We travel to enjoy both the thrill of the new and the comforts of timeless things, and so any list of the hottest destinations in the world is bound to contain classics and emerging winners alike. Whether it’s for a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or a solo adventure, these are the cities and regions that American Express Card Members are traveling to in 2020..
Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of summer, and with it, summer getaways. Beyond the usual beach and barbecue itineraries, we’re approaching this Memorial Day as an opportunity to explore some well-traveled U.S. regions through a new lens.
We’ve highlighted four U.S. locales that are coveted vacation spots ripe with outdoor exploration possibilities, and where multiple Fine Hotels + Resorts® properties await to elevate your Memorial Day getaway. While you’re there, you can take advantage of an exclusive suite of benefits, including a $100 experience credit, unique to each property, guaranteed 4pm check-out and daily breakfast for two when you book with American Express Travel. Pick the perfect spot for your long weekend away.
If you want:
Charleston, SC: The understated yet glamorous historical southern city.
Las Vegas, NV: The epicenter of vibrant day and nightlife.
Miami, FL: Home to both beautiful beaches and global fashion, art and food.
Oahu, HI: Where it’s always island time.
Charleston is a city made for exploration—its gardens and architecture, lush beaches, world-class dining, and storied history offer something new to learn every day. Late spring is a lovely time to visit, with warm temperatures and everything blooming. And there’s a hotel for whatever style of Memorial Day getaway you’re looking for.
You’ll know you’ve arrived at an architectural jewel when you approach the bronze equestrian fountain, Georgian open-arm staircase, and Italian marble floors of The Charleston Place. Set in the heart of the historic district, the Belmond is steps away from the food, arts, and street life of Charleston but set off from the street to give it a truly exclusive feel. Before you venture out to explore the city’s rich history, apply your $100 experience credit toward a relaxing outdoor meal at the Palmetto Café.
If it’s a perfectly curated, old-world-meets-modern design you seek, look no further than The Dewberry, a ‘60s-era federal building renovated with the theme “Southern Reimagined.” The whimsical rooftop cocktail lounge is the perfect scene for your upscale twist on outdoor Memorial Day refreshments—take advantage of 4pm check-out the next day for an extra afternoon of enjoying the garden greenery of Charleston.
Travel just 20 miles outside of the city and you’ll be immersed in natural landscape at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort. Check in to a grand seaside mansion-like property, where outdoor dining and leisure awaits. Use your $100 experience credit toward an oyster roast and barbecue or an authentic low-country feast, or apply it to booking a tee time at one of five majestic golf courses on the property. Enjoy a few extra rounds the next day, with your guaranteed 4pm check-out.
Ready for bright lights followed by some in-room respite? The iconic sights, renowned cuisine, and endless entertainment options of Las Vegas are here for you, with lots of outdoor options.
At the five-star ARIA Sky Suites, your accommodations live above the glimmering Strip, and a personal concierge can see to all of your needs. Visit the exclusive Sky Pool or the zen spa, and apply your $100 experience credit toward one of the sixteen in-resort restaurants including Jean Georges Steakhouse or sushi and seafood eatery CATCH.
If it’s a luxury respite you crave, head straight to the Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas, for floor-to-ceiling windows in your room and exemplary service. Apply your $100 experience credit toward a pampering treatment or two at the world-class Four Seasons Spa, or lounge at the resort’s exclusive private pool—a quiet oasis in this bustling city—after complimentary breakfast at Veranda.
Enjoy top-of-the-line shopping, entertainment, and dining at the Wynn Las Vegas and Encore. Complimentary breakfast for two is available daily at Jardin when you book with us, and if you’re feeling too relaxed to pack up on time, take advantage of 4pm check-out (and more time on your Wynn Dream Bed).
The Five-Star Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas offers a highly personalized concierge team, Les Clefs d’Or concierges, who can help book your restaurant, spa, or show experience. In need of more? If you book with us, enjoy a $125 experience credit you can apply toward something special.
Want beautiful beaches, four-star food and streets alive with art and music? Head to Miami, where each Fine Hotels + Resorts® property has its own subculture and personality.
The Setai, Miami Beach envelops you in its chic post-modern façade, with hardwood floors and warm lighting in each Art Deco suite. Use your $100 experience credit toward a reservation at the Setai’s Pan-Asian restaurant Jaya, or a wood-fired fish entree at Ocean Grill, then take advantage of guaranteed 4pm check-out the next day to assure a few more dips in one of the resort’s three temperature controlled pools.
The storied Surf Club, once the resort of choice for Hollywood royalty, now lives as the Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club. It boasts its own private beach, a regal ballroom, and is home to The Champagne Bar, offering the largest selection of champagnes in Miami. Enjoy complimentary breakfast at The Terrace when you book with us.
Interested in a boutique hotel with larger-resort amenities? Check into The Miami Beach EDITION, with two ocean-facing pools, complimentary breakfast at Market at EDITION, and a world-class spa. Extend your checkout to 4pm when you book with us, and get an extra treatment in or a few more moments in the sun. If you need a little shade, check out the basement of the property, which houses a bowling alley and an ice rink.
In the mood for over the top? Faena Hotel Miami Beach understands, and will indulge you. Rooms are appointed in Art Deco 1950s flair with ocean and bay view quarters, and access to exceptional art, dining, and wellness experiences—use your $100 experience credit toward a treatment at Tierra Santa Healing House, where you can also practice yoga every morning.
If it’s a total escape you’re after, Oahu, aka “The Gathering Place” of the Hawaiian islands, may be the tropical haven you need.
Your vacation can be as low-key or as hands-on adventurous as you want at The Kahala Hotel & Resort: meet the dolphins in the resort’s private lagoon, learn to scuba dive, take a beachfront fitness class, or just relax beachside. Take advantage of guaranteed 4pm check-out when you book here, to add an extra half day to surf, kayak, or standup paddleboard—or just enjoy a few more indulgent hours by the pool.
Your stay will be elevated, literally, at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach: the resort’s infinity pools are housed on the eighth floor, making them the highest in the area. There’s everything from traditional rooms to residential studios and suites, all with an ocean view. Take in the view a few hours longer, or add on a Hawaiian-inspired treatment at the Ritz Carlton Spa the next day when you take advantage of 4pm check-out.
Toggle between active outdoorsy and lazy beachy Memorial Day vacation at the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina. Take out an outrigger canoe, hike the wild rugged coast, or play a few rounds of golf alongside cascading waterfalls. If it’s stillness you’re after, visit the Naupaka Spa and Wellness Centre. Start each day with complimentary breakfast at La Hiki Kitchen, then head to a private cabana, where you can apply your $100 experience credit toward rental fees.
Must be 21 years of age or older to consume alcoholic beverages. Please drink responsibly.
*Terms and Conditions
Fine Hotels + Resorts: Fine Hotels + Resorts® program benefits are available for new bookings made through American Express Travel with participating properties and are valid only for eligible U.S. Consumer, Business, and Corporate Platinum Card® Members and Centurion® Members (Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Card Members are not eligible). Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be traveling on the itinerary booked. The average total value of the program benefits is based on prior-year bookings for stays of two nights; the actual value varies. Noon check-in and room upgrade are subject to availability and are provided at check-in; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of experience credit and daily breakfast (for two) varies by property; the experience credit will be applied to eligible charges up to the amount of the experience credit. Advance reservations are recommended for certain experience credits. If the cost of Wi-Fi is included in a mandatory property fee, a daily credit of that amount will be applied at check-out. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay); back-to-back stays within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in USD or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change.
The Hotel Collection: The Hotel Collection benefits are available for new bookings of two consecutive nights or more made through American Express Travel with participating properties and are valid only for eligible U.S. Consumer and Business Gold Card, Platinum Card® and Centurion® Members (Delta SkyMiles® Gold and Platinum Card Members are not eligible). Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be traveling on the itinerary booked. Room upgrade is subject to availability and is provided at check-in; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of experience credit varies by property; the experience credit will be applied to eligible charges up to $100. Advance reservations are recommended for certain experience credits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay); back-to-back stays within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in USD or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change.
$200 Hotel Credit: U.S. Consumer Basic and Additional Platinum Card® Members may receive up to a total of $200 in statement credits each calendar year, across all Cards on the Account, when using their eligible Platinum Card on eligible, prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings made through American Express Travel (meaning through AmexTravel.com, the Amex® App, or by calling the phone number on the back of your eligible Platinum Card). Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Card Members are not eligible for the benefit. To receive the statement credits, an eligible Card Member must make a new booking using their eligible Platinum 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. Bookings of The Hotel Collection require a minimum stay of two consecutive nights. Eligible bookings must be made before December 31st, 11:59PM Central Time, each calendar year to be eligible for statement credits within that year. Statement credits may not be received or may be reversed if the booking is cancelled or modified. Eligible bookings do not include interest charges, cancellation fees, property fees or other similar fees, or any charges by a property to you (whether for your booking, your stay or otherwise). Please allow up to 90 days after an eligible charge is posted to your Account for the applicable statement credits to be posted to your Account. Call the number on the back of your eligible Platinum Card if statement credits have not posted by that time. If American Express does not receive information that identifies your transaction as eligible, you will not receive the statement credits. For example, your transaction will not be eligible if it is a booking: (i) made with a property not included in the Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection programs, (ii) not made through American Express Travel, or (iii) not made with an eligible Platinum Card. Participating properties and their availability are subject to change. If American Express, in its sole discretion, determines that you have engaged in or intend to engage in any manner of abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with this benefit, American Express will not have an obligation to provide and may reverse any statement credits provided to you. Please refer to AmericanExpress.com/FHR and AmericanExpress.com/THC for more information about Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection, respectively.
5X Points for Platinum Card: You will get one Membership Rewards® point for each dollar charged for an eligible purchase on your Platinum Card® from American Express. You will get 4 additional points (for a total of 5 points) for each dollar spent on eligible travel purchases made on AmexTravel.com. Eligible travel purchases include the following purchases made with American Express Travel: scheduled flights, prepaid hotel purchases (prepaid flight+hotel packages booked on AmexTravel.com), minus returns and other credits. Eligible travel purchases do NOT include non-prepaid hotel bookings, car rentals and cruises, hotel group reservations or events, ticketing service, cancellation or other fees, interest charges, purchases of travelers checks, purchases or reloading of prepaid cards, or purchases of other cash equivalents. To be eligible for the additional points, you must both reserve and charge the travel purchase with the same eligible Platinum Card®. To modify a reservation, you must cancel and rebook your reservation. You can cancel and rebook your reservation on AmexTravel.com or by calling a representative of AmexTravel.com at 1-800-297-2977. Cancellations are subject to hotel cancellation policies. If hotel reservations are made or modified directly with the hotel provider, the reservation will not be eligible for additional points. Bonuses you may receive with your Card on other purchase categories or in connection with promotions or offers from American Express may not be combined with this benefit.
Your Platinum Card® from American Express will get 4 additional points (for a total of 5 points) on the first $500,000 on eligible air purchases of scheduled flights made directly with a passenger airline or through American Express Travel (via the phone by calling 1-800-525-3355 or online via AmexTravel.com) per calendar year.
Merchants are assigned codes based on what they primarily sell. We group certain merchant codes into categories that are eligible for additional points. A purchase with a merchant will not earn additional points if the merchant’s code is not included in an additional points category. You may not receive additional points if we receive inaccurate information or are otherwise unable to identify your purchase as eligible for an additional points category. For example, you may not receive additional points when: a merchant uses a third-party to sell their products or services; or a merchant uses a third-party to process or submit your transaction to us (e.g., using mobile or wireless card readers); or you choose to make a purchase using a third-party payment account or make a purchase using a mobile or digital wallet.
Please visit americanexpress.com/rewards-info for more information about rewards.
5X Points for Business Platinum Card: You will get one point for each dollar charged for an eligible purchase on your Business Platinum Card® from American Express. You will get 4 additional points (for a total of 5 points) for each dollar spent on eligible travel purchases made on AmexTravel.com. Eligible travel purchases include the following purchases made on AmexTravel.com: scheduled flights, prepaid hotel purchases (including hotels and flight+hotel packages), minus returns and other credits. Eligible travel purchases do NOT include non-prepaid hotel bookings, car rentals and cruise, hotel group reservations or events, ticketing service, cancellation or other fees, interest charges, purchases of travelers checks, purchases or reloading of prepaid cards, or purchases of other cash equivalents. To be eligible for the 5x Membership Rewards® points, you must both reserve and charge the travel purchase with the same eligible Business Platinum Card®. To modify a reservation you must cancel and rebook your reservation. You can cancel and rebook your reservation on AmexTravel.com or by calling a representative of AmexTravel.com at 1-800-297-2977. Cancellations are subject to hotel cancellation penalty policies. If hotel reservations are made or modified directly with the hotel provider, the reservation will not be eligible for this 5X Membership Rewards® point benefit. For Business Platinum Card Members, extra points for air, prepaid hotel, and travel packages will be credited to the Membership Rewards account 10-12 weeks after final payment is made. Bonuses you may receive with your Card on other purchase categories or in connection with promotions or offers from American Express may not be combined with this benefit. The benefits associated with the Additional Card(s) you choose may be different than the benefits associated with your basic Card. To learn about the benefits associated with Additional Card(s) you choose, please call the number on the back of your Card.
Merchants are assigned codes based on what they primarily sell. We group certain merchant codes into categories that are eligible for additional points. A purchase with a merchant will not earn additional points if the merchant’s code is not included in an additional points category. You may not receive additional points if we receive inaccurate information or are otherwise unable to identify your purchase as eligible for an additional points category. For example, you may not receive additional points when: a merchant uses a third-party to sell their products or services; or a merchant uses a third-party to process or submit your transaction to us (e.g., using mobile or wireless card readers); or you choose to make a purchase using a third-party payment account or make a purchase using a mobile or digital wallet.
Please visit americanexpress.com/rewards-info for more information about rewards.
Pay with Points: To use Pay with Points, you must charge your eligible purchase through American Express Travel to a Membership Rewards® program-enrolled American Express® Card. Eligible purchases through American Express Travel exclude non-prepaid car rentals and non-prepaid hotels. Points will be debited from your Membership Rewards account, and credit for corresponding dollar amount will be issued to the American Express Card account used. If points redeemed do not cover entire amount, the balance of purchase price will remain on the American Express Card account. Minimum redemption 5,000 points.
See membershiprewards.com/terms for the Membership Rewards program terms and conditions.
If a charge for a purchase is included in a Pay Over Time balance on your Linked Account the statement credit associated with that charge may not be applied to that Pay Over Time balance. Instead the statement credit may be applied to your Pay in Full balance. If you believe this has occurred, please contact us by calling the number on the back of your Card.
American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. is acting solely as a sales agent for travel suppliers and is not responsible for the actions or inactions of such suppliers. Certain suppliers pay us commission and other incentives for reaching sales targets or other goals and may provide incentives to our travel consultants. For more information visit americanexpress.com/travelterms.
California CST#1022318; Washington UBI#600-469-694
© American Express.