Loews Portofino Bay Review

Why you should book Loews Portofino Bay Resort with American Express Platinum Card® Fine Hotel + Resort program

Hotel Credit:
My FAVORITE benefit of American Express Platinum Card® is the hotel credit.
$600 Hotel Credit – Up to $300 statement credit every 6 months for prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts.

Fine Hotels + Resort Booking:
You’ll login to your American Express account. Under “Menu”, select “Travel” and then select “Book Fine Hotels + Resorts®”. Here you can search to see if Portofino Bay Resort is offered for your desired days. We stayed at this resort in December 2021, September 2023, and October 2025.

The way the $300 hotel credit works is that you’ll book the hotel via Amex’s Fine Hotel + Resorts travel portal. You’ll prepay for your stay and then I usually see the credit applied to my Amex account within a week or so.

FHR Program Benefits

I love booking through Amex’s FHR. The reason is because you get amazing perks when booking through this program

Early check in if available
Upgraded room if available
4pm check out
$100 food/beverage credit per stay
Breakfast for 2 daily

Portofino Bay Resort Experience

When you stay at this hotel, you will have access to Universal Studios & Universal Islands of Adventures “Express Pass”. You’ll need to buy your park ticket separately, but your hotel card will work as an express pass at both parks and you’ll use a separate (much FASTER) line for most attractions at the parks.

If you purchased these Express Passes separately (ie. if they weren’t included with your stay) they cost $90+ per DAY, per PARK! With your hotel stay, you get the pass for your entire stay. And if you are only staying 1 night – you get it the day you check in AND the day you check out.

We almost always visit during a busy weekend and with the Express Passes, we rarely wait more than 20 – 35 minutes for a ride (even Hagrid’s Motorbike ride!!).

After staying at this hotel several times, I can honestly say it’s the only place we’ll stay when visiting Universal Orlando. The Express Pass makes a HUGE difference in your day at the parks. And booking through Amex’s Fine Hotels + Resort ensures that you’ll have a luxurious resort stay and save money.

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Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.