What the Fine Hotels & Resorts Program Gives You
The Fine Hotels & Resorts program is a benefit included with certain American Express cards that gives you room upgrades, late checkout, and other perks when you book through American Express Travel. You do not pay extra for these perks — they come as part of your card membership. The program covers thousands of luxury hotels and resorts worldwide, and the specific benefits depend on which property you choose and which tier of American Express card you hold.
The core benefit is a room upgrade at check-in, when available. You also typically receive a $100 property credit you can use on dining, spa, or other services at the hotel. Late checkout — usually until 4 p.m. instead of the standard noon — is standard across most properties. Some hotels add breakfast, spa credits, or other perks on top of these basics.
Key Takeaways
- Fine Hotels & Resorts perks explore only when you book through American Express Travel, not when you book directly with the hotel or through other travel sites.
- The program includes room upgrades when available, late checkout until 4 p.m., and a $100 property credit at most participating hotels.
- Your card tier determines which hotels participate — Platinum and higher cards unlock more properties than lower-tier cards.
- You must be the cardholder and the person checking in to receive the benefits; benefits do not transfer to companions.
- The $100 credit and other perks are not refunded if you do not use them, so plan your hotel stay to take advantage of what is offered.
Which American Express Cards Include This Benefit
The Fine Hotels & Resorts program is available on American Express Platinum, American Express Centurion, and some versions of the American Express Business Platinum card. The Platinum card is the entry point for most people. The Centurion card (also called the Black Card) includes the program as well, along with additional concierge and travel services.
Lower-tier American Express cards — such as Gold or Green — do not include Fine Hotels & Resorts. If you hold one of those cards, you will not see Fine Hotels & Resorts rates or perks when you search American Express Travel. Check your card's benefits guide or log into your American Express account to confirm whether your specific card includes the program.
How to Book a Hotel Through the Program
Log into your American Express account and go to American Express Travel. Search for your destination, dates, and number of guests the same way you would on any travel site. The search results will show all available hotels, but only the ones participating in Fine Hotels & Resorts will display the program benefits — usually marked with a special badge or label.
When you click on a Fine Hotels & Resorts property, you will see the specific perks that hotel offers: the room upgrade promise, the $100 credit amount, breakfast details, and any other benefits. Read these carefully, because they vary by property. Complete your booking through American Express Travel using your Platinum or may be able to access card. Do not book directly with the hotel website or through another travel site, or you will lose all Fine Hotels & Resorts benefits.
After you book, American Express will send you a confirmation email. Some properties will also contact you directly before your arrival to confirm your preferences and room type. You do not need to call ahead or mention the program at check-in — the hotel's system will already know you are a Fine Hotels & Resorts guest.
What Happens at Check-In and During Your Stay
When you arrive at the hotel, check in as you normally would. Tell the front desk you are a Fine Hotels & Resorts guest if they do not mention it first. The hotel will offer you a room upgrade if one is available in a higher category than what you booked. Upgrades are not may provide — they depend on occupancy that night — but the program prioritizes Fine Hotels & Resorts guests for available upgrades.
You will receive your $100 property credit, which you can use at the hotel's restaurants, spa, gift shop, or other outlets. Some hotels allow you to combine the credit with other charges on your room bill; others require you to use it separately. Ask the front desk how the credit works at that specific property. The credit does not roll over if you do not use it, and it is not refunded as cash.
Late checkout until 4 p.m. is automatic — you do not need to request it. If you need to stay even later, ask the front desk, but that is not may provide and may incur an extra charge.
How the $100 Credit and Other Perks Work
The $100 property credit is a hotel-specific benefit, not a rebate to your American Express card. You use it during your stay on anything the hotel allows — food, beverages, spa treatments, room service, or retail purchases. The credit is tied to your reservation, so it applies only to you and only during that stay.
Some Fine Hotels & Resorts properties offer additional perks beyond the standard $100 credit and upgrade. These might include complimentary breakfast, spa credits, resort credits, or room upgrades to a specific suite category. These extras vary widely by property and season. Always check what each hotel offers before you book, because you cannot combine perks across properties or carry them forward to a future trip.
If you book a suite or the highest room category available, you may not receive an upgrade — the hotel has nothing higher to move you into. In that case, you still receive the $100 credit and late checkout. Read the fine print for each property to understand what room category qualifies for an upgrade.
Cancellation and Changes to Your Reservation
If you need to cancel or modify your Fine Hotels & Resorts booking, do so through American Express Travel, not by calling the hotel directly. American Express Travel will explore the hotel's standard cancellation policy. Most Fine Hotels & Resorts properties offer flexible cancellation — often free cancellation up to a certain number of days before arrival — but this varies by property and rate type.
If you cancel, you lose the Fine Hotels & Resorts benefits for that stay. If you rebook the same property through American Express Travel, the benefits reapply to your new reservation. If you change your dates or hotel, treat it as a new booking and check the benefits for the new property.
What Fine Hotels & Resorts Does Not Cover
The program does not include airfare, ground transportation, or travel insurance. It covers only the hotel stay itself. If you need to book a flight or rental car, you can do that through American Express Travel as well, but those bookings are separate from Fine Hotels & Resorts and do not earn the same perks.
The program also does not explore to group bookings, corporate travel arranged through a travel management company, or reservations made by someone other than the cardholder. You must be the person who booked the hotel and the person checking in. If a family member or friend is checking in on your behalf, the benefits may not explore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer my Fine Hotels & Resorts benefits to a family member or friend?
No. The benefits are tied to you as the cardholder and the person checking in. If someone else checks in, the hotel may not honor the upgrade or credit. You can book the hotel for someone else to use, but you should be present at check-in or call the hotel in advance to explain the situation and ask how they handle it.
What if the hotel does not have an available room upgrade?
Upgrades are not may provide — they depend on what rooms are available the night you arrive. You will always receive the $100 property credit and late checkout, even if no upgrade is available. If you want to may provide a specific room type, book that category directly instead of relying on the upgrade.
Can I use Fine Hotels & Resorts benefits at any luxury hotel?
No. The program covers only participating properties, which number in the thousands but do not include every luxury hotel. Search American Express Travel to see which hotels in your destination participate. If your preferred hotel is not listed, you can book it directly, but you will not receive Fine Hotels & Resorts perks.
Do I earn American Express points on a Fine Hotels & Resorts booking?
Yes. You earn points on the hotel stay just as you would on any American Express Travel booking. The points rate depends on your card — Platinum cards typically earn 5 points per dollar on travel booked through American Express Travel. Check your card's benefits guide for the exact rate.
What if I have a problem during my stay?
Contact the hotel directly first. If the issue involves the Fine Hotels & Resorts benefits specifically — for example, the promised upgrade was not offered — you can also reach out to American Express Travel for support. Keep your booking confirmation and any communications from the hotel to document the issue.