Using Your Amex Hotel Credit Before the End of the Year? Here Are 3 Things to Know — Essential Guide for Smart Travelers in 2025
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
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: it can unlock luxe stays, dining perks, and surprising value — even last-minute.
- Your credit only works at Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection, so knowing the difference matters.
- You’ll need to book through AmexTravel.com or the Amex app and prepay in advance — timing is everything.
- This is ideal for luxury seekers, anniversary getaways, or solo travelers wanting five-star benefits for less.
- Pro tip: pair your credit with Amex Platinum perks for freebies like room upgrades, breakfast, and late checkout.
Table of Contents:
- What Is the Amex Hotel Credit and How Does It Work?
- Top Mistakes People Make When Using Their Amex Hotel Credit
- Where Should You Use It? Best Value Destinations for 2025
- 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 Is the Amex Hotel Credit and How Does It Work?
American Express Platinum and Business Platinum cardholders receive an annual statement credit of up to $200 (USD) that can be used on prepaid hotel bookings.
But here’s the key: the credit only applies when you book through the American Express Travel portal (official rules here), and only for certain properties — specifically:
- Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR): Luxury hotels around the world with exclusive Platinum-only perks like room upgrades, daily breakfast for two, late checkout, and $100 property credits.
- The Hotel Collection (THC): Mid-to-upscale hotels where you get a $100 experience credit (spa or dining) on stays of two nights or more.
Important: You must prepay in full through AmexTravel.com or the Amex app. Bookings paid directly to the hotel won’t qualify.
This credit resets annually per calendar year, so if you haven’t used it yet, you’re on the clock until December 31.
Top Mistakes People Make When Using Their Amex Hotel Credit
Before you rush to book, let’s cover some common pitfalls we’ve seen HopStrip travelers fall into:
- Booking Too Late in the Year: Many luxury hotels have limited prepaid availability around the holidays, so trying to use your credit in late December could leave you with slim pickings (or nothing at all). Consider booking late November or early December to get the best hotel options before the frenzy begins.
- Forgetting Eligible Properties: Only FHR and THC hotels are eligible. For example, luxury chain hotels like Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons may not be in either program — always check directly on the Amex Travel portal to see what qualifies.
- Ignoring Geographic Advantage: Domestic cities often have more FHR options — think NYC, Miami, Las Vegas, or San Francisco — which makes this a great excuse for a weekend luxury escape. But global travelers shouldn’t ignore overseas gems (Bangkok and London have strong FHR lineups, too).
Where Should You Use It? Best Value Destinations for 2025
If you’re asking yourself, “using your Amex hotel credit before the end of the year? Here are 3 things to know,”… this is #4: not all locations give the same bang for your buck. Consider these sweet spots to stretch your Amex credit further:
- Las Vegas: Many FHR hotels in Vegas go for less than the $200 credit — combine that with room upgrades, $100 food credits, and late checkout, and it’s a luxury experience for next to nothing. Ideal for couples or solo travelers wanting a luxe reset.
- London: With a strong FHR presence and constant GBP–USD value shifts, you can occasionally snag a luxury London hotel for around $250/night prepaid — making that credit go further internationally.
- Miami + South Beach: Combine Amex credits and beach time with stylish boutique stays that qualify under The Hotel Collection (minimum two nights required). You’ll still get dining credits and upgrades to enjoy your suite life.
- Aspen or Lake Tahoe: Planning a winter escape? Book a luxury hotel for your first ski night and stack your Amex credit with front-loaded resort perks — a strategy many HopStrip readers use during ski season.
Pro tip: Check deals through the American Express app and stack with Expedia prices — or compare hotels directly here and see how they overlap.
How to Plan This Trip the Smart Way
- Check Your Amex Travel Account Now: Log in through the Amex app or site and confirm that your $200 hotel credit is still available. Some cardholders forget they’ve used part of it earlier in the year.
- Search for FHR or The Hotel Collection Properties: Use the filters in Amex Travel to only view qualifying hotels — don’t assume a big-name chain counts.
- Prioritize Weekday Stays: Weekend rates often spike. If you’re flexible, booking a Monday–Wednesday stay can offer better hotel availability and value.
- Look for Stackable Perks: Some FHR properties sync up with promotions on Amex Offers or run bonus loyalty point deals — check both before booking.
- Make Your Booking Prepaid Through Amex: This is essential — payment must go through the Amex portal or app in full ahead of time.
- Book Airport Transfers and Activities Ahead of Time: To complete a smooth, luxe experience, book a fixed-rate airport transfer and optionally add a spa or city tour through a curated activity platform.
HopStrip-Style Tips and Tools for This Trip
At HopStrip, we believe in stretching every travel dollar while upgrading your experience. Here’s how we’d max out your Amex hotel credit:
- Combine a prepaid FHR hotel night with a longer trip: use the Amex night as your first “splurge” night after a long-haul flight, then move to a more affordable stay via vacation rentals for the rest.
- Flying for the holidays? Compare flights around your target dates — sometimes the cost of flying a few days earlier saves enough to justify the luxury stay.
- Use smart travel gear: pack light with compression cubes and carry-on luggage for smoother hotel check-ins and late-electric checkouts.
And don’t forget travel insurance if the weather (or holidays) could interfere — we recommend this trusted travel insurance provider for reliable coverage.
FAQ: Using Your Amex Hotel Credit Before the End of the Year? Here Are 3 Things to Know
- Do I have to complete my hotel stay before December 31?
No — but you need to book and prepay before December 31 to use your Amex hotel credit. Your actual stay can be in early 2026, depending on availability.
- Can I use the credit on any hotel?
No. Only hotels in the Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection qualify — and you must book through the Amex Travel portal or app.
- Can I combine the Amex hotel credit with my hotel loyalty points?
Sometimes. While you may not earn elite points if booking through a third party, some hotels still honor benefits. Call the specific hotel to double-check.
- Is it worth using the credit on a cheaper hotel?
Absolutely — if the hotel is in FHR, you get all the luxury perks regardless of how much you spend. Some Vegas or domestic hotels cost under $200/night and still come with breakfast, upgrades, and $100 property credits.
- What happens if I cancel the reservation?
If you cancel within the hotel’s allowed policy, the credit is typically returned to your account. But timing is important — cancel close to the end of the year, and you may not get a chance to rebook before the deadline.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Let That Credit Go to Waste
Using your Amex hotel credit before the end of the year? Here are 3 things to know — and now you know even more. Whether you squeeze in a swanky overnight before New Year’s Eve or use it to front-load your 2026 vacation, this little-known benefit can pack a serious travel punch.
Luxury perks. Free breakfast. Room upgrades. And done right — very little (if any) out of pocket.
So ask yourself: where could your credit take you this month? Then go book it.
