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Have you checked your credit card travel benefits?

Have you selected a hotel rewards program?

Have you selected an airline rewards program?

I need to spend my Amex Hotel Statement Credit. This is the second time in less than four weeks that I almost forfeited a travel credit card benefit. However, I was able to use this hotel credit while I was out in Arizona visiting my son and my beautiful grandbaby. If you aren’t aware, as an American Express Platinum cardholder, you receive a $600 annual hotel credit, awarded as up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually (January–June and July–December) for Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) or The Hotel Collection bookings. Well, I hadn’t redeemed my credit yet, and it was already June 17. After I checked out of my timeshare, I decided to book a last-minute night at the gorgeous Andaz Scottsdale.

Amex Hotel Statement Credit

$300 Amex Hotel Statement Credit Part I

Booking through Amex FHR is no ordinary hotel experience. Here are just some of the incredible perks I received during my stay at Andaz Scottsdale:

  • 12:00 PM Check-In (When Available): Of course, I didn’t even book until noon, but when I arrived at 1:30 PM, a room was already clean and waiting for me.
  • Room Upgrade Upon Arrival (When Available): The upgrade was subtle but wonderful. I booked a standard retreat room, but ended up in one with a beautiful, comfortable outdoor seating area right outside my back door. Not all rooms have this private nook and table, so this added serious value to my stay.
  • Guaranteed 4:00 PM Late Check-Out: Although I was spending my last night in Arizona at my son’s house, I still took full advantage of the late checkout to enjoy the property longer. I hung out at the spa after breakfast.

$300 Amex Hotel Statement Credit Part II

  • Daily Breakfast for Two ($60 Value Per Day): Now read that again. Two people can have breakfast daily for up to $60. I am all about saving money, and utilizing this benefit is a fantastic way to do it. I ordered the egg plate: two eggs my way, breakfast potatoes, sourdough bread, and chicken-fried sausage.
  • $100 Experience Credit: Yes, you read that correctly! You get a $100 property credit to use toward incidentals like dining or spa services during your stay.
Amex Hotel Statement Credit

Benefits at Andaz Scottsdale

The moment I arrived, I was greeted with a refreshing welcome drink. Now, I want you to think about your last hotel stay—did you get a welcome drink? Because I stayed on the retreat side of the resort, I also had full access to the Palo Verde Spa. I made sure to utilize the steam room and the indoor/outdoor relaxation rooms. Keep in mind that the relaxation room features complimentary loose-leaf tea and fresh macarons. If you put a price tag on those luxury amenities alone, you can see how quickly you start surpassing your return on investment. Sometimes, if you don’t look at the big picture, you miss out on major value.

The Room

Although the room was an intimate 355 square feet, it was incredibly comfortable. The best part? The pool was right outside my back door—and the pools here are open 24/7. How about that?

Inside, I had a lovely chaise lounge right near the window. Even though I love taking a relaxing bath, this specific room only featured a shower. There are plenty of snacks and alcohol stocked in the room, but a word to the wise: please read the price list before you indulge.

Happy Hour at Weft & Warp Art Bar

The resort’s restaurant, Weft & Warp Art Bar, offers a great Happy Hour. The Old Fashioned was $6 cheaper than usual, but I decided to order my lamb burger and dessert off the regular dinner menu. The burger was pure deliciousness, and the tiramisu was light and airy.

The service was absolutely incredible. I sat outside because there were three very chatty ladies at the bar, but it’s good to know you don’t have to sit at the bar to get Happy Hour pricing.

Is the $300 Amex Hotel Statement Credit a Great Value

Let’s recap the numbers because the math on this stay is unbelievable. Not only do I get a $300 credit, but my room rate was only $335. However, I prepaid $279 on my Amex card, but $56 was due when I arrived.  

During Happy Hour, I used my $100 Experience Credit and spent $62 on two Old Fashioneds, a lamb burger, and tiramisu. I also ordered a smash burger for lunch before checking out, and had my breakfast ($42) fully covered. 

The only extra cash I spent was $26 in total tips (including $19 in cash to my server upfront—if you know me, you know I believe in taking care of your server right away. I left a tip for housekeeping and handed the golf cart driver $5 for giving me a ride to W&W. It was just too hot to walk.

Is the Platinum Amex Card worth it?

300 (Hotel Credit) + $100 (Experience Credit) + $60 (Breakfast Value) = $460 Now, what is the annual fee? It’s $895. If you use this exact credit twice a year, you would receive $920 in benefits just by booking a one-night stay at a Fine Hotel & Resort property each half of the year. That nearly wipes out the entire annual fee right there, before you even touch lounge access, airline credits ($200), or Uber. By the way, I actually spent $92 because the money due at the hotel is not part of the $300 credit.

Don’t let your travel benefits sit on the table. Use them before you lose them.