The Amex Platinum pays back up to $300 on hotels in each half of the year, so $600 a year in total. Most people lose the second $300 because they are not travelling anywhere in December.
You do not need to travel. Amex Travel charges a prepaid booking on the day you book it, and the credit is triggered by that charge, not by your stay (American Express). Book in December for a trip next July and this year's $300 applies.
- Go to amextravel.com, sign in, and open Fine Hotels + Resorts. Pick The Hotel Collection instead if you want the extra $100 to spend at the property and can stay two nights.
- Search whatever dates you want, including ones months ahead.
- Choose the prepaid rate, the one that charges your card now rather than at checkout.
- Pay with the Platinum before June 30 or December 31, whichever half you are trying to use.
- To use the other $300, book again once the new half has started.
The catch. Prepaid rates are usually hard to cancel, and cancelling reverses the credit. Worse, cardholders report the allowance often does not come back afterwards, so a cancelled booking can cost you the credit as well as the trip. Only book something you mean to keep.
Fine Hotels + Resorts has no minimum stay. The Hotel Collection needs two nights and adds a $100 property credit.
Where this works: Amex Platinum and Amex Business Platinum, up to $300 in each half of the year. Holding both cards gives you two separate sets, so $1,200 across the year.
Issuers change these terms without notice. Test small and check your card's current terms.
Booking mechanics per Amex's published terms, August 2026. Amounts checked against our card catalog on August 26, 2026.