Amex The Hotel Collection: perks include room upgrades and hotel credits — here's how it works

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American Express 's The Hotel Collection gives eligible cardmembers access to perks like room upgrades and hotel credits for dining, spa treatments and resort activities (as long as you book a stay of two nights or more at a select property).

I've used the program myself and been consistently impressed by how it has elevated my stays.

Here's what you need to know about how The Hotel Collection works, which cards give you access and how to make the most of it.

What is The Hotel Collection?

The Hotel Collection and its sister program, American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts , are Amex's two luxury hotel programs offered to select cardmembers. There are more than 1,300 hotels included in The Hotel Collection.

The following American Express cards allow members to book hotel stays through The Hotel Collection*:

American Express® Gold Card

American Express® Business Gold Card

American Express Platinum Card®

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

The Centurion Card (invite-only, both business and personal versions are eligible)

The information for the Centurion and Business Centurion Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

*Eligible charges vary by property.

WYATT SMITH/THE POINTS GUY Additional cardmembers on personal and business Platinum and Centurion accounts are also eligible for The Hotel Collection benefits. However, this doesn't extend to additional cardmembers on Gold or Business Gold accounts.

And, you'll only get The Hotel Collection and its perks when you book a stay of at least two nights at an eligible property through American Express Travel® or the Amex Travel App™ .

It's important to note that back-to-back stays within 24 hours at the same property are considered one stay and won't get multiple $100 hotel credits.

Related: Get instant Hilton, Marriott and LHW hotel elite status with the Amex Platinum Card

Benefits of Amex's The Hotel Collection

Eligible bookings through The Hotel Collection include:

Room upgrade at check-in (when available)

Up to $100 in credits toward eligible charges (varies by property)

12 p.m. early check-in (when available)

4 p.m. late checkout (when available)

These benefits are mainly geared toward leisure travelers. Booking through The Hotel Collection can be particularly useful when you don't have elite status with a particular brand.

CARLY HELFAND/THE POINTS GUY Plus, food, drinks and spa services at hotels can be costly. So, most travelers won't have trouble using the $100 credit.

One sweet spot for this program is business travelers whose companies already reimburse their room and meals. After all, these hotel guests could also use the $100 credit toward drinks and spa services, which most company expense policies do not allow.

While hotel loyalty programs generally won't give elite earnings and benefits if you don't book directly, we've found that bookings made through The Hotel Collection are eligible to stack benefits.

TPG contributing editor for credit cards Matt Moffitt has used The Hotel Collection on multiple occasions. He has almost always received the benefits from both The Hotel Collection and the hotel chain's loyalty program during his stays.

Amex Platinum and Amex Business Platinum cardmembers also receive up to $600 in hotel statement credits each calendar year (up to $300 biannually) for prepaid bookings with Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection properties through American Express Travel. (Remember, The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.)

Comparing The Hotel Collection to Fine Hotels + Resorts

THC's sister program, FHR, is only available to Amex Platinum and Centurion cardmembers (personal and business versions for each).

KIMPTON EPIC HOTEL MIAMI/EPICHOTEL.COM While these two programs are similar, FHR offers a couple of extra benefits, including complimentary daily breakfast for two and free in-room Wi-Fi. Plus, you aren't required to book two nights to receive FHR benefits, like you have to with THC.

Generally, however, FHR properties tend to be more expensive than those in THC.

Ultimately, the real benefit of THC. appears to be access to extra perks at high-end (rather than ultra-high-end) hotels.

Related: I booked a luxury staycation — and somehow came out $1 ahead

How to maximize your stays with The Hotel Collection

To book a stay with The Hotel Collection, log in with your eligible Amex card and navigate to "The Hotel Collection" through Amex Travel. You can also go through this same booking process on the Amex Travel App.

Be sure you filter by "The Hotel Collection". From here, you will see all of your eligible options for benefits and your hotel credit.

AMERICAN EXPRESS Once you've found a property, these tips can help you get even more value from your stay:

Look for promotions. The Amex Travel website and app occasionally feature offers, such as third- or fourth-night-free promotions or free breakfast, that can significantly reduce the cost of your stay.

Check TripAdvisor reviews. Reviews are integrated into the Amex Travel platform, making it easy to compare properties before booking.

Pay in advance to trigger your statement credit. Eligible hotel credits apply only to prepaid bookings, so be sure to select the "Pay Today" rate at checkout.

Maximize your Platinum hotel credit. If you're using the hotel credit on the Amex Platinum , looking for stays that cost around $300 can help minimize your out-of-pocket expense. Booking during the offseason can also stretch your credit further.

Add your hotel loyalty number. Enter your loyalty program number at checkout and, where possible, book brands where you already hold elite status. We've found that many THC stays earn hotel points and elite benefits, giving you the opportunity to stack perks and potentially receive an even better room upgrade.

I've had success using this strategy myself. This year, I booked a two-night stay at The Hiatus Clearwater Beach, Curio Collection by Hilton through The Hotel Collection. My Amex Platinum's biannual hotel credit reduced the cost by $300, bringing my out-of-pocket total to $277. Since I added my Hilton Honors number to the reservation, I also expect to receive my Hilton Diamond elite benefits during the stay.

Related: 10 hotels where your Amex Platinum hotel credit covers half (or more) of your stay

Bottom line

For eligible Amex cardmembers, access to The Hotel Collection is an excellent way to enhance your hotel stay. You get standout perks , including a $100 property credit, to elevate your experience — without needing elite status. And, if you do have elite status with a hotel's loyalty program, we've seen many instances of those benefits stacking.

Just remember to book a two-night minimum stay through an eligible card, and if you're chasing your Amex Platinum or Business Platinum's biannual statement credit, pay in full at booking to unlock it.

Related: A comparison of luxury hotel programs from credit card issuers

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.