American Express Travel is primarily known for issuing credit cards, but the firm also provides other products and services, such as travel booking and planning through American Express Travel.
While American Express Travel is open to everyone (not just card members), having an Amex card can help you get more out of the program.
Enjoy exclusive benefits such as complimentary nights and property credits (except jet flights) and airfare charged directly through American Express Travel.com.
Here’s an overview of American Express Travel.
Table of Contents
What is American Express Travel?
American Express Travel is an OTA, or Online Travel Agency, similar to the original Expedia or Orbitz.
It is a service that can assist you in planning and booking various types of travel, including flights, hotels and resorts, rental cars, cruises, flight and hotel packages, and even a whole vacation package. As previously stated, it is available to anyone, albeit Amex members can obtain substantially greater value from it.
How to Book with American Express Travel
Amex Travel Services can be arranged online or over the phone. Simply go to the American Express Travel website to book online. You can also contact American Express Travel’s customer support department toll-free at 800-297-2977.
Here’s how to use the American Express travel portal to book a trip:
- Go to http://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/travel/.
- Enter your login and password.
- Choose between flights, hotels, flight + hotel, vehicles, and cruises.
- Fill in your travel dates, cities, and any pertinent information.
- Select alternatives based on your itinerary.
- Pay using your American Express credit card, points, or a combination of the two.
What is American Express Travel Hotel Collection?
The Hotel Collection by American Express provides a $100 credit to use on qualifying dining, spa, and resort activities, as well as a hotel upgrade (if available) to qualifying reservations booked through Amex.
This feature is exclusively accessible to Amex Platinum cardholders.
The American Express Business Platinum card.
American Express Travel Fees
There is a small fee for using the service, which is included in the ticket price whether you buy online or by phone.
Just keep in mind that there is an additional $39 fee if you contact to speak with a professional to book your vacation.
These costs are waived if you have an American Express Platinum Card, Business Platinum Card, or American Express Centurion Card.
To me, the fees are typically worth it for many individuals because you’ll have a competent American Express representative available 24/7 if something goes wrong and you need assistance resolving the problem in real time.
Using American Express Travel Flights
Using American Express Travel to search for flights is similar to using any other online travel service.
You can look for flights that are one-way, round-trip, or multi-city.
If I need to connect, I look for a connection that has an Amex Centurion Lounge.
These lounges are among the best, and Platinum and Centurion members receive complimentary access.
You can also perform particular city or airport searches (don’t rule out a city search because a regional airport may provide a better value), enter your departure and return dates, and choose a three-day search to discover the best deal.
Once the results are displayed, Delta flights will appear at the top as a “featured carrier.”
This is due to Delta and American Express’s collaboration (which has recently been extended through 2029).
More results will appear under the highlighted airline, beginning with the lowest fares.
You may also narrow down the results by the number of stops, departure/arrival timings, flight number, and airline.
If you’re logged in, you might see lower flights if you have enough Membership Rewards to cover the cost of the flight, or you might see an insider fare with an even deeper discount. You can expect a value of one penny to 1.05 cents per point if you use your Membership Rewards to book a flight. Not the best value or use of points, but depending on your vacation plans, it may make sense. When transferring Membership Rewards to one of American Express’s many airline partners, I typically find the best bargain.
American Express Travel Fees to Book Flights
American Express imposes a flat fee of $6.99 for domestic tickets and $10.99 for international tickets, which is included in the flight price.
Platinum and Centurion cardholders are exempt from these fees.
Using American Express Travel for Flight and Hotel Packages
Let’s look at airfare and hotel packages next.
American Express Travel, like other online travel services, allows you to book flight and hotel packages.
Aside from the fantastic service, you can frequently obtain exclusive bonuses, discounts, and special promotions.
The rates displayed in the results field are per person and include all taxes and fees, with the cheapest flight option appearing first.
After you’ve chosen a hotel, you can select a flight, and the pricing will adjust appropriately.
I’ve discovered that buying flights and hotels separately can occasionally save you a few hundred dollars, but it takes some patience and time to investigate pricing and possibilities. You also have less options when booking a package deal than than booking independently, so read the tiny print and consider the constraints before booking a package deal.
American Express Travel fees apply when booking airline and hotel packages.
The charge structure is the same as when booking a flight, which means $6.99 for a domestic ticket and $10.99 for an international ticket (bundled into the cost of the flight). Platinum and Centurion cardholders are exempt from fees.
Using American Express Travel for Hotels
Now, let’s dive into what I mainly utilize American Express Travel for: hotel searches.
- Standard booking
To begin, enter the city, dates, number of rooms, and number of visitors.
The search results will be based on price, reviews, and location, and a list of “recommended” items will appear at the top of the results.
American Express Travel Fees to Book Hotels
Rates can be perplexing because American Express Travel does not list all fees and taxes on the results page (you have to select and click through to see them).
Pricing is comparable to other online travel services and almost always somewhat pricier than booking directly with the hotel.
This may make sense for you based on your needs, such as wishing to book a non-chain hotel or without being a member of a loyalty program. Personally, I like to take use of a separate program offered by American Express Travel called Fine Hotels & Resorts, which I’ll discuss in more detail later.
- The Hotel Collection
Using American Express Travel to gain admission to When you reserve a prepaid rate, The Hotel Collection ensures the lowest rates, plus a few premium features.
American Express Travel Hotel Collection Benefits
Among the advantages are:
- Room upgrades upon arrival (based on availability)
- Hotel credit of $100 (good for things like dining or the spa)
- Members of the American Express Gold Card earn 2X Membership Rewards points on prepaid bookings.
- Members of the American Express Platinum Card earn 5X Membership Rewards points on prepaid bookings.
- You may easily redeem your points to make prepaid reservations.
While ordinary American Express Travel hotel bookings are open to everybody, The Hotel Collection is only available to cardholders of the following cards:
- American Express Gold Card
- American Express Business Gold Card
- Platinum Card from American Express
- Business Platinum Card from American Express
- American Express Centurion Card
One disadvantage of The Hotel Collection is that you must book prepaid rates to receive the perks, you will not earn hotel loyalty benefits, and there is a two-night minimum stay policy. On the plus side, you can get discounts for up to three rooms, which is great if you’re traveling with a family or a group.
- Fine Hotels & Resorts program
The Fine Hotels & Resorts program is by far my favorite aspect of American Express Travel. While there is some overlap between this program and The Hotel Collection, the Fine Hotels & Resorts program is more geared toward leisure travelers looking for higher-end resorts and other luxury perks.
Advantages of American Express Travel Fine Hotels & Resorts
Here are some of the more notable benefits:
- Noon check-in (if available)
- Room upgrades (based on availability)
- Daily breakfast for two
- Guaranteed late check-out at 4 p.m.
- Complimentary WiFi
- One-of-a-kind amenity (often a $100 spa or dining credit)
- You can enjoy these benefits while earning points/stay credits through hotel loyalty programs (just be sure to add your loyalty number to the reservation)
Fine Hotels & Resorts is only available to cardholders who have one of the following cards:
- Platinum Card from American Express
- Business Platinum Card from American Express
You don’t have to prepay to obtain the benefits with Fine Hotels & Resorts, and the pricing is almost often equal to the rates when booking directly with the hotel (so why not take advantage of all the extra perks?).
Cardholders can now use Membership Rewards to book stays at Fine Hotels & Resorts.
It may not be the best value or usage of points (one cent per point redemption), but it is an option to consider.
Using American Express Travel for Rental Cars
Amex Travel’s rental car search is as simple as entering an airport, city, or local address and having a handful of possibilities appear in the search results.
This is very useful when looking for the nearest auto hire in a remote place. I’ve found that these costs are comparable, if not a buck or two lower, than booking directly with the automobile rental business.
Using American Express Travel for Cruises
When you search for a cruise on Amex Travel, the results are based on the lowest possible rate, and hovering your cursor over the rate displays all available cabin types and pricing (cruises can be complex with so many cabin options). I’ve discovered that the pricing are roughly comparable whether booking through American Express Travel and when booking directly.
When you book a cruise through American Express Travel, you’ll also get a special onboard amenity, more onboard credits, or premium champagne.
It’s not worth anything.
This program is more limited than Fine Hotels & Resorts, and it is only accessible on certain cruises.
Times it Makes Sense to Use Amex Travel
- You value customer service above price
Amex Travel has a reputation for providing excellent customer service.
This is especially true if issues emerge while traveling.
Having access to a competent expert for assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week can provide you with piece of mind.
“You get what you pay for,” as the phrase goes, and in my experience, this has been true with American Express.
- You’ll earn bonus rewards as an American Express cardholder
American Express members can take advantage of all of Amex Travel’s services without paying any fees.
You can not only get some great prices this way, but you can also earn incentives on every dollar spent. It’s an excellent method to boost your points balance for your next trip.
- You’re booking a cruise and want extra onboard perks
If you’re considering a cruise, booking with American Express Travel can give you additional benefits when you’re ready to set sail. During your search, be sure to look at the cruise special deals page.
- You’re looking for luxury hotel perks and service
If you enjoy the finer things in life, such as complimentary made-from-scratch breakfast and room upgrades with a view, the Fine Hotels & Resorts program can help you book hotel stays that are sure to impress without having to pay extra for extra perks and service.
- Price match
Despite its limits, the price-match promise is an excellent feature when booking a prepaid hotel accommodation.
If a lower price for your reservation details is found, American Express Travel will match the price as long as the details match.
Do I need an American Express card to use American Express Travel services?
To use Amex Travel services, you do not need to have an American Express card.
If you want to pay for your trip with points, you’ll need an American Express card and a bank of Membership Rewards points.
When making a reservation through the site, you may be able to take advantage of special bargains and earn more points if you have an American Express card.
For example, American Express Gold Card members would receive 2X Membership Rewards points when booking through Amex Travel and would have access to all of the Hotel Collection’s privileges and perks.
Does American Express Travel have offices?
American Express Travel used to have actual locations where you could visit and book your travel.
The last of these offices closed in 2013, however Amex has subsequently formed alliances with travel firms and agents to develop the Travel Insiders program.
If you’re looking for a location to visit, you can now utilize their website’s Travel Services Locator function to identify a partner agency to assist with your trip planning.
American Express Travel Insurance
Are you thinking about purchasing travel insurance?
Good, but before you buy a separate policy, familiarize yourself with the American Express travel insurance advantages that come with your credit cards. Knowing what protections you currently have will save you money on a different policy with overlapping features.
Standalone policies often provide more comprehensive coverage, but depending on your needs, the bundled travel insurance features provided by your AmEx credit card may be sufficient if you’re searching for cancellation, delay, or rental car and baggage coverage.
If you’re primarily concerned with emergency medical coverage when traveling, you’re better off with a separate medical insurance policy because credit card benefits are limited in certain regions.
Here’s what you should know about six travel insurance advantages available on many American Express cards:
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
- Trip delay insurance
- Car rental loss and damage insurance
- Baggage insurance plans
- Premium Global Assist Hotline
- Global Assist Hotline
Does American Express Travel charge a fee to book a flight?
If you purchase a flight with American Express Travel, you will be charged fees.
If you book through the website, each domestic ticket will cost an additional $6.99, and each international ticket will cost an additional $10.99.
If you book a flight or a trip by phone, you may be charged a $39 fee per ticket or transaction.
If you need to change your flight, Amex may charge you $39 to reissue each ticket.
This is in addition to any change fees imposed by the airline.
Is American Express Travel More Expensive?
This issue is difficult to answer because rates and deals vary from day to day and from one travel booking company to the next.
It’s usually a good idea to search around first to determine the pricing range for your travel plans, and then make a decision on what to book.
The company guarantees the lowest price on prepaid hotel reservations for American Express customers.
To obtain this, you must file a claim with information demonstrating a lower price for the precise dates and other parameters.
If you are authorized, you will receive a credit for the difference in price between what you paid and the reduced price.
Earning and redeeming American Express Travel Membership Rewards points
You can use an American Express branded credit card to access the Amex Travel portal and pay for flights, hotels, and other travel necessities with cash, but you will need one that earns Membership Rewards (MR) points to display the number of MR points required for a booking.
Fortunately, American Express provides many travel rewards cards with generous initial bonuses to help you get started:
- American Express Platinum Card®: Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $6,000 in the first six months of card membership.
- American Express® Gold Card: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after making $4,000 in eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership.
- American Express® Green Card: Get 30,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $2,000 in the first three months of card membership.
- American Express Blue Business® Plus Credit Card: Earn 15,000 Enrollment Rewards® points after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases with the card within the first three months of card membership.
- American Express Business Platinum Card: Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases with the card within the first three months of card membership.
- American Express® Business Gold Card: Earn 70,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $10,000 on eligible purchases with the card in the first three months of membership.
When redeeming MR points for flights, you may be able to earn additional points or receive partial rebates depending on which credit card you have.
For example, the Platinum Card allows cardholders to earn 5X points on flights booked through the Amex Travel portal or directly with the airline on up to $500,000 in tickets each calendar year.
The Business Platinum Card also offers a 35 percent points refund to cardholders who redeem MR points for economy flights with their preferred airline or book premium-class flights through the portal (up to 500,000 points per calendar year).
Those who book using the American Express Business Gold Credit Card earn a similar 25% reward on up to 250,000 points each year.
Another useful benefit of owning The Platinum Card or The Business Platinum Card is the up to $200 annual airline credit you can use to cover checked luggage costs, change fees, pet flying charges, choosing your seat, and in-flight amenities with your preferred airline, all of which can rapidly add up.
Is American Express Travel Worth it?
As someone who has examined every online booking site for several vacations, I can certainly tell that Amex Travel is worthwhile in many cases – especially if you have an Amex card.
If you don’t already have an Amex card, I’d recommend comparing costs on other booking sites before booking with Amex Travel.
While the amenities and service are fantastic, there are times when it may not offer the best value or rate possibilities, which means you might save money by booking your travels through a different site. Still, if you want to arrange a trip with a premium support helpline, this service can be a fantastic fit.
If you travel frequently, it may be worthwhile to apply for an American Express card in order to book through Amex Travel. Furthermore, these are some of the finest travel credit cards for accumulating points. There are various options available, including ones that have no foreign transaction fees or annual fees. As a result, you can earn Membership Rewards points from your everyday purchasing and use them to save money on your travel purchases.
American Express Travel Phone Number
You can cancel and rebook your reservation on American Express Travel.com or by calling an American Express Travel.com agent at 1-800-297-2977.
FAQs
Is there an app for American Express Travel?
For which devices is the app available? The most recent version of the American Express Travel App is now available in the App Store and Google Play Store for iPhone/iPad and Android phones/tablets. To identify and download the most recent operating system, please visit the Apple and Android App stores.
What is the new American Express Travel App?
The American Express app, which is available for Android and iOS smartphones, displays the most critical account information right on the Home screen: your current amount, payment due date, available credit, recent transactions, and a link to pay your bill fast.
What is PWP American Express Travel?
Card Members who have an Eligible Card and are enrolled in the Membership Rewards Programme may redeem Membership Rewards Points (“MR Points”) for a credit to their Card Account for Eligible Purchases using the Membership Rewards Pay with Points (“PWP”) feature, subject to these Terms and Conditions.
Will American Express Travel price match?
Yes, American Express Travel will price match because it guarantees the lowest rate.
Does American Express Travel FHR price match?
In general, no. The FHR pricing isn’t intended to be the cheapest option because it includes several premium perks such room upgrades, early check-in, late check-out, breakfast, and a US$100 amenity.
Can I use my American Express Travel Credit with Fine Hotels + Resorts?
Travel credits from American Express can only be utilized on FHR bookings if the hotel accepts advance payment.
Travel Credits are typically ineligible for usage on FHR bookings because they are not prepaid, and you pay after you check out of the hotel.
American Express Travel Benefits?
Travel: For each dollar charged on eligible travel expenditures like as airline, hotels, cruises, tours, car rentals, campgrounds, travel purchases on third-party travel websites, and travel purchases on American Express Travel.com, you will earn two additional points (for a total of three points).
Conclusion
While you can use your points to book hotels and flights through the American Express Travel Portal, transferring your points to airline and hotel partners will often provide you with more value.
There are several exclusions, such as last-minute travel when no award availability is available.
However, the American Express Travel Portal offers some incredible benefits, like as discounted tickets on premium flights, Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts, and a user-friendly layout.
Several TPG employees use it frequently to schedule travel and have saved money as a result. If the Amex Travel Portal does not give the best deal, you should book directly with the airline or hotel.
