10 Great AmEx Fine Hotels and Resorts With Free Credits And VIP Status

When you book accommodations through the American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts program (often shortened to FHR), you are eligible to earn 5x Membership Rewards points per dollar spent when paying with an affiliated AmEx card. In addition to the bonus earnings, you can score some on-property benefits that improve the travel experience exponentially.

To benefit from this travel booking site and benefits program, you must have (and use to pay for travel) one of three cards.

• The Platinum Card® from American Express (see rates and fees).

• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (see rates and fees).

• Centurion Card from American Express.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

Using the FHR portal may not always deliver the cheapest rates, but the tradeoff for extra benefits can sometimes be worth the difference. Additional cardholders (authorized users) of the above cards are also eligible for FHR rates. These are the premium perks included when booking through AmEx Fine Hotels and Resorts:

• Space-available room upgrade upon arrival.

• Breakfast for two each day of your stay.

• Guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout.

• Early check-in (noon), based on availability.

• Complimentary Wi-Fi.

• $100 Experience credit, which varies by property, but can be used for dining, spa and other perks.

If you play your (credit) cards right, you can save quite a bit of cash by making a reservation through FHR. Take a look at these nine exciting hotels where you can benefit from making an AmEx FHR hotel reservation.

» Learn more: AmEx Membership Rewards: How to earn and use them

Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Zambia Hotel by Anantara

Sleeping so close to “the smoke that thunders” (that’s the nickname of the falls in the local language) is a privilege at this Anantara property, which is part of the Discovery loyalty program. Victoria Falls is within walking distance from the rooms, and guests have unlimited and free access to this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Giraffes, zebras and other animals roam the grounds, adding to the exotic feel of this elegant hotel in the African wilderness.

The $100 credit that comes with an FHR AmEx booking works at the riverfront spa, food and beverage outlets and for on-property experiences. A stay here pairs well with an African safari stay, too.

Banyan Tree Phuket; Phuket, Thailand

This was the first resort in the entire Banyan Tree family of hotels, and a renovation project is making it brighter than ever. Guests at this paradise can swim in its magnificent pools, dine in the numerous restaurants, and enjoy the spa, which uses Thai ingredients in its treatments. The $100 property credit can help put a dent in any room charges.

The villas here are expansive, some with as many as three bedrooms, a private plunge pool and a bedroom that sits above its own wading pool.

Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay; Bali, Indonesia

This oceanfront property is designed like a Balinese village, with luxurious villas facing the gardens or beach. Some have their own private plunge pools.

Part of the perks here is a $100 food and beverage credit, and we recommend using it at the Balinese restaurant Jala or the zero-waste cocktail bar Telu. The latter features artwork made out of trash collected from the beach, and the cocktails use garnishes from the restaurant menu (things like orange and lemon rinds). Another benefit of booking through AmEx FHR is guests receive a fourth night free when booking three nights through the program.

» Learn more: The guide to Four Seasons hotels

Raffles Doha; Doha, Qatar

This curvaceous property has become a landmark of the Doha, Qatar, skyline. Shaped like a scimitar, Raffles Doha is part of Katara Towers and shares the building with its sibling property, Fairmont Doha. Both hotels are part of the Accor All Live Limitless program. Guests will receive a $100 credit for food and beverages at the property.

This can come in handy given that the hotel is home to some pretty epic dining spots like Alba serving Northern Italian cuisine and the Raffles lounge for afternoon tea. There's also a two-story rooftop lounge with 360 degree views of the city. Another perk of booking through FHR is that guests receive a one-way airport transfer free of charge.

Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Rome Hotel; Rome, Italy

This hotel sits directly on the Piazza della Repubblica, and from here, you can walk to the Termini train station and popular sites like the Trevi Fountain and Colosseum. You won’t need to go far, though, for history. Beneath the hotel lie the ruins of the Baths of Diocletian, which guests can visit for free. There are also private tours to other historic spots guests can book through the hotel.

Up on the rooftop is SEEN by Olivier, which features fine dining and a panoramic rooftop bar. This is the ideal spot to use your $100 food and beverage credit after a day of sightseeing (both within and outside of the hotel). If the property looks familiar, that’s because it was a filming location for the Hollywood movies “House of Gucci” and “Ocean’s Twelve.”

Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus; Istanbul, Turkey

This stunner of a hotel sits directly on the Bosphorus on the other side of the Bosphorus Bridge from the rest of Istanbul's main hotels. This gives it a more secluded feel without heavy traffic. Instead, two public parks and a hillside forest are on the other side, but the hotel is still within walking distance of many popular dining and shopping areas.

The $100 credit that comes with booking a stay through AmEx is eligible at all of the dining venues here, including the famous Hakkasan on the waterfront. If you’re in need of pampering, the spa has a long list of treatments, including a Turkish hammam, where guests can use the credit.

Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid; Spain

Considered the city’s finest hotel, this stunning remodel is now part of Mandarin Oriental and still affiliated with the history of César Ritz. The hotel is located within the Golden Triangle of Art, which is home to three of Madrid's major art museums. Many rooms actually overlook the entrance of one of the city's famous art museums, Museo del Prado.

When booking an AmEx FHR reservation, guests receive $100 credit to use at the hotel during their stay. Dining here is a highly sought-after experience, especially at Deessa, the Mediterranean restaurant with two Michelin stars.

» Learn more: How to travel to Spain for cheap on points and miles

The Reserve from Savoy Signature; Madeira, Portugal

Nestled in the picturesque island paradise of Madeira, Portugal, The Reserve by Savoy Signature is relatively new to the American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) program, having joined in April 2024 This contemporary property is part of the Savoy Signature group which has multiple properties throughout the island. In fact, this hotel within a hotel sits within the renowned Savoy Palace.

The property stands out for its rooftop infinity pool and bar, which provide a serene space to soak up Madeira’s year-round sunshine and panoramic views of the Atlantic.

Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village; Los Angeles, California

Given the sheer number of wellness-oriented classes, consultations and experiences offered at the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village, it's easy to spend your credits at this Los Angeles-area hotel.

The 11-acre property offers health-conscious dining and a full-service spa where you might also spend the credits. but the highlights are the unique wellness courses in subjects including art therapy and sound bath meditations (which use percussion instruments to create relaxing sounds). There are also art classes spanning everything from calligraphy to making fairy houses.

Learn more in NerdWallet's Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village review.

Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando; Florida

Orlando theme park fans will benefit most by booking the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando. Beyond a great location that's walkable to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure (or a boat ride away, if you're saving your energy for a day of theme parks), a stay here can greatly improve your park experience.

That's because all guests receive a Universal Express Pass, which is basically a front-of-the-line pass. Guests also receive early entry, so they can spend a bonus hour in the parks that the general public won't get.

As far as the credit, there are fun, Italian-themed eateries to spend it at. On the high end, it might just barely cover dinner at Mama Della's Ristorante. Or, stretch it further with multiple orders at the Gelateria or Sal's Market Deli.

When you reserve a hotel through the AmEx Fine Hotels and Resorts booking platform and pay for the stay using the appropriate credit card, members receive a host of benefits. It starts with earning 5x Membership Rewards points for each dollar spent.

Once on property, you receive VIP treatment with space-available room upgrades, guaranteed late checkout, the possibility to check in early, complimentary breakfast for two and an experience credit that can cover things like dining or spa services.

It is always wise to compare the price of a stay whether you book directly with the hotel or via the Amex travel portal. Even if the latter is a bit pricier, consider the value of the benefits you are receiving. You just might come out ahead.