American Express Travel expanded its Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection programs by adding 351 new properties globally, raising the combined portfolio to over 3,400 hotels in 116 countries. The expansion covers destinations across Japan, New Zealand, Morocco, Argentina, Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania, and South America as of August 12, 2026.
Program details and booking requirements
Fine Hotels + Resorts, which launched in 1991 with 120 properties, does not impose a minimum stay requirement, unlike The Hotel Collection, which requires at least a two-night consecutive stay to qualify for benefits. Most of the new properties are already available for booking on AmexTravel.com, with
a few expected to open for reservations in the following days.
The Hotel Collection is accessible to a wider range of American Express cardmembers compared to Fine Hotels + Resorts, which has a narrower eligibility list targeting premium cardholders.
Cardmember benefits and rewards
Eligible American Express cardholders booking through Fine Hotels + Resorts can earn Membership Rewards points and may also accumulate points with participating hotel loyalty programs. Some cards, including the Amex Platinum and Business Platinum, offer up to $600 in annual prepaid hotel statement credits for bookings within these programs, split into two $300 credits for the January-June and July-December periods. Additionally,
Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection stays include a $100 on-property credit.
Background and hotel selection process
The expansion coincides with the 35th anniversary of American Express Travel. Audrey Hendley, president of American Express Travel, stated the company’s Hotel Curation Team evaluates each property against specific criteria reflecting premium cardmember travel preferences. The portfolio evolves dynamically, with hotels joining and leaving based on alignment with program standards and cardmember interest. Hendley said, “Our Hotel Curation Team reviews each property against a set of required and preferred criteria informed by what we know our premium Card Members value when they travel.” She added, “When
it comes to hotels specifically, we like to say ‘Book Once, Earn Twice.'”
Impact for American Express cardholders
The addition of 351 hotels expands choices for eligible American Express cardmembers using Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection. This increase in properties provides more opportunities to redeem prepaid hotel statement credits for Platinum cardholders and enhances access to premium benefits and rewards on hotel stays internationally.
