The American Express Travel portal allows Amex cardholders to use their Membership Rewards points directly for travel reservations and various activities. This eliminates the extra time and effort required when transferring rewards to airline or hotel partners such as Delta SkyMiles, British Airways Executive Club, and Marriott Bonvoy.
Using the Amex Travel portal enables you to secure discounted premium tickets and take advantage of exclusive benefits. Exclusive perks include a 35% points rebate on select bookings and making reservations at premium hotels with extra perks.
Below, we’ll explain everything you need to know about the American Express Travel hub and show you how to use it to get the most value from your Amex points.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
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What is the Amex Travel Portal?
So, what exactly is the American Express Travel portal? Well, Amex Travel serves as the booking platform for the majority of American Express cards. It provides you with the option to make reservations for flights, hotels, rental cars, and cruises and offers payment flexibility with the choice of using rewards points, cash, or a combination of both.
How Do You Book Flights Using the American Express Travel Portal?
The process for locating flights on the American Express Travel website is quick and straightforward. The flight booking process on the Amex Travel portal closely resembles that of other popular flight search websites like Kayak or FlightFinder. When you navigate to the website, you will use the search box where to input your departure dates and destinations.
If you can be flexible about which airport you can depart from, you can opt for an entire city, such as New York or London. You will also be able to tailor your booking search by specifying the number of seats, your preferred fare class, and whether you want to book one-way or round-trip flights.
The Information You’ll Be Presented with During Your Amex Travel Search
On the left-hand side, you'll also discover filtering options allowing you to refine your search based on the number of stops, departure and arrival times, flight duration, and airline preferences.
Throughout the booking process, you will find the flight price displayed in dollars, alongside the number of Amex Membership Rewards points required for the booking.
Moreover, if you happen to possess The Platinum Card® from American Express or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express and are departing from an airport equipped with a Centurion Lounge, you'll notice an indicator signaling the availability of a lounge facility.
Delta Airlines Flights May Feature Prominently
Delta Air Lines is prominently featured within the Amex Travel portal, and while Delta flights may often appear at the top of your search results labeled as "recommended," it's important to note that these flights may not always be the most economical choice.
How Many Amex Points Will You Earn When Booking on the American Express Travel Portal?
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When it comes to paying for your flights through Amex Travel, various American Express cards offer distinct earning rates, both with Amex Travel and when booking directly with airlines or on alternative travel platforms. Here's a breakdown:
The Business Platinum Card from American Express
· Points earned with Amex Travel: 5 points per dollar.
· Points earned booking directly with airlines: 1 point per dollar.
· Points earned booking on other travel portals: 1 point per dollar.
The Platinum Card from American Express
· Points earned with Amex Travel: 5 points per dollar (up to $500,000 in-flight purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar)
· Points earned booking directly with airlines: 5 points per dollar (up to $500,000 in-flight purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar)
· Points earned booking on other travel portals: 1 point per dollar.
American Express® Gold Card
· Points earned with Amex Travel: 3 points per dollar.
· Points earned booking directly with airlines: 3 points per dollar.
· Points earned booking on other travel portals: 1 point per dollar.
The Amex Business Gold Card offers a 25% Pay with Points rebate on eligible flights, with a maximum of 250,000 points refunded per calendar year. On the other hand, the Business Centurion Card from American Express provides a generous 50% Pay with Points rebate on eligible flights. (Centurion cards are exclusively available by invitation.)
Booking Flights on the Amex Travel Platform with Your Points
As well as paying directly with your card, you have the option to use Amex Membership Rewards points to cover the expense of your flight booking. The number of points required for this is displayed alongside the cash price of the flight.
Typically, when utilizing Pay with Points, you can anticipate a value of approximately 1 cent per point. But the value of Amex Membership Rewards points can be elevated to as much as 2 cents each when you book with certain Amex transfer partners.
You should conduct a thorough comparison between the number of points needed for bookings on Amex Travel and the points necessary for transfers to an airline program. The value may vary according to where and how you book.
Earn a 35% Points Rebate When You Use Points to Book on Amex Travel
When using points to pay for bookings on Amex Travel, you can receive a 35% points rebate. This benefit extends to first- and business-class flights across all airlines, as well as tickets in any class with your preferred airline (the same airline that is designated for your airline incidental credits).
Paying with Both Points and Your Card During Amex Travel Bookings
On American Express Travel, you have the flexibility to utilize points, your credit card, or both during the booking process. The minimum points requirement for redemption is 5,000, and each point holds a value of 1 cent.
The Amex Travel portal allows you to upgrade your flights using either cash or points, typically resulting in a return value of 1 cent per point. This booking can be executed using your Amex card, points, or both.
How to Find Discount Flights on the Amex Travel Portal
While conducting your flight search, you may find "Insider Fares" that present discounted pricing. To take advantage of these discounts, you need to redeem an amount of Amex points that will cover the entire fare price.
What is the Amex Travel International Airline Program?
For Amex Platinum and Amex Business Platinum cardholders can access discounted premium tickets offered through Amex Travel's International Airline Program (IAP). This program offers discounts on first-class, premium economy, and business-class bookings from a selection of more than 20 airlines.
To secure a discounted ticket via the IAP, you can visit the Amex Travel portal and make payment using either cash or points, while also leveraging the Business Platinum card's 35% airline rebate.
Keep in mind that not all flights qualify for this program, and there are some requirements that need to be met.
· The cardholder is required to be one of the travelers on the itinerary.
· Eight tickets maximum can be reserved per itinerary.
· Travel must commence and conclude at U.S. or Canadian international airports.
· Unless explicitly specified, tickets are nonrefundable.
· Passenger name changes are not permissible.
Making a Hotel Booking on the American Express Travel Portal
When it comes to booking hotels through American Express Travel, this option is available to cardholders with a Platinum, Gold, or Centurion card. Similar to other travel platforms, you can start your search by specifying your destination, travel dates, the number of rooms, and the number of guests.
Platinum and Business Platinum cardmembers enjoy a 5-point per dollar earning rate for prepaid hotel reservations made through Amex Travel.
How Much Are American Express Points Worth When Booking a Hotel Through Amex Travel?
When paying with Amex points for hotel bookings, each point carries a value of 0.7 cents. This is opposed to the 1 cent value typically associated with flight bookings.
Booking Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts Through the American Express Portal
Platinum and Centurion cardholders have exclusive access to the Fine Hotels + Resorts program through Amex Travel. This program can enhance your hotel experiences with notable benefits, often at a cost that is comparable when making a booking directly with the hotel.
Here are the perks available with the Amex Fine Hotels+ Resorts Program:
• Room upgrade upon arrival (subject to availability): While certain room types may be excluded, you may receive an upgrade to preferred rooms offering superior views or a more desirable location within the hotel.
• Daily breakfast for two guests: The provided breakfast must meet at least a continental breakfast standard.
• Guaranteed late checkout at 4 p.m.
• Early noon check-in when available
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Unique property amenity: The specific amenity varies by hotel but is typically valued at $100 or more. It often includes a property credit, dining credit, spa credit, private airport transfer, or a similar valuable offering.
You must make a Fine Hotels + Resorts program reservation through Amex Travel to access these perks.
Booking a Room Within the Hotel Collection on the Travel Portal
An often-overlooked perk from American Express is The Hotel Collection, open for booking with either cash or points. This program is accessible to individuals holding Amex Gold, Centurion, and Platinum cards, providing the following advantages:
• The potential for a room upgrade upon check-in, subject to availability.
• An enticing $100 on-property credit that can be used for qualifying resort activities, dining, or spa treatments.
Reservations made through The Hotel Collection must meet a minimum stay requirement of two nights And are eligible for the $200 hotel credit benefit offered by the Amex Platinum card.
Maximizing Rewards and Savings with Amex Travel
To make the most of your Amex Travel experience, consider the following tips:
- Timing Your Bookings: Keep an eye on travel trends and book your trips during off-peak seasons to secure lower prices.
- Using the Right Card: Choose a card that offers the best rewards for your travel style, such as the Platinum Card® from American Express or the Business Platinum Card® from American Express.
- Leveraging Travel Credits: Utilize the annual travel credits offered by certain cards to offset travel expenses.
- Taking Advantage of Promotions: Stay updated on Amex Travel's promotions and offers to maximize your savings.
By following these tips and taking advantage of Amex Travel's unique features, you can streamline your travel planning process and enjoy a rewarding travel experience.
Takeaway: Your Ultimate Guide to Amex Travel – How to Book and How You Can Save
The American Express Travel portal provides a diverse range of booking options, including the opportunity to earn bonus Membership Rewards points on purchases. You can utilize your points for booking hotels, flights, rental cars, and cruises through Amex Travel, or choose to maximize the value by transferring them to American Express's travel partners.
Is Amex Travel Worth It?
American Express offers several travel perks to its cardholders, but are they worth it? Keep reading this blog post to get an in-depth look at the pros and cons of Amex Travel.
