Top Ways to Use Your US$100 American Express Credit on Travel

A romantic resort in the mountains of the Sonoran Desert, The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain is a tranquil, nature-focused property that also offers easy access to nightlife and culture in nearby Tucson. Spacious suites feature Southwestern art and rich wood furnishings; with select accommodations having working fireplaces.

  Put the US$100 credit toward: a private stargazing experience

Marvel at the night sky during a private stargazing experience with the resort’s on-site astronomer (you can also join a complimentary group stargazing experience, offered Saturday evenings).

Book a stay at El Silencio Lodge and Spa, and you’ll find yourself surrounded by the lush beauty of nearby Juan Castro Blanco National Park. Suites and villas are crafted from local wood and feature private decks and sweeping views of the foliage beyond.

  Put the US$100 credit toward: ziplining, rappelling, hiking or even bird watching and many more experiences

Take an exhilarating zipline ride through the rainforest canopy or a guided waterfall rappelling experience from the top of the falls to the crystal-clear pool below. If you prefer to keep both feet firmly on the ground, opt for a cultural experience, like learning to make fresh tortillas at a local’s home or touring a cocoa bean farm.

At the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Middleburg is a quaint Virginia town about an hour west of Washington, D.C., known for its wineries, horse farms, and historic landmarks. Salamander Middleburg fits right in; it’s a country estate with manicured gardens and 168 elegant rooms and suites.

  Put the US$100 credit toward: horseback riding, archery or ziplining 

Salamander Middleburg’s roster of activities rival the finest summer camp. The fully equipped equestrian center’s offerings include riding lessons, a countryside group trail ride, or a private trail ride for all. Test your aim with an archery & axe throwing class or try ziplining on property at Salamander Adventures.

Along the Riviera Maya, north of Tulum on the Yucatán Peninsula, Palmaia − The House of AiA is an all-inclusive, wellness-focused resort featuring oceanfront suites with fully furnished private terraces. Select suites offer private access to the resort’s infinity pool and all accommodations are stocked with amenities made from healing essential oils.

  Put the US$150 credit toward: a private dinner on the beach

This hotel gives Cardmembers the added value of a US$150 credit, instead of US$100. Dubbed “The Nourishing Biome,” the resort’s food program designs meals for both flavor and optimal health benefits. Guests can take their pick of four restaurants, two cafes, and a mobile coffee hut – or book a customized experience. For example, put the US$150 credit toward a romantic private dinner on the beach, with a personalized three-course menu paired with sunset views.

A charming property on the island of Cape Cod, Wequassett Resort and Golf Club features an 18-hole golf course along with manicured gardens and sweeping views of the coast of Pleasant Bay. Whimsical touches like a vintage ice cream truck on-property offer fun for the whole family.

  Put the US$100 credit toward: boating

The resort offers several ways to enjoy a day at sea, from private sailboat charters to kayak tours and fishing excursions. Guests who charter Maria, the luxury daysailer, can help the crew raise the sails or simply kick back and savor the breeze.

Though HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO is at the center of Kyoto, its network of Japanese gardens make it feel like a much more remote haven. A Cardmember favorite, the hotel’s suites take inspiration from traditional Japanese tearooms. Mindfulness is encouraged – you can begin each day with their Transformative Morning Practice, a focused breathing session, or meditate in the garden.

  Put the US$100 credit toward: a private onsen (hot springs bath)

The resort is known for its natural onsen, fed by a thermal spring source spanning over 3 million feet underground. Put the US$100 credit toward a 90-minute private hot springs bath, perhaps followed by a rejuvenating treatment at the resort’s spa. You can also make use of the in-room dining service to have a healthy lunch delivered while you bathe.

About two hours’ drive north of Los Angeles, Ojai is a laid back small town with art galleries and indie shops. Book a suite at Ojai Valley Inn, a Spanish-style property welcoming guests since 1923. Rooms have marble soaking tubs and walk-in showers and select suites have working fireplaces and private balconies.

  Put the US$100 credit toward: a beekeeping and honey tasting experience 

The inn makes good use of the natural abundance of the valley, which includes cultivating its own six-hive apiary. Join the Beekeeping & Honey Tasting experience, a hands-on tour with the resort’s beekeeper where you’ll get up close to the buzzy residents and sample the fruits of the honeycomb.

Miraval Arizona is a 400-acre wellness oasis in the Arizona desert at the foot of the Santa Catalina Mountains. Capacious suites and villas feature comfortable living areas, fully equipped gourmet kitchens, patios with fire pits, and private plunge pools.

  Put the US$100 credit toward: artisanal taco making or sleep counselling

While Miraval Arizona is all-inclusive – with airport transfers, meals and non-alcoholic beverages, and select wellness classes and excursions all included in your stay – it also offers a la carte experiences. That’s where the US$100 credit comes in handy. Put it towards a class with a chef from the resort’s Life in Balance Culinary Kitchen who teaches you to prepare blue corn tortilla tacos. Or learn how to wake up well-rested with a private sleep counselling session.

Set amid rice paddies and forest near the town of Ubud on the island of Bali, COMO Shambhala Estate is a health and wellness retreat complete with an ancient natural mineral spring. Suites take inspiration from nature, with décor aligning with the elements of water, fire, air, wood, or earth; private villas have their own infinity pools, sundecks, and private gardens.

  Put the US$100 credit toward: a volcano or temple tour 

Traverse Mount Batur on a volcano tour or embark on a temple tour of Bali’s Hindu and Buddhist sites. Early risers can enjoy panoramic views from the top of Mount Batur on a seven-hour sunrise tour.

The Royal at Atlantis is an iconic resort with easy access to Aquaventure water park, Dolphin Cay and more. Suites are appointed in calming, beachy hues and offer views of the ocean, harbor, or tropical landscape.

  Put the US$100 credit toward: snorkeling the ruins of Atlantis 

Explore the ruins and artifacts of the lost city of Atlantis on an hour-long snorkeling adventure that takes you through the Ruins Lagoon teeming with brightly colored fish and marine life, from spiny lobsters to spotted rays.

A charming coastal inn in the New England resort town of Kennebunk, the White Barn Inn, Auberge Collection has been offering guests an elegantly rustic stay since 1973. Choose from a selection of restored rooms, suites, or standalone cottages, some with gas-burning fireplaces. The acclaimed restaurant sources ingredients from local farmers, foragers, and fishermen.

  Put the US$100 credit toward: a Maine lobster experience

If you visit during peak lobster season (between late June and December), spend the day lobster fishing alongside a seasoned Maine lobster fisherman. Back at the inn, the restaurant’s chef will prepare your catch to your liking. Alternatively, put the credit toward an oyster tasting of briny local varieties.

A Honolulu boutique hotel two blocks from the beach, Wayfinder Waikiki nods to its setting with playful tropical décor. Greenery abounds both inside and out and most suites come with their own private lanais.

  Put the US$100 credit toward: the Kako'o Oiwi Farm Volunteer Experience

Get elbow deep in rich soil and learn how local farmers cultivate the land during the Kako'o Oiwi Farm Volunteer Experience. You’ll tour the property and work alongside the staff while enjoying the Hawaiian sunshine.

A Cardmember favorite, the Beau-Rivage Palace Lausanne is a resplendent hotel backdropped by the Swiss Alps and overlooking Lake Geneva. Set in stately buildings that date back to 1861, suites overlook the tranquil lake or the 9-acre gardens.

  Put the US$100 credit toward: afternoon tea or private yoga

The hotel hosts a traditional high tea service that encompasses finger sandwiches, homemade scones and pastries, and Champagne. Sip, nosh, and relax while a local musician plays. Or use the US$100 credit toward centering yourself with an hour-long private yoga session at the resort’s Spa Guerlain, which boasts nine treatment rooms, two heated pools, a whirlpool, sauna, hammam, and a tropical rain walk.

A stylishly rugged retreat in the Blue Ridge Mountains, The Lodge at Primland, Auberge Collection is a prime destination for discerning outdoorsy travelers. Suites feature separate dining and living areas, while cottages have private balconies. Level up to a tree house for enviable mountain views.

  Put the US$100 credit toward: RTV riding, clay shooting, archery, fishing

There’s much to experience in the great outdoors while at Primland. Test your aim during a clay shooting or archery experience, get an adrenaline fix while RTV riding, or cast a line during a catch-and-release fishing excursion at this Orvis double-endorsed Fly Fishing and Wingshooting Lodge.

On 500 acres of gardens, surrounded by white-sand beaches, Rosewood Little Dix Bay is a secluded haven on Virgin Gorda, a Caribbean island known for its beachside boulders with a network of pools and grottos. The 85 rooms, suites and villas feature outdoor living space and dedicated butler service throughout your stay.

  Put the US$150 credit toward: tennis lessons

This hotel gives Cardmembers the added value of a US$150 credit, instead of US$100. Up your game with a private tennis lesson from the resident pro. Courts sit among vibrant tropical gardens and are available for private lessons or group clinics for both children and adults. After working up a sweat, cool off in the property’s two pools.

Set on Vietnam’s central coast, Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai is a tranquil all-villa retreat fringed by an award-winning beach and three infinity pools. Villas feature platform beds, pitched roofs, and interiors inspired by Hue’s elegant garden homes.

  Put the US$100 credit toward: a private beach barbecue

You'll dine well thanks to restaurants featuring authentic Vietnamese cuisine, Japanese omakase, and royal Indian dining. In fact, the resort has its own on-site Nam Hai Cooking Academy and herb and vegetable farm. Use the US$100 credit toward booking a private beach barbecue and prepare to feast with your toes in the sand.

Fontaine Hotel was designed with sophisticated aesthetics like custom mosaic floors, Venetian glass chandeliers, and tapestried headboards. It’s close to Kansas City’s upscale shopping and dining destination Country Club Plaza.

  Put the US$100 credit toward: the Nine Zero One Igloo Experience

In the winter, rooftop restaurant Nine Zero One transforms into a pop-up igloo experience featuring domed, heated tents, festive lighting, and seasonal drinks.

Another Cardmember favorite, Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort, Costa Rica occupies 1,400 acres along a hillside above Culebra Bay. Suites and villas are made from warm, natural materials that blend effortlessly with the tropical surroundings and feature floor-to-ceiling windows.

  Put the US$100 credit toward: coffee, cocktail, or cooking classes 

Costa Rica is known for coffee beans, and you can learn the fundamentals of the perfect pour during the barista class. Those who prefer a stronger sip can put the credit toward a mixology class where you’ll learn to make a hand-crafted cocktail. The resort also offers a wide menu of cooking classes.