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Amex plugs Airbnb into its travel portal, with points on bookings and new Platinum credits

Kalbir Talwar
Published Oct 22, 2026
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Summary:
  • American Express and Airbnb unveiled a tie up on Thursday that folds Airbnb into Amex Travel.
  • Over 1 million Airbnb stays will be bookable in the portal, with Membership Rewards earned on those reservations.
  • You still cannot use points to pay for Airbnb bookings through Amex.

What Amex and Airbnb are doing

American Express is weaving Airbnb into its travel booking site, adding more than 1 million rental options alongside its hotel lineup. Those hotel offerings already span over 3,400 properties in Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection, and now short term rentals slot in next to them.

Juan David Borrero, who leads partnerships at Airbnb, said, "We're excited to bring more choice and flexibility to American Express Card Members with this exclusive partnership. Both of our companies exist to help people travel more and better, and this partnership helps people see more of the world by making travel more rewarding." You can earn points on these Airbnb reservations through Amex Travel, but redemption is not available for Airbnb stays yet.

How the points and credits stack up

Membership Rewards earnings differ by card:

  • Holders of the Consumer or Business Platinum Card earn 5 times Membership Rewards on prepaid Airbnb stays booked through Amex Travel.
  • Consumer Classic Green Card members get 3 times the points on travel purchases made directly through third party sites, including Airbnb.
  • Other eligible rewards cards earn 2X on prepaid Airbnb reservations made via Amex Travel.

Platinum is also getting more juice on the credit side. People with the Platinum Card - whether the consumer or business version - can apply their $600 annual lodging credit - formerly known as the hotel credit - to Airbnb Luxe stays. After booking a Luxe property, they can also get a new $250 statement credit for qualifying Airbnb Experiences.

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Why Amex is leaning in now

Premium card competition keeps heating up. Last year, Amex lifted the annual fee on the Platinum Card to $895 and has been leaning into perks, including new lounges in airports and at major events and experiences, to court higher spending customers.

The lounge push continues. Earlier this month, Amex said four Centurion Lounges will be renovated, with new locations slated for Newark Liberty International Airport and London Heathrow Airport. The Newark site will be the largest in the Centurion network.

The investor angle

Travel demand is still resilient even with higher prices for flights, fuel and hotels. A recent Squaremouth study found more than half of Americans did not change summer travel plans despite the cost. In plain English: Amex is adding more places for cardholders to earn, plus bigger Platinum credits tied to premium stays and experiences, while leaving point redemptions for Airbnb off the table for now.

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