Making the Most of Amex Perks in Portugal
This summer marked my third visit to Portugal. My stay at a particularly ambitious hotel turned out to be surprisingly budget-friendly. While it’s easy to rack up high expenses at luxury hotels in Europe, my experience at a Hilton in Porto was quite the opposite. Thanks to two American Express cards, I managed to reduce a potential four-night bill from about $1,100 to less than $400. With a few extra perks factored in, I ended up paying only $137 out of my own pocket, which is actually less than many hostels charge for a dorm bed.
Below, I’ll share how I accumulated the benefits from these cards and how you might do the same.
Utilizing Your Amex Platinum Hotel Credits
The American Express Platinum Card offers up to $200 in statement credits each year for prepaid bookings made through the hotel collection or luxury hotels via Amex Travel. For example, I booked two nights at the Boyila Garden Hotel Porto (a Curio Collection property) for $535 through Amex Travel. Meeting the minimum stay requirements triggered the credits.
Since my booking was prepaid, I received that $200 credit in my statement within a couple of weeks—no extra steps required. Additionally, I got $100 in property credits through the hotel collection, which I used for lunch and dinners during my stay.
Savings: $300 ($200 Hotel Collection Credit and $100 On Property Credit)
Maximizing Hilton Aspire Resort Credits
Networking the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card allows you to access a statement credit for Hilton Resort Fees, up to $200 every six months. I booked another two nights at Hilton for $421 afterward.
I stumbled onto an interesting tidbit: using two credits in one stay is actually possible. I reached out to my hotel last December regarding my June trip. They processed a $200 deposit through my Aspire card, which worked nicely for the first resort credit while saving the second for my next visit. Upon checking out in June, I settled the remaining balance, resulting in a nice reduction on my bill, making it about $400 lower overall.
I also enjoyed complimentary breakfasts thanks to my Hilton Diamond status from the Aspire card, which really added value to my experience. Breakfast can be around $20 each, so that’s a decent saving.
Savings: $480 ($200 resort credit and $80 for free breakfast)
Bonus Points Accumulation
I earned 2,675 points with my initial two-night booking through the hotel collection. American Express prepaid bookings offer five points for every dollar spent, making that a solid return on my investment.
It’s worth noting that I earned 23,790 Hilton Honors points from these stays, which, according to recent evaluations, equate to about $119. This includes:
- Two nights booked at the Hotel Collection
- Two nights reserved directly with Hilton
- An incidental fee covering one lunch and two dinners
Breaking it down, I earned 10,895 base points as a Hilton Honors member, and my Diamond status doubled that. Plus, I received extra bonuses from promotions, further enriching my points tally.
Total Value of Earned Points: $173 ($54 for Amex points, $119 for Hilton points)
Putting the Numbers Together
Here’s how the spending lined up:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Hotel Collection Reservations | $535 |
| Hilton Resort Reservations | $421 |
| Incidental fee (1 lunch and 2 dinners) | $134 |
| Total cost | $1,090 |
| Amex Platinum Hotel Credit | – $200 |
| Hotel Collection On-Property Credit | – $100 |
| Hilton Resort Credit (2) | – $400 |
| Self-paying expenses | $390 |
These three credits slashed my out-of-pocket costs by 64%.
When you factor in the points earned and free breakfast, it’s remarkable to think about the value of my stay.
Considering Annual Fees
Now, what about the annual costs of these cards? The Amex Platinum has a hefty fee of $695. Personally, I don’t utilize all the perks, but those I do use—like hotel credits and airline fares—total around $840 per year, which is significant. For many people, it’s relatively easy to regain that value.
The Hilton Aspire’s $550 fee can be balanced out by its key perks, including hotel and flight credits. Although these fees are upfront, the overall savings you can achieve through benefits like resort credits make it worthwhile.
How to Apply This Strategy
Combining Hilton and Amex Hotel programs uniquely enhances the benefits. First, identify properties that overlap in both programs. Booking through Amex Travel ensures you access the necessary hotel credits. Then, secure another stay with Aspire. With a bit of planning, you can maximize your credits and enjoy special perks like daily breakfasts.
If you can coordinate stays across at least six months, this approach can lead to substantial savings.
Conclusion
My time in Portugal, particularly at the Boyila Garden Hotel, felt indulgent without straining my budget. By effectively stacking credit card perks, I transformed what could have been a regular hotel stay into a fantastic deal. As I leisurely sipped wine by the River Douro, it was incredibly satisfying to know I’d only forked out a fraction of the original price.
If you’re looking to achieve something similar, both the Amex Platinum and Hilton Aspire cards can be invaluable tools.
- Prepaid Hotel Bookings with Amex Points
- Hilton’s significant perks, such as resort credits and daily breakfast, offer fantastic value
