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How to Maximize the AmEx Platinum Hotel Credit

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As the COVID-19 pandemic rocked the world in 2020, many credit card issuers rolled out new temporary benefits to help boost value to cardholders.

American Express was no exception, and offered a particularly generous perk: a $200 hotel credit for some holders of The Platinum Card® from American Express . They also extended the amount of time that new cardholders had to meet the minimum spending requirements by three months, then went on to add a bevvy of new incentives , like limited-time bonus rewards, streaming credits, wireless credits and a host of juicy AmEx offers .

Since I’m a travel enthusiast and credit card junkie (admittedly), I found myself flush with newfound perks and growing balances of bonus points from everyday shopping. The problem was, like many people, I wasn’t really traveling.

Here’s how I was able to make use of — and maximize — the $200 travel credit.

» Learn more: How credit card issuers are responding to COVID-19

About the $200 American Express travel credit

Some cardholders of The Platinum Card® from American Express who renewed their card became eligible for a credit up to $200 for travel booked through American Express Travel. Terms apply.

I didn’t give the credit much thought at first. Due to COVID-19 considerations, I had canceled all of my travel for the foreseeable future. Even when I do travel frequently in “normal” times, I rarely book through American Express. I generally prefer to transfer my Membership Rewards points to travel partners to get outsize value.

Still, $200 is a generous credit that I didn’t want to waste. And when my family was starting to go stir-crazy after months of quasi-lockdown, I set out to plan a safe “staycation” using the bonus AmEx travel credit.

How the booking portal, American Express Travel, works

American Express Travel is a booking portal available to cardholders to book flights, hotels, cruises, tours and flight + hotel package deals. When you log into your AmEx account, just click into your Rewards page and you can find the AmEx Travel portal.

When you make a booking through American Express Travel, you can choose to pay with either your Membership Rewards points or with cash.

If you hold The Platinum Card® from American Express or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express , you’ll earn 5x points when you use your card to charge travel in the AmEx travel. All other Membership Rewards-earning cards will earn 2x points on AmEx travel bookings. Terms apply.

If you choose to pay with points, they’ll be worth 1 cent each. This isn’t a great redemption value, since you can easily get more value for your points by transferring to AmEx’s travel partners . But when you consider that you will earn airline miles (and sometimes hotel points) when you book your trip through AmEx travel, the value jumps up a bit. That’s because the airline or hotel sees this as a “cash” booking rather than an “award” booking, even when you’re using your Membership Rewards.

» Learn more: Best American Express credit cards

How I got out-sized value from my travel credit

Since my family was staying grounded during the pandemic, we decided to take a “staycation” in a nearby hotel. And since we had missed most of our planned travel in 2020, we decided to use the $200 credit toward a splurge for luxury.

When I started hunting for hotel options in the American Express Travel portal, the first several hotels that appeared in my search were designated as being part of the Fine Hotels & Resorts program.

Available only to cardholders of The Platinum Card® from American Express , The Business Platinum Card® from American Express and the Centurion Card from American Express, the FHR program offers extra benefits, including:

Early check-in.

4 p.m. checkout.

Room upgrade (based on availability).

Daily breakfast for two.

$100 property credit (varies by hotel, but dining and spa credits are common).

Since my $200 AmEx credit would cover anything booked through AmEx Travel — including a hotel in the FHR program — I knew I could pack even more value when I combined the benefits.

We decided on a “staycation” night at the luxurious St. Regis close to where we live.

When booked through AmEx travel, the room was going for $349 a night. To be clear, booking a hotel through FHR doesn't always give you the lowest rate. If booked directly, a room at this same hotel could have cost $308 for that same night.

But the added benefits from booking through FHR can usually outweigh the added cost.

Here’s how my AmEx travel booking broke down. The room rate was $349, but by booking a FHR property through AmEx travel I got:

The Platinum Card® from American Express credit: $200.

Property credit: $100.

Breakfast credit: $60.

My family got the red-carpet treatment at the St. Regis. We were able to check in early at 11 a.m. to kick off our staycation, and we were upgraded to a larger room with a prime view.

The $100 property credit at this hotel was good for a food and beverage credit, so we used it to splurge on a fancy, socially-distanced tea party, to the sheer delight of our two young kids.

Photo courtesy of Erin Hurd

In the morning, we were informed that we would be given $60 in breakfast credits from our booking. Even at St. Regis prices, that credit was enough for all four of us to enjoy a light breakfast.

At checkout, we had a few incidental charges, including valet parking, that we needed to pay for out of pocket. Since St. Regis is a Marriott brand, I used my Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card for those charges. The card comes with up to $300 in credits for eligible purchases at Marriott hotels. In September, the $300 Marriott credit will be replaced with a new benefit of up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year (up to $25 per month) for eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide. Terms apply.

The bottom line

This staycation was certainly not free, since I pay a hefty $695 annual fee to hold The Platinum Card® from American Express . But by booking a room through American Express’ Fine Hotels & Resorts program, I was able to get even more value from the extra $200 travel credit. Terms apply.

Though earning hotel points can sometimes be hit-or-miss with FHR bookings, I was pleasantly surprised a few days after checkout to see that I had earned Marriott Bonvoy points and an elite night credit on this booking.

If you have The Platinum Card® from American Express and are eligible, make sure you remember to use your extra $200 AmEx travel credit whenever you’re ready to travel again. The credit is good for travel through the end of 2021. Check your AmEx account to see if you have the offer, or contact customer service through online chat or over the phone to confirm your eligibility.

To view rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page .

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

On a similar note...

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The Platinum Card® from American Express Review: How I Use It to Upgrade Rooms, Maintain Airline Status, and More

By Sheryl Bond

Condé Nast Traveler has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Condé Nast Traveler and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. We don't review or include all companies, or all available products. Moreover, the editorial content on this page was not provided by any of the companies mentioned, and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are entirely those of Condé Nast Traveler's editorial team.

UPDATE: Welcome offers for the cards listed below may be out of date. Confirm the current welcome offers on each card issuer's site

We have been together for 21 years. It was not love at first sight; I thought you were out of my league. You now have my heart and my wallet . When I first discovered American Express , I did not understand the difference between credit and charge cards. After completing a debt management program with Consumer Credit Counseling in 1995, I used cash for six years to pay for all goods and services. In 2001, I finally applied for the American Express Green Card. In 2003, I upgraded to Gold and finally moved up to Platinum in 2006.

It was not until I started carrying The Platinum Card® from American Express that I began traveling, and now that I understand the travel rewards game, I can play. Read on for my review of the card and how I make the most of its many benefits.

Is the American Express Platinum Card worth the $695 annual fee?

Yes—the $600 in airline fee, hotel, and Uber Cash credits (terms apply; enrollment required) alone are worth the annual fee. But also consider splitting the costs: You can add an authorized user to your card for $195. I recruited my sisters to join me and my son in 2021 when the Platinum Card fee increased from $550 to $695. We split the $870 total between the four of us. (See the Platinum Card's rates and fees .)

Thanks to her card, Bond took $200 off her hotel stay at SLS Baha Mar and received a $100 experience credit to use during her stay.

Platinum Card travel benefits and perks

The Platinum Card has more than 20 travel benefits and perks —here is how I use a few of the most valuable ones. (Terms apply to travel benefits and perks; enrollment is required.)

My most used benefit is the $200 annual Uber Cash credit. I take a ride share to and from the airport when a complimentary hotel shuttle is unavailable. The credit breaks down to $15 per month with an extra $20 in December. If I don't spend the credit on transportation, I use it to order food through Uber Eats.

Then there is the annual hotel credit: I took advantage of the $200 credit for my prepaid two-night stay in the Bahamas at SLS Baha Mar . Because SLS is in the American Express Hotel Collection, I received a $100 experience credit to spend at designated restaurants, spas, or resort activities. When I checked in, an upgrade was available to an ocean view room, another benefit of reserving rooms in the Hotel Collection.

To avoid the stress of long lines while going through security screenings, my family takes advantage of the PreCheck credit. When you pay for a Known Traveler Number with your Platinum Card, you will receive an $85 credit. My son and I were both approved for TSA PreCheck and received an adjustment on our cards. Global Entry and Clear credits are available too.

Another major perk of the card is access to the Global Lounge Collection, which includes Centurion, Escape, and Priority Pass Lounges. For now, two guests can tag along at no additional cost. If the rules change for lounge access, my authorized users can still enter because they have the same lounge benefits as me. On a recent trip to Las Vegas , my guest and I arrived at the Centurion Lounge in time to enjoy breakfast and lunch. The meals and cocktails would have cost more than $100. If your flight is on Delta, you will receive complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club. However, your guests will need to pay the $39 fee.

For those looking to maintain airline status, here is a travel hack that involves using the lounge perk: If it’s close to the end of the year and I’m short on segments, I will find a cheap flight on Southwest, fly early in the morning, hang out in a lounge, and take a flight home later that day. I do not spend money on food or waste points on a hotel, but I earn flights to keep my A-List status .

You can also use this hack to qualify for the Southwest Companion Pass Promotion every September to allow a companion to fly with you for free (taxes and fees apply) for two months starting in January. To take advantage of the promotion, register your Rapid Rewards number, purchase a round-trip or two one-way flights, and travel by the designated date. (To note, you cannot use points to book.) If you are not a Rapid Rewards member, register for free.

Because two checked bags fly free, I use the $200 airline fee credit to purchase alcoholic beverages on Southwest. You can also change your preferred airline every year in the benefits section of your AmEx portal. If you fly Delta, you may want to choose the airline as your preferred carrier and use the airline $39 fee credit to pay for your guest to enter the Sky Club.

By CNT Editors

By Todd Plummer

By Caitlin Morton

By Lale Arikoglu

When I checked in at the Marriott for a timeshare vacation package in August, I informed the front desk clerk of my Gold Elite Status. She upgraded my room from the seventh to the 30 th floor, where I watched the sunrise every morning. In addition, you also receive automatic Gold Status with Hilton Honors . However, you must be a member of each hotel reward program and enroll online or call the American Express Platinum Card Service for it to be enabled.

Current welcome offer

As of publication, new cardholders can earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on purchases within their first six months of card membership.

How to earn points

Cardholders earn 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel, as well as 5x points on hotels booked with American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year). While not as steep, you can earn 1x membership rewards points by paying for recurring expenses like cell phone and internet bills with your card. I set up my home security system and mobile accounts for autopay, and my son also uses autopay for streaming services with no added charge. 

For those who are members of a Dining Rewards Program with a specific airline or hotel, know that you can link your Platinum Card to the program, too. You will earn both AmEx Membership Rewards points and points for your specific loyalty program. Lastly, it's worth noting I also earn points on all my authorized users' purchases.

How to spend/redeem points

You can use membership rewards points to pay eligible charges on the card, at check-out with select merchants, buy gift cards, book travel, or transfer points. Stack your benefits! Occasionally, I redeem points for Uber gift cards to add to my Uber account. I saved $354 off the cost of my reservation at SLS Baha Mar when I used the $200 Hotel Credit and applied 22,000 membership rewards points to the booking. Finally, I purchase and share Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy gift cards with my authorized users.

The bottom line

American Express was the first company to offer me a card in 1986 after graduating from college. More than 20 years later, the Platinum Card is my ultimate travel card. On a trip to Washington, D.C., I booked a room at the Waldorf Astoria and walked straight to the Smithsonian Institution Museums. I also reserved a room at Lotte New York Palace and crossed the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade off my bucket list. I “ don't live life without it ,” and my travels have been elevated ever since.

See rates and fees for the Platinum Card here .

Condé Nast Traveler has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Condé Nast Traveler and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.  

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The 9 Best Credit Cards for Hotel Upgrades & Perks [2024]

Christine Krzyszton

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Table of Contents

The best credit cards for hotel upgrades — summary, best personal cards for hotel upgrades, best business cards for hotel upgrades, additional credit cards for hotel upgrades, final thoughts.

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There are fewer ways to start your hotel stay on a more positive note than hearing the phrase: “You’ve been upgraded.” Whether it’s a more spacious room, a spectacular view, or both, receiving an upgraded experience for no extra charge is definitely a welcome perk.

There are several ways to secure an upgraded hotel room and other on-site benefits. One way is to meet the hotel loyalty program’s annual stay (and occasionally additional spending) requirements to achieve elite status. Elite status can qualify you for upgraded rooms, free Wi-Fi, breakfast, late checkout, and many more on-site benefits.

There is, however, a shortcut to receiving hotel program elite status or elite-style benefits: by simply holding a hotel-branded credit card or luxury credit card .

That’s the focus of today’s article. We’re taking a look at the best cards for securing upgraded hotel rooms and other on-site perks. We’ll dive into the top travel rewards cards that offer complimentary hotel loyalty program elite status, perks at specific hotel collection properties, free night certificates, and hotel-branded cards that offer much more than just an upgraded room.

If you’re looking for those elusive upgraded accommodations with a view, you’ll want to stick with us as we discuss the best cards for securing these perks — complimentary, of course.

Let’s review the upgraded hotel room benefits you’ll receive from each of our featured cards.

The Platinum Card ® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

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When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card ® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card  is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access , hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
• $695 annual fee ( rates and fees )
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards ® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards ® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards ® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts ® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card ® . The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card ® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection ® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card ® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card ® .
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
• $189 CLEAR ® Plus Credit: CLEAR ® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
• Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 year period for TSA PreCheck ® application fee for a 5-year plan only (through a TSA PreCheck ® official enrollment provider), when charged to your Platinum Card ® . Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card ® . That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card ® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.
• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees:  None

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip:  Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 125k (or 150k) points with the Amex Platinum. The current public offer is 80,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

The Amex Platinum card is well known for its premium travel benefits, earning valuable Membership Rewards, and flexible redemption options. It’s also a great card for hotel elite benefits, including those that offer upgraded rooms .

How the Card Upgrades Your Hotel Experience

You’ll have plenty of opportunities for upgraded rooms and other on-site perks using the Amex Platinum card with complimentary hotel loyalty program elite status and elite-style benefits at specific hotel groups.

Here are the hotel-related benefits that come with the card. Note that some benefits require enrollment so be sure you explore your benefits to get the most out of your card:

• In addition to room upgrades , Gold Elite status members receive the fifth consecutive reward night free, late checkout, free Wi-Fi, welcome points, and 25% bonus points earned on paid stays.
• You’d normally have to stay 25 nights in a calendar year to earn Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status and be eligible for upgraded rooms.
• Hilton Honors Gold status comes with free breakfast, room upgrades , the fifth consecutive award night free, late checkout, free Wi-Fi, and bonus points.
• To earn Hilton Honors Gold status, you would normally have to stay 40 nights or have 20 stays in a calendar year at Hilton properties.
• On stays of 2 nights or more, enjoy upgraded rooms  whenever available. In addition, you’ll receive a $100 hotel credit to be used on qualifying dining, spa, and resort activities. Use your card to reserve the prepaid reservation and earn 5x Membership Rewards points.
• Receive room upgrades when available, daily breakfast for 2, late checkout, early check-in, free Wi-Fi, and a welcome amenity worth at least $100. No minimum stay is required.
• Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through AmexTravel.com when you pay with your card.

Hot Tip: Learn more about the Hotel Collection and Fine Hotels & Resorts in our overview and comparison of the benefits and perks of each program.

Why We Like the Card Overall

We like the Amex Platinum card for its long list of premium travel benefits, which includes worldwide access to more than 1,400 airline lounge properties . The card also earns valuable Membership Rewards points and comes with statement credits for specific purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue and Uber , for example.

Bottom Line: In addition to offering hotel elite status, statement credits, and benefits at luxury hotel collections, the Amex Platinum card earns Membership Rewards points that can be transferred to the American Express transfer partners where the points can be redeemed for free hotel nights and flights. The card also comes with travel/shopping protections and benefits and is one of the best cards around that helps you upgrade your flight experience, too.

Chase Sapphire Reserve ®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve ®  is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access , with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

• 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• 10x points on Lyft purchases March 31, 2025
• 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025
• $550 annual fee
• Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status
• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 75,000 points are worth $1125 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck ®
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Member FDIC
• APR: 22.49%-29.49% Variable

Chase Ultimate Rewards

While the Chase Sapphire Reserve card does not come with hotel program elite status, the card does offer the opportunity for an upgraded experience at these hotel collection properties.

• Receive an upgraded room, when available, a local amenity unique to the property, such as dinner, spa, or resort credit, early check-in/late checkout when available, daily breakfast for 2, and free Wi-Fi.
• Enjoy an upgraded room, when available, a $30 hotel credit, the fourth night free, complimentary Wi-Fi, breakfast for 2 or a complimentary beverage, and late checkout.
• Receive a VIP welcome amenity and complimentary breakfast.

We like that the card comes with a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership that provides worldwide lounge access to over 1,400 properties. The card also offers elevated earnings on travel and dining and comes with a $300 travel credit that is easy to use, even for upgraded hotel rooms .

The card earns valuable Ultimate Rewards points that can be redeemed for travel at 50% more value via the Chase travel portal or transferred to the Chase transfer partners for even greater potential value. You’ll also find the card packed with premium travel insurance and shopping protections/benefits.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Automatic Hilton Diamond status, an annual free night, and a travel and resort credit make this the perfect card for those who stay in Hilton hotels.

The information regarding the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Paying hundreds of dollars for an annual fee on a co-branded hotel card might seem ridiculous, but you should know that the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is much more than your run-of-the-mill hotel credit card.

The Hilton Aspire card is not only a phenomenal card for Hilton Honors loyalists , but even those who visit Hilton hotels just a few times a year can still get excellent value out of all the benefits that are packed into this card.

So let’s have a look at what makes the card so valuable to travelers.

• 14x points per $1 on Hilton purchases
• 7x points per $1 on select travel and at U.S. restaurants
• 3x points per $1 on all other purchases
• High annual fee of $550
• Earn 175,000 Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 7/31/2024.
• Earn 14x Hilton Honors Bonus Points when you make eligible purchases on your card at participating hotels or resorts within the Hilton portfolio .
• Earn 7x Hilton Honors Bonus Points for eligible purchases: on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com, on car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies, and at U.S. restaurants.
• Earn 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for other purchases on your card.
• Enjoy up to $400 in Hilton Resort Credits (up to $200 in statement credits semi-annually) on your card each anniversary year when you stay at participating resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
• Enjoy complimentary Diamond status.
• $550 annual fee.
• APR: 20.99% - 29.99% Variable

The Hilton Aspire card is one of the best hotel-branded cards available and is known for offering a unique package of hotel-related perks just for having the card.

The Hilton Aspire card is the only hotel-branded card that comes with valuable top-level hotel elite status . With Hilton Honors Diamond status , you’ll enjoy the best that the Hilton Honors loyalty program has to offer.

Here are some of the hotel perks you’ll enjoy with the Hilton Aspire card:

• Free hotel night certificate after card approval and each card anniversary
• The benefits of Diamond status include upgraded rooms (even suites when available) , free breakfast or breakfast credit, lounge access, free Wi-Fi, bonus points, and a welcome amenity
• 14x earnings at Hilton properties when paying with your card
• Up to $400 Hilton Resort credit
• Up to $100 credit for a 2-night or more stay at Waldorf Astoria or Conrad properties

Without the Hilton Aspire card, you would need to stay 60 nights, 30 stays, or earn 120,000 points from stays in a calendar year to achieve top-level Hilton Honors Diamond status.

The Hilton Aspire card is packed with travel benefits.

The card comes with hundreds of dollars in statement credits for specific purchases including a $200 airline credit . In addition to elevated earnings at Hilton, you’ll receive 7x earnings on qualifying flights, car rentals, and at U.S. restaurants.

For those looking for a Hilton-branded card with a lower annual fee with complimentary Gold status and corresponding upgrade benefits, have a look at the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass ® Card .

To learn more about all the best Hilton-branded cards and the associated benefits, check out our complete overview.

Bottom Line: All Hilton-branded credit cards come with a generous welcome bonus that can be redeemed for free hotel nights, elevated earnings at Hilton, on-site benefits, and complimentary elite status. If you stay at a particular hotel brand even once or twice a year, you’ll benefit from having a hotel-branded credit card. 

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ® American Express ® Card

A premium card for Marriott fans who want perks like an annual statement credit and Free Night Award, plus a fast track to Marriott elite status.

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ® American Express ® Card  is a premium card designed with road warriors and Marriott Bonvoy loyalists in mind.

So is the card a worthwhile addition to your wallet?

• 6x points per $1 at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy   program
• 3x points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines and restaurants worldwide
• 2x points per $1 on all other purchases
• Steep annual fee of $650 ( rates and fees )
• 6x points per $1 is the same earn rate offered with lower annual fee alternatives like the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express ® Card
• Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ® American Express ® Card at restaurants worldwide.
• With Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, you can receive room upgrades, including enhanced views or suites, when available at select properties and booked with a Qualifying Rate.
• Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy ® . 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines. 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
• Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy ® . Certain hotels have resort fees.
• Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ® American Express ® Card, you will be eligible to select a Brilliant Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Earned Choice Award per calendar year. See https://www.choice-benefit.marriott.com/brilliant for Award options.
• $100 Marriott Bonvoy Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton ® or St. Regis ® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
• Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck ® : Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($100) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck ® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ® American Express ® Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
• Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ® American Express ® Card you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy ® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply.
• Enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, which offers unlimited airport lounge visits to over 1,200 lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks, and internet access in a quiet, comfortable location.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
• With Cell Phone Protection, you can be reimbursed, the lesser of, your repair or replacement costs following damage, such as a cracked screen, or theft for a maximum of $800 per claim when your cell phone line is listed on a wireless bill and the prior month's wireless bill was paid by an Eligible Card Account. A $50 deductible will apply to each approved claim with a limit of 2 approved claims per 12-month period. Additional terms and conditions apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• $650 Annual Fee.
• APR: 20.99%-29.99% Variable

Marriott Bonvoy

With thousands of properties worldwide, Marriott Bonvoy offers one of the largest global hotel footprints. It’s a big plus for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card that you have so many properties to enjoy your hotel benefits.

• Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status
• Earns 6x points per dollar spent at Marriott properties
• Annual free hotel night award worth 85,000 points
• 25 elite qualifying night credits each year towards Marriott Bonvoy elite status
• $100 property credit at Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis properties
• Free premium Wi-Fi

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card offers 3x earnings on flights purchased directly from the airline and 2x earnings on all other purchases .

Every Marriott Bonvoy -branded card comes with hotel elite status or elite qualifying nights that help you reach higher elite status faster. Learn more about all of these cards in our article on the best cards for Marriott Bonvoy loyalists .

Just like personal hotel credit cards, these business cards offer travelers the opportunity for upgraded hotel experiences.

The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express is a premium travel rewards card tailored toward business owners who are frequent travelers with a high number of annual expenses.

When you factor in the large number of perks that the card offers like the best airport lounge access at over 1,400 lounges , along with tons of annual credits, it’s easy to see why this card can is a top option for frequent traveling business owners.

Hot Tip:  Check to see if you’re eligible for a huge welcome bonus offer of up to 170,000 points with the Amex Business Platinum. The current public offer is 150,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

• 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels at Amex Travel
• Access to over 1,400 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
• Get 50% more Membership Rewards points (1.5 points per $1) on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (cap applies)
• High annual fee of $695 ( rates & fees )
• Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags
• Welcome Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards ® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
• 5X Membership Rewards ® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
• Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
• Unlock over $1,000 in statement credits on select purchases, including tech, recruiting and wireless in the first year of membership with the Business Platinum Card ® . Enrollment required. See how you can unlock over $1,000 annually in credits on select purchases with the Business Platinum Card ® , here.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to the Card.
• $189 CLEAR ® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR ® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use the Business Platinum Card ® .
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection ® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
• $695 Annual Fee.
• APR: 19.49% - 28.49% Variable

Hot Tip:  Check to see if you’re eligible for a huge welcome bonus offer of up to 170,000 points with the Amex Business Platinum. The current public offer is 150,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

You’ll enjoy all the same hotel upgrade benefits with the Amex Business Platinum card as the personal consumer version — Gold Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy and Gold status with Hilton Honors, upon enrollment, plus elite-style benefits at American Express’ The Hotel Collection and Fine Hotels & Resorts.

We like that the Amex Business Platinum card earns valuable Membership Rewards points that can be redeemed for travel via AmexTravel.com or transferred to travel partners for the potential of even greater value.

In addition, you’ll find value in statement credits of up to $400 for Dell Technology purchases , and up to $200 credit for airline incidental fees .

With car rental benefits, shopping protections, and a long list of valuable travel insurance benefits, there’s plenty of value to derive from the card.

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

An excellent option for business owners and business travelers who stay at Hilton properties often and want perks like Hilton Honors elite status.

For frequent business travelers who regularly stay in Hilton hotels, The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is a great option.

Not only will the card help you earn more points on all of your Hilton stays, but you’ll also receive automatic elite status and travel protections.

Here’s a detailed look at all the benefits this card offers so that you can determine if it’s a good fit for you.

• Earn 12x points per $1 on eligible Hilton purchases
• Earn 5x points on other purchases made for the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year, 3x points thereafter.
• Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status, and the ability to spend your way to Diamond status
• $195 annual fee ( rates and fees )
• Welcome Offer: Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card within the first six months of Card Membership.
• Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on eligible Hilton purchases.
• Earn 5X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on other purchases made using the Hilton Honors Business Card on the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year, 3X points thereafter.
• Enjoy up to $240 back each year for eligible purchases made directly with Hilton.
• Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Gold Status with your Hilton Honors Business Card. With Hilton Honors Gold status, you can enjoy benefits at hotels and resorts within the Hilton Portfolio. As a Gold member, earn an 80% Bonus on all Base Points you earn on every stay getting you to free nights faster.
• You may receive an upgrade to Hilton Honors Diamond status through the end of the calendar year if the total eligible purchases on your Card Account during a calendar year reach $40,000 or more.
• Enjoy complimentary National Car Rental ® Emerald Club Executive ® status. Enrollment in the complimentary Emerald Club ® program is required. Terms apply.
• Terms apply.

Hilton Honors loyalty program

Enjoy complimentary Gold status, with the opportunity to earn Diamond status after spending $40,000 on the Hilton Business Amex card in a calendar year.

You can expect these hotel benefits with Gold status:

• Free breakfast or breakfast credit, room upgrades to executive room level , and free Wi-Fi
• No resort fees on award stays
• 80% bonus points earnings on spending at Hilton properties
• Earn big when you stay at hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio
• Enjoy complimentary National Car Rental ® Emerald Club Executive ® status. Enrollment required.
• Receive up to $240 back each year for eligible purchases made directly with Hilton

If your business involves travel and staying at Hilton properties, investigate the Hilton Business Amex card to see if it could be a fit for your operation.

Your points will go further when you utilize Hilton’s fifth-night free benefit. Reward stays of 5 consecutive nights or longer receive a credit for the average of the rewards points spent.

Marriott Bonvoy Business ® American Express ® Card

A great option for business owners who stay in Marriott hotels and want automatic elite status.

Business travelers who opt for Marriott as their hotel chain of choice will definitely want to consider the Marriott Bonvoy Business ® American Express ® Card . The card offers great benefits to cardholders like a complimentary hotel night once a year, complimentary Gold Elite status, and multiple point redemption options.

• 6x Marriott Bonvoy points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy ® program.
• 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
• Moderate annual fee of $125 ( rates and fees )
• No premium perks like airport lounge access
• Limited Time Offer: Earn 5 Free Night Awards, valued at up to 50K points each for eligible stays. Offer ends 7/10. Resort fees & terms apply.
• Receive a 7% discount on eligible bookings as a benefit of being both a Marriott Bonvoy ® member & a Marriott Bonvoy Business ® American Express ® Card Member when you book directly with Marriott through an eligible channel for a participating property under the Amex Business Card Rate.
• 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
• Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy ® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy ® . Certain hotels have resort fees.
• Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Marriott Bonvoy Business ® American Express ® Card.

Like the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, the Marriott Bonvoy Business card comes with Gold Elite status. We like that the card provides a faster path to elite status, a free hotel night certificate each year, and elevated earnings at Marriott. The card also comes with a lower annual fee.

• Free hotel night certificate at card anniversary
• 6x earnings at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program
• 4x earnings at restaurants worldwide, U.S. shipping, U.S. wireless telephone services, and U.S. gas stations
• 2x earnings on all other purchases

For the Marriott Bonvoy business traveler loyalist, this card should be a consideration.

Hot Tip: American Express-issued cards all have access to Amex Offers that frequently contain hotel savings or bonus earnings. Recent examples include a $50 statement credit after making a $200 Marriott purchase, $50 back on a $250 Hyatt purchase, and $50 back on a $175 purchase at Hampton Inn or Hilton Garden Inn hotels. Both business and consumer personal cards are eligible for Amex Offers. 

The World of Hyatt Credit Card

Having the World of Hyatt card enhances the benefits you’ll find with the popular and robust World of Hyatt loyalty program . You’ll receive complimentary entry-level Discoverist status that offers upgraded rooms at most Hyatt properties. The card also comes with an annual free hotel night , late checkout, waived resort fees, and bonus points on Hyatt stays.

The World of Hyatt card offers a fast track to Hyatt elite status, an annual free night, and up to 9x points per $1 on Hyatt stays.

The World of Hyatt Credit Card makes your Hyatt stays more rewarding and helps you get coveted World of Hyatt elite status faster. This card is a must-have for any traveler who regularly stays at Hyatt hotels, or even for anyone who’s able to take advantage of the card’s annual free night certificate.

When you factor in all the benefits the World of Hyatt card offers, it’s easy to see why it is one of the best co-branded hotel credit cards on the market.

• Up to 9 points total for Hyatt stays: 4 Bonus Points per $1 spent at Hyatt hotels and 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member
• 2x points per $1 at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airline, local transit, rideshares, and fitness clubs/gym memberships
• 1x point per $1 on all other purchases
• $95 annual fee
• Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent.
• Enjoy complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status for as long as your account is open.
• Get 1 free night each year after your Cardmember anniversary at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort
• Receive 5 tier qualifying night credits towards status after account opening, and each year after that for as long as your account is open
• Earn an extra free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel if you spend $15,000 in a calendar year
• Earn 2 qualifying night credits towards tier status every time you spend $5,000 on your card
• Earn up to 9 points total for Hyatt stays - 4 Bonus Points per $1 spent at Hyatt hotels & 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member
• Earn 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airlines, on local transit and commuting and on fitness club and gym memberships
• APR: 21.49% - 28.49% Variable

World of Hyatt

With a stellar welcome bonus, and up to 9x earnings at Hyatt, it’s easy to earn free nights, plus,  earn 2x  spent at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airlines, on local transit and commuting and on fitness club and gym memberships.

If you’re a small-business owner, you may also want to check out the newly launched World of Hyatt Business Credit Card  that offers big earning potential and an easier path to Globalist status.

Hot Tip: Qualification requirements for earning World of Hyatt elite status have been reduced for 2021. Learn more about the value of elite status, more details on the benefits at each level, and how to qualify . 

IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

The perfect card for IHG fans, offering a free night every year, automatic Platinum Elite status, and your fourth night free on award stays.

If you regularly visit IHG hotels throughout the year, then the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is probably a perfect card to have in your wallet.

The IHG Premier card offers a great bundle of perks and benefits, including automatic Platinum elite status, an annual free night certificate, and travel protections.

• Up to 26x points per $1 on IHG stays
• 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, at gas stations, and restaurants
• $99 annual fee
• Does not earn transferable points
• Earn 140,000 Bonus Points
• Enjoy an Anniversary Free Night at IHG Hotels & Resorts. Plus, enjoy a fourth reward night free when you redeem points for a consecutive four-night IHG ® hotel stay.
• Earn up to 26 total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts
• Earn 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, at gas stations, and restaurants. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Automatic Platinum Elite status as long as you remain a Premier cardmember
• Global Entry, TSA PreCheck ® or NEXUS Statement Credit of up to $100 every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card
• IHG One Rewards Bonus points are redeemable at Hotels & Resorts such as InterContinental ® , Crowne Plaza ® , Kimpton ® , EVEN ® Hotels, Indigo ® Hotels & Holiday Inn ®

We like the IHG brand because you can find an IHG property just about anywhere. And if you stay at IHG properties, even occasionally, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how the IHG Premier card can earn you free nights and improve your IHG experience.

Here are the features and benefits you can expect from having the card:

• An annual free hotel night certificate at card anniversary
• Complimentary Platinum Elite status
• Earn up to 26 points total per $1 spent when you stay at an IHG hotel
• Earn 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, gas stations, and restaurants.
• Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases

Platinum Elite status comes with room upgrades , late checkout, 60% bonus points at most properties, free Wi-Fi, and guaranteed room availability. To earn Platinum Elite status, members would normally need to stay 40 nights or earn 60,000 points in a calendar year.

To learn more about elite benefits in the IHG One Rewards program , check out our article where we go into more detail.

If you spend even a few nights a year at a specific hotel brand, you’ll benefit from having a hotel-branded credit card . At the very least, you’ll earn reward points faster, which allows you to redeem for more free hotel nights and receive on-site benefits that make your stay more comfortable. Many cards offer complimentary hotel loyalty program elite status and even free night certificates plus you’ll even find a few without annual fees.

Most points don’t expire as long as you have the associated card, so even if you don’t stay at a hotel brand frequently, you can take your time earning your next free hotel night while enjoying the perks of a hotel-branded card.

If you stay frequently at a specific brand, a hotel-branded card or premium travel rewards card could deliver even greater value.

We’ve given you an overview of some of the hotel-related benefits that come with our featured cards, but there may be even more features and benefits offered on each card — the most significant being credit cards with travel insurance benefits and protections, and also shopping benefits and protections. Prior to applying for any card, you’ll want to review the card’s entire earning, redemption, and benefits package plus the applicable rates and fees.

The information regarding the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding The World of Hyatt Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here . For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here . For rates and fees of The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, click  here . For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ® American Express ® card, click here . For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Business ® American Express ® Card, click here . For rates and fees for The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass ® Card, click here .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best credit card for getting upgraded hotel rooms.

The best card for securing upgraded hotel rooms is the one that aligns with the brand you frequent and your spending mix.

For example, if Hyatt is your brand of choice, you’ll want a card that offers upgraded rooms, elevated earnings, and good-value redemptions at Hyatt.

To dig deeper into hotel-branded cards, check out our recommendations for Marriott Bonvoy loyalists , Hilton Honors loyalists , frequent guests at IHG , and those who prefer World of Hyatt .

You’ll also find plenty of hotel elite and elite-style benefits on premium travel rewards cards.

What credit score do I need for a hotel credit card?

It depends on the specific hotel-branded card, but you will generally need a very good to excellent credit score to be approved for a Marriott, Hyatt, or Hilton hotel-branded credit card. According to Equifax, a very good score ranges from 740 to 799, and an excellent score is 800 and above.

Other hotel-branded cards may grant approval with just a good credit score, which is considered 670 to 739.

Of course, the higher your score, the more likely you will be approved.

Are hotel credit cards worth it?

If you frequent a particular hotel brand, its branded card can definitely be worth it.

You could receive elevated earnings on your spending at that property, upgraded rooms, on-site amenities, special room rates, free hotel nights, and other hotel benefits that make having a hotel-branded card worthwhile.

How does the fifth night free work?

One benefit that comes with joining some hotel loyalty programs is the opportunity to receive your fifth hotel reward night free.

Marriott Bonvoy offers the fifth consecutive reward night free for program members and Hilton Honors offers the fifth consecutive reward night free for its elite members.

Marriott Bonvoy simply charges points for the first 4 nights and then no charge for the fifth night. Hilton Honors applies an average credit based on all 5 nights and charges the reduced amount after the credit is applied.

The IHG One Rewards program offers a fourth-night free benefit to those with an IHG-branded credit card.

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About Christine Krzyszton

Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.

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How to get a free hotel upgrade: 5 tips that actually work

By Olivia Morelli

Arriving at a hotel to discover you’ve been upgraded to a room with more space, extravagant facilities and breathtaking views for no extra cost is a feeling like no other. Some people seem to get very lucky when it comes to freebies or upgrades, but for most of us that scenario is nothing but a pipe dream. We asked some of our favourite travel insiders and hotel experts for their top tips on how to maximise your chances of getting a free hotel upgrade.

Travel during the off-season

Naturally, when a hotel is fully booked and staff are rushed off their feet it’s unlikely that there is much chance of an upgrade. “Guests are more likely to be eligible for upgrades during quieter times, whether that means travelling in the low or shoulder seasons or opting for mid-week stays,” says Michael Caines, UK & Ireland delegate for Relais & Châteaux and chef-owner of Lympstone Manor .

“This is when availability is typically higher and hotels may choose to offer complimentary upgrades upon check in, as it’s in their best interest to provide their guests with the best experience possible,” he explains. There are other benefits to travelling in the off-season , too. You’ll get crowd-free access to typically jam-packed tourist attractions, tables at those otherwise impossible-to-book restaurants, and, more likely than not, cheaper hotel rates, with or without upgrades. Plus, it’s a more sustainable way to travel – visiting during low season helps spread the benefits of tourism to the destination across the year, and placing less emphasis on visiting at peak weather periods could result in an increased appreciation of culture and other local experiences.

Join hotel loyalty programmes

Booking your room directly with the hotel can increase your chances of getting a free upgrade. Most hotels don’t have access to the booking systems of third-party sites, so wouldn’t be able to upgrade guests even if they wanted to. Hotel loyalty programmes are a great way to let a property know how valued their services are, and also make sure you reap the benefits of booking directly. “Keep returning to your favourite hotel and you will always be assured of an upgrade if one is available,” says Neil Kedward, founder and owner of Seren , a hospitality agency dedicated to showcasing the very best places to see, eat and stay in Wales . “Good hotels will identify you as a regular customer and hence a VIP in their minds.”

“If you’re staying with one of the major brands like Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott or IHG, among others, having elite status is a great way to improve your chances of getting an upgrade — especially if you have top-tier status,” Tanner Saunders, senior hotels report at The Points Guy , tells us. “Historically, top-tier Hyatt Globalists have the best luck with upgrades (and the most tangible perks across the board).”

Relais & Châteaux also offers perks for booking directly. “If you book one of the ‘Routes du Bonheur’ itineraries through Relais & Châteaux’s concierge service, you’ll get access to a range of benefits and discounts of up to 15 per cent,” Michael explains. “Some properties offer benefits such as welcome gifts, meals or even a complimentary upgrade when redeeming one of our gift boxes.”

Learn about the perks of using hotel booking sites

Having said that, there can be benefits to booking hotels through certain third-party sites. “You can also get potential room upgrades by booking through a luxury travel advisor at a company like Virtuoso or through websites like Skylark,” Tanner explains.

“The easiest way to get an upgrade from my experience is by using Tablet Hotels , a hotel curation site, or another similar programme which guarantees you an upgrade at check-in, when available,” Andrew Kelly comments. Andrew is the owner and managing director of The Bradley Hare , a cosy pub hotel in a storybook village in Wiltshire. “The price point is quite important. If you are at an Aman or a similar top-end hotel, and you simply ask if any other rooms are available, they will almost always upgrade you, depending on availability. I once got a quadruple upgrade in St. Moritz – I booked through Tablet, and as it was the off-season, they gave me another upgrade. Then, unfortunately for the hotel, the bathroom flooded, and they had to upgrade me again – this time to a full suite!”

“My main reliable source of a room upgrade without paying extra is Booking.com ,” says Katy Maclure, editor of The Detour, a weekly newsletter from Jack’s Flight Club . “I’ve used the platform so many times that I now get free room upgrades as a perk of Genius Level 3. “You usually won’t find yourself in a presidential suite, but getting bumped to a king room instead of a double certainly doesn’t do any harm. The other mega perk of being Genius Level 3 is the free breakfasts.”

By Becky Lucas

By Jessica Puckett

By Marti Buckley

By Trish Lorenz

At Booking.com, there are three levels of loyalty perks. Genius Level 1 offers instant 10 per cent discounts for certain hotels, Genius Level 2 increases that discount to 15 per cent and throws in free breakfasts and potential upgrades on select stays, and Genius Level 3 pushes the discount to 20 per cent and increases the likelihood of upgrades. “It says you get free room upgrades from level 2, but I’ve certainly noticed a lot more of them since I reached level 3,” Katy tells us.

Use a credit card when booking hotels

“If you’re not a super frequent traveller or you don’t have elite status at hotels or booking sites, that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck,” Tanner says. “Depending on how you book, you can also have a shot at getting an upgrade. If you have the right American Express card, booking through Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts is a great way to get potential room upgrades at many luxury hotels, along with other perks like free breakfast, a credit to use on dining or the spa, plus guaranteed late check out.”

American Express card members get access to a whole bunch of perks when travelling. Platinum card holders can get free room upgrades at Fine Hotels + Resorts properties when booking on Amex Travel, and other benefits include access to airport lounges and 20 per cent off certain airline fees, for example.

“My husband travels a lot for work and can collect Avios points through his American Express card. In the past, we have qualified for premium flights with companion vouchers and have booked flights to a long haul destination travelling in economy one way and business class return (often to ensure a better sleep before going back to work),” says Lauren Burvill, Traveller’s commerce editor. “It’s happened a couple of times where we’ve found out these flights have been upgraded when we get to the airport, with the economy leg often getting bumped up to premium or business class. It makes the journey so much more enjoyable, and if there’s a chance of being upgraded at the hotel, too, then even better.”

You’d be surprised at how many hotel guests can be quite unfriendly after a long flight or unexpected delays to their journey. Being courteous and kind always goes a long way, but never more so than when you’re hoping for a free upgrade. “Being nice and making the time to have a good conversation with the reservationist to build a great relationship from the outset,” advises Neil. “A good team member will remember your conversation and will always do the best for you on the day if they can.’

Tanner agrees. “If all else fails, you can always simply ask about upgrades when you’re checking in. If something’s available, a little kindness and a smile might get you an upgrade, or a hotel may offer you a paid upgrade at a discount if you just ask,” he tells us. “I’ll never forget being offered a $100 (£78.95) upgrade at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City before it closed — and that $100 moved me from an entry-level room to a massive, multi-room corner suite easily worth quadruple my original room rate.”

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How to Snag Hotel Upgrades with Your American Express Cards

Traveling can be an exciting experience, regardless of whether you're going on a business trip or planning for a much-deserved vacation. When it comes to flights, hotels, and accommodations across the board, finding the best deal can be tricky. Many travel sites and hotels will offer a steal of a deal at face value but host underlying fees in the fine print. Fortunately, when you're looking for the best bargains without cheating yourself out of quality service, you can often get a better deal by utilizing American Express hotel upgrades than the "low prices" you see on booking sites.

The credit card service offers a surplus of perks when it comes to traveling, partnering with various hotels across the globe to bring you the best offers. So, once you've booked your hotel of choice, how can you continue to take advantage of the perks and use American Express hotel upgrades to your benefit?

Types of Upgrades You Can Get With American Express

Getting a better room with a nicer view isn't the only upgrade you can look forward to when it comes to using your Platinum American Express card. Some include:

• enjoy a $100 hotel credit to use on dining, spa, or resort activities, when staying at one of the partner hotels
• take advantage of an earlier check-in and later check-out
• daily breakfast for two
• get a free room for your stay if you book with points

Some hotels will include private transportation to and from the airport when using your Platinum Amex to book. Keep in mind, upgrades vary by location and the hotel's ability to accommodate . Fortunately, there are over 1,800 hotels to choose from when it comes to traveling in luxury .

How to Use Your American Express to Get a Hotel Upgrade

In many situations, getting a hotel upgrade is as simple as asking for it upon check-in. Many hotels offer loyalty programs that are similar to credit card rewards - when you book a stay with them, you receive points at the end of your stay. As far as getting an American Express hotel upgrade , it helps to use your Amex card when booking a stay at one of the Collection's hotels. Depending on the hotel and its current inventory, you can utilize your Amex member status to upgrade from a Deluxe or Superior room to a Suite .

American Express allows you to enroll in what's called their 'elite status' level with a simple phone call or online via your account . It's as simple as logging in to your American Express account and visiting the benefits page. From there you can request to be added to the hotel loyalty program. When calling, all you'll have to do is call the number on the back of your card and provide your loyalty membership number for any hotels you're already enrolled with, and request for your account to be upgraded to the hotel loyalty program for Amex.

Once your account has been upgraded, using your American Express to get a hotel upgrade is incredibly simple. You can access the American Express Collection to find a hotel for your needed destination and your gold member status will automatically give you a head start at getting the best upgrades .

Other ways to get a few extra benefits to include but are not limited to:

• Requesting a room with a view or a room with more space in the special requests section while booking
• Paying with Points
• Calling or emailing the hotel to ask about upgrades
• Mentioning the occasion (birthday, anniversary, etc)

All of this information may sound like a lot to do just to get a hotel upgrade, and it can be time-consuming if you're not familiar with all of the benefits American Express offers. Luckily, DoNotPay can handle all of the hassle for you at no extra cost. You'll get the same potential upgrades without the stress of figuring out which hotel has the best offers.

How to Get American Express Hotel Upgrades Using DoNotPay

If you want to get an upgrade using your American Express but don't know where to start, DoNotPay has you covered in 4 easy steps:

Why Use DoNotPay to Get an American Express Hotel Upgrade

There are a lot of reasons why you should choose DoNotPay such as:

More Ways You Can Get a Hotel Upgrade With DoNotPay

Want to take advantage of more hotel rewards with DoNotPay? Check out the deals below:

• Wyndham Hotel Rewards
• Hilton Hotel Rewards
• Choice Hotel Rewards
• How to get an Upgrade at a Sold Out Hotel
• Hotel Upgrade Secrets in Las Vegas
• How to Ask for a Free Hotel Room

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• Best for No-Annual-Fee

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• Best for Dining and Groceries
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Best Travel Credit Cards of June 2024

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us and terms apply to offers listed (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate credit cards to write unbiased product reviews .

The information for the following product(s) has been collected independently by Business Insider: Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card, Citi Strata Premier℠ Card, Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students. The details for these products have not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.

• Best overall travel credit card : Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
• Best travel credit card for beginners : Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• Best no-annual-fee travel credit card : Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card ( rates and fees )
• Best for spending at hotels : Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card
• Best for travel rewards on everyday spending : Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
• Best travel card for students : Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students
• Most affordable premium travel credit card : Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• Best travel credit card for earning travel credit on dining and groceries : American Express® Gold Card
• Best premium card for travel bonus categories : Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• Best for luxury travel benefits and airport lounge access : The Platinum Card® from American Express

Introduction to Travel Credit Cards

Whether you're just dipping your toe into the world of rewards credit cards or you've already flown thousands of miles on points alone, we can tell you: There's a travel credit card for everyone. There's a card if you're looking for free flights, if you're hoping for free hotel stays, or if you're just doing whatever it takes to realize your dream of an overwater bungalow. There are even no-annual-fee travel credit cards that won't cost you anything to keep.

Compare the Top Travel Credit Cards

Earn 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠. Earn 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries. Earn 2x on all other travel purchases. Earn 1x on all other purchases.

21.49% - 28.49% Variable

Earn 75,000 bonus points

Good to Excellent

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High intro bonus offer starts you off with lots of points
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Strong travel coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Doesn't offer a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit

If you're new to travel rewards credit cards or just don't want to pay hundreds in annual fees, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a smart choice. It earns bonus points on a wide variety of travel and dining purchases and offers strong travel and purchase coverage, including primary car rental insurance.

• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 75,000 points are worth $937.50 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• Member FDIC

Earn 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase.

0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (intro fee of 3% for the first 15 months, then 4% of the amount of each balance transfer at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time)

19.99% - 29.99% Variable

Earn 20,000 miles

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No annual fee or foreign transaction fees
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Versatile rewards
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Earn 1.25 miles per dollar on all purchases with no bonus categories to track
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Lower earning rate than some other no-annual-fee rewards cards
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Limited benefits

The VentureOne Rewards Card is a slimmed-down version of the popular Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. It's one of the few no-annual-fee cards on the market that gives you the option to redeem miles for cash back or transfer them to travel partners.

• $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
• Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
• Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase-or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies

Earn unlimited 5x points per dollar on hotels. Earn 4x points on airlines. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining. Earn 1x on other purchases.

21.24%, 26.24%, or 29.99% Variable

Earn 60,000 bonus rewards points

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip cancellation and lost baggage protection
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Airline and hotel transfer partners available
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Welcome bonus
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous cellphone protection
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Low annual fee
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Transfer partner network not as diverse or robust as competitors

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card is a true travel credit card, with benefits that rival many of the best travel rewards credit cards currently on the market. This card has a low annual fee on par with that of popular competing credit cards and Wells Fargo's newly announced Points Transfer program allows cardholders to juice maximum value from every point they earn.

Earn 5x miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2x miles on every purchase.

19.99% - 29.99% variable

Earn 75,000 miles

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No bonus categories to keep track of
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Includes up to a $100 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Other credit cards offer higher rewards in certain categories of spending

If you want an easy, no-fuss travel rewards credit card, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a great fit. For a moderate annual fee, it offers plenty of value, useful benefits, and a substantial welcome bonus.

• Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
• Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more

Earn a total of 10 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com. Earn 3X points per $1 on air travel and other hotel purchases, at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations and EV charging stations. Earn 1X point per $1 on all other purchases.

21.24% - 29.24% variable

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Earn 3x points on most travel, restaurants, gas/EV charging, and supermarkets
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Earn 10x points on hotels, rental cars, and attractions booked via Citi Travel
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. $100 annual hotel credit on a single stay of $500 or more
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No foreign transaction fees
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip delay/interruption benefits and lost/damaged baggage coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Has an annual fee
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Citi Travel rates often are higher than retail cost of travel

Earn unlimited 1.5 points per dollar on purchases.

• 0% intro APR for your first 18 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made within the first 60 days of opening your account

17.99% - 27.99% Variable

25,000 online bonus points

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous welcome bonus for a student credit card
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Earns flexible points you can use toward a wide variety of travel purchases
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Other travel rewards cards have higher earning rates
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Few travel-related benefits compared to other travel cards

A good student credit card should offer rewards and useful benefits to those with limited credit history and the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students hits several of those notes. However, while the card is marketed to students, those without established credit may have difficulty getting approved.

• The information related to the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students has been collected by Business Insider and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
• 25,000 online bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days from account opening (redeemed as a $250 statement credit toward travel and dining purchases)
• Unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all purchases everywhere, no expiration on points
• No annual fee or foreign transaction fees

Earn unlimited 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn 5 miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2 miles on all other purchases.

Earn 75,000 bonus miles

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Excellent welcome bonus and miles earning
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Premium perks including airport lounge access and credits for certain purchases
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Visa Infinite benefits including travel and shopping protections
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. High annual fee
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Annual travel credits only apply to Capital One Travel purchases

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is one of the best credit cards for frequent travelers, with top-notch benefits and a wide range of built-in protections. It comes with a generous welcome bonus and credits that can help offset the annual fee — which is much lower than similar premium cards.

• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more

Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. Earn 1X Membership Rewards® points on all other purchases.

See Pay Over Time APR

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Great rewards for dining and for shopping at US supermarkets
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Monthly statement credit for eligible dining purchases recoups some of the annual fee
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Underwhelming welcome bonus

Foodies and travelers alike will appreciate the American Express Gold's generous welcome bonus and Membership Rewards points earning. Its Uber Cash credits are useful for rides and Uber Eats, and monthly dining credits with participating merchants like GrubHub and Seamless are easy to use.

• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
• Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
• Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $250.
• Terms Apply.

Earn 5x points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1x point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

22.49% - 29.49% Variable

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Annual travel credit can effectively shave $300 off the annual fee if you use it
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Strong travel insurance
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Strong bonus rewards on travel and dining
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Very high annual fee

If you're new to rewards credit cards you may want to start elsewhere, but if you know you want to earn Chase points and you spend a lot on travel and dining, the Sapphire Reserve is one of the most rewarding options.

• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 75,000 points are worth $1125 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®

Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 per calendar year) and on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Earn 1X Points on other purchases.

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Long list of travel benefits, including airport lounge access and complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott (enrollment required)
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Annual statement credits with Saks and Uber
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Bonus categories leave something to be desired
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. One of the highest annual fees among premium travel cards

If you want as many premium travel perks as possible, The Platinum Card® from American Express could be the right card for you. The annual fee is high, but you get a long list of benefits such as airport lounge access, travel statement credits, complimentary hotel elite status, and more.

• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
• $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
• Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 year period for TSA PreCheck® application fee for a 5-year plan only (through a TSA PreCheck® official enrollment provider), when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.

Best Travel Credit Card Recommendations

The best travel rewards credit cards offer valuable rewards, easy-to-use benefits, and helpful features like travel coverage. Our team of credit card experts at Business Insider chose the best options available on the market in 2024, and reviewed each one below.

Best Travel Credit Card Overall

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is our top pick for a well-rounded travel rewards credit card. Even infrequent travelers can benefit from the slew of premium perks on this card, typically found on cards with far higher annual fees. 

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card stands out for its travel protection benefits. When you pay for travel expenses with this card and meet certain requirements, you can request reimbursement for unexpected expenses that may arise when your flight is delayed or if your baggage is delayed or lost.

You'll also have primary rental car insurance, meaning you won't have to file claims through your personal car insurance plan or pay for coverage from the rental car company. This card also offers a 10% anniversary points bonus, and up to $50 in annual statement credits for hotel purchases made through the Chase Travel℠ Portal. 

The rewards rate on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card isn't shabby either. You'll earn 5 points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards; 2 points on all other travel purchases; and 3 points on dining, online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs), and select streaming services. You'll earn 1 point per dollar on everything else.

Chase Ultimate Rewards® points are some of the easiest points to use in various ways. You can redeem them for travel directly through the Chase Travel Portal for a 25% boost in value, where 1 point will be worth 1.25 cents apiece. You can also transfer your points to Chase's airline and hotel transfer partners , which include United Airlines, Hyatt, Marriott, and many other airlines and hotel chains around the world. Cardholders can also use points for statement credits, gift cards, merchandise, and more.  

What the experts love: High welcome bonus offer, earns bonus points on travel, dining, and online grocery purchases, you can redeem points for 1.25 cents apiece for travel or through Chase for 25% value bonus

What the experts don't love: Doesn't offer some of the travel perks you'll get with competing cards, such as airport lounge access and a statement credit for Global Entry

Read more: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card card review

Best No-Annual-Fee Card for Earning Travel Miles

The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is our top choice for a no-annual-fee travel card ( rates and fees ), and it's got many of the same perks as its bigger sibling, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.

New cardholders can earn a respectable 20,000 miles after spending $500 on purchases within three months from account opening (worth at least $340 in travel according to Business Insider's valuations). While the card only earns 1.25 miles per dollar on most purchases (plus 5x on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel), it's still a compelling choice if an annual fee isn't for you ( rates and fees ).

You'll get the same access to Capital One's airline and hotel partners as you would with annual-fee cards, and a handful of benefits including car rental insurance***, travel accident insurance***, and purchase assurance***. This is also a solid pick if you're looking for a zero-interest credit card  with a 0% introductory APR offer, because new cardholders receive a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (intro fee of 3% for the first 15 months, then 4% of the amount of each balance transfer at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time), then a 19.99% - 29.99% Variable APR ( rates and fees ).

What the experts love: No annual fee, access to transfer partners, generous intro 0% APR offer

What the experts don't love: Few travel benefits, lower earning rate

Read more: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card review

The newly announced Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card earns one of the highest rates of return on hotel bookings for a credit card that isn't co-branded with a specific hotel chain. 

This card has a $95 annual fee, inviting direct comparisons to two other cards on this list: The Sapphire Preferred Card , and the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card . In exchange, cardholders earn at least 3x on dining and travel purchases. Airline purchases earn 4x, and hotel purchases earn 5x.

Wells Fargo simultaneously announced brand-new airline and hotel partners: Choice Privileges, Aer Lingus AerClub, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, avianca lifemiles, and British Airways Executive Club. Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card cardholders can redeem rewards at the standard redemption rate of 1 cent per point for cash back, or transfer their rewards to any of the travel partners above for additional value.

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card will be available for in-person applications at select Wells Fargo bank locations on March 9, 2024. Nationwide applications open online and in person on March 20, 2024. 

Read more: Wells Fargo Autograph Journey credit card review

Best Travel Credit Card for Beginners

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a great "set it and forget it" card, in the sense that you don't have to worry about various bonus categories for earning rewards. You'll earn 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 2x miles on all other purchases.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card also offers one of the most straightforward ways to redeem rewards for travel: you're able to use your miles to cover recent travel purchases from your card statement, at a rate of 1 cent per mile. 

You also have the option to transfer Capital One miles *** to more than a dozen frequent flyer and hotel loyalty programs, including Air Canada Aeroplan, Etihad Guest, and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer. Capital One also added new partners including British Airways and Turkish Airlines, and improved the transfer ratio to 1:1 for most partners. 

The selection of transfer partners is best suited to someone who wants to travel internationally and who doesn't mind spending some time researching the best ways to redeem miles with the different frequent flyer program options. But the upside is that you can always use your miles to cover your travel purchases. You also get up to a $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit.

What the experts love:  The ability to use your miles to cover your recent travel expenses; it earns at least 2 miles per dollar on every purchase.

What the experts don't love: Other cards offer higher rewards on certain spending categories such as travel and dining.

Read more: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card review

Best Travel Rewards on Everyday Spending

The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card isn't as flashy or well-known as some other travel cards, but that doesn't mean you should overlook it, especially if you spend a lot on its bonus categories. Cardholders earn an impressive 3x points on air travel, gas stations, restaurants, supermarkets, and hotels, and 1 point per dollar on everything else.

Along with a solid welcome bonus offer of 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening (worth $1,200 based on Business Insider's valuations), you'll receive $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) booked through thankyou.com once per calendar year.

While it isn't the best for travel protections, the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card is the only card currently available to new applicants that unlocks the ability to transfer your ThankYou points to Citi's full list of airline and hotel partners , including JetBlue, Singapore Airlines, and Wyndham.

What the experts love:  Strong rewards earning in useful everyday categories, access to Citi's transfer partners

What the experts don't love: Lack of travel protections like car rental insurance, few travel perks compared to similar rewards cards

Read more: Citi Strata Premier℠ Card review

Best Travel Card for Students

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students is a fairly unique offering, as there aren't many student credit cards specifically geared toward travel. New cardholders can earn 25,000 online bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days from account opening (redeemed as a $250 statement credit toward travel and dining purchases). That's a decent offer for a no-annual-fee card, and the earning structure is simple, too — 1.5x points per dollar on every purchase, with no bonus categories to keep track of.

There's also a 0% intro APR for your first 18 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made within the first 60 days of opening your account (then a 17.99% - 27.99% Variable APR) which can be handy if you have big purchases (like textbooks or supplies) you want to pay for over time. 

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students is a good choice if you prefer a straightforward card without having to worry about award charts or transfer partners. It's also a safe bet if you want to use it while traveling internationally — it doesn't charge pesky foreign transaction fees, so you won't be on the hook for extra charges if you use it overseas.

However, you won't find many extras — like travel benefits or purchase protections — with this card. If you're looking for better benefits, be sure to check out our guide to the best student credit cards for all the top options.

What the experts love: Impressive welcome bonus offer for a student credit card, good flat-rate rewards earning

What the experts don't love: No flashy extra perks or shopping benefits

Read more: Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students review

Most Affordable Premium Travel Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card was unveiled in late 2021 and offers a massive welcome bonus of 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening — worth at least $1,275 in travel, based on Business Insider's valuation of Capital One miles .

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is loaded with premium benefits that can more than offset the $395 annual fee ( rates and fees ). For context, the Venture X's annual fee, while high, is significantly lower than other premium travel card competitors.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card cardholders receive $300 per year in credits toward travel booked through Capital One, Priority Pass, Plaza Premium, and Capital One airport lounge access (even for authorized users), a 10,000-mile bonus on each account anniversary (worth $100 in travel), and Visa Infinite travel and purchase benefits.

As with other cards that earn Capital One miles , you can transfer rewards to over a dozen airline and hotel partners to book award travel, or use miles to book through the Capital One Travel Portal .

What the experts love:  Between $300 a year in travel credit and a 10,000-mile bonus on each account anniversary, you can offset the annual fee entirely — and that's not even considering other benefits like lounge access.

What the experts don't love:  The $300 travel credit is more restrictive than other cards' — it only applies to travel booked through Capital One.

Read more: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card review

Best for Earning Travel Credit from Dining and Groceries

The American Express® Gold Card is an ideal travel card for anyone who frequently eats out and/or shops at U.S. supermarkets. You'll earn 4x Amex Membership Rewards points on these purchases (though note the $25,000 calendar year annual cap for U.S. supermarkets; after that, you'll earn just 1 point per dollar, but that's a pretty high cap). The card also earns 3x points on flights booked directly with the airlines or through AmexTravel.com, and 1 point per dollar on everything else.

While the $250 annual fee is on the high side, you can offset it thanks to an annual statement credit. You can get up to $120 in annual dining credits**, but it's divided into up to $10 in credits each month, and the credit only applies at select restaurants and delivery services, including Grubhub, Seamless, Milk Bar, Wine.com, and Goldbelly, and participating Shake Shack locations.

You'll also get up to $120 Uber Cash ($10 per month) credit each calendar year (this is only applicable to U.S. Eats orders and rides, and the Gold Card needs to be added to the Uber app to receive the Uber Cash benefit).

What the experts love: "4x points on restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year, then 1x) is great — usually, a card favors one or the other," says Rathner. Plus, the card offers monthly dining credits.

What the experts don't love: Wilson notes that other cards offer similar benefits for a lower annual fee, and Rathner notes that the card's travel and dining credits come with some important limitations — so read the fine print. 

Read more: American Express® Gold Card review

Best Premium Card for Travel Insurance and Bonus Categories

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® has a $550 annual fee, which means it's not for everybody, but if you're serious about maximizing your rewards and you travel frequently, it could be worth it. It offers a bonus of 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. 

Not only do you get up to $300 in statement credits toward travel each year (and Chase has a very generous definition of travel — including everything from airfare to highway tolls), but you also earn 5x total points on air travel and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards (excluding the $300 travel credit) and 3x points on all other travel and dining. You also get airport lounge access through the Priority Pass network , which has more than 1,300 locations worldwide.

New benefits also include access to Chase Sapphire lounges in JFK , LaGuardia , Boston , and Hong Kong, as well as the Chase Sapphire Terrace at Austin Airport . You'll also receive benefits with DoorDash  and Instacart that can save you money on delivery (activation required).

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is currently offering cardholders two years of complimentary Lyft Pink All Access membership (valued at $199 per year) for member-exclusive pricing, priority pickup, and more (activation required). 

When it comes to redeeming points, you can book travel through Chase and get 1.5 cents per point (a 50% bonus over the standard 1-cent-per-point rate), or you can transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards to travel partners like Hyatt, British Airways, and United.

Plus, like the less-expensive Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers some of the best credit card travel insurance around. This includes primary car rental insurance, trip delay insurance, trip cancellation protection, and lost baggage insurance.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® card was previously our pick for the best travel card overall, before the annual fee increased from $450 to $550. While the Reserve did add some additional benefits, the Reserve no longer makes as much sense for casual travelers. As a result, we now recommend the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card as the best travel credit card for most people. 

What the experts love:  Earns 3x points on travel and dining purchases made outside of Chase Travel Portal, annual $300 travel credit, points are worth 1.5 cents apiece for travel booked through Chase

What the experts don't love: You have to squeeze every drop of value out of this card to make that jaw-dropping $550 annual fee worth your while.

Read more: Chase Sapphire Reserve® review

Best for Luxury Travel Benefits and Airport Lounge Access

The Platinum Card® from American Express has one of the highest rewards card annual fees —  $695 — but it can still be well worth it if you can put all of its statement credits and generous welcome bonus offer to use.

You'll earn 5x points on flights when you book directly through the airline or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 per calendar year), which makes the card a great choice for purchasing airfare. The card offers trip cancellation and interruption insurance, plus some of the best purchase protection, so it's a good option for buying expensive items (and don't forget to see if you can take advantage of an Amex Offer ** for bonus points or cash back).

The Platinum Card® from American Express offers more airport lounge access than any other personal travel card — in addition to Priority Pass membership**, you get access to Amex Centurion Lounges , Delta Sky Clubs (when you're flying Delta), and more. 

The card's annual statement credits can go a long way toward offsetting the high annual fee. You get up to $200 in statement credits toward airline incidental fees** like checked bags and inflight purchases; up to $100 each year in credit toward Saks Fifth Avenue purchases**; and up to $200 in annual Uber credits (including Uber Eats)**. 

Just keep in mind that you're limited to one designated airline you choose each year in your Amex account for the airline incidental fee credit, and both the Saks and Uber credits are divided into portions. You'll get up to $50 in statement credits toward Saks purchases from January to June, and another credit of up to $50 for Saks purchases from July to December.

With the Uber credit, you get up to $15 each month, and a $20 bonus in December for a total of $35 that month.

What the experts love:  Lots of luxury benefits, including airport lounge access and statement credits with Uber and Saks

What the experts don't love: This card's $695 annual fee, and minimal bonus categories

Read more: The Platinum Card® from American Express review

How to Choose the Best Travel Credit Card

While it takes more effort to redeem points or miles compared to cash back, the upside is that you can get much more value for your points compared to simply cashing in your rewards for a statement credit or check at a rate of 1 cent per point.

In fact, it's possible to receive double, triple, or even more than that amount when you're strategic about how you redeem your rewards, particularly if you book expensive luxury hotels or first-class flights. 

In this guide, we've focused mostly on the best travel credit cards that earn transferable points. Transferable points include popular currencies such as:

• Amex Membership Rewards
• Chase Ultimate Rewards
• Citi ThankYou Rewards
• Capital One miles

You can transfer these points to both airline and hotel partner loyalty programs. You can even redeem your points to offset the cash price of your travel at a flat rate.

Travel Credit Card Frequently Asked Questions

If you want a single credit card that does it all and don't mind paying a generous annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a great choice. It comes with the best travel insurance available on the market, as well as a $300 travel credit each year that can be used on most types of travel.

The best travel credit card overall is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, but the best card for your particular situation will depend on what benefits you care about the most, as well as how you feel about paying a high annual fee. 

We'd recommend opening a travel card that earns Amex or Chase points, because these are among the easiest rewards to redeem and you have various travel partners to utilize. But if you've investigated your options and are confident that you can get value out of their rewards, credit cards that earn Capital One miles or Citi ThankYou points can make sense as well.

There are two main types of travel credit cards: Cards that earn transferable points, and airline/hotel co-branded credit cards. Transferable points currencies include Amex Membership Rewards points, Capital One miles, and Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

Airline credit cards and hotel credit cards earn points or miles within a respective hotel or airline program; you don't have the option to redeem your rewards with a wide variety of travel partners (or if you do, the transfer ratio usually isn't great).

To pick the right travel credit card for you, you'll want to evaluate its welcome bonus offer, ease of use, benefits, and annual fee. The best one for you will ideally have a combination of an attractive sign-up bonus , lots of options for earning and redeeming rewards, benefits that save you money, and a low or no annual fee.

Travel credit cards with annual fees are worth it if you're able to get significant value out of their benefits and rewards. Before you apply for a card , make sure you'll actually use all the features that contribute to the card's annual fee. For example, if a card offers an annual statement credit of up to $200 toward travel but you can't use it, you're probably not getting what you pay for.

Travel credit cards work by earning you points (or miles) on every purchase you make, with the goal of helping you earn enough rewards to book free travel . The best travel cards earn points that you can transfer to various airline and hotel partners — like Amex, Chase, or Citi points. 

A great way to work toward getting a free flight is by applying for a travel credit card and earning its welcome bonus offer. Domestic award flights in economy class typically require about 25,000 points, so depending on the welcome bonus offer, you could have enough rewards for a flight right out of the gate. 

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Chose the Best Travel Credit Cards

Business Insider evaluated dozens of travel credit cards currently available to new applicants and narrowed down the list to the best options based on the following factors:

• Welcome bonus offer — Do new cardholders get a valuable incentive to sign up and meet a minimum spending requirement?
• Ongoing rewards — How many points or miles do you earn on your purchases?
• Benefits — Beyond rewards, does the card offer valuable perks such as statement credits for travel, primary car rental insurance, and airport lounge access?
• Annual fee — Is there an annual fee, and if so, is it affordable or easy to offset with card perks?
• Overall value — Does the card justify its annual fee by offering useful benefits and valuable rewards, and is it worth it?

Read our guide to how we rate credit cards for a closer look at our methodology.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

**Enrollment required.

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Trip Delay Insurance, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance, and Cell Phone Protection Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. Global Assist Hotline Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, and Baggage Insurance Plan Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

***Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Refer to your Guide to Benefits for more details. Travel Accident Insurance is not guaranteed, it depends on the level of benefits you get at application.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.

For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, please click here.

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Travel and miles rewards credit cards, unlimited miles you can actually use.

From hotels and car rentals to flights and more, get rewarded for the way you travel with unlimited miles.

Your travel credit card miles can take you wherever you want to go.

You can use your travel rewards credit card to book any airline, anytime, anywhere with no seat restrictions or blackout dates. You can also redeem your travel rewards for rental cars, hotels, ride sharing apps, cruises and more. Miles don’t expire for the life of the account.

Not what you’re looking for?

Travel credit card faqs, which travel cards offer bonus miles.

There are several Capital One travel cards that offer the opportunity to earn bonus miles*:

• Capital One VentureOne Rewards : Earn 20,000 in bonus miles once you spend $500 in the first 3 months. 
• Capital One Venture Rewards : Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months.  
• Capital One Venture X Rewards : Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months. Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary..

*Card offers with a cash or miles rewards bonus are subject to change. See the terms for each offer for the current bonus, if a bonus is available. If offered, the bonus may not be available for existing or previous accountholders.

Which travel card is the best for earning miles?

If you’re looking for a Capital One travel rewards card that will help you earn the most miles, consider the Venture Rewards card or the Venture X Rewards card.  With Venture Rewards, you can earn 2X miles on everyday purchases, plus even more on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. And with Venture X, you can make your miles go even further. When you book through Capital One Travel, you can get unlimited 5X miles per dollar on flights and 10X miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars, plus 2X miles on every other purchase.

Is there a travel credit card that offers no annual fee?

Yes, Capital One offers travel rewards credit cards with no annual fee. VentureOne Rewards for Good Credit offers unlimited 1.25 miles on everyday purchases and even more miles on travel booked through Capital One Travel. And with VentureOne Rewards , you can earn miles rewards on everyday purchases and travel, plus 20,000 bonus miles after spending $500 within the first 3 months from account opening.

How do travel credit cards work?

Travel rewards credit cards allow you to earn miles each time you make a qualifying travel or everyday purchase. Once enough miles have accumulated on your account, you can redeem them for travel-related expenses like flights, hotel stays, rentals or vacation packages.

How do travel miles work?

With Capital One travel credit cards, you earn unlimited rewards for every dollar you spend. As you accumulate miles, here are a few ways you can use them:

• Book a trip with miles through Capital One Travel, or use miles to get reimbursed for recent travel purchases made elsewhere.
• Use miles to purchase exclusive event tickets on Capital One Entertainment.
• Book a flight by transferring miles to your choice of travel loyalty programs with partner airlines.
• Transfer miles to a loved one who also has a Venture card.
• Redeem miles for cash or gift cards.

Travel miles earned with a Capital One travel credit card don’t expire as long as your account is open and in good standing. There’s also no limit to the number of miles you can earn.

How do I choose the best travel credit card?

The “best” travel credit card for you depends entirely on what you’re looking for. Here are a few questions you can ask to compare your options. 

• Is there an annual fee?
• How many miles can I earn, and on which types of purchases?
• Is there a sign-up bonus?
• Which travel perks am I most excited about?  

Are travel credit cards worth it?

Whether or not a travel credit card will be worth it to you will likely depend on how often you travel and how often you plan to use the card each month. Frequent travelers may find that a travel rewards card will provide them with useful benefits and ways to save on travel expenses.

But, for those who travel less frequently, it can be worth exploring other credit card options. A cash back card , for example, may be better suited to fit their needs. Knowing which card option is right for you ultimately comes down to the way you intend to use it.

This one-time bonus is available by clicking the "Apply Now" button on this page, and may not be available if you navigate away from or close this page. Existing or previous cardmembers are not eligible for this product if they have received a new cardmember bonus for this product in the past 48 months.

To receive a statement credit up to $100, you must use your Venture or Venture X card to either complete the Global Entry application and pay the application fee, or complete the TSA PreCheck® application and pay the application fee. Credit will appear within two billing cycles, and will apply to whichever program is applied for first. One statement credit per account every four years, and your account must be open and in good standing when the credit is applied. Fees charged to a VentureOne card are not eligible. Refer to the Application or Account Terms for additional details.

Lounge access is not guaranteed and is subject to space availability. Prices and benefits are subject to change. For Priority Pass™, receive a complimentary Priority Pass membership as part of your Visa Infinite® benefits. Enrollment required. Certain terms apply .

Premier Collection hotel booking experience credit will be applied at checkout by hotel to qualifying charges up to $100 USD or the local currency equivalent. Qualifying charges vary by location, are subject to availability, and must be charged to your room during your eligible stay; contact the hotel directly to confirm qualifying experiences. Advance reservations recommended for certain experiences.  In addition to the $100 experience credit, other benefits available to eligible cardholders for Premier Collection hotel bookings include: daily breakfast for two, complimentary Wi-Fi, and (when available) room upgrades, early check-in and late checkout. Premier Collection booking must be made through Capital One Travel in the eligible cardholder’s name, with the cardholder as a member of party traveling, to qualify for benefits. Benefits applied per room, per stay. Hotel terms and conditions apply; a minimum number of nights may be required by the hotel for booking. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash or combined with other offers unless specified. Participating properties and benefits are subject to change. Offer valid for customer use only unless otherwise permitted. We may disqualify any cardholder from participation and benefits at our sole discretion. Additional terms apply; see travel.capitalone.com/terms-of-service/ for details. Capital One Travel Capital One Travel bookings include services such as price freeze, change a flight after you book, price prediction, price watch, price drop protection, and price match guarantee. Additional fees may apply. The availability of these services varies by account and they may not be available on all bookings. Terms apply. See travel.capitalone.com/terms-of-service/ for details.

Lifestyle Collection experience credit will be applied at checkout by hotel to qualifying charges up to $50 USD or the local currency equivalent. Qualifying charges vary by location, are subject to availability, and must be charged to your room during your eligible stay; contact the hotel directly to confirm qualifying experiences. Advance reservations recommended for certain experiences. In addition to the $50 experience credit, other benefits available to eligible cardholders for Lifestyle Collection bookings include complimentary Wi-Fi, and (when available) room upgrades, early check-in and late checkout. Lifestyle Collection booking must be made through Capital One Travel in the eligible cardholder’s name, with the cardholder as a member of party traveling, to qualify for benefits. Benefits applied per room, per stay. Hotel terms and conditions apply; a minimum number of nights may be required by the hotel for booking. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash or combined with other offers unless specified. Participating properties and benefits are subject to change. Offer valid for customer-use only unless otherwise permitted. We may disqualify any cardholder from participation and benefits at our sole discretion. Additional terms apply; see  travel.capitalone.com/terms-of-service/  for details.

Annually, eligible Venture X primary account holders will receive a $300 Capital One Travel credit (“Credit”) to use toward purchases made through Capital One Travel . Each annual Credit will expire on the next account open date anniversary. The Credit will be available within Capital One Travel and can be applied to purchases at checkout. The Credit may be used in whole for a single purchase or in part over multiple purchases. Rewards will not be earned on the Credit. If the purchase using the Credit is canceled, the Credit will be restored if it is not expired. An expired Credit will not be restored upon cancellation. A Venture X card account must be open and in good standing to receive or use the Credit.

How does my anniversary bonus work? You will earn 10,000 bonus miles after your anniversary each year, starting with your first anniversary. Once you qualify for this bonus, we will apply it to your rewards balance.

Some cardholder benefits are only available to the primary cardholder and not authorized users.

How to upgrade to first class without using a ton of cash

MSN has partnered with The Points Guy for our coverage of credit card products. MSN and The Points Guy may receive a commission from card issuers.

Editor’s note: This post was updated with new information.

For many travelers, flying in a first-class seat may seem like an unachievable dream, reserved for the ultra-wealthy or business traveler sparing no expense. But in reality, there are many other ways to score a seat at the front of the plane without paying an exorbitant amount.

In many cases, there are even ways to upgrade to first class (or business class) without being an elite-status member of an airline’s frequent flyer program or paying the full cash or award retail price (and no, dressing up is not one of the ways).

Admittedly, in these days of high travel demand , it’s hard to guarantee a first-class seat without directly paying for it. However, with some luck, tips and strategy, there are options out there.

How to upgrade to first class without elite status

Clearly, one of the easiest ways to score a first-class upgrade is to be an elite status member. Many airlines offer complimentary upgrades as a loyalty perk.

However, it’s possible to snag an upgrade without paying full price even if you’re not an elite status member.

Here are some strategies to consider.

Use miles to upgrade your economy ticket

One of the easiest ways for travelers without elite status to upgrade their seats to first or business class without paying the full cash price is by paying for the upgrade with miles .

This won’t require elite status but does require you to have at least a decent stash of frequent flyer miles with an airline or credit card rewards points you’ve earned through your everyday spending.

Even casual flyers might be surprised at how many points and miles they can earn by charging their daily expenses to the right credit card; many of these points and miles can be transferred to airline frequent flyer programs and redeemed for travel, including upgrades.

For example, American Airlines will allow AAdvantage members to use miles to upgrade a ticket. You’ll generally pay some combination of miles and a fee for the privilege of an upgrade.

As you might expect, upgrading to first class on a short domestic flight is a lot less pricey than, say, moving to a lie-flat business-class seat on an overseas flight. The latter costs 25,000 miles plus $350 per traveler upgrading to business class from standard economy.

You’ll want to consider the value of your miles before you jump for the splurge. TPG values the 25,000 AAdvantage miles you’d pay for a flight from North America to Europe at $442 — and that’s on top of the $350 co-pay you’d have to fork over.

However, if having a comfortable seat for sleeping during your overnight flight to Europe is your priority, upgrading using your miles can be a far better option than paying for a business-class ticket to Europe outright.

For example, for a hypothetical October trip from New York to Rome, you’d pay $1,171 for a reound-trip economy ticket versus $6,564 for flagship business class. For an award ticket, it’d be a whopping 592,000 miles for a business-class round trip.

Not many of us have more than $6,500 to spend for one flight to Europe, and 592,000 miles is a hefty price to pay, too.

On the other hand, after purchasing an economy ticket, you may be able to upgrade it for 25,000 miles plus $350, one-way, if available.

Regardless of the airline, before you wade too deeply into upgrade pricing, make sure the ticket you purchased is  eligible for upgrades . On many airlines, restrictive basic economy tickets are not eligible for changes — including upgrades.

Related: The best ways to get to Hawaii using points and miles

If you don’t have 25,000 AAdvantage miles at the ready, a credit card welcome bonus could help get you there. Right now, the Citi®/AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® is offering new members 100,000 bonus miles for cardholders who spend $10,000 in their first three months with the card, which carries a $595 annual fee (but includes sizable perks like an Admiral’s Club membership, and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit).

Related: Premium perks without a premium fee: United Explorer Card review

Upgrade through your credit card travel portal

There are credit card rewards programs that will help members upgrade their flight. Some American Express cardholders can use their Membership Rewards points (or pay) to upgrade a flight on an airline with which Amex partners.

To look into an upgrade, you’ll make the request through your Amex Travel account.

Airlines include Air Canada (Star Alliance), Qantas (Oneworld Alliance), Aeromexico (SkyTeam), Etihad and others.

Get help from a friend or family member with elite status

You can still receive some airline elite perks without personally having elite status. Some airline programs like Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan  will allow their members to spread the wealth of their elite status to family and friends.

Those with Alaska MVP Gold status or higher receive four one-way guest upgrades for every year they gain or maintain their status. They can spend the upgrades on their travel companions or when their guest is traveling without them.

There are some rules around space availability and other factors to consider. Still, if your friend has status with an airline such as Alaska or United , they may be able to help you get upgraded without spending any money.

For what it’s worth, a greater number of airlines will allow you to upgrade if you’re traveling with  a family member or friend who has elite status.

Bid for an upgrade

Even if you don’t have any miles saved up or have never been a frequent flyer in your life, you may still be able to fly in first class without breaking the bank.

Some airlines will send out an invitation to bid for an upgrade if they expect some empty premium seats on a flight. These invitation texts or emails allow you to bid for a seat in the next available cabin. If you have some miles stashed, some airlines, like Australian carrier Qantas Airways, will also allow you to submit a bid composed of miles and cash.

In the TPG Facebook Lounge , we’ve seen plenty of reports of bidding success across a number of carriers, including Hawaiian Airlines , Air New Zealand , Lufthansa , Virgin Atlantic , Etihad Airways , Qatar Airways , Avianca , TAP Air Portugal , Aer Lingus and Iberia .

One TPG lounge member shared that they had a successful bid to first class when flying to Hawaii on Hawaiian Airlines. They bid around $350, about half of the suggested amount. While this person’s success story was during the pandemic, meaning the amount may not be representative of what is required to win future bids, there are many reports of winning bids in the $400 to $800 range for long-haul international routes.

Not all routes are eligible for upgrades, and other restrictions may apply. Rules will vary by airline, but most will have a suggested bid and a minimum amount you’ll need to offer. Keep in mind that many airlines restrict you to bidding for one class of an upgrade, so you may need to be booked in premium economy (if it’s available on your flight) in order to score a business-class seat via a winning bid.

Related: Guide to bidding for flight upgrades for premium seats

Buy a discounted upgrade

The cash price to upgrade to first class can decrease if the airline doesn’t expect to sell all seats at the full fare. That’s because many airlines would rather get some revenue for the seat than none at all.

If you notice that demand for your desired seat is soft as the travel date approaches, see if you can scoop up an upgrade at a discounted cash rate.

While the price will vary, it never hurts to check. Check your upcoming flight reservations every now and then to see what the airline is listing as the cost to upgrade your seat with cash.

Ask about first-class upgrades at the check-in counter

Unfortunately, the price for a first-class seat often doesn’t drop. However, it never hurts to ask about a last-minute upgrade.

Airlines make more money from filling their flights’ first-class seats, so next time you’re feeling a little spendy, you can ask at the ticket or boarding counter if there is any availability at the front of the plane.

TPG’s senior SEO manager Hannah Streck recently had luck with this approach during a flight from New York City ‘s LaGuardia Airport (LGA) to Minneapolis−Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) in Minnesota.

Knowing that she’d have to check two bags for her trip, Hannah searched for an upgrade on the airline’s app but struck out in snagging one. So, she asked about an upgrade at the ticket counter and found out she could move to first class for only $90, with checked bags included. Checking both of her bags on an economy ticket would have cost $70 alone, so she happily paid just $20 more to sit in first class.

Related: Can you negotiate a cheaper upgrade?

How to upgrade to first class with elite airline status

Unsurprisingly, getting upgraded to first class with elite status is much easier. Many airlines offer complimentary upgrades as a perk of elite status. The exact process differs from one airline to the next, but often, the higher-tier status you have, the more luck you’ll have.

That means, unless you’re a higher-level elite member, you may be low on the waiting list for an upgrade.

However, you can try some additional tricks to position yourself well for a premium seat.

Purchase instant First Class Upgrade tickets with Alaska Airlines

While many airlines will upgrade elite status members one, two or a few days before departure, Alaska Mileage Plan’s elite members can buy certain fares that qualify them for immediate upgrade.

When booking a trip, like the one pictured below, after checking your elite status in the fare type column to the left, you will see four fare options instead of the typical two “Main” and “First Class” fares: Premium Class Upgrade, and First Class Upgrade.

Premium Class has extra legroom seats, whereas First Class is the airline’s premium cabin.

By purchasing an upgrade fare, you’ll be eligible — pending availability — for an immediate upgrade instead of waiting until the days before your flight for your upgrade to clear.

How do you know if there’s availability? Look for the “F” symbols you see above.  A navy blue “F” square means there is availability; a white square means there isn’t on that particular flight.

If you don’t buy an immediate upgrade-eligible fare, you’ll be placed on the upgrade waitlist.

Related: Everything you need to know about American Airlines 500-mile upgrades

Use your upgrade certificates with Delta Air Lines

Delta SkyMiles, Delta’s frequent flyer program , features four published Delta Medallion elite tiers: Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond. All come with perks, including the chance of receiving complimentary first-class seats.

Access to unlimited, free upgrades to first class comes standard with Delta Medallion elite status, but there is still a lot of complexity surrounding Delta’s upgrade process .

You can increase your chances of being upgraded on Delta by being a higher-tier Platinum or Diamond Medallion member.

Members in these two elite status tiers receive upgrade certificates known as Global Upgrade Certificates and Regional Upgrade Certificates, which can clear as soon as you book your ticket if there is upgrade space available.

Keep in mind, though, that, like many airlines, Delta has certain fares that are not eligible for complimentary upgrades through Medallion status.

Related: How I used a Delta Global Upgrade Certificate

Use PlusPoints for priority upgrades with United Airlines

United has a complicated revenue, award and upgrade class system that can be confusing for even experienced flyers.

Luckily, TPG has made it easier to understand United’s system with this comprehensive guide to United fare classes .

All United MileagePlus Premier members are eligible for complimentary Premier upgrades on eligible fares and routes, but only Premier Platinum and Premier 1K members receive PlusPoints.

Using Plus Points, high-tier Premier members can confirm their upgrades long before their flight. Platinum members receive 40 PlusPoints when reaching status, and 1K members receive 280 PlusPoints when they earn or retain their status.

The screenshot below shows United’s Plus Points pricing breakdown for upgrades. For instance, it takes 40 Plus Points to move from economy to Polaris business class on a long-haul flight.

Kyle Olsen, one of TPG’s resident United enthusiasts, is a Premier 1K member. His favorite way to use PlusPoints is to purchase an economy ticket in the W fare class and use 40 PlusPoints to get upgraded to a lie-flat United Polaris seat. United Polaris is technically a business-class option, but since United has retired its international first-class product, United Polaris is the most premium option offered by the airline.

Generally, you should reserve PlusPoints for long-haul Polaris flights in order to get the best value for your points. However, sitting up front is always better than in the back, regardless of the route. This is especially true if you have points that are set to expire soon, as it’s best to use them for any first-class option rather than let them go to waste.

Bottom line

Whether you want to treat yourself once or increase the number of times you sit up front, getting upgraded to first class is not only possible but feasible.

From cashing in miles for an upgrade to winning the upgrade lottery with a cash bid, there are several ways to snag an upgraded seat without spending a large sum of money. Even those without elite status can score a prime seat in the front of the plane with a bit of careful planning.

SPONSORED:  With states reopening, enjoying a meal from a restaurant no longer just means curbside pickup.

And when you do spend on dining, you should use a credit card that will maximize your rewards and potentially even score special discounts. Thanks to temporary card bonuses and changes due to coronavirus, you may even be able to score a meal at your favorite restaurant for free. 

These are the best credit cards for dining out, taking out, and ordering in to maximize every meal purchase.

Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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THE PLATINUM CARD ®

MAKES IT POSSIBLE

Annual Fee: $695¤

Art x Platinum

Your Card is their canvas. Visual artists Kehinde Wiley and Julie Mehretu reimagine the Platinum Card design. Learn More

Relax Before the Runway

in the Centurion ® Lounge

Lounges with the Global Lounge Collection ℠

Centurion ® Lounges

in fresh seasonal fare created by locally renowned chefs

on fine wines

and expertly crafted cocktails*

with revitalizing massages

and meditations

Get More Out of Every Getaway

Ride in Style

with up to $200 in Uber Cash annually to use for rides with Uber and orders on Uber Eats in the U.S. when you use your Platinum Card in the app*

Uber Cash is available to Basic Card Member only.

Breeze Through Security

CLEAR ® uses unique attributes, such as eyes or fingerprints, to digitally verify identity to help its members move faster through security at select airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR Plus membership 1 with up to $189 in statement credits per year after you pay for CLEAR Plus with your Platinum Card ® .

1 Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.

Treat Yourself to Extras

with up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year on incidentals like checked bags and in-flight refreshments after selecting one qualifying airline.

American Express relies on accurate airline transaction data to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 4 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. See terms & conditions for more details.

Wake Up to Luxury at World-Class Hotels

Book Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection ‡ with Amex Travel

Room Upgrade

at check‐in

when available

Certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade

Onsite Experience Credit

‡with a two‐night minimum stay

Experience credit varies by property.

Hotel Credit

statement on a prepaid booking each year, with a two‐night minimum stay*

Take a Seat at the Table with Award-Winning Chefs

Global Dining Access by Resy

Dining Concierge

Book in-demand tables at

some of the most sought-after restaurants

Priority Notify

Set notifications to be the

first to know when hard-to-get tables open up

Pre-Sale Tickets

Get exclusive access to Member Only

experiences, both in-person and virtual*

There Are So Many Ways to Enjoy Platinum

Say Goodbye to

Delivery Fees 

A Walmart+ membership can get you free shipping with no order minimum on eligible items shipped by Walmart, free same-day delivery of groceries from store (where available), & more. Use your Platinum Card ® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and receive a statement credit for $12.95 (plus taxes, where applicable) that covers the full cost (excluding any Plus Ups) each month. Free Shipping does not include location and freight surcharges.

Step Up Your

Personal Fitness

Get up to $300 in statement credits each year on a digital or club membership at Equinox. Simply use your Platinum Card ® to pay for an Equinox+ digital subscription, or any Equinox club membership fees. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.

and Plug In

Experience the latest shows, audiobooks, music, news and recipes. Get up to $20 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card ® for eligible purchases on Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. This can be an annual savings of up to $240. Enrollment required.

Settle In with Complimentary Elite Hotel Status

Gold Elite Status*

Enrollment required

Gold Status*

Get your Platinum Card number the moment you’re approved, if eligible.*

*Terms & Conditions

$200 Uber Cash

Basic Card Members on a Consumer Platinum Card or Centurion account and Additional Centurion Card Members are eligible for Uber VIP and the monthly Amex Benefit (“Amex Benefit”). To receive this benefit, you must have downloaded the latest version of the Uber App and your eligible Platinum Card or Centurion Card must be a method of payment in your Uber account. The Amex Benefit may only be used in the United States. To be eligible for the Amex Benefit, your Card Account must not be canceled or past due. American Express reserves the right to suspend your eligibility for the Amex Benefit if we suspect any violation or abuse. To continue to receive the Amex Benefit, the details for your eligible Card must be kept up to date in your Uber Account. Cards added to your Uber account through a third party such as Apple Pay or PayPal will not be eligible. An eligible Platinum Card or Centurion Card may receive the Amex Benefit on one Uber account. If the same Card is added to multiple Uber accounts, only the first Uber account to which the Card is added will receive the Amex Benefit. If your American Express Card details change, you will need to make required updates to your Card details in your Uber payment profile before the end of the current month to ensure you remain enrolled in the Amex Benefit. If you do not update your Card details prior to the first day of the following month, you may need to re-enroll to continue to receive your Amex benefit. It may take up to 48 hours for the Amex Benefit to become available in your Uber account after your eligible Card has been added to that account. Uber VIP is available in select cities and is governed by Uber’s terms and conditions. The Amex Benefit is found within your Uber Cash balance. In order to use the Amex Benefit, Uber Cash must be turned on. If Uber Cash is turned on when you request a ride, Uber Cash will appear above the confirmation button. If Uber Cash does not appear above the confirmation button, tap on the current payment option and turn on Uber Cash. If you do not see the Amex Benefit in your Uber Cash balance within 48 hours from the time you enroll, call the number on the back of your Card for assistance. The Amex Benefit may be applied to all vehicle types with Uber, orders on Uber Eats and to any other services to which Uber permits Uber Cash to be applied. If your Uber Cash balance does not satisfy the cost of your ride or order, the primary payment method on your Uber account will be charged for the difference. The Amex Benefit will not apply to previous Uber transactions and cannot be used when paying with an UberFAMILY profile. New and existing Uber users are eligible. Uber will apply the Amex Benefit at the point of sale and it will be displayed on your emailed receipt. There is no limit to the number of transactions you may apply your Amex Benefit to each month, up to a total of $15 per month (up to a total of $35 in December). Your monthly Amex Benefit expires at 11:59 PM Hawaii Standard Time on the last day of each calendar month. Unused balance in Uber Cash from your Amex Benefit will not carry over to the following month. Your Amex Benefit will be applied for the month in which the transaction is completed. If a transaction is eligible for another promotion that you have added to your Uber account, the promotion will be applied before your Amex Benefit. Certain other types of balances in Uber Cash may be applied to the cost of your ride or order prior to your Amex Benefit in Uber Cash. For purposes of fulfilling this benefit, American Express will share with Uber certain information about your Card, including the Card type, and updated Card information from time to time. If you do not wish to receive the Amex Benefit, please call the number on the back of your Card. If you do not see the Amex Benefit in your Uber Cash balance by 5:00 PM Hawaii Standard Time on the first day of each calendar month, call the number on the back of your Card for assistance.

$189 CLEAR ® Plus Credit

Basic Card Members can earn up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year when the Platinum Card ® or Additional Cards on the Account are used to pay for an annual CLEAR Plus membership. Enrollment in CLEAR Plus is required and is subject to CLEAR’s terms and conditions. CLEAR Plus memberships automatically renew each year unless canceled and CLEAR will charge the applicable membership fee to the Card CLEAR has on file. American Express has no control over the application and/or approval process for CLEAR, and does not have access to any information provided to CLEAR by the Card Member or by CLEAR to the Card Member. American Express has no liability regarding the CLEAR program. If a Card Member's application is not approved by CLEAR, CLEAR will refund the charges. If the statement credit benefit has been applied before CLEAR refunds the charges, that statement credit will be reversed. Purchases by both the Basic Card Member and any Additional Card Members on the Card Account are eligible for statement credits. However, the total amount of statement credits for eligible purchases will not exceed $189 across all Cards on the Account per calendar year. For additional information on the CLEAR program, including information regarding membership, eligibility, and for a list of participating locations, as well as the full terms and conditions of the program, please go to www.clearme.com . The CLEAR program is subject to change, and American Express has no control over those changes. Please allow up to 6-8 weeks after a qualifying CLEAR transaction is charged to the Card Account for the statement credit to be posted to the Account. American Express relies on accurate transaction data to identify eligible CLEAR Plus purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, please call the number on the back of your Card. Card Members remain responsible for timely payment of all CLEAR charges. If you are assigned a new Card number or have a Card number on file with CLEAR that is outdated (for example, if you replace your Card or if your Card has expired), you must update your Card information on file with CLEAR to help ensure that statement credits are received for eligible CLEAR Plus membership fees. To be eligible for this benefit, the Card Account must not be cancelled or past due at the time of statement credit fulfillment. If a charge for an eligible purchase is included in a Pay Over Time feature balance on your Card Account, the statement credit associated with that charge may not be applied to that Pay Over Time feature balance. Instead, the statement credit may be applied to your Pay In Full balance. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.

$200 Airline Fee Credit

Benefit is available to Consumer and Corporate Platinum Card Members only. To receive statement credits of up to $200 per calendar year for incidental airline fees charged to the eligible Card, Card Member must select one qualifying airline through their American Express Online Account or the link for their Card below: 

• American Express Platinum Card ® : https://global.americanexpress.com/card-benefits/enroll/airline-fee-credit/platinum
• Goldman Sachs Platinum Card ® : https://global.americanexpress.com/card-benefits/enroll/airline-fee-credit/goldman-platinum-card
• Morgan Stanley Platinum Card ® : https://global.americanexpress.com/card-benefits/enroll/airline-fee-credit/morgan-stanley-platinum-card
• American Express Platinum Card ® for Schwab: https://global.americanexpress.com/card-benefits/enroll/airline-fee-credit/schwab-platinum-card
• American Express Corporate Platinum Card ® : https://global.americanexpress.com/card-benefits/enroll/airline-fee-credit/corporate-platinum

Qualifying airlines include Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Spirit Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines, and are subject to change. Only the Basic Card Member or Authorized Account Manager(s) on the Card Account can select the qualifying airline. Card Members who have not chosen one qualifying airline will be able to do so at any time. Card Members who have already selected one qualifying airline will be able to change their choice one time each year in January through their American Express Online Account or by calling the number on the back of the Card. Card Members who do not change their airline selection will remain with their current airline. Statement Credits: Incidental airline fees must be charged to the Card Member on the eligible Card Account for the benefit to apply. Incidental airline fees charged by both the Basic and Additional Card Members on the eligible Card Account are eligible for statement credits. However, each Card Account is eligible for up to a total of $200 per calendar year in statement credits across all Cards on the Account. Incidental airline fees must be separate charges from airline ticket charges. Fees not charged by the Card Member’s selected airline (e.g. wireless internet and fees incurred with airline alliance partners) do not qualify for statement credits. Incidental airline fees charged prior to selection of a qualifying airline are not eligible for statement credits. Airline tickets, upgrades, mileage points purchases, mileage points transfer fees, gift cards, duty free purchases, and award tickets are not deemed to be incidental fees. The airline must submit the charge under the appropriate merchant code, industry code, or required service or product identifier for the charge to be recognized as an incidental air travel fee. Please allow 2-4 weeks after the qualifying incidental air travel fee is charged to your Card Account for statement credit(s) to be posted to the Account. We rely on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions, so please call the number on the back of the Card if statement credits have not posted after 4 weeks from the date of purchase. Card Members remain responsible for timely payment of all charges. To be eligible for this benefit, Card Account(s) must be not canceled and not past due at the time of statement credit fulfillment.

The Centurion ® Lounge

The Platinum Card ® Members have unlimited complimentary access to all locations of The Centurion Lounge. Gold Card and Green Card Additional Cards on your Platinum Card ® account are not eligible for complimentary access. Card Members may bring up to two (2) complimentary companions into The Centurion ® Lounge locations in the U.S., at Hong Kong International Airport and at London Heathrow Airport. Refer to the specific location’s access policy for more information. All access to The Centurion Lounge is subject to space availability. To access The Centurion Lounge, the Card Member must present The Centurion Lounge agent with the following upon each visit: his or her valid Card, a boarding pass showing a confirmed reservation for a departing flight on the same day on any carrier and a government-issued I.D. Note that select lounges allow access to Card Members with a confirmed reservation for any same-day travel (departure or arrival). Refer to the specific location’s access policy for more information. Failure to present this documentation may result in access being denied. Card Members will not be compensated for changes in locations, rates or policies. A Card Member must be at least 18 years of age to enter without a parent or legal guardian. For locations with a self-service bar, the Card Member must be of legal drinking age in the location’s jurisdiction to enter without a parent or legal guardian. Must be of legal drinking age to consume alcoholic beverages. Please drink responsibly. American Express reserves the right to remove any person from the Lounge for inappropriate behavior or failure to adhere to rules, including, but not limited to, conduct that is disruptive, abusive or violent. Soliciting other Card Members for access into our lounge is not permissible. Hours may vary by location and are subject to change. Amenities vary among The Centurion Lounge locations and are subject to change. In addition to the complimentary services and amenities in the Lounge, certain services, products or amenities may be offered for sale. You are responsible for any purchases and/or servicing charges you authorize our Member Services Professionals to perform on your behalf. Some American Express Cards are not eligible for all services provided by Member Services Desk. American Express will not be liable for any articles lost or stolen or damages suffered by the purchaser or visitor inside The Centurion Lounge. If we in our sole discretion determine that you have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with lounge access in any way or that you intend to do so, we may remove access to The Centurion Lounge from the Account. Use of The Centurion Lounge is subject to all rules and conditions set by American Express. American Express reserves the right to revise the rules at any time without notice.

Delta Sky Club

The Platinum Card ® Member must present their valid American Express Card, government-issued I.D., and boarding pass to the Delta Sky Club ambassador. Boarding pass must show a reservation for a same-day Delta-operated flight (Delta or Delta connection) departing from or arriving at the airport in which the Delta Sky Club is located. Name on boarding pass must match name on the Card. Eligible Card Members on departing flights can only access the Delta Sky Club within 3 hours of their flight's scheduled departure time. During a connection between Delta-operated flights on the same ticket, you may use the Delta Sky Club in your connecting airport at any time during the layover. Delta reserves the right to limit access for non-revenue flyers at any Delta Sky Club. Additional Gold Cards and Additional Green Cards on Business Platinum accounts, and Additional Gold Cards on Consumer Platinum accounts, are not eligible for complimentary access through The Global Lounge Collection benefit. Access to Delta Sky Club partner lounges is not permitted. Individuals must be at least 18 years of age to access Delta Sky Club, and 21 years of age to access locations with a self-service bar, unless accompanied by a responsible, supervising adult who has access to the lounge. Eligible Platinum Card Members must adhere to all Delta Sky Club House Rules while accessing participating airport clubs. Participating airport clubs and locations subject to change without notice. Eligible Platinum Card ® Members may bring guests into the Delta Sky Club subject to the most current Delta Sky Club access and pricing policies, and must use their valid Platinum Card ® as the payment method for guest access. Guests must also be flying on a same-day Delta-operated flight. Guest access and fees subject to terms and conditions of participating airport clubs.

For the most current Delta Sky Club access and pricing policy, please visit Delta.com/skyclubaccess . All Delta Sky Club rules apply to Delta Sky Club membership and use. To review the rules, please visit Delta.com/skyclub . Benefit and rules subject to change without notice. Additional restrictions may apply.

This benefit is available to Platinum Card ® . Additional Gold Cards and Additional Green Cards on Business Platinum accounts, and Additional Gold Cards on Consumer Platinum accounts, are not eligible for complimentary access through The Global Lounge Collection benefit. Card Member must present his or her valid Card, government-issued I.D. and confirmed boarding pass for same-day travel. In some cases, Card Member must be 21 years of age to enter without a parent or guardian. The Card Member may bring up to two companions into the club as complimentary guests per visit. Card Member must adhere to all house rules of participating lounges. Card Members and his or her guests will receive all of the complimentary benefits and amenities afforded to the Airspace Lounge customers, as well as access to purchase non-complimentary items. Some product features may be subject to additional charges. Airspace Lounge locations are subject to change.

Priority Pass Select

These Terms and Conditions govern Platinum Card ® Card Members' participation in and use of the Priority Pass ™ Select program. Priority Pass is an independent airport lounge access program. At any visit to a Priority Pass Select lounge that admits guests, you may bring in two guests for no charge. After two guests, you will be automatically charged the guest visit fee equal to the guest visit fee of the Priority Pass Standard program for each additional guest. Some lounges do not admit guests. By enrolling in Priority Pass Select, you agree that you will be responsible for any additional accompanying guest visits and that your Card will be automatically charged after you have signed for the additional guest visit and it has been reported to Priority Pass by the participating lounge. Additionally, you acknowledge and agree that American Express will verify your Card account number and provide updated Card account information to Priority Pass. Priority Pass will use this information to fulfill on the Priority Pass Select program and may use this information for marketing related to the program. Once enrolled, Platinum Card ® Card Members whose Card account is not cancelled may access participating Priority Pass Select lounges by presenting your Priority Pass Select card and airline boarding pass. In some lounges, Priority Pass Select member must be 21 years of age to enter without a parent or guardian. Priority Pass Select members must adhere to all house rules of participating lounges. Amenities may vary among airport lounge locations. Conference rooms, where available, may be reserved for a nominal fee. Priority Pass Select lounge partners and locations are subject to change. All Priority Pass Select members must adhere to the Priority Pass Conditions of Use, which will be sent to you with your membership package, and can be viewed at www.prioritypass.com . Upon receipt of your enrollment information, Priority Pass will send your Priority Pass Select card and membership package which you should receive within 10–14 business days. If you have not received the Priority Pass card after 14 days, please contact American Express using the number on the back of your American Express ® Card. Please note, Additional Gold Card Members are not eligible for membership.

Escape Lounges – The Centurion ® Studio Partner

This benefit is available to Platinum Card ® . Additional Gold Cards and Additional Green Cards on Business Platinum accounts, and Additional Gold Cards on Consumer Platinum accounts, are not eligible for complimentary access through The Global Lounge Collection benefit. Card Members receive complimentary access to any US location of the Escape Lounges. Card Member must present his or her valid Card, a boarding pass showing a confirmed reservation for same-day travel on any carrier and government-issued I.D. In some cases, Card Member must be 21 years of age to enter without a parent or guardian. Card Members may bring either (i) up to two guests or (ii) immediate family members, which are spouse or domestic partner and all children under the age of 18, as complimentary guests. Delta SkyMiles ® Reserve and Delta SkyMiles ® Reserve Business Basic and Additional Card Members receive complimentary access to all Escape Lounge location when flying on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight. The eligible flight must be booked on a U.S. issued American Express credit card and Card Members may bring up to two guests at a per-visit rate equal to the guest fee of the respective Escape Lounge location. Card Member must adhere to all house rules of participating lounges. Card Members and his or her guests will receive all of the complimentary benefits and amenities afforded to the Escape Lounge customers, as well as access to purchase non-complimentary items. Some product features may be subject to additional charges. Escape Lounge locations are subject to change.

Plaza Premium Lounges:

This benefit is available to Platinum Card ® . Additional Gold Cards and Additional Green Cards on Business Platinum accounts, and Additional Gold Cards on Consumer Platinum accounts, are not eligible for complimentary access through The Global Lounge Collection benefit. Card Members receive complimentary access to any global location of Plaza Premium Lounges. Card Member must present his or her valid Card, a boarding pass showing a confirmed reservation for same-day travel on any carrier and government-issued I.D. In some cases, Card Member must be 21 years of age to enter without a parent or guardian. Card Members may bring up to two (2) companions into Plaza Premium Lounges as complimentary guests. Must be of legal drinking age to consume alcohol. Please drink responsibly. Card Member must adhere to all house rules of participating lounges. Card Members and his or her guests will receive all of the complimentary benefits and amenities afforded to the Plaza Premium Lounge customers, as well as access to purchase non-complimentary items. Some product features may be subject to additional charges. Plaza Premium Lounge locations are subject to change .

This benefit is available to Platinum Card ® . Additional Gold Cards and Additional Green Cards on Business Platinum accounts, and Additional Gold Cards on Consumer Platinum accounts, are not eligible for complimentary access through The Global Lounge Collection benefit. Platinum Card Members have complimentary access to select Lufthansa Business Lounges (regardless of ticket class) and Lufthansa Senator Lounges (when flying business class). To access the Lufthansa lounges, Platinum Card Member must present a government issued I.D., a same-day departure boarding pass showing confirmed reservation on a Lufthansa Group flight (Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian airlines) and a valid Platinum Card. For the most current list of participating lounges and access requirements, please use the Lounge Finder feature in the American Express App or visit www.americanexpress.com/findalounge . Card Members must adhere to all rules of participating lounges. Participating lounges and locations subject to change without notice. Additional guest access and fees subject to terms and conditions of participating lounges. In some Lounges the Platinum Card Member must be at least 18 years of age to enter without a parent or guardian. Must be of legal drinking age to consume alcoholic beverages. Please drink responsibly. For the most current Lufthansa rules and guest access and pricing policy, please visit https://www.lufthansa.com/de/en/lounges .

Additional Global Lounge Collection Partner Lounges:

American Express offers access to additional lounges in the Global Lounge Collection where Platinum Card Members have unlimited complimentary access to participating locations. Card Members must present their valid Platinum Card, a government-issued I.D., and a boarding pass showing a confirmed reservation for same-day travel on any carrier. Guest access and associated fees are subject to the terms and conditions of the participating lounge provider. Participation, locations, rates, and policies of lounges are subject to change without notice, and Card Members and their guests will not be compensated for such changes. Access is subject to space availability, including capacity restrictions and limited hours that may be placed on the participating lounge. Amenities, services, and hours may vary by participating lounge and are subject to change without notice. American Express will not be liable for any articles lost or stolen, or damages suffered by the Card Member or guests inside the participating lounge. For participating lounges with a self-service bar, the Card Member may be required to be of legal drinking age in the participating lounge jurisdiction to enter without a parent or legal guardian. All Card Members and their guests must be of legal drinking age to consume alcoholic beverages. Please drink responsibly. Each participating lounge may have their own policy allowing for children under a certain age to enter for free with the Card Member who is a parent or legal guardian. Card Member must adhere to all house rules of participating lounges. Participating lounges reserve the right to remove any person from the premises for inappropriate behavior or failure to adhere to rules, including, but not limited to, conduct that is disruptive, abusive, or violent. If American Express, in our sole discretion, determines that the Card Member or their guests have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with access to participating lounges in any way, or that the Card Member or their guests intend to do so, American Express may take away the access benefit from the Account. American Express and the participating lounge reserve the right to revise the rules at any time without notice. For the most current list of participating lounges and access requirements, please use the Lounge Finder feature in the American Express App or visit www.americanexpress.com/findalounge .

Alcohol Disclosure

Must be 21 years of age or older to consume alcoholic beverages. Please drink responsibly. 

Fine Hotels + Resorts ®

Fine Hotels + Resorts ® (FHR) program benefits are available for new bookings made through American Express Travel with participating properties and are valid only for eligible U.S. Consumer, Business, and Corporate Platinum Card ® Members and Centurion ® Members (Delta SkyMiles ® Platinum Card Members are not eligible). Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express ® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be traveling on the itinerary booked. The average total value of the program benefits is based on prior year bookings for stays of two nights; the actual value varies. Noon check in and room upgrade are subject to availability and are provided at check in; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of experience credit varies by property; the experience credit will be applied to eligible charges up to the amount of the experience credit. Advance reservations are recommended for certain experience credits. The type and value of the daily breakfast (for two) varies by property; breakfast will be valued at a minimum of US$60 per room per day. If the cost of Wi Fi is included in a mandatory property fee, a daily credit of that amount will be applied at check out. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three room limit per stay). Back to back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24 hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional FHR benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the Property reserve the right to modify or revoke FHR benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you may have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your FHR benefits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check out in USD or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change.

$200 Hotel Credit

You can earn up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when you use an eligible U.S. Consumer Basic Platinum or Additional Platinum Card to pay for eligible prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts ® and The Hotel Collection bookings made through American Express Travel (meaning through amextravel.com , the Amex ® App, or by calling the phone number on the back of your eligible Card) or when you use an eligible Additional Gold Card on such Platinum Card Account to pay for eligible prepaid bookings for The Hotel Collection made through American Express Travel (meaning through amextravel.com , the Amex ® App, or by calling the phone number on the back of your eligible Card). Fine Hotels + Resorts ® program bookings may be made only by eligible U.S. Consumer Basic Platinum and Additional Platinum Card Members. The Hotel Collection bookings may be made by eligible U.S. Consumer Basic and Additional Platinum Card Members and Additional Gold Card Members on the Platinum Card Account. Delta SkyMiles ® Platinum Card Members are not eligible for the benefit. To receive the statement credits, an eligible Card Member must make a new booking using their eligible Card through American Express Travel on or after July 1st, 2021, that is prepaid (referred to as "Pay Now" on amextravel.com and the Amex App), for a qualifying stay at an available, participating Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection property. Bookings of The Hotel Collection require a minimum stay of two consecutive nights. Purchases by both the Basic Card Member and any Additional Card Members on the Card Account are eligible for statement credits. However, the total amount of statement credits for eligible purchases will not exceed $200 on the Card Account per calendar year. Eligible bookings must be processed before December 31st, 11:59PM Central Time, each calendar year to be eligible for statement credits within that year. American Express relies on the merchant to process transactions within the same calendar year that you made the prepaid booking in order to apply the statement credit in the calendar year that it was intended. For example, if you make an eligible prepaid booking on the last day of the year, but the merchant doesn't process that transaction until the next day, then the statement credit available in the next calendar year will be applied to the Card Account, if the purchase is eligible. Statement credits may not be received or may be reversed if the booking is cancelled or modified. Eligible bookings do not include interest charges, cancellation fees, property fees or other similar fees, or any charges by a property to you (whether for your booking, your stay or otherwise). Please allow up to 90 days after an eligible charge is posted to the Card Account for the applicable statement credits to be posted to the Card Account. Call the number on the back of your eligible Card if statement credits have not posted by that time. To be eligible for this benefit, your Card account must not be cancelled or past due at the time of statement credit fulfillment. If American Express does not receive information that identifies your transaction as eligible, you will not receive the statement credits. For example, your transaction will not be eligible if it is a booking: (i) made with a property not included in the Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection programs, (ii) not made through American Express Travel, or (iii) not made with an eligible Card. Participating properties and their availability are subject to change. If American Express, in its sole discretion, determines that you have engaged in or intend to engage in any manner of abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with this benefit, American Express will not have an obligation to provide and may reverse any statement credits provided to you. Please refer to AmericanExpress.com/FHR and AmericanExpress.com/HC for more information about Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection, respectively.

The Hotel Collection Program

The Hotel Collection benefits are available for new bookings of two consecutive nights or more made through American Express Travel with participating properties and are valid only for eligible U.S. Consumer and Business Gold Card, Platinum Card® and Centurion® Members (Delta SkyMiles® Gold and Platinum Card Members are not eligible). Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be traveling on the itinerary booked. Room upgrade is subject to availability and is provided at check-in; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of experience credit varies by property; the experience credit will be applied to eligible charges up to $100. Advance reservations are recommended for certain experience credits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay); back-to-back stays within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in USD or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. 

Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status 

As a Platinum Card® Member or Business Platinum Card® Member you are eligible to enroll in complimentary Marriott Bonvoy™ Gold Elite Status. Once you request enrollment within the Marriott Bonvoy at Gold Elite level, American Express will share your enrollment information with Marriott International Inc. Marriott may use this information in accordance with its privacy statement available at  marriottbonvoy.com/privacy . You will maintain Gold Elite Status without meeting otherwise required Marriott Bonvoy criteria as long as you remain an eligible American Express Card Member or until American Express notifies you that the benefit is terminated. Marriott Bonvoy member benefits are subject to change, availability and certain eligibility requirements. Reservations booked through third parties and online booking sources are not eligible. For complete Marriott Bonvoy terms visit marriottbonvoy.com/terms. Marriott Bonvoy amenities may not be combined with the Fine Hotels + Resorts program. Upgrades are based upon availability and will vary by property. 

Hilton Honors Gold Status Enrollment

As a Platinum Card Member you are eligible to enroll in complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status. Offer available only to Platinum Card Members and is not transferable. Full details of Gold status can be found at  hiltonhonors.com/memberbenefits  and is subject to change by Hilton. Gold status benefits are subject to availability at participating hotels and resorts within the Hilton Portfolio. Once you request enrollment in the Hilton Honors program, American Express will share your enrollment information with Hilton. Hilton may use this information in accordance with its privacy policy available at hilton.com/en/p/global-privacy-statement/ . If you already have Hilton Honors Gold status, you can maintain the benefit in the future because you do not need to meet any stay requirements. You maintain Gold status without meeting otherwise required criteria only while an eligible Card Member or until American Express notifies you that the benefit is terminated. Hilton Honors membership, earning and redemption of Points are subject to Hilton Honors Terms and Conditions. Visit hiltonhonors.com/terms for more details. ©2022 Hilton 

The Global Dining Access program (“GDA”) is a benefit available to eligible Card Members. “Eligible Card Members” are account holders of Platinum Card ® or Centurion ® Card from American Express, Business Platinum Card ® , Business Centurion ® Card from American Express, Corporate Platinum Card ® or Corporate Centurion ® Card from American Express, Delta SkyMiles ® Reserve American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles ® Reserve Business American Express Card, Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, The Platinum Card ® from American Express Exclusively for Morgan Stanley, The Platinum Card ® from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab, The Platinum Card ® from American Express for Goldman Sachs, and The Centurion ® Card from American Express for Goldman Sachs (and any Additional Card Member(s) on their accounts). GDA may not be available for Cards issued from some countries. GDA provides eligible Card Members with (a) access to exclusive reservations, (b) Priority Notify, which allows GDA members to set notifications to be in the first group notified when tables become available before they are made available to other Resy users, and (c) access to exclusive events. GDA reservations are accessible through the Resy iOS App and Website (“Resy Sites”) and Concierge. Some features of GDA, like Priority Notify, may not be available through Concierge. To access this benefit through the Resy iOS App, you must download the Resy App; or if you already have the Resy iOS App, ensure the latest update is downloaded. When using the Resy Sites, create a Resy account or log into your existing Resy account and add your eligible Card to your Resy account. If you are assigned a new Card number, you must update the Card number in your Resy account. When you use GDA, a badge will be placed on your Resy profile, letting restaurants know that you are a member of the GDA program. Reservations are based on a first-come, first-served basis. In the event of a reservation cancellation, you will be subject to the restaurant’s cancellation policy. Generally, same-day reservations that are not booked by GDA members are released back to restaurants at certain times of day that vary across restaurant policies. American Express and Resy make no representations or warranties regarding the availability of reservations, events, and/or experiences, which shall at all times be subject to availability and the discretion of the applicable restaurant. American Express and Resy are not responsible for informing the restaurants of any dietary restrictions or for a restaurant being able to accommodate such restrictions. There is no cost to you for booking services through GDA, although you are responsible for any purchases or fees you authorize to be charged to your Card account. GDA reservations and events are intended for personal use only and cannot be resold or used for commercial purposes. By participating in the GDA program, you are accepting these GDA terms and conditions, which are in addition to and do not replace the Resy Sites’ Terms of Service. To be eligible for this benefit, your Card account must not be cancelled.

American Express x Resy  Events 

All events are hosted by Resy in select cities. Reservations are available exclusively to eligible American Express Card Members (eligibility varies by event) during the specified sales period. Reservations must be purchased with an eligible American Express Card and are subject to availability. Standard services charges apply. 

SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit

Basic Card Members and Additional Card Members on U.S. Consumer Platinum Card Accounts are eligible to receive a $300 statement credit when using their Card to make a single purchase of a SoulCycle At-Home Bike online at www.equinoxplus.com/amexbikebenefit . A 12-month Equinox+ membership is required to purchase a SoulCycle At-Home bike. The SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit may not be combined with any other discounts or offers unless indicated. The SoulCycle At-Home Bike is available to purchase and ship in the 48 contiguous United States and Washington, D.C. Platinum Card Members can receive the $300 statement credit on up to 15 individual SoulCycle At-Home Bike purchases per calendar year. Purchases made in-store or through the Equinox mobile app are not eligible for the statement credit. Not valid on purchases of gift cards or purchases of the SoulCycle At-Home Bike made using a financing option at the time of purchase. Equinox+ memberships and accessories purchased separately from a SoulCycle At-Home Bike are not eligible for the statement credit. See the SoulCycle At-Home Bike website for shipping and return policies and restrictions. Limit of 1 statement credit per purchase of a SoulCycle At-Home Bike. Statement credits typically post to the account within 48 hours but may take up to 6-8 weeks after an eligible purchase is charged to your Card Account.

If American Express does not receive information that identifies your transaction as eligible for the benefit, you will not receive the statement credit. In addition, in most cases, you may not receive the statement credit if your transaction is made with an electronic wallet or through a third party or if the merchant uses a mobile or wireless card reader to process it.

To be eligible for this benefit, the Card Account must not be canceled and not past due at the time of statement credit fulfillment. If American Express, in its sole discretion, determines that you have engaged in or intend to engage in any manner of abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with this benefit, American Express will not have an obligation to provide statement credits and may reverse any statement credits provided to you. If a charge for an eligible purchase is included in a Pay Over Time balance on your Card Account, the statement credit associated with that charge may not be applied to that Pay Over Time balance. Instead, the statement credit may be applied to your Pay In Full balance.

For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.

$300 Equinox Credit

Basic Card Members and Additional Card Members on U.S. Consumer Platinum Card Accounts are eligible to receive up to a total of $300 in statement credits each calendar year across all Cards on the Platinum Account on membership fees for Equinox memberships (which include complimentary access to Equinox+ as part of membership) or a stand-alone membership to Equinox+. To receive this benefit, (1) the Basic Card Member must validate eligibility of the Card Account at the Equinox website through the link provided in the benefits section of their American Express online account or mobile app, or at https://platinum.equinox.com/ and (2) the Basic or Additional Card Member must use their eligible Card as the payment method directly with Equinox or Equinox+ (as applicable). Eligible Card Members must be at least eighteen (18) years old, or must have the written consent of a parent or legal guardian if they are between the ages of sixteen (16) and eighteen (18), to enroll in an Equinox membership. Please allow 6-8 weeks after an eligible purchase is charged to your Card Account for statement credit(s) to be posted to the Account. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, please call the number on the back of your Card.

To be eligible for this benefit, the Platinum Card Account must not be cancelled or past due at the time of statement credit fulfillment. If American Express, in its sole discretion, determines that you have engaged in or intend to engage in any manner of abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with this benefit, American Express will not have an obligation to provide statement credits and may reverse any statement credits provided to you. If you are enrolled in the benefit and replace your Card, please check the Benefits section of your americanexpress.com , mobile app or call the number on the back of your Card to confirm your continued enrollment in the benefit. If a charge for an eligible purchase is included in a Pay Over Time balance on your Card Account, the statement credit associated with that charge may not be applied to that Pay Over Time balance. Instead, the statement credit may be applied to your Pay In Full balance.

Equinox Membership Option.

Eligible Equinox membership types include Single Club, Regional Access, All-Access, Destination Access, and E by Equinox access. All Equinox memberships include complimentary access to Equinox+. Certain clubs are excluded from each membership type, and Equinox reserves the right to in the future exclude other clubs from its All-Access and Destination Access memberships. To access and use Equinox, eligible Card Members (or their parent or legal guardian, as applicable) must sign Equinox’s standard membership agreement and any other waivers and provide documentation generally required as part of Equinox’s joining process. Membership is subject at all times to Equinox’s membership agreement and Equinox’s standard rules, policies and procedures. Equinox reserves the right to terminate membership for any failure to comply with, or as otherwise permitted in, such agreement, rules, policies and procedures. Former Equinox members whose membership was terminated by Equinox for cause, or who are otherwise not allowed to access or use Equinox, are not eligible to join and participate in this benefit.

Equinox+ Membership Option.

To enroll, eligible Card Members (or their parent or legal guardian, as applicable) must follow the steps described above and then purchase an Equinox+ membership at www.equinoxplus.com and agree to the Equinox+ Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Membership in Equinox+ is subject at all times to the foregoing and Equinox Media’s additional standard rules, policies and procedures. Equinox Media reserves the right to terminate Equinox+ membership for any failure to comply with, or as otherwise permitted in, such terms, rules, policies and procedures. You will not receive the statement credit on your Equinox+ membership if you purchase your membership within the Equinox+ app or through a third party.

Walmart+ Monthly Membership Credit 

You can receive a statement credit for the monthly Walmart+ membership fee ($12.95 + applicable taxes) when you use your U.S. Consumer Platinum Card to pay for your monthly Walmart+ membership. Enrollment in monthly Walmart+ membership is required. Purchases of any membership Plus Ups (for example, Walmart InHome) are not eligible for this benefit. If you are already enrolled in the monthly Walmart+ membership, you will begin receiving your monthly statement credit after your monthly Walmart+ membership fee is charged to your Card. If you are enrolled in the annual Walmart+ membership, you will not be eligible to receive monthly statement credits for that annual membership. To receive the credit, you must switch your annual Walmart+ membership, at least one day before your annual renewal date, to a monthly Walmart+ membership. If you do not switch before your renewal date, your annual Walmart+ membership will automatically renew and the account will not receive the monthly statement credit for the annual membership fee. To switch your annual Walmart+ membership to a monthly membership, please update your membership type by visiting www.walmart.com/plus/amexplatinum or by calling 1 (800) 925-6278. Once enrolled in a monthly Walmart+ membership, your membership will automatically renew each month unless canceled and Walmart will charge the applicable membership fee to the Card Walmart has on file. To receive a monthly statement credit, you must have an eligible U.S. Consumer Platinum Card on file with Walmart and use that Card to pay for the monthly Walmart+ membership fee. American Express has no control over the approval process for Walmart+ and does not have access to any information provided to Walmart by the Card Member or by Walmart to the Card Member. A statement credit will be provided for only one monthly Walmart+ membership fee per Card Account per month, whether enrollment is made by the Basic Card Member or an Additional Card Member. Enrollment in the Walmart+ membership program is subject to the full Walmart+ Terms of Use (including the Walmart.com Terms of Use), found here: www.walmart.com/plus/amexplatinum/terms. For additional information on Walmart+ memberships, including a summary of their benefits and benefit availability, please go to www.walmart.com/plus. American Express has no control over, or responsibility for, the Walmart+ membership program which is subject to change according to the Walmart+ terms. Please allow up to 6-8 weeks after a qualifying monthly Walmart+ membership fee is charged to your Card Account for the statement credit to be posted to the Account. American Express relies on accurate transaction data to identify eligible Walmart+ membership purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, please call the number on the back of your Card. To be eligible for this benefit, your Card account must not be cancelled or past due at the time of statement credit fulfillment. If a charge or an eligible purchase is included in a Pay Over Time balance on your Card Account, the statement credit associated with that charge may not be applied to that Pay Over Time balance. Instead, the statement credit may be applied to your Pay In Full balance. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card. 

$240 Digital Entertainment Credit

Enrollment is required to receive the benefit. Only the Basic Card Member or Authorized Account Manager(s) on a U.S. Consumer Platinum Card Account can enroll in the benefit. Eligible purchases (see below) must be made directly with the participating partners in the U.S. locations where the partners’ services are available. Purchases by both the Basic Card Member and Additional Card Members on the enrolled Card Account are eligible for statement credits. However, each Card Account is eligible for up to $20 in statement credits per calendar month, for a total of $240 per calendar year in statement credits across all Cards on the Account. Participating partners are Audible, Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. Age minimums and other restrictions apply to use of each partner's services; see each partner’s terms and conditions for more information. Purchases of prepaid or gift cards from third-party retailers for use at these participating partners are not eligible for this benefit.

Audible:  All Audible purchases made directly through www.audible.com are eligible, for example, Audible subscriptions (Audible Plus and Audible Premium Plus) and audiobook purchases. 

Disney+:  All Disney+ purchases made directly through www.disneyplus.com are eligible, for example, Premier Access purchases and The Disney Bundle. The Disney Bundle includes Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+. The Hulu plans available as part of The Disney Bundle are Hulu (ad-supported) or Hulu (No Ads) plan. Access content from each service separately and access select ESPN+ content via Hulu.

ESPN+:  All ESPN+ purchases made directly through plus.espn.com are eligible, for example, Pay Per View (PPV) purchases and The Disney Bundle. The Disney Bundle includes Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+. The Hulu plans available as part of The Disney Bundle are Hulu (ad-supported) or Hulu (No Ads) plan. Access content from each service separately and access select ESPN+ content via Hulu.

Hulu:  All Hulu purchases made directly through www.hulu.com are eligible, for example, The Disney Bundle. The Disney Bundle includes Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+. The Hulu plans available as part of The Disney Bundle are Hulu (ad-supported) or Hulu (No Ads) plan. Access content from each service separately and access select ESPN+ content via Hulu.

Peacock:  Eligible purchases for Peacock include all Peacock subscriptions, for example, Peacock Premium and Premium Plus, made directly online at www.peacocktv.com. Eligible purchases do not include subscriptions bundled with cable services or other bundles, promotional offers through third parties, or gift cards. 

SiriusXM:  Eligible purchases for SiriusXM include purchases made directly with SiriusXM (US) at www.siriusxm.com, through SiriusXM telephone sales or direct mail order purchase transactions. Eligible purchases do not include SiriusXM safety, security or telematics services (connected vehicle); SiriusXM for Business subscriptions, SiriusXM ad sales, or any transactions involving SiriusXM’s Stitcher or Pandora services.  

The New York Times:  Eligible purchases for The New York Times include any subscriptions, for example, digital or print news, NYT Cooking, Wirecutter, and New York Times Games, made directly through www.nytimes.com/subscription. Eligible purchases do not include advertising services, NYT conferences, gift cards, the TimesDigest or purchases from the NYTimes company store.

Please allow 6-8 weeks after an eligible purchase is charged to your Card Account for statement credit(s) to be posted to the Account. Please call the number on the back of the Card if statement credits have not posted after 8 weeks from the date of purchase. American Express relies on the merchant to process transactions within the same calendar month that you made the purchase in order to apply the $20 monthly statement credit in the month that it was intended. For example, if you make an eligible purchase on the last day of the month, but the merchant doesn't process that transaction until the next day, then the statement credit would be applied in the following month. If American Express does not receive information that identifies your transaction as eligible for the benefit, you will not receive the statement credit. For example, your transaction will not be eligible if it is not made directly with the merchant. In addition, in most cases, you may not receive the statement credit if your transaction is made with an electronic wallet or through a third party (such as an app store or cable bundle) or if the merchant uses a mobile or wireless card reader to process it. To be eligible for this benefit, Card Account(s) must not be canceled and not past due at the time of statement credit fulfillment. If you receive a refund for an eligible purchase and the statement credit has been applied before the merchant refunds the charges, that statement credit will be reversed. If a charge for an eligible purchase is included in a Pay Over Time balance on your Card Account, the statement credit associated with that charge may not be applied to that Pay Over Time balance. Instead, the statement credit may be applied to your Pay In Full balance. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.

Instant Card Number 

Instant Card Number eligibility is based on our ability to instantly authenticate you. If you are eligible for Instant Card Number, you will receive an Instant Card Number that you may be able to use virtually anywhere American Express is accepted and a physical Card will not be required. In certain instances (for example, if we cannot instantly authenticate you) you may only be able to use your Instant Card Number at a select merchant until you receive your physical Card. You may not have access to your full credit line until after you confirm receipt of your physical Card. We will mail your physical Card within 3-5 days of account approval.

¤ Rates and Fees

Citi Upgrades Premier Card As Travel Spending Takes Off

Citi  is enhancing its Premier credit card to offer new benefits and protections for travelers.

The banking giant’s  Strata Premier card , announced Monday (May 13), offers increased benefits and more opportunities to earn rewards, and comes amid a surge in spending on travel across age and income brackets.

“We heard from our cardmembers that they want to be rewarded for their travels as well as their everyday spending,”  Anthony Merola , head of proprietary products for U.S. branded cards at Citi, said in a news release. “The Citi Strata Premier Card now offers extra ways for cardmembers to earn on travel and turn their purchases into future experiences.”

The card offers protections in cases of things like canceled or interrupted trips and lost luggage, along with once-a-year $100 discounts on hotel stays of $500 or more.

“Over  three quarters  of American consumers are likely to leverage credit card travel benefits, so we partnered with Citi to refresh a card product that enhances their traveler experiences,” said  Jason Lane , executive vice president, global account management at Mastercard.  “We’ve focused on essential benefits that travelers value, by adding protections that help make sure every journey is plain-sailing.”

As covered here last month, spending among high-income consumers has contributed to a first-quarter surge in travel spending.

PYMNTS Intelligence’s most recent  “ Last Transactions ”  analysis of consumer spending patterns during the quarter shows an increase among all age groups in the travel category, with credit card usage seeing a 24% bump compared to the prior quarter.

However, it was consumers 44 years or older and making more than $100,000 per year who consistently outspent their younger counterparts and those in lower income brackets.

The research suggests that the older demographic’s willingness to use credit cards for travel purchases underlines their trust in credit providers, many of whom  offer protections  against canceled trips and fraudulent charges.

“The difference in spending could also be attributed to varying priorities, financial strategies or available leisure time, with many older consumers being retired and having more flexibility to travel,” the PYMNTS Intelligence report said.

As covered here last week,  there are other factors driving  the increase in travel spending, such as the rise in business travel, especially among global multinational companies. Companies like  American Express Global Business Travel  as well as major airlines have all recently reported a  rebound in corporate travel .

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12 hotels where you can stay for half price (or break even) with your Amex Platinum credit

The Platinum Card® from American Express offers a slew of incredible benefits for travelers, ranging from statement credits to status upgrades to lounge benefits , resulting in one of the best collections of membership perks of any card out there for its undoubtedly high $695 annual fee (see rates and fees ).

One of the main benefits for cardholders comes in the form of an annual up-to-$200 statement credit on prepaid nights at hotels that are part of American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection .

Book stays at the included properties through Amex Travel , and pay with your Amex Platinum card. You might even end up spending a night for half off (and in some cases, close to nothing at all) once the statement credit comes through (it's good for up to $200 annually).

From Bali to Miami , here are lots of noteworthy hotels with availability between $150 and $550 per night that are within both the American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection portfolios.

Perks through Fine Hotels + Resorts

It's especially appealing to book through Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts thanks to all the standard perks that get added onto reservations for Amex Platinum or Centurion cardholders, including the following (regardless of the length of your stay):

• Room upgrade upon arrival, when available at check-in (properties may exclude some room types, and some may only give you a room with a better view)
• Complimentary daily breakfast for two people
• Guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout
• Noon check-in, when available
• Complimentary Wi-Fi*
• Experience credit valued at $100 or more, usually consisting of a property, dining or spa credit

*When a property includes Wi-Fi in a mandatory resort fee, you'll receive a daily credit equal to the property's standard Wi-Fi cost.

The information for the Centurion cards have been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Perks through The Hotel Collection

The Hotel Collection properties allow upgrades based on availability at check-in, as well as an experience credit, but a two-night minimum stay is usually required.

Hotels to book with your Amex Platinum credit

While there are many hotels you can book in the Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection portfolios, some provide significant discounts and end up costing next to nothing once you tack on the Amex Platinum hotel statement credit. You might even end up ahead once you add in the $100 experience or property credits that come with all of the below stays.

Hotel La Compañía

Between the statement credit and the $100 experience credit, you can break nearly even at this treasure of a Panama City, Panama, hotel where room rates average around $317 per night. Overlooking the Casco Antiguo — the city's pedestrian-friendly historic neighborhood, brimming with restaurants, bars and boutiques — Hotel La Compañía ties French, Spanish and beaux-arts decor influences into its various wings.

Don't miss a meal on-site at the hotel's excellent restaurant, El Santuario, where you can dine on Panamanian-, Spanish- and Indian-inflected dishes under grand vaulted ceilings in a space that was once a sacred monastery.

Additional FHR perk: A $100 experience credit that can be used at the hotel during your stay — perhaps toward a custom wine tasting in the hotel's exquisite underground cellar.

Vana Belle, a Luxury Collection Resort, Koh Samui

Overlooking the Gulf of Thailand, Vana Belle, a Luxury Collection Resort, Koh Samui puts explorations on one of Thailand's most storied islands at your doorstep.

With average rates of $307 per night, your statement credit and experience credit can nearly cover an entire night's stay. When you're not strolling the white sand beach fronting the property, dipping in the infinity pool or indulging in yet another Thai massage, visit nearby attractions like the Samui Elephant Sanctuary, the Buddhist temple complex of Wat Phra Yai on a small offshore island or famous Chaweng Beach, just a short taxi ride north.

Additional FHR perk: A $100 experience credit that can be used at the hotel during your stay, perhaps to enjoy a spread of spicy savory southern Thai cuisine at the resort's great restaurant, Panali.

Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Cusco

Heady times await in the vertiginous city of Cusco, Peru, perched in the Andes at 11,152 feet. Stay in the heart of the city's historic center, right across from the Temple of the Sun, at Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Cusco, where TPG found average room rates for around $369 per night.

The hotel occupies a mansion that's more than 500 years old and is loaded with hand-carved furnishings, Latin American artwork (including pre-Inca pieces) and antiques, creating a real sense of place alongside the creature comforts you crave in a luxury stay. Rooms are painted rich reds and ochres and decorated with ceramics and tiles, adding to the richness of the hotel's ambience.

Additional FHR perk: A $100 experience credit that can be used at the hotel during your stay, perhaps to enjoy taking in a thermal circuit or a hydromassage in the on-site spa.

Kimpton De Witt Amsterdam

Just a five-minute walk from Amsterdam's main train station and central to many other iconic sights in Holland's main metropolis, the Kimpton De Witt Amsterdam feels like a thrilling little boutique find set amid the hectic tourist heart of town.

Average rates hover around $356, meaning your statement and experience credit go a long way to defray a night's stay. Make time for cocktails in the hotel's pretty interior garden, and channel some of the hotel's California inspiration during Taco Tuesdays and Margarita Mondays at Celia restaurant.

Frette robes and yoga mats make for nice room amenities, and you can hop on one of the hotel's complimentary bicycles to get around town like the Dutch do.

Additional FHR perk: A $100 experience credit that can be used at the hotel during your stay.

Related: The top Kimpton Hotels across the world, according to IHG Diamond members

PGA National Resort

Spend some time in the South Florida sun playing golf or just relaxing poolside when you check into PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, where you can take your pick of six championship golf courses for play. Rooms average around $500 but can often be found for far less, particularly midweek.

The resort's spa offers unique ocean-inspired treatments like seafoam body wraps. You're spoiled for pools to lounge by here, too, with three in the mix.

Additional FHR perk : A $100 experience credit that can be used at the hotel during your stay, perhaps toward dinner at retro-inspired Birdie's Diner.

Kimpton Epic Hotel

A downtown Miami pick for sweeping city views from the rooms' floor-to-ceiling windows and two prime rooftop pools, the riverfront Kimpton Epic Hotel is pet-friendly and located a short stroll from Brickell and the Bayfront Park. Average per-night rates start at just $254, too.

There are so many great restaurants nearby (including Zuma, right off the hotel's lobby), but make time for a meal at Area 31 on the hotel's 16th floor for one of the best whole-fish entrees in town (they debone it tableside so you don't have to do any work). The dazzling views from the rooftop tables shouldn't be missed.

The Hotel Collection perk: For Amex Platinum cardholders staying two nights or longer, a $100 experience credit can be used on qualifying dining, spa and resort activities.

Related: TPG's ultimate guide to Miami and South Florida

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

Average room rates hover around the $470 per night mark at this popular Las Vegas hotel and casino in the FHR collection.

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas ' pool scene is a favorite along the Las Vegas Strip, with a "Pool District" that includes three different experiences, among them the adults-only Marquee Dayclub.

Additional FHR perk : A $100 experience credit that can be used at the hotel's desert-inspired Sahra Spa, Salon & Hammam during your stay.

Related: Jackpot! Best hotels in Vegas for a Sin City getaway

The Ritz-Carlton, Bali

One of the most spectacular properties on an island full of them, TPG recently found rates in the Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts collection for around the $540 mark for junior suites at The Ritz-Carlton, Bali, where cliffside villas with private pools overlook the ocean in Nusa Dua. It's a splurge, to be sure, but there are so many things to love at this resort.

If you do just one thing on-site, soak in the spa's Hydro-Vital Pool, where you can relax at five hydrotherapy stations within a tropical greenhouse setting.

Additional FHR perk: A $100 property credit you can use anywhere, including at the hotel's clifftop Indonesian restaurant and spa.

Related: Stay at these amazing Ritz-Carltons around the world

Casa de Campo Resort & Villas

The Dominican Republic makes for one of the more accessible Caribbean getaways. And if you're into golfing, you can leave the Punta Cana crowds behind with a stay at Casa de Campo Resort & Villas, an Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts property along the island's south coast that's home to three award-winning courses.

We found nights for under $570 in superior casitas that come with a complimentary personal golf cart for cruising the resort's vast and rolling grounds. The three Pete Dye-designed golf courses make Casa de Campo a runaway favorite with the golf crowd, and there are also an equestrian center and an on-site marina where you can head out on deep-sea fishing excursions.

Additional FHR perk: Complimentary round of golf for two people per room (includes all applicable fees, including green fees and cart fees).

Canopy by Hilton Cancun La Isla

With rates consistently around or below the $200 mark (TPG recently found a room for just $152 per night), this urban hotel overlooking Nichupte Lagoon in Cancun, Mexico , may not be on the beach but still offers lots of great amenities.

Part of The Hotel Collection, the Canopy by Hilton Cancun La Isla has a rooftop pool and is directly connected to the nightlife and restaurants of La Isla Entertainment Village.

The Hotel Collection perk: For Amex Platinum cardholders staying two nights or longer, a $100 experience credit can be used on dining, spa and resort activities.

Hotel William Gray

Also in The Hotel Collection, the Hotel William Gray in Montreal shows rates around the $330 mark and makes for an elegant stay right near the Place Jacques-Cartier and the Old Port of Montreal.

The rooftop bar, Terrasse William Gray, has fab views of the St. Lawrence River and heaters that switch on when the temperatures drop.

Ink 48 Hotel

Stay for a steal in New York City when you put your $200 credit toward the $327 average rate for a stay at the stylish Ink 48 Hotel in Hell's Kitchen.

After a day of sightseeing, return to a room or suite with a deep soaking bathtub and views of New York City or the Hudson River. The complimentary wine hour every evening is a particularly nice touch for a city hotel.

Related reading:

• The best hotel credit cards
• Guide to lounge access with the Amex Platinum and Business Platinum
• The 7 do's and don'ts in an airport lounge
• 7 domestic lounges that are worth going out of your way for
• Which is the best American Express credit card for you?

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum card, click here .