American Express announced on August 12, 2026, the addition of 351 new hotels to its Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection programs, bringing the combined portfolio to over 3,400 properties worldwide.
Global Expansion Covers Five Continents
The new properties span Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania, and South America, with locations including Japan, New Zealand, Morocco, and Argentina. These arrivals enhance travel options by offering a variety of hotel types such as beach resorts, city accommodations, wellness retreats, and adventure-focused destinations. Most of these hotels were already bookable on AmexTravel.com at the time of the announcement, with a few to be added shortly.
Eligibility Criteria for Hotel Programs
The Hotel
Collection is accessible to a wider range of American Express cardmembers than Fine Hotels + Resorts. It requires a minimum two-night consecutive stay to qualify for program benefits. In contrast, Fine Hotels + Resorts does not impose a minimum stay to access its benefits. Access to either program depends on the specific American Express card held by the member.
Benefits and Credits for Eligible Cardmembers
Amex Platinum and Business Platinum cardholders can earn up to $600 annually in prepaid hotel statement credits for eligible bookings through both programs. This credit is split into two $300 periods: January through June and July through December. Additionally, Fine Hotels
+ Resorts bookings may earn Membership Rewards points and, when eligible and enrolled, points with participating hotel loyalty programs. The Hotel Collection requires stays of at least two nights to activate its benefits framework.
35th Anniversary Expansion and Hotel Curation Process
The expansion commemorates the 35th anniversary of American Express Travel. Audrey Hendley, president of American Express Travel, stated that the Hotel Curation Team evaluates each property based on criteria reflecting premium cardmembers’ travel values. This evaluation decides which program better suits each hotel, with Fine Hotels + Resorts representing the luxury segment and The Hotel Collection offering a curated selection of premium hotels. The portfolio is
dynamic, with hotels added or removed due to cardmember interest and alignment with program standards.
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.'”
