Amex Platinum $200 Hotel Credit & FHR | What to Expect & How to Use

[@barbsmith8936]

Just FYI… yes, you will trigger the $200 credit even if you use points. You will not however get the 5X benefit. I’ve done it before. Hope this helps.

[@CalbyNg]

Now that's an interesting datapoint! Especially since the terms specifically say "To receive the statement credits, an eligible Card Member must make a new booking using their eligible Card through American Express Travel on or after July 1st, 2021, that is prepaid (referred to as "Pay Now" on amextravel.com and the Amex App), for a qualifying stay at an available, participating Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection property". Will you just get a -$200 balance? I am also wondering if Amex will claw it back; how long ago did you do this? Thanks for sharing Barb!! I really want to test this now

[@sambetts2467]

Calby, tipped twice, they had already charged a service charge which is pre tip.

[@CalbyNg]

Aw man! I didn't know that. I was thinking it was the fee for in room dining

[@LK_EBM]

Great review! Hope you do more property reviews in the future! We appreciate all the details you share with us!

[@CalbyNg]

Appreciate it! Glad you enjoyed it!! Hopefully soon I hope to get out a Park Hyatt video in Beavercreek, CO and another property in Jackson Hole, WY (my new favorite property)

[@barbsmith8936]

It is still considered prepaid even when using points since the points are taken out immediately, therefore triggering the $200 credit. For example, if your room cost is $300, you will have equivalent points deducted from your account but then will receive a credit for the $300 plus the $200 statement credit generally a few days later but can be a little longer. I’ve just done it recently for the Biltmore Hotel in Miami.

[@CalbyNg]

Ah gotcha, thanks again!

[@LK_EBM]

9:52 sounds like a typical "turndown service" which is expected at 4-5 star hotels

[@CalbyNg]

First time I've experience it, haha. It's pretty cool!

[@AnthonyVenture]

Intro was amazing, service looked amazing, the history is amazing and the ROBE at the end was AMAZING. Great video Calby, thoroughly enjoyed this and would possibly use my own FHR on this property! 😉

[@CalbyNg]

Thanks mannn, it really was, haha

[@jpknowledge8852]

I used mine in Vegas. Funny enough, I just made a very simular video going over using it at the Four Seasons 😅. Looks like a good use of your Amex hotel credit. Nice Robe 👍🏾

[@CalbyNg]

Oh you stayed at the same place as Chase Yokoyama! I've always wanted to stay at a Four Seasons, but tbh I prefer the modern aesthetic; which many of them don't have in my opinion, but the one in Vegas, you showed, doesn't look too bad, actually really similar to the Conrad rooms but with a bathtub. Too bad we didn't get to speak much at Vegas, next time though! And thanks, I love it! Haha

[@IAD_Flyer]

I would just point out that the location (Foggy Bottom) may not be best for visiting DC. That area can get a bit boring with not a lot open at night.

[@CalbyNg]

That's true. I like to head to Georgetown using the Circulator. A specific restaurant I love is "George's King of Falafel and Cheesesteak" and they open late into the night

[@TheCreditFrog]

Love Washington DC as a city! Is like to spend more time at the museums, and the food is really good too! Thanks for the recs last time I was there Calby!

[@CalbyNg]

Of course anytime! Glad you enjoyed the recommendations!!

[@CKevni]

Great video. Was thinking of using my fhr this year for dc - st regis or Conrad. Last year used it at the ritz Philadelphia. Ate well but not much there amenities wise.

[@CalbyNg]

Oh I actually used it at the Ritz in Philly the first time; yeahhh it kind of was lacking. Did you end up staying at the St.Regis or Conrad? Personally I like the Conrad better.

[@VincentPascual]

Great video and interesting experience! Washington DC is an excellent place to visit. There’s so much to do that you have to return. Another paid museum worth visiting is the Newseum. I also highly recommend visiting the National Museum of African American History and Culture. For this one, you need a full day. And the food there is fantastic. Another neat place to tour is NPR’s studios there. The Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum is outstanding and well worth going out of the way for. An FHR booking was my first transaction on my Business Platinum. Too bad that didn’t come with the FHR credit like the personal Platinum (which I don’t have). I booked 2 nights at the Balmoral in Edinburgh, Scotland. Excellent hotel overall and they had great food. I used the $100 credit at their restaurant and had a 7 course meal. The credit only covered part of the cost though.

[@CalbyNg]

Oh no way! They reopened the Newseum? I tried visiting when I was living in the DMV area, but they closed. Fun fact, I actually tried to move into the apartments above the Newseum building lol. Oh yes the National Museum of African American History and Culture is awesome; love the building too. Oooooo I was thinking about going to the Udvar-Hazy Air and Space but I never could get my hands on a car. That sounds like an awesome FHR experience! So you think it's worth paying more for FHR, a lot of the time the bookings are overpriced, than booking directly?

[@TravelandFood4me]

I can't wait to use my FHR credit in Singapore. My plan is to book one room now for a date in January with 2023 FHR credit for when we arrive at Singapore and in January 2024 use that years $200 credit to book another room for another day for our return flight date so we can take advantage of late checkout. In between we'll be on a cruise. Ideal scenario for me, hopefully all goes accordingly lol 😆. Free breakfast, $200 amenity credit for hopefully good food, all at a Five Star Hotel (Shangri-La Singapore) for $220 out of pocket cost.

[@CalbyNg]

Only way to do it, double up on the credits! Haha. Whoa $220 ain't bad. I know this reply is quite late; any update on your vacation? How was it?

[@fonghansern1225]

Hey Calby! Just wondering is the $100 dollar food credit separate from the $200 hotel credit. Making it a possible $300 reimbursement if I spend on food and hotel.

[@CalbyNg]

@@fonghansern1225 Hey Fong! Yes it is separate. $200 Hotel Credit is given by Amex Platinum card and the $100 is given by the hotel you booked; on specific stuff the front desk should let you know. So yes you should be able to get back $300.

[@MikeMaye]

The FHR hotels are usually super expensive! the Hotel Collection are much easier to use for the credit...Great vid Calby 💥

[@CalbyNg]

That's usually true; however in my experience, since you have to book 2 nights it ends up being the same price or more expensive. I know it does take a bit more research, especially searching out the dates, but I've found a couple of FHR properties around $300 (DC, Philly, Denver, Jackson Hole). So I wouldn't count them out immediately. And thanks Mike!

[@MikeMaye]

@@CalbyNg quite true! I’m actually going to be in Amsterdam in November and I’m booking my first night at FHR hotel to get the $200 credit (hotel is $380, so my cost 180) the other 5 nights I just book regular through the portal to get my 5x. Not sure if that’s smart, I’m not as good as you guys 🙌🏽

[@CalbyNg]

$380 isn't bad! Especially with the breakfast and amenity credits.Nah that's perfect! 5x is awesome especially if the hotel isn't apart of a major chain. I know this reply is delayed; how was your trip?

[@jimmyjames6492]

Thanks for the info + video!

[@CalbyNg]

You bet! I love sharing my experiences

[@summerflower82]

Hello! I'm new to AMEX platinum benefits. Do I need to stay 2 nights minimum in order to get $100 experience statement credit at FHR hotels? Or can I still receive the $100 experience statement credit even one night stay at FHR hotels?

[@CalbyNg]

Congratz on the approval! For FHR you only need to stay one night; and you'll still receive the $100 amenity/experience credit. Two nights requirement is for HC or The Hotel Collection

[@summerflower82]

@@CalbyNg thank you for the clarification! I was lucky to receive 175000 bonus points😊

[@UwUKris]

Fhr is one of my favorite amex benefits.

[@CalbyNg]

For sure! Unmatched in benefits

[@maxicanamerican2023]

Where do we signup to get a loyalty number?

[@CalbyNg]

So the loyalty number is the loyalty number for the hotel chain. Specifically for the Watergate hotel they are ran through the “Preferred Hotel” network and you can sign up for an account on their website. Then when you do that you can put your hotel loyalty number within the booking.

[@dressydress9726]

So I wonder where is the savings there?

[@CalbyNg]

Mostly amenity credit, and breakfast credit. Also the credit is built into the platinum card, so it's like a use or lose it and the other benefits help balance the annual fee.

[@_OscarIvan]

I’m about to book a two week trip to Korea, I want a NICE ass room so I might pay $3000 for the room, making it $2800 nice :)

[@jeffreywilliams9220]

Just subscribe to the greatly appreciated the breakdown and content big shouts from Chicago Illinois 💳🤝🔥🔥

[@CalbyNg]

Appreciate it the support!! Glad you found the video useful! Whoa I've always wanted to go to Chicago, pretty cool city

[@texassecession6422]

What happens to the FHR program in Vegas? MGM hotels are no longer in FHR program anymore. Even the ones in FHR programs are way more expensive in 2024. Four seasons hotel is more like $200 this year but it goes up to $800-900 in 2024. This credit is getting worthless.

[@CalbyNg]

Yeahhhh definitely sucks; hopefully Marriott will bring them back into the program. Eh I think it depends on the day. I just searched for May 5-6: Four Seasons is $375, Waldorf is $289, Palazzo is $167, Crockfords is $310, and Wynn is $424. Factoring in the amenity and breakfast credits; it's not too bad. Plus my DC stay was close to $200 and even today still is around that price.

[@texassecession6422]

@@CalbyNg Yes. The price has dropped. In fact, I am going to Vegas in 2 weeks. I was able to make reservations at Crockford for $220 and Palazzo for $166. Still, the number of hotels in FHR programs are less than before.

[@CalbyNg]

@@texassecession6422 Nice!! I stayed at the Crockford during the Luke’s Points and Miles meet up; I really liked that property. Honestly I could see them being added back on after Marriott gets everything together, because I would assume these hotels would have to reapply to be part of the FHR program

[@wanderingdoc5075]

$15 for M&Ms and $7 for a tea? Thanks for reminding me why I moved away from Bethesda. Great video 👍

[@CalbyNg]

Ha! Right!! Still one of my favorite domestic cities to live in though 🥲

[@wanderingdoc5075]

@@CalbyNg Definitely. Living in Bethesda was amazing, good weather and super walkable everyday. Safe. Lots of nice experiences. Not kidding I literally retired myself 20 years earlier by no longer paying my $3,200 per month in rent in Bethesda among other things 😂 I would still rate the best places I've ever lived as Honolulu Hawaii first, Seoul Korea, then Bethesda MD

[@CalbyNg]

Hey that's awesome! Rent was insane there, for sure. Ohhhh Hawaii and Korea would sound like awesome places to live. Thanks Doc!

[@jamesyu613]

that's not to bad by using the credits, awesome hotel.

[@CalbyNg]

Right! So much history to it too; which you don't get any many hotels.

[@Ritchie_The_CEO]

Man. Nice place!

[@CalbyNg]

It really was! Have you been?

[@Ritchie_The_CEO]

@@CalbyNgnope. But it’s on my radar now.

[@Ritchie_The_CEO]

Looks like you’re uploading in 21:9 aspect ratio also. That’s what I edit my videos into.

[@CalbyNg]

Yep, new videos is 6:5 cuz it takes up the whole iPhone screen haha

[@mintico]

The breakfast food looks kinda sad and pathetic. Breakfast in southeast asia is definitely the best

[@drmahidhar1876]

Need to go there wow

[@CalbyNg]

For sure, it tasted like Hyatt Regency buffet food; totally not worth it.

[@AnthonyVenture]

“I am not a crook” - Anthony Venture

[@MattClausen]

When’s the Saturday Night Massacre?

[@AnthonyVenture]

@@MattClausenWe’ll have to set a date, but everyone is fired.

[@CalbyNg]

Ha!

[@thefauxjackie]

I’m telling them about the towel

[@CalbyNg]

Nuuuu!!! They'll prbly charge me $25 for the hand towel alone, haha

[@knowptr]

Too expensive I don’t think I can afford even with the $200 credit

[@LK_EBM]

How much would you pay for a 1 night hotel stay, dinner and breakfast?

[@CalbyNg]

Totally understandable especially with cheaper properties as options; but it's not too bad, about $300 - $200 credit along with $100 amenity credit (more like a dinner credit, haha) and $60 breakfast credit.

[@CesarJoel]

Love DC! That Platinum benefit is 💪Interesting video, great looking rope and interesting hotel Calby! Keep up the great work!🫵

[@CalbyNg]

Thanks Cesar!!

[@_OscarIvan]

$100 in whiskey? Give me the cheapest stuff for me and the bartender and let me go on my way!

[@MattClausen]

I got an envelope from there!

[@CalbyNg]

Haha congratz again!