After a long winter, we’re all ready to be back outside—and jumping in the car for a road trip is one of the quickest ways to get away. But after the last year, we could all use a little more pampering and special care. American Express Travel can elevate your road trip vacation when you use Membership Rewards® Pay with Points² for your prepaid rental car and hotel stays at one of the Fine Hotels + Resorts® properties. Driving up the coast or through the country, enjoying the outdoors and the views, then stopping for the night—to indulge in benefits such as daily breakfast for two, guaranteed 4pm checkout and a $100 experience credit, unique to each property, when you book with us—makes for a uniquely upscale, and all the more restful, road trip.
If you want to explore the iconic New England or California coasts by car, these two itineraries are an excellent place to start. And each of these Fine Hotels + Resorts® properties welcome you along the routes, with fine service, accommodations, and a suite of benefits with an average total value of $600* in perks. Terms apply.
*Average value based on Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings in 2022 for stays of two nights. Benefits include daily breakfast for two, room upgrade upon arrival when available, $100 amenity, guaranteed 4PM late checkout, and noon check-in when available. Certain room categories not eligible for upgrade. $100 amenity varies by property. Actual value will vary based on property, room rate, upgrade availability, and use of benefits.
If you’re taking the scenic route from New York City to Maine, it can involve a stunning coastline and picturesque stops. And Fine Hotels + Resorts® are more than a stop along the way — they’re an entirely elevated take on a road trip, complete with an exclusive suite of benefits.
If you’re starting in New York City, hit the heart of the Financial District with a stay at 1 The Beekman, A Thompson Hotel, in a landmark building steps away from the Freedom Tower, Battery Park City’s walking paths along lower Manhattan’s two rivers, and plenty of four-star dining. That dining extends to the resort’s coveted restaurants, including Tom Colicchio’s Temple on Ten, where you can apply your $100 experience credit.
Once you’re ready to make the city-to-country switch, head pretty much due north through Connecticut. Stop for a walk on one of the state’s beautiful beaches or head straight into the woods, dropping your bags at the 2 Mayflower Inn and Spa, Auberge Resorts Collection, in Washington, CT. You’ll have 58 beautifully landscaped acres of woodland and gardens on which to stretch your legs, with even more time to explore when you take advantage of guaranteed 4pm checkout. When it’s time for a bite, there’s nourishment to write home about from chef-in-residence April Bloomfield’s farm-to-table menus.
If directly on the water is where you prefer to be, park yourself for the night (or longer) at Newport, RI’s 3 hotel. Pick a room by the beach, on the hill, or overlooking the harbor, and once settled, head out to absorb the old glamour of Newport’s Gilded Age mansions and the New England sea air. Take your meals outdoors on the Lawn—yes, that’s the name of the restaurant at Castle Hill Inn—where terraces overlook the rolling lawn on Narragansett Bay, and where you can apply your $100 experience credit and enjoy a spectacular view.
Cape Cod-bound? Book at 4 Wequassett Resort and Golf Club in Harwich, MA, for access to two extraordinary beaches and two magnificent pools—use your $100 experience credit toward a cocktail and al fresco snack at the beachfront LiBAYtion Bar, golf at Cape Cod National Golf Club, or go deep into luxury relaxation when you book a private cabana facing Pleasant Bay. Life on the water is good—extend that goodness by taking advantage of 4pm checkout.
Making your way further north will land you at the 5 Boston Harbor Hotel, the only five-star resort on the harbor, offering unparalleled views of both the city and the harbor, with luxury service and accommodations whether you take in the city or lounge in the resort. Use your $100 experience credit toward an outdoor dinner on the terrace at the hotel’s Rowe’s Wharf Sea Grill, then head back to your room for some solace in your marble bathroom’s soaking tub.
Once you’ve hit Boston, you’re almost at Maine, and Maine in the summer is magic. The 6 White Barn Inn, Auberge Resorts Collection, in Kennebunk, is a 150-year-old local landmark offering rustic charm and gold-standard service. Hike, swim, boat, explore—or take in a custom experience at the resort, like a cooking session with the chef or a private bicycle tour in the surrounding woods. Not ready to head home? Take advantage of guaranteed 4pm checkout when you book with us.
The storied drive up (or down) the California coast is a legendary one, and a driving vacation that can be done again and again, in so many different ways. Whether you’re starting from the Bay Area and heading south, or doing San Diego to San Francisco, the Fine Hotels + Resorts® properties dotting the path are an excellent place to rest between the miles—and make your Golden State road trip truly memorable.
If your starting point is San Francisco, get your first night’s sleep in either a historic room with vintage architecture or a contemporary room with bamboo furnishings at 1 Cavallo Point Lodge, nestled at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge Park. Literal steps away from a giant park landscape and one of our nation’s greatest cities, you can begin your road trip vacation with a hybrid of city and nature. Enjoy 4pm checkout for even more time to explore either the hilly city or the redwood forest.
For a less urban stay, check in at 2 The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, where you’ll sleep atop an ocean bluff and lounge on Adirondack chairs with a glass of local California wine, utilizing your $100 experience credit. Before you head out in the morning, pop in for one more view of the majestic bluff during complimentary daily breakfast for two at the hotel’s elegant Mediterranean eatery, the Conservatory Restaurant.
Heading further down the coast, the majestic Big Sur is a must-visit. Take in the serenity of the redwood forests and the sea crashing at 3 Alila Ventana Big Sur. Enjoy this natural wonder from your secluded suite with a private balcony, one of the villas, or with a foray into the glamping options at the resort. Apply your $100 experience credit toward a meal on the outdoor deck at Sur House or a picnic basket for the next day’s drive further south, or toward a treatment in an outdoor cabana at the resort’s Spa Alila.
The central coast feels like the American Riviera once you hit 4 Rosewood Miramar Beach in Montecito. Indulge in a nearly 1,000-square-foot ocean-front suite, a treatment or two in the five-star spa, and a dip in the zero-edge Cabana Pool, then learn about the area’s wines with Miramar’s wine director. Make it all last a little longer with guaranteed 4pm checkout when you book with us.
Whether Los Angeles proper is part of your road trip itinerary or not, 5 The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey in Los Angeles should be. Five-star-luxury meets California calm at this resort—even the spa has marina views—and your $100 experience credit can serve up in-room dining or a waterfront meal at the hotel’s restaurant, Cast & Plow, where a glance at the menu includes detailed sourcing of which farm has provided the delectably fresh ingredients for your meal.
You’re fully enveloped in luxe Southern California living once you’ve hit Orange County’s Dana Point. The 6 Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach, a Hilton property, is perched on 175 stunning acres, including a private beach club, three pools, an oceanfront spa, and dining. Finish off a day in paradise with a nightcap around the fire pit, and then extend checkout another half day—until 4pm—and use your $100 experience credit to hit the greens at Monarch Beach Golf Links.
When you’ve reached San Diego, don’t worry, you’re not done yet. The 7 Fairmont Grand Del Mar feels like an entire vacation on its own with four heated pools, golf, an outdoor fitness center, and self-guided hiking trails. And don’t forget some of the prettiest beaches in California. Extend your time on the coast, and in the high comfort of the Fairmont, with guaranteed 4pm checkout.
*Terms and Conditions
Fine Hotels + Resorts Program: Fine Hotels + Resorts® (FHR) 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 and Additional Platinum Card Members on Consumer and Business Platinum and Centurion Card Accounts. (Companion Card Members on Consumer Platinum Card Accounts, Additional Business Gold Cards, Additional Business Expense Card Members on Business Platinum and Centurion Card Accounts, and 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 or additional amenity (if applicable) 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. The type and value of the daily breakfast (for two) varies by property; breakfast will be valued at a minimum of US$60 per room per day. 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 booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional FHR benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the Property reserve the right to modify or revoke FHR benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you may have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your FHR benefits. 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 Program: The Hotel Collection (THC) 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 and all Additional Card Members on Consumer and Business Platinum and Centurion Card Accounts. (Companion Card Members on Consumer Platinum Card Accounts, Additional Business Gold Cards, Additional Business Expense Card Members on Business Platinum and Centurion Card Accounts, and 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 or additional amenity (if applicable) 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 booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional THC benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the Property reserve the right to modify or revoke the THC benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your THC benefits. 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: Basic Card Members on U.S. Consumer Platinum Card Account are eligible to receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when they or Additional Platinum Card Members use their Cards to pay for 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 Card) or when Companion Platinum Card Members on such Platinum Card Accounts pay for eligible prepaid bookings for The Hotel Collection made through American Express Travel (meaning through amextravel.com, the Amex® App, or by calling the phone number on the back of your eligible Card). Purchases by both the Basic Card Member and any Additional Card Members on the Card Account are eligible for statement credits. However, the total amount of statement credits for eligible purchases will not exceed $200 per calendar year, per Card Account. Fine Hotels + Resorts® program bookings may be made only by eligible U.S. Consumer Basic Platinum and Additional Platinum Card Members. The Hotel Collection bookings may be made by eligible U.S. Consumer Basic and Additional Platinum Card Members and Companion Platinum Card Members on the Platinum Card Account.
Delta Sky Miles® Platinum Card Members are not eligible for the benefit. To receive the statement credits, an eligible CardMember 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. Bookings of The Hotel Collection require a minimum stay of two consecutive nights. Eligible bookings must be processed before December 31st, 11:59 PM Central Time, each calendar year to be eligible for statement credits within that year. 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). Statement credits are typically received within a few days, however, it may take 90 days after an eligible prepaid hotel booking is charged to the Card Account. American Express relies on the merchant to process transactions within the same calendar year that you made the prepaid booking in order to apply the statement credit in the calendar year that it was intended. For example, if you make an eligible prepaid booking on the last day of the year, but the merchant doesn’t process that transaction until the next day, then the statement credit available in the next calendar year will be applied to the Card Account, if the purchase is eligible.
Statement credits may not be received or maybe reversed if the booking is cancelled or modified. To be eligible for this benefit, your Card account must not be cancelled or past due at the time of statement credit fulfillment. 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 Card.
Participating properties and their availability are subject to change. If AmericanExpress, 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. If a charge for an eligible purchase is included in a Pay Over Time balance on your Card 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. Please refer to AmericanExpress.com/FHR and AmericanExpress.com/HC for more information about Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection, respectively.
5X Membership Rewards® Points Platinum Card: Basic Card Members will get 1 Membership Rewards® point for each dollar charged for eligible purchases on their Platinum Card® or an Additional Card on their Account and 4 additional points (for a total of 5 points) for each dollar charged for eligible travel purchases on any Card on the Account (“Additional Points”), minus cancellations and credits. Eligible travel purchases are limited to: (i) purchases of air tickets on scheduled flights, of up to $500,000 in charges per calendar year, booked directly with passenger airlines or through American Express Travel (by calling 1-800-525-3355 or through AmexTravel.com); (ii) purchases of prepaid hotel reservations booked through American Express Travel; and (iii) purchases of prepaid flight+hotel packages booked through AmexTravel.com. Eligible travel purchases do not include: charter flights, private jet flights, flights that are part of tours, cruises, or travel packages (other than prepaid flight+hotel packages booked through AmexTravel.com), ticketing or similar service fees, ticket cancellation or change fees, property fees or similar fees, hotel group reservations or events, interest charges, or purchases of cash equivalents. Eligible prepaid hotel bookings or prepaid flight+hotel bookings that are modified directly with the hotel will not be eligible for Additional Points.
Bonuses that may be received with your Card on other purchase categories or in connection with promotions or offers from American Express cannot be combined with this benefit. Any portion of a charge that the Basic Card Member elects to cover through redemption of Membership Rewards points is not eligible to receive points. Additional terms and restrictions apply.
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. Basic Card Members 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, 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.
To be eligible for this benefit, the Card Account must not be cancelled. 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 in any way American Express may remove access to this benefit from the Account. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card or visit americanexpress.com/rewards-info for more information about rewards.
5X Membership Rewards 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. Eligible travel purchases include scheduled flights and prepaid flight+hotel packages made online at AmexTravel.com, minus returns and other credits. Additionally, eligible travel purchases include prepaid hotel purchases made through American Express Travel, over the phone with our Travel Consultants or made online at AmexTravel.com, minus returns and other credits. Eligible travel purchases do NOT include non-prepaid hotel bookings, scheduled flights and prepaid flight+hotel packages over the phone, vacation packages, car rentals, 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. To be eligible to receive extra points, Card account(s) must not be cancelled or past due at the time of extra points fulfillment. If booking is cancelled, the extra points will be deducted from the Membership Rewards account. Extra points will be credited to the Membership Rewards account approximately 6-10 weeks after eligible purchases appear on the billing statement. 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.
Terms and Conditions for the Membership Rewards® program apply. Visit membershiprewards.com/terms for more information. Participating partners and available rewards are subject to change without notice.
The value of Membership Rewards points varies according to how you choose to use them. To learn more, go to www.membershiprewards.com/pointsinfo.
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
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