Qualifying American Express credit cards provide access to the Amex Hotel Collection, an extensive partnership with luxury hotels. Booking a stay at a participating hotel property entitles you to exclusive benefits, such as complimentary room upgrades and early check-in.
This article lists which Canadian hotels participate in the Amex Hotel Collection, explains how to book a stay, and reviews the credit cards that provide you with this premium benefit.
Key Takeaways
- American Express partners with over 1,400 luxury hotels and resorts to offer upscale travel experiences with the Amex Hotel Collection.
- You must have an eligible Amex credit card to access the Amex Hotel Collection, and you must charge the full cost of the stay to the card.
- Among other details, the Amex Hotel Collection benefit offers cardholders a $100 USD hotel credit and free room upgrade (when available).
- The best card to use for access to the Amex Hotel Collection is the American Express Cobalt Card.
Never miss an amazing deal again + get our bonus 250+ page eBook for FREE. Join 50,000 other Canadians who receive our weekly newsletter – learn more.
What is the Amex Hotel Collection?
The Hotel Collection from American Express is a credit card benefit – a collection of over 1,400 global luxury hotels and resorts that you can book using your American Express card.
When you book at least 2 nights and charge the full cost to the card, you'll enjoy these perks:
- Free room upgrades (when available)
- Early check-in
- Late check-out
- A $100 USD hotel credit for dining, spa, or resort fees
Benefits and downsides of the Amex Hotel Collection
The American Express Hotel Collection is a unique credit card benefit, but its value depends on how well you use it — and on being aware of the drawbacks.
Amex Hotel Collection pros
- Easy to book with your card
- More hotel options than the Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection
- Includes generous $100 USD hotel credit
- Includes early check-in and late check-out
- Comes with a free room upgrade (where available)
Amex Hotel Collection cons
- Must book a minimum of 2 nights
- Doesn't include breakfast
- Doesn't include best price guarantee
- Doesn't offer as many perks as Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts
- Hotel rates might not be as competitive as with third-party sites
Full Comparison: The Amex Hotel Collection vs. the Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection
Amex Hotel Collection eligibility
To take advantage of the luxurious collection, you've got to charge a full hotel stay with an eligible American Express credit card.
These cards include:
- American Express Cobalt Card
- The Platinum Card
- American Express Gold Rewards Card
- The Business Platinum Card from American Express
- American Express Business Gold Rewards Card
There are several other cards that provide this benefit, and it likely goes without saying that the American Express Centurion credit card is among them.
How to book stays through the Amex Hotel Collection
To book stays through the Amex Hotel Collection, start by logging in to your Amex credit card account and heading to the "Travel" tab. You'll then select "The Hotel Collection" and enter your destination/trip details.
There, you'll see a list of available properties you can book with your Amex card.
Best Amex Hotel Collection credit cards
If you don't have a qualifying American Express credit card but want to get one before your next big trip, here's how these hotel credit cards compare:
| Card Name | Annual Fee | Rewards | Welcome Bonus | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Express Cobalt Card | $191.88 | * 5 points per $1 spent on eligible groceries and restaurants (up to $2,500 spent per month) * 3 points per $1 spent on eligible streaming services * 2 points per $1 spent on eligible gas, transit, and ride share purchases * 1 point per $1 spent on foreign currency purchases * 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases | Up to 15,000 bonus points (terms) | Learn more |
| The Platinum Card | $799 | * 2 points per $1 spent on restaurants and travel * 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases | Up to 100,000 bonus points (terms) | Learn more |
| American Express Gold Rewards Card | $250 | * 2 points for every $1 spent on gas, groceries, drugstores, and travel * 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases | Up to 60,000 bonus points (terms) | Learn more |
| Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card | $120 | * 5 points per $1 spent at Marriott properties * 2 points per $1 spent on all other purchases | 110,000 bonus points (terms) | Learn more |
| Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card | $150 | * 5 points per $1 spent at Marriott properties * 3 points per $1 spent on gas, dining, and travel * 2 points per $1 spent on all other purchases | Up to 110,000 bonus points (terms) | Learn more |
American Express Cobalt® Card
×9 Award winner 
The American Express Cobalt Card consistently tops our best credit card lists, so it's not surprising that it gives you access to the Amex Hotel Collection. In addition to the card's high reward rate, it also has useful travel benefits like 10 types of insurance, Amex Offers, and the ability to book travel with Amex Membership Rewards points.
If you can't find travel you'd like to book through the Fixed Points Travel Program, you can transfer your points to Aeroplan or Marriott Bonvoy, or choose to receive a statement credit for any travel you book with your card.
Pros:
- Best credit card in Canada
- Up to 15,000 welcome bonus points
- 4 ways to redeem points for high value
Cons:
- Lower acceptance as an American Express
The Platinum® Card
The Platinum Card has more perks than any other credit card in Canada, so naturally, this includes access to the Amex Hotel Collection. Few cards can boast unlimited airport lounge access along with $200 in credits for both dining and lifestyle – valuable benefits that help offset the card's high fee.
We also love that this card offers rental car insurance and hotel-specific insurance, including $1,000 in hotel burglary coverage. From booking the trip to travelling to your luxurious hotel, The Platinum Card has your back.
Pros:
- Get up to 100,000 welcome bonus points
- 4 ways to redeem points for high value
- 11 types of insurance included
Cons:
- High annual fee of $799
American Express® Gold Rewards Card
The American Express Gold Rewards Card strikes a balance between the 2 previous cards. Your reward rate isn't as high as with the Cobalt, but you'll get more benefits – though fewer than with the Platinum card. You'll still get impressive insurance coverage, including $500 of hotel burglary insurance.
The card also includes a Priority Pass membership, but you'll have to pay to get in. That said, you can enjoy 4 free passes to Plaza Premium Lounges in Canada every year. The metal Gold card also gives a $100 travel credit every year.
Pros:
- 4 ways to redeem points for high value
- 11 types of insurance included
- Up to 60,000 welcome bonus points
Cons:
- High annual fee of $250
Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card
The Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card is a bit unusual in that it's a hotel-branded Amex. If you read through the list of Amex Hotel Collection properties, you'll see W Hotels, which is operated by Marriott International – and when you book a Marriott Bonvoy stay with this card, you'll earn 5 points per $1 spent. You'll also get automatic Elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy rewards program.
The card has a modest annual fee and standard travel insurance, but it also has a few standout perks: 15 elite night credits and an annual free night certificate worth up to 35,000 points.
Pros:
- Up to 110,000 welcome bonus points
- Ability to transfer points for high value
- Includes hotel burglary coverage
Cons:
- Lower insurance coverage amounts compared to similar premium cards
Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express® Card
The last card on our list is for people with business needs. The Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card also participates in the Marriott Bonvoy rewards program and grants automatic Elite status within that reward structure. Cardholders will love the fact that they earn 5 points per $1 spent on Marriott Bonvoy stays (including those through the Amex Hotel Collection).
This business card also gives an annual voucher worth 35,000 points, automatic Silver Elite status, 15 Elite Night credits that count toward status, and extensive travel insurance.
Pros:
- Up to 110,000 welcome bonus points
- High reward rate for gas, dining, and travel
- Supplemental card only costs $50
- Get over 1 cent per point in value on hotels and travel packages
Cons:
- Low point value for car rental redemptions: 0.13 cents per point
List of Amex Hotel Collection properties in Canada
Now that you know the ins and outs of the Amex Hotel Collection, here's a current list of which Canadian properties are included:
- Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile (Montreal)
- Ace Hotel (Toronto)
- Hotel Omni Mont-Royal (Montreal)
- W Toronto
- Fairmont Hotel (Vancouver)
- Bisha, a Luxury Collection Hotel (Toronto)
- The Omni King Edward Hotel (Toronto)
- Fairmont Hotel Macdonald (Edmonton)
- AZUR Legacy Collection Hotel (Vancouver)
- Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth (Montreal)
- W Montreal
The iconic Fairmont Hotel Vancouver is also known as Canada's Castle in the City.
FAQ
How does Hotel Collection work on Amex?
If you have an eligible American Express credit card and you're planning on booking a 2-night+ stay, search the Amex Hotel Collection to find premium hotels, spas, and resorts. Although you won't get a preferred rate, you'll get perks like room upgrades and early check-in/late check-out.
What is The Hotel Collection credit for American Express?
Eligible Amex cardholders get a $100 USD hotel credit that you can use for amenities like dining, spa, and other leisure activities (excursions, cooking classes, etc.) that you charge to the room. Just be aware that these amenities vary by hotel, so check what's available before you book.
Can you stay one night with Amex Hotel Collections?
No, a one-night stay won't qualify. The Amex Hotel Collection requires a minimum stay of 2 nights, and you must charge the full cost to your Amex card. Book a single night, and you'll miss out on perks like room upgrades, late checkout, and the $100 USD credit – that could go towards dining or a spa treatment.
What is the benefit of booking a hotel through Amex?
If you use an eligible American Express credit card to book a stay of at least 2 nights, you have access to the Amex Hotel Collection – premium hotels with potential room upgrades, early check-in, late check-out, and a $100 USD hotel credit.
creditcardGenius is the only tool that compares 126+ features of 252 Canadian credit cards using math-based ratings and rankings that respond to your needs, instantly. Take our quiz and see which of Canada's 252 cards is for you.
GC: 
Comments
Leave a comment
Required fields are marked with *. Your email address will not be published.