfast or experience credits) outweighs any potential price difference. Because the portfolio changes, check the portal specifically for your destination dates to confirm current participation.