American Express expanded its Platinum travel benefits on October 22, 2026: Airbnb Luxe now qualifies for the existing hotel credit, and a qualifying Luxe booking unlocks a separate Airbnb Experiences credit. There’s a trade-off for hotel travelers: one-night Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings will stop qualifying for the lodging credit in 2027.

The changes apply to U.S. Consumer Platinum and Business Platinum cardmembers. Airbnb’s announcement

The $600 hotel credit becomes a lodging credit

The annual amount hasn’t increased. The renamed $600 Lodging Credit still provides up to $300 from January through June and another $300 from July through December, shared across eligible prepaid bookings:

• Airbnb Luxe: at least two nights.
• The Hotel Collection: at least two nights, as before.
• Fine Hotels + Resorts: a two-night minimum for the credit begins January 1, 2027.

Book through Amex Travel and prepay with an eligible card. No enrollment is required. The credit period depends on when the payment is processed, not when you travel. Don’t leave a year-end booking until the last minute: a charge processed in January uses the next period’s credit, if available. Amex’s lodging-credit guide

Regular Airbnb stays can earn 5X, but not the lodging credit

Eligible prepaid Airbnb bookings through Amex Travel earn 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar with either Platinum card, including qualifying non-Luxe rentals. Only Airbnb Luxe qualifies for the lodging credit.

Start from the Homes tab on AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel app and link an Airbnb account with a matching name. Changes and cancellations are handled through Airbnb. You can earn points on these bookings, but Membership Rewards Pay with Points isn’t available for Airbnb. Amex’s Airbnb booking guide

How to unlock the $250 Airbnb Experiences credit

1. Use an eligible Platinum card to make a prepaid Airbnb Luxe booking through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel app.

2. Wait for confirmation and check that the benefit is unlocked in your Amex account’s Benefits section.

3. Use your eligible card to buy Experiences directly through Airbnb’s Experiences website or app tab by December 31 of the booking-confirmation year.

The limit is $250 per calendar year per card account. Purchases redirected to third-party sellers, such as certain live-event tickets, don’t qualify. If all qualifying Luxe bookings are canceled, the benefit locks again and credits already received may be reversed. Credits can take up to eight weeks to post. Amex’s benefit terms

Is it worth using?

Suppose an eligible two-night Luxe stay has $800 in qualifying charges and you have the full $300 lodging credit remaining for that half-year. The credit reduces those charges to $500. If the booking unlocks the Experiences benefit and you then spend $200 on eligible activities before the deadline, another $200 could be credited.

That helps if it’s a trip you already wanted. Compare the total price, fees and cancellation terms with your alternatives before booking a more expensive rental just to unlock a credit.

Terms apply. Benefit details checked October 23, 2026.