What happened
American Express has two hotel collections: Fine Hotels + Resorts (for Platinum members only) and Hotel Collection (available to Gold members). Select Amex cards offer credits for stays at these properties, provided a prepay option is used. While these stays are eligible for hotel loyalty program benefits, points, and nights/stays, the settlement process has changed. Amex FHRs and Hotel Collection stays are booked by Expedia, which handles the charges. However, the payment is settled to the property with a Mastercard, not an Amex card. This occurs because Expedia uses Mastercard for settlement, likely due to better acceptance and lower fees. Travelers paying with an Amex card will see a Mastercard on their receipt. This branding issue may cause confusion at hotels, as staff might mistake the booking for an OTA reservation, though the rate type determines loyalty eligibility, not the booking channel