You may know that American Express (Amex) offers Fine Hotels + Resorts for its premium card members.
Many luxury hotels still rely massively on travel agents, and they’ve created invite-only partnerships to attract the kinds of customers they’re looking for. These partnerships are great for customers, as the hotels provide great benefits such as room upgrades, dining credits and late checkouts. You don’t even need to hold elite status with the hotel.
Plus, by booking with Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR), or many of the other programs below, you can still earn points and take advantage of your elite status with the hotel’s own loyalty program. For example, if you book an Accor hotel through Fine Hotels + Resorts, you can still earn ALL points and use your Accor status benefits – in addition to the extra Fine Hotels + Resorts perks.
This is in contrast to booking with online travel agents such as Booking.com or Expedia, where you don’t get these benefits.
So, what does Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts actually get you? And did you know that there are other programs just like it?
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Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts
Fine Hotels + Resorts access is a key benefit of having the Amex Platinum Card, Platinum Business Card or invite-only Centurion Card. This program offers exclusive benefits for card members who book through the Fine Hotels + Resorts portal.
American Express Credit Cards with Fine Hotels + Resorts access
- Card Name
- American Express Platinum Card
- Earn
- 2.25
- Signup Bonus
-
200,000 bonus Membership Rewards points
Apply by 11th Mar 2025
- Annual Fee
- $1,450 p.a.
- Read more
- View Offer
on everyday purchases
- Card Name
- American Express® Platinum Business Card
- Earn
- 2.25
- Signup Bonus
-
250,000 Membership Rewards Bonus Points + half annual Card fee of $875 (normally $1,750) in the first year*
Apply by 25th Mar 2025
- Annual Fee
- $875 in the first year (normally $1,750 p.a)*
- Read more
- View Offer
on everyday purchases
Occasionally, Fine Hotels + Resorts properties offer special promotions, such as a complimentary third or fourth night. You can also sometimes access rooms that are not available through other booking channels.
If you book through Amex with Fine Hotels + Resorts, you can expect to receive the following benefits:
- Guaranteed late check-out up to 4pm
- One-category room upgrade (subject to availability)
- Complimentary breakfast for two
- Room/Dining/Spa credit per stay, often USD100 (~AU$155)
- Early check-in (subject to availability)
Often, these benefits are available at a rate equal to the standard rate offered directly by the hotel. It might not be the absolute cheapest rate available, but if you value breakfast and other guaranteed amenities, it may still be worth it to pay extra through Fine Hotels + Resorts.
There are over 1,500 Fine Hotels + Resorts properties worldwide, including properties in Australia such as Park Hyatt Sydney and Ritz-Carlton Melbourne.
Note that American Express also offers The Hotel Collection, which is similar to Fine Hotels + Resorts. However, the calibre of property is often lower, and benefits are lower as a result. You can access The Hotel Collection via lower annual fee cards, such as the Amex Explorer Card and the Business Gold Plus Card.
Card members with Fine Hotels + Resorts access can also access The Hotel Collection.
Virtuoso: independent travel agent booking channel
Similarly, Virtuoso enhances luxury hotel stays by offering exclusive perks to travellers who book through its network. Unlike Fine Hotels + Resorts, which ties its benefits to specific credit cards, Virtuoso provides access via select travel agents.
When booking through a Virtuoso-affiliated agent, you can enjoy very similar benefits to Fine Hotels + Resorts, such as complimentary breakfast, room credits and upgrades (subject to availability).
You can also get property-specific benefits, such as chauffeur pickups, by booking through a Virtuoso travel agent. Generally speaking, the hotel-specific benefits are better through Virtuoso than Fine Hotels + Resorts.
You do have to contact a travel agent for Virtuoso bookings. You can find affiliated Australian-based travel agents on the Virtuoso website.
Some travel agencies may charge a booking fee for their services, although they will also receive a commission from the hotel. This means you could be paying above what the hotel website would charge.
Hotel chain preferred partner programs
Many major hotel groups also offer their own travel agent partner programs, offering extra benefits to customers in exchange for their business. This includes massive chains such as Hilton, IHG and Marriott, as well as smaller, luxury hotel groups such as Four Seasons and Shangri-La. For example, Accor offers Accor HERA (previously called STEP).
These programs again require you to book through an affiliated travel agent. Many Virtuoso-affiliated travel agents are also partners of hotel chain programs.
Customers who book through preferred travel agent programs, such as Hyatt Prive, typically receive priority for benefits like upgrades over customers with elite status who book direct, or through Fine Hotels + Resorts.
Note that not all hotels within a hotel group are eligible.
Overview of hotel preferred travel agent partner benefits
Here’s a summary of the benefits you can receive through the main hotel preferred travel agent programs. You can click the links below to see which hotels are available under the specified program:
| Hotel program | Late checkout | Early check-in | Upgrade | Breakfast | Credits ($USD) | Extras |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IHG Destined | Subject to availability | Subject to availability | One category at check-in, subject to availability | Two guests, restaurant | $100 for non-room rate expenses | Welcome amenity |
| Hyatt Prive | 4pm (at some hotels, subject to availability) | 9am (subject to availability) | One category within 24 hours of booking, subject to availability | Two guests, restaurant | $50-$100 for non-room rate expenses | Welcome gift |
| Marriott STARS | None listed | None listed | One category at check-in, subject to availability | Two guests, restaurant | $100 for non-room rate expenses | In-person welcome, welcome amenity |
| Marriott Luminous | None listed | None listed | One category at check-in, subject to availability | Two guests, restaurant | $100 for non-room rate expenses (only at select properties) | Welcome amenity |
| Accor HERA (formerly STEP) | Subject to availability | Subject to availability | One category at check-in, subject to availability | Two guests, restaurant | $50-$100 for non-room rate expenses | Welcome amenity, minimum two night stay |
| Four Seasons Preferred Partner | None listed | None listed | One category at check-in, subject to availability | Two guests, restaurant or room service | $100 for rooms, $200 for suites (both for non-room rate expenses) | VIP status |
| Shangri-La Luxury Circle | Subject to availability | Subject to availability | One category at time of booking, subject to availability | Two guests, restaurant or room service | $100 or 10% of average nightly rate (whichever is higher) for non-room rate expenses | Welcome amenity |
| Hilton Impresario | Subject to availability | Subject to availability | One category at check-in, subject to availability | Two guests, restaurant | $100 for non-room rate expenses | Welcome amenity, double Hilton points |
Note for the above hotel programs, you’ll need to book the standard flexible rate. This can be higher than member or prepaid rates, so do the maths to see if it’s worth it.
Other hotel chains such as Langham (Couture by Langham) and Mandarin Oriental (Fan Club) offer similar perks.
