How My Family Saved Big with the Amex Platinum Card on a Luxury Nashville Getaway

Why Amex Platinum is the Ultimate Card for Family Travel

Planning a family trip can often feel like a balancing act between luxury and budget. As a family of four, finding that perfect mix of quality and cost-effectiveness can sometimes feel like a mission. Recently, we had the pleasure of experiencing the Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) program through the Amex Platinum Card during our stay at The Joseph, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Nashville. This 5-star property is renowned for its top-notch service and beautiful amenities, and thanks to our Amex Platinum, we got to experience all of it at a fraction of the expected cost.

Booking Through Amex Travel: The Key to Luxury Perks

Using the Amex Travel website, I secured our stay at The Joseph, booking through the Fine Hotels + Resorts program, which offers an array of premium benefits exclusive to Amex Platinum cardholders. The list of perks was impressive, but it’s the way they seamlessly integrated into our stay that really made a difference:

Room Upgrade: We were pleasantly surprised with an upgrade to a higher-floor room, which offered stunning views and a thoughtful welcome gift—a macaron. From the moment we arrived, the hotel staff treated us like VIPs, ensuring we had an exceptional experience.

Daily Breakfast Credit: One of the most significant perks was the daily breakfast credit of $60, which covered nearly all our family’s morning meals. From fresh fruit to eggs for kids, the variety and quality of the meals were exceptional, and this saved us over $120 in total!

$325 Hotel Credit: This exclusive credit was applied toward dining, shopping, and hotel expenses, giving us the flexibility to treat ourselves to in-room dining, purchase luxury bath products, and even enjoy some artisan coffee at the hotel’s trendy café.

Late Check-Out: The extended check-out time until 4 PM was a lifesaver. This gave us plenty of time to explore Nashville’s downtown and pack leisurely, without the stress of rushing to leave the room.

The interior view of the upgraded room at The Joseph Hotel.

The Savings Add Up: A Breakdown

Here’s a quick summary of how these perks added up during our trip:

  • Breakfast Credit: $120 saved
  • Hotel Credit: $325 saved
  • Room Upgrade: $40 estimated value
  • Late Check-Out: Priceless (especially when traveling with kids)

Additionally, the annual $200 benefit from the Amex Platinum Card gave us a further reimbursement, making the hotel bill even more affordable. In total, we saved over $700, turning what could have been an expensive luxury experience into an affordable family vacation.

Room service meal ordered at The Joseph Hotel: chicken steak, salad, and French fries

Why I Recommend the Amex Platinum Card

For frequent travelers as a family, the Amex Platinum Card isn’t just a credit card—it’s a gateway to an elevated travel experience. With benefits like the Fine Hotels + Resorts program, airline fee credits, and access to exclusive perks like airport lounge access, it’s the ultimate companion for luxury and family travel. The card’s wide range of benefits ensures that every trip you take is memorable, stress-free, and surprisingly affordable.

Additional Benefits You Might Not Know About

Apart from the hotel benefits, the Amex Platinum Card also comes with a host of other travel-related advantages:

  • Access to Centurion Lounges: Amex Platinum cardholders have access to luxurious airport lounges, where you can relax before flights, enjoy snacks, and refresh. This can make a huge difference, especially during long travel days with family.
  • Airline Fee Credit: You can use the $200 airline fee credit each year, which applies toward incidental charges like checked bags or in-flight purchases.
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Fee Credit: The card covers the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, helping you save time and avoid long security lines.

Final Thoughts

Our Nashville luxury family trip was unforgettable, and much of it is thanks to the Amex Platinum Card perks. From complimentary breakfast to late check-out, the card’s features truly enhanced our experience. If you’re dreaming of a luxury getaway without breaking the bank, now’s the time to explore what the American Express Platinum Card can do for you. The $200 hotel benefit is available not only to the primary cardholder but also to additional cardholders, allowing spouses to double the card’s perks together. That’s why we’re considering Atlanta as our next travel destination!

Spacious Rooms, Family-Friendly Amenities, and Cozy Comforts for a Memorable Stay

When traveling as a family of four, especially with young kids, the size of the hotel room really matters. It needs to be at least 400 square feet to avoid feeling cramped. Since we don’t spend much time outside during family trips, we end up spending a lot of time in the hotel room. That’s why I always aim for 4-star or higher hotels. Our stay at The Joseph Hotel in Nashville was absolutely perfect. The room was spacious enough for the room service cart to come in comfortably, and we had plenty of room for our stroller. I also loved that the bathroom had separate areas for the shower, sink, and toilet, which made everything so much more convenient. Plus, with Netflix available, we were able to enjoy cozy family time watching cartoons together in our warm December getaway.

Why December Is the Perfect Time for Luxury Stays: How Seasonal Deals and Hotel Credits Make Travel More Affordable

Our family is planning to take full advantage of the $200 hotel benefit during our trip next December. I love their luxurious, elegant Christmas atmosphere in hotel. In my experience, winter is the perfect time to stay at these hotels because the room rates are generally more affordable compared to other seasons, and with the $200 reimbursement, it significantly reduces the overall cost, making it a much more manageable expense. Interestingly, during our stay in Nashville’s large downtown area, we noticed it wasn’t as crowded as usual, likely due to the winter season. To entice more guests, the hotel even offered a $225 credit, which added even more value to our stay. Based on this, I’m confident that we’ll see similar offers next year, making it an ideal time to travel!

Maximize Your Amex Platinum Benefits with My $50 Travel Package

Just like my family was able to enjoy over $500 in benefits during our Nashville trip, you can also take full advantage of these amazing perks. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the number of options, I offer a $50 package that includes a curated list of up to 3 hotels for your destination, along with a summary of the specific benefits each hotel offers. With this package, you can save time and effortlessly maximize your Amex Platinum benefits on your next trip!


Aki's avatar

By Aki

I have been living with my U.S. Army husband for 7 years, and through this experience, I have gained many challenges and lessons. In this blog, I will share my daily life as a military wife, as well as my personal growth story and family travel.

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