Amex FHR vs. The Edit by Chase: Which Wins in 2026?
Most travel advice focuses on squeezing 2.0 cents per point out of a redemption, but there is a massive gap in how savvy travelers book cash stays. Sometimes, you don’t want to burn points. Sometimes, you want to be treated like a VIP at a hotel where you have zero status.
This is where Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) and The Edit by Chase Travel (formerly the Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection) come in. These are proprietary booking portals that grant you elite-level perks—free breakfast, room upgrades, and property credits—just for holding the right credit card.
Definition: Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts is a booking program for Platinum and Centurion cardholders offering guaranteed 4 PM checkout and a $100 experience credit. The Edit by Chase Travel is the competing program for Sapphire Reserve cardholders, offering similar perks but with “subject to availability” checkout rules and a new 2026 credit structure.
In 2026, both programs have overhauled their annual credits, making the math more complex. We’ve analyzed the fine print to reveal which program actually delivers on its luxury promises.
The Contenders: Eligibility & Access
Before you compare benefits, you need to know if you can even get in the door. Both programs are gatekept by premium credit cards.
- Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR): Exclusively for Amex Platinum (Consumer and Business) and Centurion cardholders. If you hold a Gold or Green card, you only get access to “The Hotel Collection,” a watered-down version with fewer perks (like no free breakfast).
- The Edit by Chase Travel: Exclusively for Chase Sapphire Reserve and J.P. Morgan Reserve cardholders.
Note: Unlike previous years where the “Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection” was available to a wider range of cards, “The Edit” is now a strictly premium tier designed to fight Amex FHR directly.
| Feature | Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts | The Edit by Chase Travel |
|---|---|---|
| Late Checkout | Guaranteed 4:00 PM | Subject to Availability |
| Daily Breakfast | For 2 people (min. $60 value) | For 2 people (usually $60 value) |
| Property Credit | $100 (Spa, Food, or General) | $100 (Usually Food/Bev or Spa) |
| Room Upgrade | Space Available (Priority) | Space Available |
| Wifi | Free | Free |
| 2026 Statement Credits | Up to $600 ($300 Jan-Jun, $300 Jul-Dec) | Up to $750 ($500 Edit + $250 Select Hotel Promo) |
Deep Dive: Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR)
Amex FHR remains the gold standard for one specific reason: Certainty. When you book an FHR stay, the benefits are hard-coded into your reservation. You don’t have to beg the front desk agent for a favor.
The “Guaranteed” 4 PM Checkout
This is the single most valuable perk in the luxury travel world. Unlike hotel status (even Marriott Platinum or Hilton Diamond), which often hedges with “subject to availability,” FHR guarantees you can keep your room until 4:00 PM.
The New $600 Credit Structure
For 2026, the Amex Platinum hotel credit has evolved. You now receive up to $600 annually for prepaid FHR bookings, split into two $300 semi-annual credits (Jan-June and July-Dec). This forces you to book twice a year to maximize value, but the dollar amount is significantly higher than the old $200 credit. You can read more about credit strategies in our guide to getting free breakfast without status.
The Upgrade Reality
FHR upgrades are prioritized. While not confirmed in advance like a Hyatt Suite Upgrade Award, front desk agents often see an “FHR” flag on their screen that prompts them to offer a one-category bump. In my experience, FHR upgrades clear about 70% of the time, usually to a “View” room or Junior Suite.
Deep Dive: The Edit by Chase Travel
Chase has rebranded its top-tier program to “The Edit,” and for 2026, they are trying to buy your loyalty with massive statement credits. If you are a Chase Sapphire Reserve holder, the financial incentives here are undeniable.
The $750 “Stacking” Opportunity
In 2026, Chase is offering a unique stack of credits for Sapphire Reserve members:
- $500 “The Edit” Credit: Two $250 credits usable anytime in 2026. Note: Requires a 2-night minimum stay to trigger the credit.
- $250 Select Hotel Credit (2026 Promo): A one-time credit for bookings at specific brands like IHG, Montage, Pendry, Omni, and Virgin Hotels.
If you book a $800 stay at a participating InterContinental (IHG) that is also part of “The Edit,” you could theoretically trigger both credits, knocking $500+ off a single stay. Always verify the “Select Hotel” list in your Chase Travel portal before booking.
The Weakness: “Subject to Availability”
The fatal flaw of The Edit is the lack of guarantees. Late checkout is “based on availability.” Early check-in is “based on availability.” At a busy resort during peak season, “availability” usually means “no.” If you absolutely need the room, do not rely on Chase.
The “Gotcha”: Price Inflation & Points
Both Amex and Chase act as travel agents. Sometimes, the rates they show you are the standard “Best Available Rate” (BAR). However, sometimes they are higher than the “Member Rate” you would find if you booked directly.
The Math Check:
- Direct Booking: $400/night (Member Rate)
- Amex FHR: $450/night (Standard Rate)
In this scenario, you are “paying” $50 extra for the benefits. Since you get a $100 credit and free breakfast (valued at ~$60), the math still works ($160 value for $50 cost). But if the price difference is $150+, the portal booking might not be worth it.
Pro Tip on Loyalty Points: Historically, portal bookings (Expedia/Chase Travel) did not earn hotel points. However, “The Edit” is a special exception. Most bookings made through The Edit do allow you to attach your loyalty number (Hyatt/Marriott/IHG) to earn points and elite night credits, similar to Amex FHR. Always double-check at check-in to ensure your number is on the folio.
When to Choose Which?
Since many travelers hold both a Platinum Card and a Sapphire Reserve (using the strategies in our Chase Ultimate Rewards Guide), here is how to split your bookings:
Choose Amex FHR If:
- You need a guaranteed 4 PM checkout (e.g., late flights).
- You are staying just one night (maximizing the $100 credit relative to the room rate).
- You are using your semi-annual $300 credit.
- The hotel is not available on The Edit (FHR has a larger global footprint).
Choose Chase “The Edit” If:
- You are targeting the 2026 Promo Brands (IHG, Montage, Pendry) to use the extra $250 credit.
- You want to burn Ultimate Rewards points (redeeming at 1.5 cents per point via Sapphire Reserve) while still getting VIP benefits.
- The Amex rate is significantly more expensive than the Chase rate.
- You are booking a boutique non-chain hotel where earning points doesn’t matter.
Final Verdict
In the battle of Amex FHR vs. The Edit, Amex retains the crown for benefits, while Chase is winning the war on credits.
For the luxury traveler who values time and comfort, Amex’s guaranteed late checkout makes FHR the superior product. No amount of statement credits can replace the comfort of showering in your own room before a transatlantic flight. However, for the value-hunter in 2026, Chase’s stackable $750 in hotel credits is an offer that is mathematically impossible to ignore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I earn hotel points (Hyatt/Marriott) when booking through Amex FHR?
Yes, in most cases. Amex FHR bookings usually code as eligible rates for hotel loyalty programs, meaning you will earn points and elite night credits. However, you should always add your loyalty number at booking and confirm at check-in.
Does the $100 experience credit work for room service?
It depends on the property. Most hotels restrict the $100 credit to “Food & Beverage” or “Spa.” If it is a Food & Beverage credit, room service usually counts. If it is a Spa credit, it won’t. Always check the welcome letter provided at check-in.
Can I book for someone else using my Amex FHR benefits?
Technically, no. The Amex Platinum cardholder must be staying in the room to receive the benefits. However, you can book up to three rooms per stay, as long as the cardholder is staying in one of them.
Are resort fees waived on FHR or Chase Edit bookings?
No. Unlike award bookings with programs like Hilton Honors or Hyatt, cash bookings via FHR or The Edit generally do not waive resort fees. You will pay these directly to the hotel at checkout.
