American Express expanded its Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection hotel portfolios by adding 351 new properties worldwide in August 2026. This growth brought the combined portfolio to over 3,400 hotels across 116 countries, including new locations in Japan, New Zealand, Morocco, Argentina, and regions of Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania, and South America.
Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection Overview
Originally launched in 1991 with 120 properties, Fine Hotels + Resorts serves as American Express’s luxury hotel program without a minimum stay requirement. The Hotel Collection, offering a curated selection of premium hotels, requires a minimum two-night consecutive stay for cardmembers to access benefits. The
Hotel Collection also has broader eligibility among American Express cardholders, while Fine Hotels + Resorts is available to a more limited group of eligible cardmembers.
Cardmember Benefits and Statement Credits
Eligible cardmembers holding American Express Platinum or Business Platinum cards can receive up to $600 in annual prepaid hotel statement credits for bookings made through these programs. This credit is divided into two periods: up to $300 from January through June and up to $300 from July through December. Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings also include an on-property credit of $100 per stay. Cardmembers can earn Membership Rewards points on qualifying Fine Hotels + Resorts
stays, and may also accrue points with participating hotel loyalty programs when enrolled.
Hotel Curation and Portfolio Evolution
Audrey Hendley, president of American Express Travel, described the company’s Hotel Curation Team as responsible for reviewing each property against mandatory and preferred criteria derived from premium cardmember preferences. This evaluation determines whether hotels join Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection. Hendley noted that the portfolio is dynamic, with properties entering and exiting over time according to cardmember interest and alignment with program standards.
“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,” Hendley said. She added, “When it comes to hotels specifically, we like to say ‘Book Once, Earn Twice.'”
Traveler Impact
The addition of over 350 properties increases the range of hotel options available to eligible cardholders booking through Amex Travel. This also expands opportunities for Platinum cardholders to utilize their annual prepaid hotel statement credits. The expanded portfolio now accommodates diverse travel preferences, covering beach resorts, city hotels, wellness destinations, and adventure locales without changing established program requirements per hotel collection.
