Using Your Amex Hotel Credit Before the End of the Year? Here Are 3 Things to Know (2025 Edition for Smart Travelers)
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Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!- Using your Amex hotel credit before the end of the year? Here are 3 things to know so you don’t lose out on hundreds in savings.
- Your Amex hotel credit works only on certain properties through Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection—know the difference.
- Bookings must be made through Amex Travel and be prepaid to qualify.
- You don’t have to complete your stay before December 31—but you do need to make the reservation.
- Great for luxury travelers and couples looking for end-of-year getaways at top properties.
Table of Contents
- What Exactly Is the Amex Hotel Credit?
- Using Your Amex Hotel Credit Before the End of the Year? Here Are 3 Things to Know
- Best Ways to Use the Amex Hotel Credit for 2025 Trips
- How to Plan This Trip the Smart Way
- HopStrip-Style Tips and Tools for This Trip
- FAQ: Using Your Amex Hotel Credit Before the End of the Year? Here Are 3 Things to Know
What Exactly Is the Amex Hotel Credit?
Let’s start with the basics, because it’s easy to get this wrong and accidentally miss the perk.
The Amex hotel credit is a benefit for personal and business Platinum cardholders, offering a $200 annual statement credit on prepaid hotel bookings made via Amex Travel. But not just any hotel applies. You must book through one of two premium collections:
- Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) – For high-end properties and luxury perks like room upgrades, late checkout, and breakfast.
- The Hotel Collection (THC) – Requires a minimum two-night stay, but still offers benefits like a $100 property credit.
The kicker? You must prepay for the booking using Amex Travel online—phone reservations or pay-at-hotel options don’t count.
Bonus tip: The credit resets every calendar year, meaning if you don’t use it by December 31, 2025, you lose it.
Using Your Amex Hotel Credit Before the End of the Year? Here Are 3 Things to Know
If you’re racing against the December clock, keep these key details front and center for a stress-free, value-packed booking:
1. You Don’t Need to Travel in December—Just Book
One of the biggest misconceptions is that you have to stay before December 31. Not true. You just need to book and prepay before the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve. Your actual stay can happen in 2026 and still count toward this year’s credit.
This is especially useful if you’re planning spring or summer trips and want to lock in high-season dates early. Just make sure availability is open and the rate is prepaid.
→ HopStrip tip: Search for refundable prepaid rates in case travel plans shift. Use Amex Travel’s filters to spot these options.
2. It Must Be a Prepaid Booking Through Amex Travel
You can’t book direct with the hotel. You also can’t use third-party sites like Booking.com or Expedia. The credit only applies if:
- You book via Amex Travel online, and
- You select a prepaid option.
Check all the boxes at checkout, and always double-confirm that the booking says “eligible for hotel credit.”
3. Not All Hotels Qualify—Stick to FHR or THC
Don’t assume that just because the hotel is five stars, it’s eligible. Only stays booked under the Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection umbrella count.
- For lavish single-night stays, choose from Fine Hotels + Resorts—these include big-name brands like Waldorf Astoria, Four Seasons, and St. Regis.
- For two-nighters, look at Hotel Collection properties. You’ll get a $100 experience credit (spa, dining, etc.) even if it’s slightly less luxurious.
You can search directly via the Fine Hotels + Resorts or Hotel Collection filters on Amex Travel to save time.
Read more on the associated terms and booking tips from the original source here.
Best Ways to Use the Amex Hotel Credit for 2025 Trips
If you’re starting to plan future trips (hello, spring escapes or bucket-list stays), using your Amex hotel credit now to reserve 2025 lodging is a savvy move.
Here are the smartest ways to apply the credit:
Couples Getaways
Use the Fine Hotels + Resorts credit for a one-night romantic trip to places like:
- The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay (CA): Coastal charm, ocean views, and spa perks.
- The Carlyle, NYC: Glam Upper East Side escape with breakfast and room upgrades.
Solo Business Travel
Opt for Hotel Collection properties in major cities:
- Hyatt Centric in downtown Chicago
- Andaz in San Diego or Miami
You’ll get elevated experiences even for a short work trip.
Family Travel
Need two nights during a road trip? Book a Hotel Collection stay where the $100 credit can be used at onsite restaurants—great for feeding kids without leaving the hotel.
Tip: Some THC properties have connecting rooms or suites, ideal for families.
→ Book confidently using our affiliate partner to check hotel prices for your travel dates.
How to Plan This Trip the Smart Way
Let’s say you haven’t yet used your 2025 Amex hotel credit but want to. Here’s a step-by-step approach, HopStrip style:
- Log in to Amex Travel portal and search for hotels using the Fine Hotels + Resorts or Hotel Collection tabs.
- Filter your preferences—look for prepaid, refundable, and available perks.
- Choose a 1- or 2-night stay in a destination you genuinely want to visit (early 2026 works just fine).
- Prepay now before Dec 31—the stay can be for next year, but the trigger is the payment date.
- Save all confirmations and monitor your account to ensure the $200 credit posts within a couple of weeks.
- Need transport? Use book a fixed-rate airport transfer to make your stay even smoother.
HopStrip-Style Tips and Tools for This Trip
At HopStrip, we believe in practical planning + elevated experiences. Here’s how our travelers get more out of the Amex hotel credit:
- Double Dip with Rewards: Even though you book through Amex Travel, check if your hotel brand lets you add a frequent loyalty number. Some still honor upgrades or perks.
- Combine with a Local Tour: Extend your luxury stay with a smart activity like a wine tour or food crawl. Use our partner site to book top-rated local tours.
- Carry Smart Gear: Make the most of premium hotels (with rooftop pools or spa bathrooms!) by packing packable robes, a great dopp kit, or a Bluetooth speaker for in-room vibes.
- Use Geo-Flexibility: If top cities are sold out, browse less obvious luxury locations—like Santa Fe or Charleston—for availability and better value.
- Stack with Hotel Deals: Some FHR hotels promote seasonal packages or added bonuses that still qualify. Check available hotel deal bundles.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
FAQ: Using Your Amex Hotel Credit Before the End of the Year? Here Are 3 Things to Know
Q: If I book a hotel in December but the trip is in January, does the credit still count?
A: Yes! As long as the reservation is made and prepaid via the Amex Travel portal by December 31, it qualifies—even if your actual check-in is in 2026.
Q: Do I need to stay two nights to qualify?
A: Only for The Hotel Collection bookings. For Fine Hotels + Resorts, a single-night stay is fine and still qualifies.
Q: What happens if I cancel the hotel stay?
A: If you cancel a refundable prepaid booking, most or all of your payment will be returned—but the $200 credit may be clawed back. Always check the cancellation policy when booking.
Q: What’s the best way to find eligible hotels quickly?
A: Use the “Fine Hotels + Resorts” or “Hotel Collection” tabs in Amex Travel. You’ll only see properties that meet the criteria for the credit.
Q: Can I combine this with Amex offers or other travel credits?
A: Potentially, yes. Some hotel offers may be stackable, but benefits like Marriott or Hilton loyalty perks might not apply when booking through Amex Travel. Carefully read the fine print.
Whether you’re planning a luxe New Year’s Eve getaway or just trying to beat the calendar with a future trip booking, using your Amex hotel credit before the end of the year is one of the smartest travel money moves. Don’t let it slip by.
HopStrip travelers know how to mix strategy with spontaneity. Take a few moments, plan that 2025 getaway, and let Amex pick up $200 of the tab.
