Amex Makes FHR Hotel Credit Changes, Adds Airbnb Luxe Benefit

Starting January 1, 2027, the $600 annual hotel credit on The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express will become a $600 lodging credit as part of a new partnership between American Express and Airbnb.

While the annual credit amount remains unchanged, cardholders will have new restrictions on how they can use it. Most notably, Fine Hotels + Resorts® (FHR) bookings will require a minimum two-night stay to qualify for the credit, eliminating the ability to use it on single-night stays. The Hotel Collection already requires a two-night minimum, so that benefit remains unchanged.

The updated lodging credit will also cover prepaid Airbnb Luxe stays booked through Amex Travel, subject to the same two-night minimum. Cardholders will continue receiving up to $300 in credits from January through June and another $300 from July through December. Additionally, Amex is introducing a $250 Airbnb Experiences credit for activities such as cooking classes, guided tours, and other experiences booked directly through Airbnb. However, cardholders must first book a qualifying prepaid Airbnb Luxe stay through Amex Travel to unlock this benefit, and the Experiences credit expires at the end of the calendar year.

Our Take

The biggest downside to these changes is the elimination of single-night Fine Hotels + Resorts stays. Previously, cardholders could use a $300 semiannual credit to cover most or even all of a one-night stay at certain properties while still enjoying valuable FHR benefits, including daily breakfast for two, a property credit, and guaranteed late checkout. Requiring a two-night stay makes the credit significantly less flexible and could increase out-of-pocket costs, particularly at luxury hotels where nightly rates are already high. For travelers who strategically booked one-night FHR stays to maximize their Platinum Card benefits, this is a meaningful devaluation.

The addition of Airbnb Luxe provides another way to use the credit, but we’re skeptical about how much value most cardholders will get from it. Airbnb Luxe properties tend to be expensive, and the selection is relatively limited, meaning a $300 credit may cover only a small portion of the total booking cost. The new $250 Airbnb Experiences credit sounds appealing, but tying it to a qualifying Luxe reservation makes it much less useful than a standalone credit. Our recommendation is to continue using the lodging credit for Fine Hotels + Resorts stays when the rates make sense, rather than booking an expensive two-night stay simply to use the benefit. With these changes taking effect in 2027, cardholders should also consider using their remaining 2026 hotel credits on eligible one-night FHR stays while that option is still available.