How to use your American Express travel credits

How do American Express travel credits work?

Amex travel credits are relatively easy to use because you don’t have to apply them yourself. Typically, all you need to do is spend on eligible purchases with your American Express travel card. In two to 12 weeks, Amex will apply a statement credit to your account.

If you want to use property credits, they’ll be applied to your hotel bill as you check out.

Types of American Express travel credits

Amex currently offers a few types of travel credits:

• Air travel credits.

  For eligible charges with a qualifying airline of your choice.

• Dining credits.

  These apply to spending at select dining partners. You’ll get access to your statement credit in monthly increments.

• Hotel credits.
  

  These apply to spending within a specified loyalty program — either Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors. You can use these for room rates, as well as incidentals you charge to your room and pay for with your card.

• Property credits.

  These apply to either Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors, depending on your card. Charge eligible purchases to your room, and your credits will be applied to your bill when you check out.

  Unlike hotel credits, resort or property credits don’t apply to room rates.

• Uber credits.

  Like with dining credits, you’ll get access to these credits in monthly increments. You can use these credits for UberEATS as well.

• TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credits.

  TSA PreCheck and Global Entry get you through airport security lanes faster. Your Amex card may include credits that reimburse you after you apply for one of these programs.

How to use your American Express travel credits

Airline fee credits

1. Log in to your American Express account, scroll to the Benefits section and select one qualifying airline. Do this before you use your card for airline charges. You can change your qualifying airline once each year in January.
2. Make eligible purchases with the qualifying airline. Your travel credits will cover eligible incidental fees. In some cases, gift cards are covered too, but this depends on how each airline codes its transactions. If you’re unsure, call your airline and ask.
3. Wait for your statement credit to post. If you’ve made an eligible purchase, your statement credit will post to your account within two to four weeks.

Dining credits

1. Log in to your Amex account and select the applicable card. Click More, then click Benefits. After that, select your dining credit benefit and enroll in the program.
2. Use your card for an eligible purchase with a dining partner. Gift cards and merchandise don’t qualify.
3. Wait for your statement credit to post. After your eligible purchase, your statement credit will post to your account within two to four weeks.

Hotel credits

1. Make an eligible purchase with your card at a participating resort. Depending on your card, your hotel credit is valid at Hilton Honors or Marriott Bonvoy properties. Your credit can be applied to room rates, as well as incidentals you charge to your room and pay for with your card.
2. Wait for your statement credit to post. After your eligible purchase, your statement credit will post to your account within eight to 12 weeks.

Property credits

1. Book a stay via an approved method. For Hilton Honors, book your room with your card through the loyalty program’s dedicated Amex portal or by calling 855-292-5757. Book a minimum stay of two nights at a participating property.

   For Marriott Bonvoy, book your room with your card through the program’s website or by calling 800-450-4442. Book a minimum stay of two nights at a participating property.

2. Charge eligible purchases to your room. Your property credit is good for hotel incidentals, but does not cover property fees, taxes, gratuities or room rates.
3. Check out. When you check out, your credit will be applied to your bill. Pay with your Amex hotel card.

Uber credits

1. Link your Amex card to your Uber account. To receive credits, your Amex card must be listed as a method of payment.
2. Before the end of your Uber fare or before placing your UberEATS order, select Uber Cash as your payment method. Amex credits go to your Uber Cash balance.

How to use your TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit

1. Apply for either TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. Pay for your application fee with your Amex card.
2. Wait for your statement credit to post. After the application fee is charged to your account, Amex will post a statement credit to your account within eight weeks.

American Express credit cards that offer travel credits

At the time of writing, the following American Express credit cards come with travel credits:

Please note: All information about American Express® Green Card and Hilton Honors™ Aspire Card has been collected independently by Finder and these cards are not available through this site.

You’ll also find select credits with the American Express® Business Gold Card and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, as well as The Centurion® Card from American Express and its business and corporate versions.

Compare Amex travel rewards cards

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Name	Product	Welcome offer	Rewards	Annual fee	Filter values
American Express® Gold Card		60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months	4x at restaurants including delivery and Uber Eats; 4x at US supermarkets on up to $25,000 annually (then 1x points) and 3x points on directly-booked flights	$250		Earn up to 4x points on select purchases, a bevy of travel perks, and a welcome offer worth up to $600 with this upper-mid tier travel card. Terms apply, see rates & fees	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
The Platinum Card® from American Express		75,000 points after spending $5,000 in your first 6 months, plus 10x points at US gas stations and US supermarkets on up to $15,000 in combined purchases in the same timeframe	10x points at US gas stations and US supermarkets on up to $15,000 combined in the first 6 months, 5x points on directly-booked flights or on flights and hotels on Amex Travel. 1x points on all other purchases. Starting January 1, 2021, your 5x points on flights will be capped on up to $500,000 annually (then 1x points).	$550		One of the most valuable premium travel cards, featuring two welcome offers worth up to $4,500, multiple travel credits and unrivaled lounge access. Terms apply, see rates & fees	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card		75,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months	6x points at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 3x at US restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines and 2x for all other purchases	$450		Earn 75,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 or more within your first 3 months. Terms apply, see rates & fees	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Pros and cons of American Express travel credits

Now that you know how Amex travel credits work, let’s weigh a few of the positives and negatives of using them.

Bottom line

Using American Express travel credits can be a great way to get extra value from your credit card. Before using them, understand how they work and what restrictions they carry.

If you’re not sure an Amex product is right for you, consider other travel credit cards.

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