Quick Answer
What Amex Travel is
American Express describes the portal this way: eligible cardmembers can book hotels, flights and rental cars and pay with their American Express card or with Membership Rewards points. The old address americanexpress.de/reisen now redirects to americanexpress.com/de-de/travel. American Express acts as an intermediary; the contract is made with the airline, hotel or rental company. A chat for existing bookings is available Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Platinum members can also book Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection by phone through the Platinum Travel Service. Amex doesn’t list a phone number for it on the portal page.
Redeeming the Platinum’s €200 travel credit
| Rule | Per the offer terms |
|---|---|
| What counts | flights, hotels and rental cars booked and paid for online at americanexpress.de/reisen |
| Minimum amount | €200 per booking; below that, the credit isn’t shown |
| How often | once per membership year (from card issuance or its anniversary) |
| Splitting | not possible, one booking only |
| Credit timing | full price charged first, €200 refunded after 48 to 72 hours |
| Change or cancellation | credit is forfeited |
| Combining | with card payment and Membership Rewards points |
| Other travelers | possible if the whole trip is paid with the Platinum |
| Cancellation in year 1 | Amex charges the €200 back |
The terms don’t mention package tours. The Gold Card has no online travel credit. For an overview of all four Platinum credits, see our Amex Platinum credits page.
How to get the most out of the €200: a booking that’s certain to happen and lands just above €200, like two hotel nights or a week-long rental car. A flight you might have to rebook is riskier, since any change costs you the credit.
Paying with Membership Rewards points
Amex Travel lets you use points for flight, hotel and rental car bookings, even combined with the travel credit. Whether it’s worth it depends on the value per point: for vouchers and paying with points, that value sits well below what a transfer to airline partners can bring. The numbers are in our Membership Rewards guide.
Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection
| Fine Hotels + Resorts | The Hotel Collection | |
|---|---|---|
| Who | Platinum, Business Platinum, Centurion (issued in Germany) | also Gold and Business Gold |
| Hotels | over 1,800 | over 1,300 |
| Minimum stay | none stated | 2 consecutive nights |
| Breakfast | daily for two, worth at least 60 USD per room per day | not included |
| Hotel credit | varies by hotel (“Experience Credit”) | up to 100 USD |
| Check-in and check-out | early check-in from noon, late check-out until 4 p.m. (subject to availability) | early check-in from noon, late check-out until 4 p.m. (subject to availability) |
| Upgrade | on arrival, subject to availability | on arrival, subject to availability |
| Booking | Amex Travel online or the Platinum Travel Service | Amex Travel online or the Platinum Travel Service |
For both programs, the member has to travel themselves and pay with an Amex card in their own name. The portal’s special rates can’t be combined with Fine Hotels + Resorts. Whether the €200 travel credit also applies to an FHR or Hotel Collection booking isn’t explicitly stated in the terms; check it in the booking screen before you pay. How the Platinum’s hotel status fits in is covered in our Platinum hotel status guide.
Amex Travel or book direct?
Amex Travel is an intermediary, not a price guarantee. Three cases where the portal is worth it:
- You’re redeeming the €200 travel credit and the markup over booking direct is smaller than €200.
- You’re booking an FHR hotel and will actually use breakfast for two and late check-out.
- You want to spend points and accept a lower value per point.
In every other case, there’s no reason to prefer the portal over booking direct. See our best Amex card in Germany comparison for which Amex card fits you at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Amex Travel?
Amex Travel is American Express Germany’s online travel portal at americanexpress.de/reisen. Eligible cardholders book hotels, flights and rental cars there and pay with their Amex card or with Membership Rewards points. American Express acts as an intermediary. For Platinum members, it’s the only place to redeem the €200 online travel credit.
How do I use the €200 travel credit on Amex Travel?
With a booking of at least €200 for a flight, hotel or rental car, paid with the primary cardholder’s Platinum Card. The credit applies once per membership year, only on a single booking, and is forfeited if you change or cancel it. Amex charges the full price first and credits the €200 back within 48 to 72 hours.
Can I pay with points on Amex Travel?
Yes. Amex Travel lets you use Membership Rewards points for flight, hotel and rental car bookings. Under the Platinum terms, the €200 travel credit can be combined with card payment and points in a single booking.
What’s the difference between Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection?
Fine Hotels + Resorts is only for Platinum, Business Platinum and Centurion: over 1,800 hotels with breakfast for two worth at least 60 USD a day, late check-out until 4 p.m. and, depending on the hotel, a credit. The Hotel Collection is also open to Gold cardholders, applies from two nights at over 1,300 hotels and brings a hotel credit of up to 100 USD.
Is Amex Travel cheaper than booking direct?
Not automatically. Amex Travel is an intermediary portal, and prices can differ from booking direct. Compare the price at the hotel or airline before every booking. The €200 credit is only worth it if the markup over booking direct is smaller than €200.