Amex Travel’s first app is here — but it’s more polish than breakthrough
Hotel perks, lounge wait times, and blockchain “souvenirs” are in the mix, but the new app feels more like a tidy repackaging than a travel revolution
American Express Travel is rolling out its first standalone booking app on September 18 for iOS (with Android to follow), combining hotel, flight, and car rental reservations with perks like Centurion Lounge wait times and blockchain “travel stamps.” The move is aimed at boosting loyalty in a crowded digital travel market, but the app largely repackages existing services rather than breaking new ground.
Key takeaways
- Convenience over innovation: The app consolidates booking and benefits into one mobile platform but doesn’t add new inventory or planning tools.
- Lounge wait times: The main new feature shows real-time Centurion Lounge capacity across U.S. airports.
- Hotel bookings unchanged: Listings still come from Amex’s Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection, with standard perks like late checkout and breakfast.
- Digital souvenirs: A blockchain-based “Amex Passport” gives travelers collectible Stamps for international transactions, though without direct rewards or utility (yet).
- Competitive context: The launch follows rising pressure from rivals like Chase, Capital One, Virtuoso, and AI-driven trip-planning tools.
- Separate from Amex app: This booking app is distinct from the long-running Amex card app, highlighting a two-track digital strategy.
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