The Amex Travel portal allows American Express cardholders exclusive access to book flights, hotels, rental cars, cruises and more. As an Amex cardholder, you can earn bonus points, unlock elite perks, and redeem points for travel through this portal.
This comprehensive guide will explain everything you need to know about the Amex Travel portal, including how to maximize its many benefits.
Amex Travel Portal Benefits
Booking travel through Amex unlocks valuable perks, including:
Earn Up to 5x Points
Depending on your Amex card, you can earn:
- 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels with The Platinum Card from American Express
- 3x points on flights with the American Express® Gold Card
- 3x points on all travel with the American Express® Green Card
- 2x points on travel for all other Amex cards
Pay With Points
Convert Amex points into statement credits to book travel. You get a fixed value of 1 cent per point on flights and Fine Hotels & Resorts. Other travel redemptions are 0.7 cents per point.
Flight Upgrades
Use points to bid on flight upgrades with select airlines. If accepted, get upgraded by redeeming points at 1 cent each.
Discounted International Flights
Access discounted international flights through the International Airline Program for Amex Platinum cardholders.
Luxury Hotel Perks
Unlock elite-like perks at Fine Hotels & Resorts and The Hotel Collection with Platinum and Gold Amex cards. Benefits include resort credits, room upgrades, free breakfast, late checkout, and more.
Cancel For Any Reason
New Trip Cancel Guard feature from Amex provides up to 75% refunds on airfare when canceling for any reason.
35% Points Rebate
Business Platinum cardholders get 35% of points back when booking flights through Amex Travel, up to 500,000 points back annually.
Who Can Use the Amex Travel Portal?
The Amex Travel portal is exclusive to current American Express cardholders. However, certain benefits are limited to these premium Amex cards:
- The Platinum Card® from American Express
- American Express® Gold Card
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Other Amex cards earn 2x points on travel portal bookings. Check your card's terms for eligibility.
How to Book Amex Travel
You can book travel online through the Amex portal or by phone. Here are step-by-step instructions to book online:
- Go to www.americanexpress.com/travel
- Log in using your Amex online account credentials
- Select your travel: Flights, Hotels, Cars, Cruises, etc.
- Enter your travel details like destinations, dates, passengers
- Customize options like seat selections, room type, rental car features
- Choose payment with points, your Amex card, or both
- Complete booking and receive instant email confirmation
Paying With Amex Points
Amex Travel gives you the option to pay for bookings with a combination of points and your Amex card. Here's how it works:
- Minimum 5,000 points for redemption
- Flights and Fine Hotels & Resorts: 1 cent per point
- Other travel: 0.7 cents per point
If canceling a "Pay with Points" booking, you'll receive a statement credit for the cash value. To get points returned instead, call Amex.
Paying with points is not the best redemption, since you can get over 2 cents in value when transferring Amex points to airline/hotel partners.
Status Match and Elite Benefits
Booking directly with hotels is best for earning stay credits toward status and getting elite benefits. However, Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts and Hotel Collection provide status-like perks.
Fine Hotels & Resorts
Complimentary benefits when booking 2+ nights, including:
- Room upgrade
- Daily breakfast for two
- 4pm late checkout
- $100 property credit
- Priority early check-in
You’ll also earn loyalty points and elite credits for your hotel stays.
The Hotel Collection
Book 2+ nights to receive:
- $100 hotel credit
- Room upgrade upon arrival
- Daily breakfast for two
Loyalty points and elite nights will be earned.
International Airline Program
Amex Platinum cardholders gain access to discounted international airline fares through the IAP program. Benefits include:
- First, business, and premium economy discounts
- 120+ global routes on 25+ airlines
- Refundable and nonrefundable tickets
- 5x Amex points on bookings
- $39 processing fee
IAP provides an average of $300+ in savings over regular fares. The 5x points alone outweigh the small processing fee.
Should You Book Amex Travel Insurance?
Some premium Amex cards include travel protections like trip delay coverage, trip cancellation insurance, and more. However, terms have limitations.
Purchasing Amex's Trip Cancel Guard supplementally adds "cancel for any reason" coverage with up to 75% reimbursement when canceling 2+ days pre-travel.
This rivals "CFAR" plans from independent insurers. Check your existing Amex card coverage before buying additional insurance.
Amex Travel Cancellations and Refunds
Each airline and hotel has its own cancellation policies. Generally, Amex travel reservations can be canceled within 24 hours for a full refund.
However, specific cancellation terms are shown during booking. Reach out to Amex Travel support with cancellation questions.
Downsides of Booking Amex Travel
While the Amex portal has great perks, here are drawbacks to weigh:
- Lower point value - Redeeming for travel cuts point value significantly
- Complex support - Resolving issues can be complicated through third parties
- No elite benefits with hotels - Direct bookings earn stay credits and loyalty points
For maximum value, transfer Amex points to loyalty programs instead of paying with points. And when chasing elite status, book hotels directly.
Tips for Maximizing the Amex Travel Portal
Follow these tips to get the most from Amex Travel:
- Book flights to earn 5x points with Amex Platinum
- Use Pay with Points for cheaper flight classes only
- Leverage discounted biz/first class tickets through the International Airline Program
- Access luxury perks and credits via Fine Hotels & Resorts
- Purchase Trip Cancel Guard for cancel for any reason protections
- Check existing Amex card benefits before buying insurance
- Weigh elite status and earning considerations when booking hotels
Conclusion
The Amex Travel portal unlocks exclusive discounts, perks, and bonuses when booking flights, hotels, and other travel. However, travelers should compare portal value to other options like transferring points to loyalty programs or booking direct.
Use this guide to maximize Amex Travel benefits while minimizing its drawbacks. Smart utilization of the portal can unlock substantial travel savings and elite-like privileges.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hotels participate in the Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts program?
Over 1,200 luxury hotel and resort properties worldwide participate in Fine Hotels & Resorts. Destinations span six continents and 81 countries.
Do all Amex cards earn bonus points on the travel portal?
The Platinum, Gold, and Green consumer Amex cards earn bonus points on the travel portal. Other eligible Amex cards earn 2x points on portal bookings.
Can I use Amex points to upgrade flights?
Yes, Amex points can be redeemed for flight upgrades on select airlines. You'll get approximately 1 cent per point in value. Availability is not guaranteed.
Does Amex Travel provide rental car insurance?
No, Amex Travel does not include rental car insurance. You would need to purchase a policy from the rental agency or use your personal car insurance policy.
What is the phone number for Amex Travel support?
You can reach 24/7 Amex Travel support at 1-800-297-3276. Support is available for existing bookings or general portal inquiries.
Is the Amex travel portal more expensive?
The pricing on the Amex travel portal can vary depending on the specific travel options you choose. It's essential to compare prices with other travel booking platforms to determine if Amex Travel is more expensive for your particular itinerary. While Amex Travel may offer exclusive deals and benefits for cardmembers, it's not guaranteed to always be the cheapest option.
Do I need to tell Amex I am Traveling?
Yes, it's a good practice to inform American Express about your travel plans before you go abroad. This helps them monitor your card activity for potential fraud or unusual transactions while you're away. You can usually do this through your online account or by calling their customer service. It ensures that your card remains functional and secure during your travels.
How to book Southwest flights with Amex points?
You can book Southwest flights with Amex Membership Rewards points by logging into your Amex account, navigating to the travel portal, and searching for Southwest flights. You can redeem your Membership Rewards points for the flight cost, and the portal will guide you through the booking process. Ensure that Southwest Airlines is a participating partner in the Amex Membership Rewards program.
What does AmEx travel include?
AmEx Travel offers a range of travel services, including flight and hotel bookings, car rentals, cruise vacations, and vacation packages. It also provides access to exclusive travel deals, upgrades, and amenities for Amex cardmembers. The specific offerings may vary based on your Amex card type and membership benefits.
Can anyone use Amex travel?
Amex Travel is primarily designed for American Express cardmembers. To access its services and benefits, you typically need an Amex card. However, some aspects of Amex Travel, such as searching for travel options, may be accessible to the general public without an Amex card. To take full advantage of the benefits, having an Amex card is recommended.
Does AmEx travel have an app?
Yes, American Express offers a mobile app called "Amex Mobile" that allows cardmembers to access various features, including Amex Travel. Through the app, you can conveniently book flights, hotels, and other travel services, manage your card account, and receive notifications about your Amex card activity. The app is available for both iOS and Android devices, providing a user-friendly way to access Amex Travel on the go.
How much are Amex points worth in the travel portal?
The value of Amex Membership Rewards points can vary depending on how you redeem them within the Amex Travel portal. On average, each point is worth about 1 to 2 cents when used for travel bookings, but this value can fluctuate based on factors such as the type of travel (flights, hotels, etc.) and any promotional offers available at the time of booking. It's essential to check the specific redemption options within the portal to determine the current value of your Amex points for your desired travel bookings.
Is there an Amex travel portal?
Yes, American Express offers an online travel portal known as "Amex Travel." This portal allows Amex cardmembers to search for and book a wide range of travel-related services, including flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and vacation packages. Amex Travel provides cardmembers with access to various travel benefits, exclusive offers, and the ability to use Membership Rewards points to pay for travel expenses. It is a convenient platform for planning and booking travel arrangements with the added advantage of potential cardmember benefits.
Do amex travel provide car rental ?
Yes, car rental services are offered by American Express Travel. For their travel requirements, cardholders can reserve rental cars through American Express Travel. Travelers can access a range of rental car alternatives thanks to American Express's connections with companies like Avis, Hertz, and National Car Rentals. Additionally, Amex Platinum Cardholders can be eligible for free advantages like participation in the Emerald Club that might improve their experience renting a car.