American Express has hit the ground running in 2021, clearly committed to keeping members with the Platinum Card® from American Express and other top-tier credit cards satisfied as travel returns from the depths of the pandemic.
The $20 monthly credits for streaming services and U.S. cell phone service are out, but a new $30 monthly credit for PayPal purchases is in through at least June 2021. A slew of new Amex Offers for shopping at Home Depot, Best Buy, and other stores can add another few hundred dollars in savings.
As a part of that new package of 2021 perks, American Express is also adding lucrative new offers when booking a hotel stay via AmexTravel.com through early 2021 – unlocking up to $250 (or much more) in property credits or a complimentary night. And these new perks are available to cardholders with the Amex Platinum Card, Business Platinum Card® from American Express, and even the American Express® Gold Card.
“As we start a new year, we’re continuing to find ways to elevate our Membership experience by adding new value to help our Card Members and small merchants make the most of their time spent at home, plan for the future, and help small businesses get back to business,” said Rachel Stocks, Amex's executive vice president of global premium products and benefits.
Read more about how American Express handled the pandemic in 2020 – and how they're approaching 2021.
How the New Hotel Offers Work on Amex Cards
There are actually two different hotel perks available on top Amex cards, but they work much the same.
Book an eligible hotel stay through Amextravel.com, and you can unlock either a complimentary night or up to $250 in property credits (think dining, spa treatments, etc.) You have to book your stay by March 31, but stays all the way through April will qualify for these perks.
You'll get that complimentary night or property credit straight away on the reservation you book – not to use later. Scan the full list of participating properties (and benefits).
But just what you get will depend on what card you have … and what kind of property you book.
Get $250-Plus or a Complimentary Night on Fine Hotels & Resorts
Booking the best hotels with the best travel credit cards gets you the best of these benefits.
Fine Hotels & Resorts is Amex's top-of-the-line hotel program, getting you extra benefits like guaranteed late checkout, daily breakfast for two, space-available upgrades, and up to $100 in property credits. It's only open to cardholders with the Platinum Card from American Express, the Business Platinum Card from American Express, and the Centurion Card from American Express.
And the same is true of cashing in on this new perk: You'll need one of those cards to get it. Here's how it works:
- Get a complimentary night or property credit of $250-plus after booking an eligible stay via Amextravel.com at more than 200 participating Fine Hotels & Resorts. Book by March 31, 2021 for a stay through April 30, 2021. Not all dates are eligible for the promotion, and a minimum stay may be required.
Here's the full list of properties and the benefits available. By the looks of it, many properties require at least a two-night paid stay to unlock a complimentary third night – and some require three nights paid or more. On the bright side, some properties are offering $350 property credits or more.
Get a $150 Credit or a Complimentary Night with The Hotel Collection
Just underneath Fine Hotels & Resorts is The Hotel Collection, an even broader collection of hotels across the globe. And you get some of the same great perks, including space-available upgrades and up to $100 in property credits.
Critically, this hotel program is also open to cardholders with the American Express Gold Card who book through Amextravel.com. And so is this new promo, in addition to business cardholders and members with Platinum and Centurion cards.
Here's a quick look at how this new Amex hotel credit will work:
- Get a complimentary night or property credit of $150 after booking an eligible stay via Amextravel.com at participating Hotel Collection properties. Book by March 31, 2021 for a stay through April 30, 2021. Not all dates are eligible for the promotion, and a minimum stay may be required.
Once again, Amex hasn't said which properties will qualify for these new hotel credits or complimentary nights. And you'll need to pay with your eligible Amex card to get the perks.
Bottom Line
American Express has laid out an impressive slate of new perks, benefits, and savings to kick-off 2021. These new hotel offers – in addition to other travel-focused perks like discounted airfare and car rental savings – show American isn't giving up on travel this year.
Lead photo courtesy of Delano and MGM Resorts
I was so excited and asked Amex customer service by chat right now, and they said they do not have these offers for me.
I have American express platinum.
Why?
It may take a few days before word of these new offers spreads to individual Amex agents. Give it a while and try again.