American Express brought Airbnb in its travel rewards platform.
The companies announced a new partnership Thursday to bring more than 1 million Airbnb listings to Amex’s travel portal and allow cardholders to earn rewards when booking stays. It currently does not allow members to redeem points to pay for Airbnb reservations.
This launch adds Airbnb rentals to Amex’s hotel portfolio, which includes more than 3,400 properties in its Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection programs.
Amex members with a Consumer or Business Platinum card can also now apply their $600 annual lodging credit – previously called a hotel credit – to Airbnb’s premium Luxury stays and enjoy a new $250 statement credit on eligible Airbnb experiences after making a Luxury reservation.
“We’re excited to offer more choice and flexibility to American Express Cardmembers through this exclusive partnership. Our two companies exist to help people travel more and better, and this partnership helps people see more of the world by making travel more rewarding,” said Juan David Borrero, head of partnerships at Airbnb, in a press release.
Membership points vary depending on the card:
- Consumer and Business Platinum Card members earn five times membership rewards on prepaid Airbnb reservations through Amex Travel.
- Consumer Classic Green Card members earn three times more points on travel bookings made directly through third-party sites, including Airbnb.
- Other rewards-eligible members earn twice as many points on prepaid Airbnb reservations through Amex Travel.
These changes come as competition among premium credit cards continues to intensify.
Last year, American Express increased the annual fee for its premium Platinum card to $895. In turn, it has invested in cardholder perks, such as new lounges at airports and at high-ticket events and experiences, to attract more higher-paying customers.
Earlier this month, it announced an expansion of its Centurion lounges, with renovations to four existing lounges and new ones planned at Newark Liberty International Airport and London Heathrow Airport. The Newark show will be the largest in its network.
This partnership also comes as Americans continue to opt for luxury travel and experiences, even as prices for airfare, gasoline and hotels rise. Despite higher costs, more than half of Americans said they made no changes to their travel plans this summer, according to a recent study from travel insurance company Squaremouth.
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