Bottom Line Up Front: American Express launched a game-changing mobile app in September 2024 that consolidates travel booking, benefit tracking, Centurion Lounge wait times, and digital passport stamps—all in one place. If you're an Amex cardholder, this app transforms how you plan, book, and remember your travels.

American Express just made travel planning significantly easier for its cardholders. The new Amex Travel App, launched in mid-September 2024, isn't just another booking platform—it's a comprehensive travel companion that brings together inspiration, bookings, benefits tracking, and even digital keepsakes. Here's everything you need to know about this powerful new tool.

What Is the Amex Travel App?

The Amex Travel App is American Express's first dedicated mobile application for travel planning and management. It consolidates multiple travel functions that were previously scattered across different platforms into one streamlined experience.

Think of it as your personal travel assistant that knows exactly which Amex card benefits you have access to, helps you book premium accommodations, shows you real-time lounge wait times, and even lets you collect digital passport stamps as travel souveniers.

Key Features That Set This App Apart

1. Personalized Travel Content and Destination Guides

The app delivers customized travel inspiration based on your preferences and travel history. You'll find curated destination guides, travel tips, and recommendations tailored specifically to your interests—not generic content that everyone sees.

This personalization extends to hotel recommendations too. The app learns from your booking patterns and suggests properties that match your style, whether you prefer boutique luxury, family-friendly resorts, or business-efficient hotels.

2. Integrated Booking for Premium Properties

Here's where the app really shines for luxury travelers: you can book directly through Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection programs right from your phone.

For those unfamiliar, these aren't just standard hotel bookings. When you book through Fine Hotels & Resorts, you receive exceptional perks like room upgrades, daily breakfast for two, guaranteed 4pm late checkout, and a $100 property credit. The app makes accessing these benefits as simple as a few taps.

Currently, hotel bookings are limited to these two premium programs. You can also book flights and car rentals directly in the app, giving you a true one-stop-shop experience.

3. Real-Time Centurion Lounge Wait Times

This feature alone is worth downloading the app. If you have Centurion Lounge access through your Amex card, you can now see estimated wait times before you arrive at the lounge.

No more showing up at JFK or LAX only to find a 90-minute wait. The app shows you current conditions so you can time your airport arrival perfectly or decide whether to grab a meal elsewhere first. This transparency is a game-changer for frequent travelers who've experienced the frustration of overcrowded lounges.

4. Amex Passport: Digital Travel Stamps

Physical passport stamps are disappearing from many countries, but Amex created something even better: Amex Passport, a digital stamp collection feature that lets you commemorate your travels.

As Luke Gebb, Executive Vice President at Amex Digital Labs, explained: "Part of the magic of travel is reminiscing about past getaways, and commemorative keepsakes are a powerful way for travelers to relive their favorite trips."

You can collect customizable digital stamps for destinations you visit, share them on social media, or text them to friends and family. It's a modern twist on the traditional passport stamp book—and unlike physical stamps, you'll never lose these in a forgotten drawer.

5. Benefits Overview and Trip Management

The app provides a centralized view of all your card benefits, so you always know what perks you have access to. Whether it's travel credits, insurance coverage, or dining programs, everything is laid out clearly.

You can also manage your trips in one place, from booking confirmations to itinerary details. Future updates promise even more robust trip management features.

Which Cards Work Best with the Amex Travel App?

While any Amex cardholder can use the app, you'll get the most value if you have premium cards that unlock the app's best features.

Top Cards for App Users

The Platinum Card® from American Express is the ultimate companion for this app. You get full access to Centurion Lounge entry with real-time wait times, Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings with $200 annual hotel credit, Priority Pass Select membership, $200 in airline fee credits, and 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel.

American Express® Gold Card offers strong travel earning power and is perfect for travelers who want premium benefits at a lower annual fee. You'll earn 4X points at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year), plus 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel. You'll also get access to The Hotel Collection (not Fine Hotels + Resorts, but still excellent value).

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express gives you Centurion Lounge access plus valuable business-specific credits like $150 for Adobe, $120 for Dell, and $360 for Indeed.

Still deciding between Amex cards? Check out our detailed comparison of American Express® Gold vs The Platinum Card® to find your perfect match.

Platform Availability: iOS Now, Android Soon

The Amex Travel App launched for iOS users on September 18, 2024. According to American Express, the Android version followed "a few weeks thereafter"—so Android users should now have access as well.

Download the app from your device's app store and log in with your existing Amex credentials. No separate account needed.

How the App Compares to Other Travel Booking Tools

You might be wondering: do I really need another travel app? Here's how the Amex Travel App stacks up against alternatives.

vs. Standard Amex Travel Portal

The mobile app is significantly more intuitive than booking through the web portal. The interface is cleaner, navigation is faster, and having everything in one mobile-friendly platform means you can book on the go. Plus, mobile-exclusive features like lounge wait times and Amex Passport aren't available on the desktop site.

vs. Direct Booking Sites

While you can often find lower base rates by booking directly with hotels or airlines, the app's access to Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection perks adds significant value that outweighs small price differences. That $100 property credit, free breakfast, and room upgrade easily justify any small premium.

vs. Other Credit Card Travel Portals

Compared to the Capital One Travel Portal or Chase Travel, the Amex app focuses more on premium experiences rather than maximum point redemption flexibility. If luxury perks matter more to you than squeezing every penny of value from your points, Amex's approach is superior.

Real-World Use Cases: When the App Shines

Planning a Luxury Getaway

Sarah, a Platinum cardholder, used the app to book a Fine Hotels + Resorts property in Cabo for her anniversary. The $100 property credit covered a romantic sunset dinner, the complimentary breakfast saved her $60 per day, and the guaranteed late checkout let them enjoy an extra few hours by the pool before their evening flight. Total added value: over $400.

Business Travel Efficiency

Mark travels weekly for work and holds the Business Platinum Card. He checks Centurion Lounge wait times through the app before every flight. At Chicago O'Hare, seeing a 45-minute wait prompted him to grab lunch at a terminal restaurant instead—saving time and avoiding the crowd. At LAX a week later, a short 10-minute wait meant he could relax in the lounge with a proper meal.

Family Vacation Memories

The Rodriguez family used Amex Passport to collect digital stamps from their European trip. Their kids loved "collecting" each destination—Paris, Rome, Barcelona, London—and sharing the stamps with grandparents back home became part of their nightly routine. A year later, scrolling through the digital stamps instantly brings back specific memories from each city.

Future Features Coming to the App

According to Audrey Hendley, president of American Express Travel: "Travelers want a simpler way to plan and book trips – all in one place – and the new Amex Travel App delivers just that."

American Express has indicated several enhancements are in development including expanded destination information with more detailed local guides, enhanced card benefit overviews that explain exactly how to use each perk, more personalized hotel recommendations based on AI-driven preference learning, and improved trip management tools for tracking upcoming and past travels.

The company views this app as an evolving platform, not a one-time launch. Expect regular updates that add functionality.

Maximizing Your Amex Travel Experience

Link It with Your Transfer Partners

The app is great for booking travel, but don't forget that American Express Membership Rewards points can be transferred to airline and hotel partners for even more value. Check out our guide to American Express Transfer Partners to learn how to get maximum value from your points.

Combine with Other Amex Benefits

The app shows you what benefits you have, but knowing how to stack them is key. For example, you can book a Fine Hotels + Resorts property using your $200 Platinum hotel credit, earn 5X points on your flight to get there, use the app to track Centurion Lounge access at your departure and arrival airports, and pay for airport parking with your card for trip delay insurance coverage.

Understanding how to layer benefits turns good value into exceptional value. Our Amex Hotel Collection guide explains how to maximize hotel booking perks specifically.

Don't Ignore the Inspiration Features

The personalized travel content isn't just marketing fluff—it's genuinely useful. The app's destination guides often highlight experiences and properties you wouldn't find through typical search engines. Spend a few minutes browsing even when you're not actively planning a trip. You might discover your next adventure.

Common Questions About the Amex Travel App

Do I need a specific Amex card to use the app?

No, any American Express cardholder can download and use the app. However, premium features like Centurion Lounge wait times and Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings require eligible cards. The app will show which benefits apply to your specific card.

Can I book hotels outside of Fine Hotels + Resorts?

Currently, hotel bookings are limited to Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection properties. You can book flights and rental cars through other providers, though.

Does using the app affect how many points I earn?

No—you earn the same points booking through the app as you would through the website or by calling Amex Travel. Your card's earning structure doesn't change.

Is there a fee to use the app?

The app itself is free to download and use. You'll only pay for the travel you book (flights, hotels, rentals) at standard rates.

Can I see my Membership Rewards balance in the app?

Yes, the app displays your current points balance and allows you to view your earning activity.

What happens to my digital passport stamps if I change cards?

Your Amex Passport collection is tied to your American Express account, not a specific card. If you upgrade, downgrade, or change cards, your stamps remain intact.

Is the Amex Travel App Worth Using?

For most Amex cardholders: absolutely yes.

The app doesn't cost anything to download, and even if you only use it to check Centurion Lounge wait times or browse destination inspiration, it adds value. If you hold a premium card like the Platinum or Business Platinum, the streamlined access to exclusive booking programs makes the app indispensable.

The Amex Passport feature might seem gimmicky at first, but it's surprisingly delightful—especially for frequent travelers or families. Having a visual collection of your travels creates connections to memories that a spreadsheet of flights never could.

What This Means for the Future of Travel Cards

American Express's investment in this app signals where premium travel cards are heading: integrated digital experiences that go beyond simple point earning and redemption.

Other card issuers will likely follow suit with enhanced mobile experiences. Chase, Capital One, and Citi may develop more robust travel apps to compete. For consumers, this competition means better tools and more convenient ways to maximize card benefits.

The shift also reflects changing traveler expectations. Modern card members don't want to juggle multiple apps, websites, and phone numbers. They want one elegant solution that handles everything—and that's exactly what Amex built.

Getting Started: Your Action Plan

Ready to try the Amex Travel App? Here's how to make the most of it from day one:

First, download the app from the iOS App Store or Google Play Store. Then log in with your existing American Express credentials. Once you're in, add your travel preferences to improve personalization and browse destination guides to familiarize yourself with the interface.

If you have lounge access, check Centurion Lounge locations—great for planning future trips. Book your first trip to experience the streamlined booking process, and start collecting passport stamps as you travel.

Don't have an Amex card yet? Consider starting with the American Express® Gold Card for strong travel earning and access to The Hotel Collection, or jump straight to The Platinum Card® if you want the full premium experience with Centurion Lounge access and Fine Hotels + Resorts.

Final Thoughts

The Amex Travel App represents more than just a new booking tool—it's American Express's vision for what premium travel should look like in 2025 and beyond. By consolidating inspiration, benefits, booking, and memories into one streamlined mobile experience, Amex created something genuinely useful rather than another forgettable travel app.

Is it perfect? Not yet. Hotel booking limitations and the gradual rollout of features mean there's room for improvement. But the foundation is solid, and American Express has committed to continuous enhancement.

For existing Amex cardholders, this app is an easy win. Download it, explore it, and let it simplify your next trip. For those considering an American Express card, the app is one more reason to join the Amex ecosystem—it's not just about the points, it's about the entire travel experience.

As Audrey Hendley noted in the launch announcement: "For over a century, Amex has been a trusted travel partner, and now we're putting all the elements of creating unforgettable travel experiences – from discovering inspired destinations, to booking and trip management – directly into our Card Members' hands."

That's a promise the new Amex Travel App is well-positioned to keep.

Looking to maximize your American Express card benefits? Check out our guides on American Express Retention Offers and Comparing Lounge Access: Chase Sapphire vs American Express for more ways to get exceptional value from your premium travel cards.