American Express gives us access to two premium hotel booking programs—The Hotel Collection (THC) and Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR). These are designed to give you elevated hotel experiences with real, tangible perks: room upgrades, dining or spa credits, daily breakfast, late checkout, and more. You don’t need elite status to feel like a VIP—just the right Amex card.
We’ve used both THC and FHR on our own travels, and they’ve consistently taken our stays up a notch. The best part? The rates are often right in line with what you’d pay booking direct—except you’re getting extra value layered in.
Let’s walk you through how each program works, who’s eligible, and how you can use them to unlock serious upgrades on your next trip.
Unlocking Elite Stays with the Right Amex Card
We’ve used both The Hotel Collection (THC) and Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) across multiple trips, and the difference they make is real. From upgrades to spa credits to late checkout, these programs consistently add value—and the key to accessing them starts with the card in your wallet.
Here’s how eligibility breaks down:
- The Hotel Collection (THC) is available to a broader range of Amex cardholders. If you’ve got the Amex Gold (personal or business) or Platinum, you’re in. Even the Amex Green may qualify, but historically it’s been Gold and up. THC focuses on upscale, four-star properties and stylish boutique hotels—perfect when you want comfort and perks without going full luxury.
- Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) is where things step up. This one’s exclusive to the Platinum Card (personal or business) and Centurion (Black) Card. The FHR portfolio includes top-tier, five-star hotels around the world. To get the benefits, you’ll need to book through Amex Travel using your eligible card, whether online or by phone.
If you carry Amex Gold, you can tap into THC.
If you hold Amex Platinum or Centurion, you get access to both THC and FHR.
We use Platinum ourselves, and our strategy is simple—check FHR first, and if there’s nothing in the location, shift to THC. Either way, you’re stacking serious value on your hotel bookings, just by holding the right card.
The Real Perks of THC and FHR
When you book a stay of two nights or more through The Hotel Collection (THC), here’s what you get:
- A room upgrade on arrival, if available.
- An experience credit of $100 or more to use on qualifying hotel amenities—usually spa or dining. For example, we booked a THC property in Miami and got a $100 spa credit, which covered a massage during the stay.
If you pay with an eligible American Express Card, you also earn bonus Membership Rewards on the prepaid booking:
- 2X points with Amex Gold
- 3X points with Business Gold
- 5X points with Platinum
Amex treats these as travel portal bookings, so you’re stacking extra points while unlocking benefits.
THC requires a minimum two-night stay to receive the perks. A one-night booking won’t get you the $100 credit or the upgrade. Also, THC hotels tend to be high-end 4-star properties—think Kimpton, Thompson, and other boutique brands—not ultra-luxury, but definitely a notch above standard.
Now, let’s talk Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR). This is where the VIP treatment really kicks in—and yes, even for a one-night stay, you’ll receive:
- A room upgrade on arrival, when available—typically one category up.
- Daily breakfast for two, complimentary. This is one of the most valuable perks—easily $30+ per person per day. We’ve had full breakfast buffets covered at top-tier properties.
- Guaranteed 4:00 PM late checkout—huge when you want to enjoy your last day without rushing.
- Noon check-in, when available.
- An experience credit of at least $100—usually for food and beverage or spa.
- Complimentary Wi-Fi—even at hotels where it might not normally be included.
These benefits are consistent across the FHR portfolio. When we book, say, the Waldorf Astoria in Los Angeles through FHR, we know we’re getting free breakfast, a $100 amenity credit (spa or dining), early check-in if we arrive by noon, an upgrade if available, and a 4 p.m. checkout. The value can even beat top-tier elite status perks—especially the guaranteed late checkout, which some loyalty programs won’t commit to.
When you prepay an FHR booking with your Platinum Card, you’ll earn 5X Membership Rewards points. That means you’re not only getting premium treatment—you’re also accelerating your points haul.
We’ve used FHR plenty of times for one-night splurges—anniversary getaways, a night at a high-end spa hotel, or just to enjoy luxury perks without committing to a long stay. The free breakfast and $100 dining credit alone make it feel like you’re getting a big return on the booking.
Not Every Hotel Makes the Cut: Here’s What to Expect
You won’t find every hotel in these programs. Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) features around 1,300 luxury properties worldwide, including brands like Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, Shangri-La, Aman, and a solid selection of upscale boutique hotels. These are premium stays curated for high-end experiences.
The Hotel Collection (THC) has a different, smaller lineup—maybe a few hundred properties globally. These are usually upper-upscale hotels, including brands like Hilton, Marriott, and Hyatt, though typically not their top-tier luxury labels. You’ll often see solid 4-star options, but not necessarily the flagship resorts.
Some hotels are in neither program. Some appear in THC but not in FHR, and vice versa. It varies by region, brand, and hotel.
Now, here’s something important: you can often still earn your regular loyalty points and enjoy elite benefits, even when you book through Amex Travel with THC or FHR. That’s because Amex Travel is usually treated as a travel agency partner—not an OTA like Expedia—which many hotel chains recognize as eligible for loyalty earnings.
To be clear, not all chains guarantee this. But in many cases, Amex explicitly notes that you can enjoy loyalty program benefits in addition to FHR perks. So you’re not just getting luxury add-ons—you’re doubling up when your loyalty program plays nice.
How to Squeeze Every Dollar Out of THC and FHR
Let’s talk strategy—because if you’re booking through THC or FHR, there’s no reason to leave value on the table.
Use the Credits
If your stay includes a $100 property credit, make sure you actually use it. It’s per room, per stay—not per night. So whether you’re there one night or two, that credit is fixed. For THC, which requires a two-night minimum, it’s still just $100 total. Spend it on dinner, spa, drinks—whatever qualifies.
Leverage Late Checkout
With FHR’s guaranteed 4 PM late checkout, plan your exit accordingly. We often book late flights or transfers so we can enjoy the hotel longer. You can hang by the pool, hit the beach, then go back to your room to shower and change without being rushed out at noon. Some hotels charge extra or make you use a shared hospitality suite—FHR lets you keep your room. That’s a real value-add, especially at resorts.
Stack with Platinum’s $200 Hotel Credit
If you’ve got the Amex Platinum, remember that you get a $200 annual hotel credit that applies to prepaid bookings through Amex Travel—including THC and FHR. Every year, we use this on an FHR booking to slash the cost. Example: book a $400 two-night FHR stay, pay with your Platinum card, and get $200 back as a statement credit. That’s effectively a luxury hotel stay for half price—with perks.
Always Compare Rates
FHR prices are usually aligned with a hotel’s flexible or best available rate—not always the lowest non-refundable option. We always compare rates directly on the hotel site. Even if FHR is $10 more, you’re getting breakfast, a $100 credit, and 4 PM checkout—that more than makes up the difference.
Sometimes, hotels run their own promos or offer member rates that look cheaper, but they don’t include any of the extras. In our experience, when you factor in the perks, FHR almost always comes out ahead.
Like most portals, FHR and THC don’t show taxes and fees upfront—you’ll see the final total during checkout. Resort fees still apply, though some hotels will let you apply your $100 credit toward those (depends on how they classify the charge).
Plan Around the Perks
Sometimes we choose our hotel specifically because of the FHR perks. If we’re picking between two similar properties, and one offers breakfast for two and a dining credit, that’s a no-brainer. In Paris, for instance, we skipped several comparable hotels and went with the FHR option. Why? Daily €50 breakfast and an €85 dining credit—we’d have spent that out-of-pocket otherwise.
Watch for the Frequent Booker Benefit
If you’re a heavy FHR user with the Amex Platinum, there’s a little-known perk Amex might offer: after completing around five FHR stays in a calendar year, some cardmembers receive an extra free night at an FHR property. It’s not published, but it shows up as a thank-you—check your email if you think you’ve hit the threshold. It won’t apply to everyone, but if you book luxury hotels often, it’s one more reason to stay loyal.
Tips to Make It Seamless
When you check in, always let the front desk know you booked through Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts or The Hotel Collection. Most of the time, they already have it noted, but we make a point to politely confirm:
“Just confirming—this reservation should include the $100 credit and other Amex perks, correct?”
That simple ask ensures nothing is overlooked.
Also, if you’re charging anything beyond the credit—drinks, meals, spa—use your Platinum or Gold card at checkout. You’ll earn Membership Rewards points on those extra charges. And if the $100 credit was applied to your folio, double-check the final bill to make sure those charges were properly removed. From our experience, hotels that participate in these programs are usually smooth and well-versed in handling it.
Now let’s talk prepayment and points. Typically, FHR bookings aren’t prepaid—you reserve now and pay at the hotel. But if you want to use the $200 hotel credit on the Amex Platinum, you must prepay through Amex Travel.
Also, as of the latest structure, only prepaid hotel bookings through Amex Travel earn 5X points with the Platinum card. So even though you can pay at checkout, we often choose to prepay—especially when we want to take advantage of the credit. Most prepaid bookings are still fully refundable up to a specific date, so you’re not locked in early unless you miss the cancellation window.
Luxury on Tap—You Just Have to Use It
FHR and THC are seriously valuable perks baked into your Amex Gold and Platinum cards. For us, Fine Hotels & Resorts stands out as the closest thing to instant elite status—sometimes even better. Free breakfast, $100 credits, guaranteed late checkout… it beats what many top-tier elites get at chain hotels.
And then there’s the $200 hotel credit Platinum gives you every year—use it on an FHR or THC prepaid booking, and you’re stacking major value.
Every time we plan travel, the first stop is Amex Travel. We check for FHR and THC options in our destination. If the price works and the property’s solid, we almost always book through Amex instead of direct. The extras justify it—every time.
Think of it this way: Amex is rolling out the red carpet for you at check-in. You walk in with perks already locked in—upgrades, credits, breakfast—and the hotel knows you’re coming in through a premium channel. It makes a difference in how you’re treated.
The key is simple: use what’s included. Spend the full $100 credit. Prepay to trigger the $200 statement credit. Book two nights if you’re using THC. Plan around the benefits, and you’ll feel the return.
We’ve had some of our best hotel memories thanks to these programs. If you’ve got the access, don’t let it go unused. Next time you travel, let FHR or THC do the heavy lifting—and enjoy the elevated experience your card was built to unlock.
