The news: American Express cardholders can access more than 1 million Airbnb listings in Amex Travel and earn points on prepaid bookings through an exclusive partnership with Airbnb, per a press release.

• US consumer and business cardholders can earn $600 in lodging credits annually on eligible luxe Airbnb bookings through Amex Travel. The lodging credit will replace hotel credits.
• Cardholders can also earn an annual $250 statement credit for eligible Airbnb Experiences purchases.

How we got here: Rich travel rewards dictate premium cardholders’ loyalty—and issuers are fighting to provide the most competitive packages.

• Chase Sapphire Reserve offers a $300 annual travel credit and $500 annual hotel credit for prepaid bookings made through The Edit by Chase Travel.
• Chase also launched Sapphire Reserve Trips, seizing on consumers’ desire for authentic experiences.
• Bilt enriched its travel platform with a tie-up with Preferred Hotels and Resorts’ “I Prefer” Hotel Rewards loyalty program as a transfer partner.
• And Citi Strata Elite cardholders get a $300 statement credit for hotel stays over two nights booked through Citi Travel.

Why this matters: Airbnb serves over 220 countries and regions, improving Amex’s international reach for hospitality.

The partnership also helps Amex offer the luxury lodging experiences consumers want: 51% of US consumers prefer staying in vacation rentals over hotels, if given the choice, per a February NerdWallet survey administered by Harris Poll. 

And that breakout grows for parents with kids under the age of 18: 65% of this cohort prefers rentals to hotels.

Implications for issuers: Travel rewards that capture younger consumers’ desire for authenticity and experience-based keepsakes will edge ahead of competitors.

• Experiential add-ons to vacation rentals can compound that effect. Both Sapphire Reserve Trips and Amex’s Airbnb Experiences give cardholders physical, culturally immersive activities to do at their destinations.
• Considering the needs of parents who travel could also be a big volume draw. The convenience of a kitchen and shared living space makes homestays even more desirable. Family-oriented experiences can also foster lifetime memories, and solo kid experiences could give parents much needed alone time.

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