American Express: Press Center

American Express Redefines Premium with The New Platinum Card®

Thu, 02 Mar 2017 00:00:00 -0500

American Express today announced a new generation of benefits for its iconic Platinum Card. The benefits are built for today’s global travelers who enjoy exclusive access, unique experiences and best-in-class service whether they’re traveling across the globe or in their home city.

Starting on March 30, 2017, consumers with The Platinum Card^® will receive exclusive access in the Uber app to a new Uber Rides with Platinum benefit, which provides up to $200 annually in Uber credits for U.S. rides and automatic VIP status where available. Platinum Card Members will also receive 5X Membership Rewards points on eligible hotels booked on amextravel.com. This is in addition to the recently unveiled 5X Membership Rewards points on airfare booked directly with airlines or American Express Travel. Card Members will also get access to an expanded Global Lounge Collection, a new Global Dining Collection, more global events, enhanced mobile servicing options, and all of the other benefits that currently come with Platinum Card Membership.

“Because we’ve built long term relationships with our Platinum Card Members, we have a deep understanding of what they value most about their Membership – access to exclusive experiences, rich travel rewards and superior service,” said Janey Whiteside, senior vice president and general manager of Global Charge Products, Benefits & Services, American Express. “We’re elevating the Platinum Card to further deliver in these key areas, while providing new benefits that enhance their lifestyles. We want to ensure that we’re continually exceeding our Card Members’ expectations.”

Uber Rides with Platinum
American Express is deepening its relationship with Uber, a service regularly used by a large portion of American Express Card Members. Through the new Uber Rides with Platinum benefit, which is delivered in an exclusive Uber in-app experience, Platinum Card Members will receive up to $200 in annual Uber credits for rides within the United States as well as Uber VIP status where available. Card Members will receive $15 in Uber credit per month, with an additional $20 bonus in December, when they add their American Express Platinum Card as a payment method to the Uber app.

“This premium, first-of-its-kind benefit gives Platinum Card Members another reason to use Uber – a reliable, safe way to travel in 450 plus cities around the world," said Emil Michael, Chief Business Officer, Uber. "We’re excited to continue to expand our longstanding partnership with American Express to provide even more Card Members with valuable rewards and VIP treatment when they ride with Uber.”

The Next Generation of Platinum Card Membership
In addition to the new Uber benefit, American Express has redesigned the Platinum Card to give Card Members a complete range of benefits they can rely on at every step of their journey.

5X Membership Rewards: In addition to the recently unveiled 5X points for flights when booked directly with airlines or American Express Travel, Card Members will be able to receive 5X Membership Rewards points for eligible hotels booked on amextravel.com.
Expansion of the Global Lounge Collection: Platinum Card Members have access to the growing Global Lounge Collection, which provides access to the most airport lounges from any U.S. credit card. The Global Lounge Collection unlocks access to more than 1,000 American Express and partner airport lounges, in more than 500 cities, across 120 countries, including future Centurion Lounge locations in Hong Kong and Philadelphia scheduled to open later this year.
Complimentary Additional Gold Cards: Platinum Card Members will be able to add Additional Gold Cards on their Platinum Card Account for no annual fee and existing Additional Gold Cards will also have no annual fee. Card Members can earn Membership Rewards points for all eligible purchases made by their Additional Card Member(s).
Access to a new Global Dining Collection: American Express has partnered with world-renowned chefs, including Thomas Keller, Daniel Humm, Stephanie Izard and José Andrés, to provide Platinum Card Members with access to one-of-a-kind dining experiences like the EMP Summer House in the Hamptons, a pop-up restaurant from the Eleven Madison Park team exclusively available for American Express Card Members. Card Members will also get access to exclusive reserved seating, culinary events and other exciting benefits.
More Global Events: American Express is expanding its By Invitation Only® program to include more Card Member experiences in top destinations around the world, such as premium access to the Grand Prix de Monaco, an enthusiast’s dream trip through French wine country and a global fashion tour with Harper’s Bazaar to celebrate the iconic magazine’s 150th Anniversary.
Continued value at Fine Hotels and Resorts: Platinum Card Members can receive valuable benefits including complimentary daily breakfast for two and guaranteed 4PM late checkout offering an average total value of $550 whenever they book at a Fine Hotels and Resorts property with American Express Travel.
New Card Design: In addition to the enhanced benefits for Platinum Card Members, American Express is introducing a new, sleek metal Card design.

These are part of a growing roster of benefits that Platinum Card Members can already take advantage of including: up to $200 Airline Fee Credit that can be used for incidental fees such as baggage on a selected airline each year, Starwood Preferred Guest^® Gold Status and Hilton Honors™ Gold Status, access to the Delta Private Jet program, complimentary access to Wi-Fi hotspots provided by Boingo Wireless, a Fee Credit for Global Entry or the TSA Pre✓^® program application and no foreign exchange fees.

True to the brand’s heritage of service, American Express is also bringing personalized service to Card Members’ pockets by offering Platinum Card Members seamless access to concierge, travel and Customer Care Professionals through the Amex Mobile app. Also coming to the app is a lounge finder feature that will easily allow Card Members to find one of the 1,000 plus lounges in the Global Lounge Collection when they are on the go.

Beginning on March 30, the new annual fee for the Platinum Card will be $550. For existing Platinum Card Members, the new annual fee will take effect on Card Members’ annual renewal date on or after September 1, 2017.

Terms and Limitations apply. More information about these new benefits can be found at: americanexpress.com/platinumupdate.

About American Express
American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, foursquare.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/company/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.

Key links to products, services and corporate responsibility information: charge and credit cards, business credit cards, Plenti rewards program, travel services, gift cards, prepaid cards, merchant services, Accertify, corporate card, business travel and corporate responsibility.

American Express Takes Its Premium Airport Lounge Program Global; The CENTURION® Lounge Coming to Hong Kong and Philadelphia in 2017

Tue, 31 Jan 2017 00:00:00 -0500

Today, American Express (NYSE:AXP) announced plans to bring its signature airport lounge program global, with the introduction of a new location of The Centurion Lounge in Terminal 1 of the Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), as well as a location in the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) later this year. In addition, the existing location in Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) will be significantly expanded in the coming months.

“We’re thrilled to bring our best-in-class Centurion Lounge to Hong Kong, one of the most popular travel destinations in Asia among our premium Card Members,” said Janey Whiteside, senior vice president and general manager of Global Charge Products, Benefits & Services, American Express. “We’re also looking forward to continuing to expand our Centurion Lounges in the U.S. with the addition of a new location in Philadelphia. Philadelphia International is one of the most trafficked airports for our Card Members, as we’ve seen a ten percent increase in travel into Philadelphia in the past year alone,” said Whiteside.

The new Centurion Lounge will be located in Terminal 1 of the Hong Kong International Airport (HKG). The more than 8,000 square foot lounge will offer an escape for Card Members visiting the busy global travel hub and feature a unique selection of premium amenities, food and beverages.*

The new 6,300 square foot Centurion Lounge in Philadelphia International Airport will be located in Terminal A West and will offer amenities such as a complimentary premium bar and food menu featuring a selection of local Philadelphia favorites, floor-to-ceiling windows with expansive internal and external views, premium bathrooms and a private shower suite, as well as access to complimentary Wi-Fi and noise-buffering workspaces.

As Seattle continues to grow as a travel destination for premium Card Members, with a 12 percent increase in air travel into Seattle the past year, American Express will also be expanding the existing Seattle-Tacoma International Airport lounge location by 1,400 square feet, to bring the total space to 4,500 square feet, and which will include the addition of a private shower suite, more restrooms, a full premium bar, expanded seating and spectacular views of Mount Rainier. This expansion will build on the existing Concourse B location opposite from Gate B3, and is expected to be completed the first half of 2017.

Each Centurion Lounge location features a unique selection of exceptional amenities designed to anticipate travelers’ needs. Complimentary chef-crafted food menus, premium wines and specialty cocktails from top sommeliers and mixologists, access to high-speed Wi-Fi, premium restrooms and showers, power outlets, and private noise-buffering work stations, are just some of the examples of the world-class services guests can find within a luxurious and contemporary setting.

The Centurion Lounge network is the signature program within the broader American Express Global Lounge Collection^SM – an exclusive benefit for American Express Centurion and Platinum Card Members. The Global Lounge Collection provides our Card Members with access to the most lounges across the globe from a U.S. credit card, including access to more than 1,000 lounges around the world, in 500 plus cities, across 120 countries and counting. In addition to The Centurion lounge network, the Global Lounge Collection also includes access to International American Express lounges, Delta Sky Club® for Card Members flying on Delta, Priority Pass^TM Select Lounges upon enrollment, and Airspace Lounges. Card Members can find a lounge at the Global Lounge Collection website.

*Must be of legal drinking age to consume alcoholic beverages. Please drink responsibly.

**Metrics provided by American Express Travel

American Express Announces Artist Pharrell Williams as the Creative Director of the Platinum Card®

Thu, 15 Dec 2016 00:00:00 -0500

Today, American Express (NYSE:AXP) announced that musician, producer, style icon and entrepreneur, Pharrell Williams will serve as the Creative Director of the Platinum Card. As the Creative Director, Pharrell will bring his creative vision and style to inspire and guide the global experiences, access and services that the Platinum Card is renowned for providing.

Pharrell Williams - click to 🔍

As consumers’ tastes and passions evolve, American Express will continue to bring exceptional premium experiences and benefits to its Platinum Card Members across travel, music, dining, fashion, art, wellness and more. Pharrell will set the creative direction for such experiences and events and inspire new cutting-edge collaborations and partnerships that meet the needs of the ever-changing premium consumer lifestyle.

“I’m excited to be partnering with such a globally respected brand as American Express to inspire new innovative and creative premium experiences and work together to enhance the future of the Platinum Card,” said Pharrell Williams.

“We want the Platinum Card and the experiences it offers to be influenced and shaped by our Card Members, so we're thrilled to be working with long-time Card Member and creative visionary Pharrell to lead some of these efforts,” said Janey Whiteside, SVP of Global Charge Products, Benefits and Services at American Express. “Like many of our Card Members, he’s traveled the globe, he has an amazing imagination, and he loves to discover and share new experiences.”

American Express Launches New "Add a Card" Feature for the Amex Bot for Messenger

Mon, 12 Dec 2016 00:00:00 -0500

American Express today announced a new Add a Card feature for the Amex bot for Messenger. This feature helps enable eligible U.S. Consumer and OPEN Card Members to add their Card and billing information to Facebook for purchases on Facebook. After adding a Card to their Facebook accounts, Card Members can easily make in-game purchases, purchases on the Shop sections of business’ Facebook pages and participate in Messenger commerce experiences.

“This most recent step in our long relationship with Facebook demonstrates just how quickly American Express can iterate new features and develop innovation with great partners,” said Dave Wolf, vice president, Digital Partnerships & Development, American Express. “The speed of our tech development continues to allow us to meet our Card Members where they are, and we look forward to the additional benefits we can deliver to Card Members on this powerful channel.”

“This new feature comes as Facebook and Messenger introduce new commerce initiatives,” said Kahina Van Dyke, Facebook’s Director of Global Commerce and Payments Partnerships. “We’ve seen commerce play an increasing role in how people interact with one another and we’re excited to see our partners at AMEX continue to create new ways to enable people to make seamless purchases with this new Add a Card feature.”

American Express has worked closely with Facebook to ensure that Card Member account data is provided to Facebook via the Amex bot for Messenger in a safe and secure manner.

To enable the Amex bot for Messenger, Card Members can connect an eligible Card to Messenger at m.me/AmericanExpressUS by using their AmericanExpress.com user ID and password. Card Members can easily add their Card to Facebook by choosing to do so when connecting their eligible Card to Messenger.

Key links to products and services: charge and credit cards, business credit cards, Plenti rewards program, travel services, gift cards, prepaid cards, merchant services, corporate card, business travel and corporate responsibility.

American Express® to Enhance Fraud-Prevention and Security Capabilities With Acquisition of InAuth

Tue, 06 Dec 2016 00:00:00 -0500

As an extension of the company’s multilayered strategy for fighting fraud, American Express (NYSE:AXP) today announced it has acquired InAuth, Inc., a leading provider of mobile device authentication and intelligence solutions. InAuth’s technology is used by some of the largest financial institutions, banks, payment networks and merchants to reduce risk and help identify potential fraud utilizing its mobile-first device authentication capabilities.

The acquisition complements and enhances American Express’ comprehensive data analytics and fraud prevention capabilities, which have enabled the company to achieve the lowest fraud rates in the industry. The acquisition also positions the company to capture new opportunities as more consumer activity – from payments to account origination and servicing – moves to digital channels. As commerce has increasingly shifted to online and mobile channels, so too has the risk of fraud. Seventy percent of U.S. merchants have experienced an increase in sales through online and mobile channels over the previous year, according to the 2016 American Express Digital Payments Security Survey. At the same time, 60% of merchants reported having experienced fraud from online and mobile sales.

“Security is part of our heritage, and helping our merchants and partners fight fraud is a top priority for American Express,” said Anré Williams, President, Global Merchant Services & Loyalty Group at American Express. “We’re acquiring the right company at the right time to evolve our leadership position in fraud management and security. This acquisition, along with Accertify and other significant investments we’ve made in data analytics and technology, will help us continue to offer security and protection to our merchants and partners as mobile and online spending drive commerce.”

Founded in 2011, InAuth helps clients identify risk, remove friction and reduce fraud in their digital channels. InAuth’s platform uses device authentication to enable clients to evaluate the potential risk of a digital transaction, whether it be a customer logging into their account on a mobile app or web browser, or making a purchase from a merchant’s website. American Express currently uses InAuth’s technology as part of its broader fraud management capabilities, and InAuth’s services are also sold by Accertify, a subsidiary of American Express that is a leading provider of ecommerce fraud-management and chargeback solutions to merchants.

Lisa Stanton, Chief Executive Officer of InAuth, will continue as President. She will report to Jaromir Divilek, Senior Vice President, Global Network Business, American Express.

“InAuth is thrilled about how this union will further enable us to deliver on our mission of helping the largest industry players around the globe, including banks, merchants and payment networks, make smarter risk decisions,” Stanton said. “As part of American Express, we will be able to build on the strong partnership we already have in place to gain scale, accelerate our expansion and, over time, work together to develop new capabilities that address the rapidly evolving world of digital commerce.”

Going forward, InAuth will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Express. The acquisition follows an investment in InAuth made earlier this year by American Express Ventures, the strategic investment arm of American Express.

InAuth’s technology will extend the innovative capabilities that American Express has developed in its technology platforms to support a new generation of digital products, and will complement the robust suite of tools that it already provides to help merchants fight fraud and help protect consumers. These tools include SafeKey, Enhanced Authorization and Accertify, which helps merchants detect and prevent online fraud across all payment card networks. American Express also offers a number of services and features to help Card Members monitor their account information and help prevent fraud at the point of sale, including one-click alerts to confirm charges via text, email and mobile app.

About InAuth
InAuth is the leading digital device intelligence company for a mobile-first world. InAuth delivers advanced device identification, risk detection, and analysis capabilities to help organizations limit risk, remove friction, and reduce fraud within their digital channels. With safer digital transactions, banks, payment networks, merchants, healthcare providers, governments, and other organizations are better positioned to capture new revenue opportunities and compete more effectively in an “always-on” world. For more information, visit www.InAuth.com.

Information Related To Forward-Looking Statements
This release includes forward-looking statements that reflect management’s expectations about future events and the company’s operating plans and performance. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. The words “believe,” “hope,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “aim,” “will,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “likely,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. American Express undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following: the underlying assumptions related to the acquisition of InAuth proving to be inaccurate or unrealized, and the company’s ability to successfully integrate InAuth following consummation of the transaction. A further description of such factors can be found in American Express’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and the company’s other reports filed with the SEC.

¹Merchants refer to those businesses who accept payments on a traditional website, mobile website or mobile application.

American Express Provides Increased Flexibility to Fuel Merchants By Extending U.S. EMV Fraud Liability Shift Date

Fri, 02 Dec 2016 00:00:00 -0500

American Express announced today that it plans to extend the effective date of its EMV Fraud Liability Shift for U.S. fuel merchants by three years, to October 2020. The extension will give U.S. fuel merchants increased flexibility in their fight against fraud by providing additional time to upgrade their automatic fuel dispenser systems to accept EMV chip cards. Starting October 2020, U.S. fuel merchants may be held liable for fraud chargebacks that result from payment transactions performed at automatic fuel dispensers if they have not enabled these devices to accept EMV chip cards.

“American Express is committed to helping merchants fight fraud and supporting their efforts to manage the costs of upgrading to EMV,” said Jaromir Divilek, Senior Vice President, Global Network Business, American Express. “U.S. fuel merchants face unique circumstances, including complexity of the hardware upgrade and the process involved in making the updates necessary to accept EMV chip cards at automatic fuel dispensers. We want to ensure these merchants have the time necessary to work through this process so they can upgrade their systems to accept EMV chip cards and enhance their security.”

American Express first announced its U.S. EMV roadmap in 2012. Since that time, the company has worked closely with its merchants, third-party processors, and other partners to ensure they have the tools and resources necessary to upgrade their point-of-sale systems so they can accept EMV chip cards. As of October, more than one third of the U.S. Card Present transactions on the American Express Global Network are chip card transactions occurring at EMV-enabled terminals. In addition, nearly all of our U.S. consumer, small business and corporate cards contain EMV chips.

American Express has also taken other steps to help U.S. merchants limit their fraud costs as they upgrade their POS systems. In June, the company announced changes to its EMV chargeback policy that are in effect until April 2018. Under those changes, U.S. merchants are not held liable for chargebacks for counterfeit fraud when a transaction is under $25. In addition, the company is limiting the number of counterfeit fraud chargebacks to a total of 10 per card account. The card issuer – not the merchant – bears the financial liability for any additional counterfeit fraud transactions that are disputed on a card account after 10 chargebacks. This limit does not prevent a Card Member from disputing additional fraudulent transactions.

American Express also offers merchant acquirers a self-certification program that allows them to perform the tests necessary to certify merchants’ POS devices for EMV acceptance. The program enables merchant acquirers to complete the required POS certifications within as little as a few hours. Today, the vast majority of U.S. POS certifications on the American Express Global Network are performed using the self-certification program. For more information about the self-certification program, merchant acquirers can visit: https://network.americanexpress.com/en/globalnetwork/certification/.

American Express Teams Up with Shaquille O’Neal and Friends to Drive Card Members to Shop Small and Earn Big Rewards

Thu, 10 Nov 2016 00:00:00 -0500

American Express has teamed up with basketball icon Shaquille O’Neal to encourage Card Members to Shop Small and get 2X Rewards this holiday season. As part of the partnership, American Express will be working with O’Neal to raise awareness for the company’s largest and longest running campaign to connect Card Members with their favorite small businesses – the Shop Small^® for 2X Rewards offer. In addition, American Express, an official sponsor of the NBA and six of its teams, has also partnered with O’Neal, a four-time NBA champion, for the 2016-17 NBA season.

To support the Shop Small^® for 2X Rewards offer, American Express produced a comical online video series that features O’Neal and special celebrity guests visiting local small businesses across the country to find the perfect holiday gifts for friends and family. To kick off the campaign, O’Neal is joined by Grammy Award-winning musician Kendrick Lamar. The two enjoy an afternoon at local LA soap shop, Soaptopia, sampling unique scents including the exclusive “Luscious Lamar Bar” and “Shea Butter Shaq.” This first episode launched on American Express’ digital channels today and can be viewed here. As part of the campaign, spots featuring O’Neal and other surprise guest shoppers at two additional Shop Small locations will be released in the coming weeks on American Express social channels.

American Express will also work with the Basketball Hall-of-Famer and its team and venue partners to create special in-venue experiences for NBA fans as part of its Shop Small campaign. The first will take place on November 10 at the Chicago Bulls vs. Miami HEAT game in Miami, Florida.

“Along with being celebrated for his Hall of Fame basketball career, Shaquille is an American Express Card Member, an entrepreneur and philanthropist who embodies many of the key characteristics of what our brand represents,” said Brad Minor, Vice President of Global Brand Partnerships and Experiential Marketing at American Express. “Shaquille O’Neal is one of the most recognizable athletes in the world, and we’re stoked to be working with him to help encourage consumers to support small businesses this holiday season through our Shop Small for 2X Rewards campaign, as well as partner with him on our larger NBA season sponsorship plans.”

“As a Card Member since 1992, American Express has been a part of my life from when I began my NBA career to today,” O’Neal said. “I am excited to partner with such an internationally respected brand that has supported small businesses for more than 25 years. As a businessman myself, I understand how important it is for our communities to Shop Small and have a personal stake in supporting American Express’ 2X Rewards campaign.”

To begin earning 2X rewards, Card Members can enroll in one of more than 50 U.S. Consumer and OPEN Small Business American Express Cards at www.amex.co/shopsmalloffer and shop at qualifying small merchant locations and websites now through December 31, 2016.

About Shop Small^® for 2X Rewards Offer
In 2010, American Express founded Small Business Saturday^®, a grassroots initiative to help drive consumers to shop at small businesses in communities across the country. Today, Small Business Saturday, which this year takes place on November 26, has become a national holiday alongside Black Friday and Cyber Monday as well as a successful global movement. Over the years, American Express has broadened the campaign to encourage millions of Americans to shop small on Small Business Saturday and throughout the holiday season.

Earlier this year, American Express introduced a first-of-its-kind offer, Shop Small^® for 2X Rewards, to further expand its ongoing support for its expanding network of small businesses during the critical holiday shopping season. Now through December 31, 2016, when American Express Card Members can use an eligible Card at qualifying small merchants- from retail shops to restaurants to dry cleaners- they can earn 2X rewards – from Membership Rewards^® points to miles with Delta^® to Cash Back and more.

With the addition of 1.6 million new merchant locations⁽¹⁾ that have started accepting American Express Cards over the past two years, Card Members now have even more places than ever before to Shop Small. Eligible merchants can be found on the Shop Small Map at shopsmallnow.com.

American Express is also providing its small merchants with marketing materials and resources to help them promote the Shop Small^® for 2X Rewards offer, including free online ads, signage, email templates, social posts and more. Small merchants can access such free materials during the offer period and year-round at the American Express Merchant Marketing Corner at marketingcorner.americanexpress.com.

How It Works
Now through December 31, 2016, American Express Card Members can enroll an eligible American Express Card online or through a mobile device at amex.co/shopsmalloffer to begin earning 2X rewards when they Shop Small. American Express Card Members will be awarded in their Card’s specific rewards.

Eligible Card Members can earn 2X Rewards as follows:

Blue Cash EveryDay & Blue Cash Preferred Card: Earn an additional 1% cash back per dollar of purchases in the form of Blue Cash Reward Dollars, which can be redeemed for statement credits
Blue Sky Points: Earn one additional Blue Sky point per dollar of purchases
Delta SkyMiles^®: Earn one additional mile per dollar of purchases
Hilton HHonors™ Points: Earn three additional Hilton HHonors™ Bonus Points per dollar of purchases
Lowe’s Business Rewards Points: Earn one additional Lowe’s Business Rewards point per dollar of purchases
Membership Rewards^® program-enrolled Cards: Earn one additional Membership Rewards point per dollar of purchases.
Plenti Points: Earn one additional Plenti Point per dollar of purchases
SimplyCash: Earn an additional 1% cash back per dollar of purchases in the form of a statement credit
Schwab Cash Back: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back per dollar of purchases deposited in an eligible Schwab account
Starwood Preferred Guest Starpoints^®: Earn one additional Starpoint^® per dollar of purchases

Card Members can find small businesses where they can earn 2X rewards by visiting the Shop Small Map at shopsmallnow.com. The Shop Small 2X Rewards offer applies to the first $100,000 in purchases for each eligible American Express Personal Card and the first $250,000 for each eligible OPEN Small Business Card.

Card Members will not earn 2X rewards on any bonus they may already enjoy with their Card, such as when they spend on certain types of purchases or at certain merchants. If a Card Member has Additional Cards on their account, these will be automatically enrolled when the primary Card Member enrolls. Additional Card Members can earn 2X Rewards for the primary Card Member's account.

Prepaid and Corporate Cards, American Express Cards issued by other financial institutions, The Plum Card^® and certain other Cards are not eligible.

For more information on the Shop Small for 2X Rewards offer and full terms and conditions, visit amex.co/shopsmalloffer.

Key links to products, services and corporate responsibility information: charge and credit cards, business credit cards, Plenti rewards program, travel services, gift cards, prepaid cards, merchant services, corporate card, business travel and corporate responsibility.

About Shaquille O’Neal
Shaquille O’Neal is a four-time NBA Champion and three-time NBA Finals MVP. The recently retired, 15-time NBA All-Star was named as both the highest ranked athlete in the NBA and the most influential in sports in 2011. With a PhD in Leadership and Education, this iconic marketing and social media marvel was ranked among the “100 Most Creative People in Business” by Fast Company Magazine with an online presence that has grown to become the second most followed US athlete on twitter.

As a celebrity, athlete, business professional and comedian, Shaquille O’Neal has an enormous and devoted fan base across a variety of demographics. To learn more about Shaq, visit Shaq.com; Follow Shaq on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

(1)Based on internal comparison of American Express small merchant locations in December 2013 to American Express small merchant locations in December 2015.

From Daybreak ’til Midnight: Shop, Dance, Ride & Dine this Small Business Saturday®

Tue, 01 Nov 2016 00:00:00 -0400

American Express today announced several events and offerings to support the seventh annual Small Business Saturday, which takes place on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, November 26. Founded by American Express in 2010, Small Business Saturday encourages Americans to shop at local independent businesses across the country, from neighborhood retail stores and restaurants to service businesses like drycleaners and nail salons. To show their love for small merchants, American Express is also giving Card Members the opportunity to earn 2x rewards when they enroll an eligible American Express Card and Shop Small on Small Business Saturday and through December 31.

Every year, consumers who Shop Small make a significant impact on their local economies. According to the 2015 Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey, approximately 95 million Americans shopped on Small Business Saturday last year, spending an estimated $16.2 billion at independent retailers and restaurants, up 14 percent from 2014¹.

“It's exciting to see how Small Business Saturday has evolved over the years. When all of us rally to support the small businesses that make our neighborhoods unique, the impact is truly inspiring,” said Elizabeth Rutledge, executive vice president, Global Advertising and Brand Management at American Express. “This year, we want all kinds of small businesses to get involved -- from fitness studios, to cafés, to retail stores and restaurants -- so we’ve created even more ways for Americans to participate on Small Business Saturday, whether you're a night owl or morning person.”

How to Shop, Dance, Ride & Dine
American Express is teaming up with a new list of organizations to make this year’s Small Business Saturday memorable for everyone. Events and offerings include:

Dance + Yoga Sesh with Daybreaker: Daybreaker, the early morning dance movement spreading around the world, is teaming up with American Express on Small Business Saturday to create an unforgettable kick-off experience to celebrate the small businesses that empower and enrich the communities they serve. The parties will take place in New York City, San Francisco and Chicago, where attendees can wake up to an invigorating workout and dance party with music, DJs, performers and yoga/fitness, as well as food and beverages from local businesses.
Free Rides to Shop Small in NYC with UberPOOL: To help shoppers get together and Shop Small on Small Business Saturday, American Express and Uber are offering a free UberPOOL ride (up to $20) to American Express Card Members in all five boroughs when the promo code SMALLBIZSAT is entered into the Uber app. And through the end of the year, first time UberPOOL riders in NYC can enter the promo code SHOPSMALL2016 to get their first UberPOOL ride free (up to $20). Visit the Shop Small map for ideas on where to go and ride together to Shop Small.
Dine Small with The Infatuation: The Infatuation, an influential online platform focused on helping people find the best restaurants in their area, will host an event at an independent restaurant in four cities: New York City, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and San Diego. Restaurants will create exclusive Small Business Saturday menu items to celebrate the day and encourage consumers to continue visiting local restaurants long after the weekend. Restaurant-goers will be encouraged to share their experiences on social media.
Local Celebrations with Neighborhood Champions: More than 4,000 small business owners, individuals and community organizations have already pledged to be this year’s Neighborhood Champions, committing to host events and activities to rally their communities on Small Business Saturday. Shoppers can support their local Neighborhood Champions and independent businesses by attending these events together with other Shop Small enthusiasts. More information about these activities can be found at www.shopsmall.com.

American Express Card Members Receive Offer to Shop Small and Earn Big
New this year, American Express is giving Card Members the opportunity to earn 2x rewards when they enroll an eligible American Express Card at http://www.amex.co/shopsmalloffer and shop at qualifying small merchants both in-store and online now through December 31. With the addition of 1.6 million merchant locations that have started accepting American Express Cards over the past two years, Card Members now have even more places than ever before to Shop Small². When Card Members use an eligible Card to shop at qualifying small merchants they can earn 2X rewards – from Membership Rewards® points to miles with Delta® to Cash Back and more. This offer is the latest way American Express is supporting the expanding network of small merchants who accept American Express Cards by giving Card Members yet another reason to Shop Small throughout the holiday season.

Show Your Love for Small Businesses on Social Media
Last year, millions of consumers showed their love for independent businesses on Small Business Saturday. This year is no different. American Express is asking consumers to join in on making the day bigger than ever for small businesses by sharing their experiences on social media. Anyone can join the conversation and spread the Shop Small message to their family, friends and online followers by using the hashtags #ShopSmall, #SmallBizSat and #DineSmall.

About Small Business Saturday
November 26th is the seventh annual Small Business Saturday. Dedicated to supporting local businesses that create jobs, boost the economy, and preserve neighborhoods around the country, Small Business Saturday was created by American Express in 2010 in response to small business owners’ most pressing need: getting more customers. Learn more at and connect with us on ShopSmall.com, instagram.com/shopsmall, facebook.com/SmallBusinessSaturday, twitter.com/shopsmall.

Key links to products, services and corporate responsibility information: charge and credit cards, business credit cards, Plenti rewards program, travel services, gift cards, prepaid cards, merchant services, corporate card, business travel and corporate responsibility.

¹Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey by National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and American Express. (November 30, 2015, November 30, 2014). Based on consumer self-reported data and does not reflect actual receipts or sales.

²Based on internal comparison of American Express small merchant locations in December 2013 to American Express small merchant locations in December 2015.

Consumers Willing to Take Additional Security Steps to Prevent Online Fraud as E-Commerce Grows, Finds New American Express Survey

Thu, 20 Oct 2016 00:00:00 -0400

As e-commerce continues to expand, online payment security is a top concern for merchants¹ and consumers², according to a new report from American Express. The 2016 American Express Digital Payments Security Survey found that 70% of U.S. merchants are experiencing an increase in sales through online and mobile channels over the previous year.

The report, which surveyed 1,021 U.S. consumers and 401 merchants, reveals that as ecommerce grows, payment security remains top of mind for both. Nearly half (48%) of consumers who shopped online in the past year have experienced payment fraud, representing nearly 80 million online consumers. Four in 10 consumers (40%) view online shopping as having more risk than an in-store purchase (28%). In addition, 42% of shoppers say that they have abandoned an online purchase due to payment security concerns. This increases to 48% for Gen X and 50% for Millennials, suggesting that while younger consumers are considered early adopters of new technology, they also place a high priority on the security of their information.

Meanwhile, 60% of merchants report that they have experienced fraudulent online sales, and 25% say their level of fraud with online sales has increased this year. Participating merchants reported on average 31% of their online sales transactions in the past year were abandoned by their customers before a sale was completed.

The good news is that consumers indicate they are willing to take specific steps to enhance the security of their information when making an online purchase, presenting an opportunity for merchants to capture more online sales and increase trust among their customers.

Nearly eight-in-10 online consumers (78%) are willing to enter a security code (CVV) for their credit card but only 57% of merchants require the use of a CVV code for online customer transactions.
While 70% of online consumers are prepared to use security questions (e.g. ‘What was the make and model of your first car?’), 43% of merchants have this prompt available on their websites.
More than two-thirds of online consumers (68%) are willing to create a one-time password but only 37% of merchants require a separate one-time password for additional security.
63% of online consumers are open to creating a customer profile on the merchant’s website in order to complete a purchase, but less than half of merchants (46%) provide this option online.
For consumers to trust an online merchant, 84% want easy-to-find customer service contact information and 78% want visible security cues on the merchant’s site. Yet, only 50% of merchants say they provide easy access to customer service reps on their websites and 52% report taking the step of using data encryption on their website.

Consumers also can do more to keep their personal information secure online. Less than half (44%) use a different password for every online account; 30% change their passwords once or twice a year; and 17% never change their banking or payment passwords. American Express recommends Card Members create different passwords across all banking, email and social media accounts and consider updating all passwords every six to 12 months.

“Payment fraud can impact a merchant’s bottom line,” said Mike Matan, Vice President, Industry Engagement, Product and Marketing for American Express’ Global Network Business. “Fighting fraud for our Card Members and merchants is an ongoing priority at American Express. We offer a number of services and features to help Card Members monitor their account information and help prevent fraud at the point of sale, including one-click alerts to confirm charges via text, email and our mobile app. Our investments in technology and advanced analytics have also enabled American Express to achieve the lowest fraud rates in the industry.”

American Express works with merchants to fight online fraud on multiple fronts, including:

SafeKey^®: To further enable U.S. merchants to reduce online fraud, American Express recently expanded availability of SafeKey, an authentication tool that adds an extra layer of security when a participating American Express Card Member shops online. Leveraging the global industry standard, 3-D Secure®, SafeKey detects and reduces online fraud by validating the Card Member’s identity through various methods, including risk-based authentication and dynamic one-time passcodes.
Enhanced Authorization: American Express’ Enhanced Authorization service uses additional information submitted by online merchants, such as email addresses, phone numbers, and shipping addresses, to detect fraud when a Card Member transaction is submitted for authorization. The service can help online merchants reduce operating expenses stemming from chargebacks and capture more online sales.
Accertify: A subsidiary of American Express, Accertify provides fraud-management and chargeback solutions to online merchants that help them detect and prevent fraud across all payment card networks. Many of Accertify’s clients have quickly achieved significant gains in the efficiency, accuracy and productivity of their fraud-prevention efforts, resulting in reductions in their fraud losses and customer complaints related to fraud.

Survey Methodology
The 2016 American Express Digital Payments Security Survey was conducted among U.S. consumers and merchants that offer online/mobile payment options to their customers. The anonymous survey was conducted online September 6-13, 2016.

Unless otherwise noted, responses among consumers represent those who have made an online purchase three or more times in the past 12 months based on self-report. The sample size of n=718 has a margin of error of +/- 3.7 at the 95% confidence level. The consumer portion of the study is based on an overall sample of 1,021 respondents weighted to be representative of the U.S. census based upon gender, age, education, race and region.

The merchant portion of the study is based on a sample of 401 merchants in the U.S. Respondents have responsibility for making decisions regarding customer payment options, IT/data security, or online sales strategy and planning. The business sample has a margin of error of +/- 4.9 at the 95% confidence level.

Key links to products, services and corporate responsibility information: charge and credit cards, business credit cards, Plenti rewards program, travel services, gift cards, prepaid cards, merchant services, corporate card, business travel and corporate responsibility.

(1)Merchants refer to those businesses who accept payments on a traditional website, mobile website or mobile application.
(2)Consumers refer to those who have shopped online three or more times in the past year

American Express Launches “Amex for Developers” Portal

Mon, 17 Oct 2016 00:00:00 -0400

American Express today announced the launch of Amex for Developers, a new portal providing a single point of access to company APIs and developer resources in such categories as payment services, customized experiences, data intelligence and fraud prevention. The portal is launching with an initial set of products; ongoing releases are expected to include additional products in new categories.

“American Express has long used APIs to enable selected merchant partners to grow their businesses by engaging their customers who are Card Members in innovative ways,” said Marc Gordon, Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer. “With the launch of Amex for Developers, we are expanding access to our APIs to additional partners, creating new opportunities for business growth, both for our partners and for American Express.”

Created for developers, the portal contains a robust set of tools and resources, plus supports an end-to-end, self-service workflow, so software engineers can rapidly create, innovate and test new concepts. The portal includes a “sandbox” environment that has been architected to give developers the freedom to quickly begin testing and experimenting with American Express capabilities, without access to actual Card Member or merchant data. In addition to processing payments on its network, American Express manages both the acquiring relationship with merchants and the card-issuing side of the business, creating a “closed loop.” The portal has been designed to give developers access, through its APIs and other products, to capabilities that power billions of transactions around the globe and support innovation at each stage of the digital commerce journey, in a way that is consistent with American Express' longstanding commitment to privacy and safeguarding Card Member information.

“Amex for Developers provides the opportunity for software engineers around the world to innovate with American Express,” noted Sathish Muthukrishnan, Vice President, Enterprise API Engineering & Digital Partnerships. “This will enable more developers to apply their creativity to our APIs and other products, which already have been leveraged by such partners as Facebook, Twitter, Uber and Best Buy.”

The new Amex for Developers portal is available at https://developer.americanexpress.com.

Key links to products, services and corporate responsibility information: charge and credit cards, business credit cards, Plenti rewards program, travel services, gift cards, prepaid cards, merchant services, corporate card, business travel and corporate responsibility.

American Express Offers Big Rewards for Shopping Small This Holiday Season

Mon, 17 Oct 2016 00:00:00 -0400

American Express today announced its largest and longest running campaign yet to connect Card Members with their favorite small businesses. The Shop Small® for 2X Rewards offer spans across more than 50 eligible U.S. Consumer and OPEN Small Business American Express Cards. To begin earning rewards, Card Members can enroll an eligible American Express® Card at www.amex.co/shopsmalloffer and shop at qualifying small merchant locations and websites now through December 31, 2016.

Seven years ago, American Express started a grassroots initiative to help drive consumers to shop at small businesses in communities across the country. Fast forward to today, and Small Business Saturday has become a national holiday alongside Black Friday and Cyber Monday as well as a successful global movement. Over the years, American Express has broadened the campaign to encourage millions of Americans to shop small on Small Business Saturday and throughout the holiday season.

Shop Small® for 2X Rewards expands upon this ongoing support for small businesses, while delivering valuable rewards to American Express Card Members. The first-of-its-kind offer builds on each eligible Card’s specific rewards program. That means, when Card Members use an eligible Card to shop at qualifying small merchants this year-- from restaurants, to retailers, to dry cleaners and more-- they can earn 2X rewards – from Membership Rewards® points to miles with Delta® to Cash Back and more.

“Last year, Small Business Saturday inspired 95 million people to Shop Small¹,” said Howard Grosfield, EVP, U.S. Consumer Marketing Services for American Express. “This year, we’re going all out to support the expanding network of small businesses who accept American Express by giving our Card Members yet another reason to Shop Small throughout the holiday season—including on Small Business Saturday. This campaign also helps deliver the one thing small businesses need most…more business.”

With the addition of 1.6 million new merchant locations that have started accepting American Express Cards over the past two years, Card Members now have even more places than ever before to Shop Small². To build awareness, Shop Small® for 2X Rewards will be supported by a major, national advertising and marketing campaign focused on driving more business to America’s small business owners.

American Express is also providing its small merchants with marketing materials and resources to help them promote the Shop Small® for 2X Rewards offer, including free online ads, signage, email templates, social posts and more. Small merchants can access such free materials during the offer period and year-round at the American Express Merchant Marketing Corner at marketingcorner.americanexpress.com.

“Small businesses are the heart and soul of our communities. With this campaign, we want to celebrate and support the small merchants our Card Members love, and also inspire them to shop at new small merchants,” added Grosfield.

How It Works
Now through December 31, 2016, American Express Card Members can enroll an eligible American Express Card online or through a mobile device at www.amex.co/shopsmalloffer to begin earning 2X rewards when they Shop Small. American Express Card Members will be awarded in their Card’s specific rewards.

Eligible Card Members can earn 2X Rewards as follows:

Blue Cash EveryDay & Blue Cash Preferred Card: Earn an additional 1% cash back per dollar of purchases in the form of Blue Cash Reward Dollars, which can be redeemed for statement credits

Blue Sky Points: Earn one additional Blue Sky point per dollar of purchases

Delta SkyMiles®: Earn one additional mile per dollar of purchases

Hilton HHonors™ Points: Earn three additional Hilton HHonors™ Bonus Points per dollar of purchases

Lowe’s Business Rewards Points: Earn one additional Lowe’s Business Rewards point per dollar of purchases

Membership Rewards® program-enrolled Cards: Earn one additional Membership Rewards Point per dollar of purchases.

Plenti Points: Earn one additional Plenti Point per dollar of purchases

SimplyCash: Earn an additional 1% cash back per dollar of purchases in the form of a statement credit

Schwab Cash Back: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back per dollar of purchases deposited in an eligible Schwab account

Starwood Preferred Guest Starpoints®: Earn one additional Starpoint® per dollar of purchases

Card Members can find qualifying small businesses where they can earn 2X rewards by visiting the Shop Small Map at shopsmallnow.com. The Shop Small for 2X Rewards offer applies to the first $100,000 in purchases for each eligible American Express Personal Card and the first $250,000 for each eligible OPEN Small Business Card.

Prepaid and Corporate Cards, American Express Cards issued by other financial institutions, The Plum Card® and certain other Cards are not eligible.

For more information on the Shop Small for 2X Rewards offer and full terms and conditions, visit www.amex.co/shopsmalloffer.

Key links to products, services and corporate responsibility information: charge and credit cards, business credit cards, Plenti rewards program, travel services, gift cards, prepaid cards, merchant services, corporate card, business travel and corporate responsibility.

¹ Based on a consumer survey conducted by the National Federal of Independent Business and American Express on November 30, 2015.

²Based on internal comparison of American Express small merchant locations in December 2013 to American Express small merchant locations in December 2015.

Back for the 12s: American Express and the Seattle Seahawks Return for Second Season of “All for the 12s” Experiences in 2016

Wed, 12 Oct 2016 00:00:00 -0400

American Express and the Seattle Seahawks today announced a multi-year extension of their partnership, which will continue to bring together Card Members and Seattle businesses to offer exclusive experiences for Seahawks fans – also known as the "12s" – throughout the football season. The 2016 Seahawks season will mark the second year of delivering fan-driven events and benefits for Card Members and the Seattle community.

"We’ve seen first-hand the amazing passion this city has for the Seahawks, from the fans to the storefronts, the Seattle community is united in supporting their beloved team,” said Gunther Bright, EVP and GM of Merchant Services U.S., American Express. “Just as the Seattle community is devoted to their team, we are devoted to the Seattle-area Card Members and merchants who rely on American Express every day. We’re honored and excited to bring back a second season of experiences for the 12s, with returning fan-favorites and new experiences for fans to enjoy, fueled by the service and access that only American Express can provide.”

“Last season American Express did a phenomenal job of creating great activations and events, including Section 12 and Hawks Island for Seahawks fans on Blue Friday and on gameday,” said Amy Sprangers, Seahawks Vice President of Corporate Partnerships and Suites. “We are honored to extend our partnership with American Express, a partner who will continue to bring incredible experiences to our fans.”

The Seahawks regular season will feature a full lineup of activities for American Express Card Members and merchants, including the return of Hawks Island on the Puget Sound, the Section 12 pre-game experience outside CenturyLink Field before home games, a new community tour featuring the American Express Fan Van and merchant tool kits that give local businesses more ways to show support for their team.

To kick off the second season of the partnership, on August 27, American Express hosted “Dinner on the 50,” an exclusive dinner experience for a few hundred Card Members, who were treated to a four-course meal on the 50-yard line of CenturyLink Field. The event featured intimate panel discussions with current Seahawks players Earl Thomas, Bobby Wagner and Tyler Lockett, as well as other fan activities.

Key links to products, services and corporate responsibility information: charge and credit cards, business credit cards, Plenti rewards program, travel services, gift cards, prepaid cards, merchant services, corporate card, business travel and corporate responsibility.

About Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks joined the National Football League (NFL) in 1976 as an expansion team. The Seahawks have won nine division titles and three conference championships. They are the only team to have played in both the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC) championship games. They have appeared in three Super Bowls, (Super Bowl XL, Super Bowl XLVIII and Super Bowl XLIX). The Seahawks defeated the Denver Broncos, 43-8, in Super Bowl XLVIII to win their first title. The team plays at CenturyLink Field in downtown Seattle and is owned by local businessman, investor, and philanthropist Paul Allen.

New Travel Benefits for American Express Platinum Card Members and Business Platinum Card® Members

Wed, 05 Oct 2016 00:00:00 -0400

Today American Express is announcing an expansion of the travel benefits that have helped make the Platinum Card the category leader for more than 30 years. Beginning October 6, consumers with a Platinum Card from American Express will receive 5X Membership Rewards points on airfare booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel.

“Travel is an important part of our Card Members’ lives and it’s becoming even more so for a new generation who are global and drawn to the access, experiences and service that come with American Express® Membership,” said Denise Pickett, president, U.S. consumer services for American Express. “Our new travel benefits come just before the busiest travel season and offer valuable rewards to Card Members. You’ll see further enhancements for Platinum and Business Platinum Card Members and new programs that leverage the expanded network of small business merchants who now welcome American Express. We also plan to continue building on the success we’ve had throughout the year in acquiring new customers across all our Card products.”

Business Platinum Card Members can now earn 50% points back when using Membership Rewards® Pay with Points through American Express Travel to book a flight with their selected airline. They will also receive this benefit when booking a first or business class ticket with any airline. In addition, Business Platinum Card Members can earn 1.5X Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on any purchase of $5,000 or more.

Platinum Card Members and Business Platinum Card Members also have access to American Express’ Global Lounge Collection, which offers entry into the most airport lounges across the globe. With more than 1,000 lounges, in 500 plus cities, across 120 countries and counting, the Global Lounge Collection includes American Express’ award winning Centurion® lounge network, International American Express lounges, Delta Sky Clubs®, Priority Pass™ Select, and Airspace Lounges.

These rewarding experiences are part of a growing roster of travel benefits that Platinum Card Members and Business Platinum Card Members can take advantage of including: a $200 Airline Fee Credit for incidental benefits like baggage, with their selected airline, upgrades to Starwood Preferred Guest® Gold Status and Hilton HHonors™ Gold Status, complimentary benefits when booking with the FINE HOTELS & RESORTS, access to the Delta Private Jet program, complimentary access to Wi-Fi hotspots provided by Boingo Wireless and a Fee Credit for Global Entry or the TSA Pre✓® program application.

Terms and Limitations apply. More information about these new benefits can be found starting October 6 at americanexpress.com.

About American Express
American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, foursquare.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/companies/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.

Key links to products, services and corporate responsibility information: charge and credit cards, business credit cards, Plenti rewards program, travel services, gift cards, prepaid cards, merchant services, corporate card, business travel and corporate responsibility.

American Express Helps Tennis Fans – Rookies and Veterans Alike – Ace the 2016 US Open Like a Pro

Thu, 25 Aug 2016 00:00:00 -0400

The US Open is one of the most thrilling tournaments in tennis, and this year’s Open will not disappoint, as all fans—rookies and veterans alike—will encounter a completely new experience with the updated layout to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. American Express knows its Card Members love the Open, with many coming back year after year, which is why it is leveraging its immersive on-site activations and service to help enable all Card Members, tennis fans and attendees to experience the 2016 US Open like a pro.

In line with American Express’ tradition of leveraging the latest technology to create unique, memorable experiences for fans, the Pro Walk, located in the US Open American Express Fan Experience, gives US Open attendees the opportunity to virtually experience the same type of journey a pro would have as they walk from the player locker room to center court of the newly renovated Arthur Ashe Stadium. The experience combines replicas of the player locker room and tunnel, holograms of former US Open champions Pete Sampras and Monica Seles, three-dimensional sound, and projection mapping of the stadium to make it truly feel like you’re on center court.

“At American Express, we are always excited to bring our Card Members and tennis fans new, exciting and interactive experiences during the US Open,” said Deborah Curtis, vice president, global sponsorships and experiential marketing, American Express. ”Given the changes to this year’s tournament, we are especially excited to use our position as a service brand to ensure that all fans—from those that have been to the US Open year after year to those who are first timers—are able to experience the US Open like a pro. From providing premium amenities and offerings, to exclusive digital content, to allowing attendees onsite to experience the never-before-seen Pro Walk, we are again delivering unique service and access to our Card Members and fans.”

To further help Card Members and tennis fans experience the US Open like a pro, American Express is partnering with former US Open champion Venus Williams and up-and-coming American men’s player Taylor Fritz—in addition to Sampras and Seles—to showcase the unique benefits and services that only American Express is able provide at this year’s tournament.

Onsite Experiences
The US Open American Express Fan Experience features 20,000 square feet of interactive programming designed to enhance this year’s Open and help fans experience it like a pro. Activities include:

American Express ^® Pro Walk: American Express continues its tradition of using the latest technology to deliver experiences that bring fans closer to their favorite sport. The Pro Walk is a tech-tailored and emotion-focused journey immersing tennis fans in a mixed-reality experience either individually or with a group that culminates with the authentic feeling of stepping out onto the court at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Chair of Champions: In the new American Express space located in the South Plaza, fans will be provided the chance to grab a seat in the one-of-a-kind Chair of Champions. The new, glass-enclosed space will provide an unforgettable photo opportunity for tennis fans as they sit in the throne made completely of tennis balls and rackets. All Card Members can also stop in to pick up complimentary premiums, such as cell phone fans and radios¹.

American Express Center Court Club: American Express is excited to be part of the new, 70-person luxury suite, the Center Court Club at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

American Express Card Member Club: Card Members will be invited to sit back, relax and recharge in the Card Member Club in the Fan Experience, which will boast a number of complimentary services such as mophie battery phone case rental, massages offered in partnership with exhale, sunglass cleaning and more. Food and beverages are available for purchase as well².

American Express Fan Court: The only full-sized tennis court for fans will feature daily live programming to provide attendees of all ages with tools and technology to enhance and improve their tennis game, including:
- Athlete Meet and Greets: To kick-off the first few days of the US Open, popular tennis professionals will join American Express on the court to participate in question-and-answer sessions, giving fans additional insight and tips for the game.
- USTA Tennis Programming: A returning favorite, fans of all ages will have the chance to participate in USTA programming sessions including youth tennis sessions, adult tennis skills challenges and more.
American Express Radio Live at the Open: The American Express Radios continue to be a fan favorite at the US Open. This year, American Express will distribute 180,000 radios from five different locations throughout the grounds¹. The radios will feature live play-by-play commentary and match updates from ESPN, as well as some tips on how to do the US Open like a Pro from some of the pros themselves –Sampras, Seles, Williams and Fritz.

World-Class Service for Fans: American Express Customer Care Professionals will be at the Fan Experience, and American Express Brand Ambassadors will be throughout the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center to deliver the company’s Relationship Care^® service to its customers and all event guests, helping fans take full advantage of onsite benefits and experience the exceptional care American Express provides Card Members.

Staying Connected Like a #AmexTennis Pro

Venus Opens Like a Pro: In a series of social video vignettes presented by American Express, fans around the world can watch Venus Williams get ready for the final Grand Slam of the year. In this series, tennis fans get a quick glimpse at the everyday rituals of a bona fide champion. The clips share how Venus Williams prepares for the US Open like a pro – from picking out the perfect match outfit to drinking her fresh OJ in the morning.

#AmexTennis US Open Daily Debates: Debating about each match at the US Open brings an element of added excitement to the tournament. American Express will bring this spirit to life by driving a social media campaign that encourages US Open fans to participate in conversations on Twitter. Fans can track and take part in the daily debates by using #AmexTennis, and as the daily debates heat up, Sampras, Seles, Williams and Fritz will join in on the action.

American Express in Snapchat’s US Open Live Story Coverage: On the last day of the US Open, American Express will premiere a series of short, fun vignettes that will live within the US Open Snapchat Live Story of the Men’s Finals. This series will share how pro fans use insider knowledge and American Express to experience the US Open like a pro. Pro tips will range from how to keep cool to staying in the know.

US Open Winner’s Walk: The Winner’s Walk presented by American Express is a question-and-answer session with the winning players at Arthur Ashe as they walk back to the locker room after their victory. Content will be distributed with the potential to stream live on Facebook.

US Open App: American Express will be the presenting sponsor of US Open Radio and Guest Information, within the US Open App. Guest Info, a new activation for 2016, will help guide attendees throughout the event, as there are many new enhancements throughout the National Tennis Center.

Key links to products, services and corporate responsibility information: charge and credit cards, business credit cards, Plenti rewards program, travel services, gift cards, prepaid cards, merchant services, corporate card, business travel and corporate responsibility.

(1)While supplies last, one per Card Member. Must be 18 or over.

(2)Must be 21 or over to consume alcohol. Please drink responsibly.

Stock Up from the Sofa with Boxed: All American Express® Card Members Get Free Shipping and Boxed Cash Rewards for a Year

Wed, 10 Aug 2016 00:00:00 -0400

American Express and Boxed, the online and mobile bulk grocery company, announced today that all American Express Card Members can now enjoy free shipping on eligible orders and 3% Boxed Cash Rewards on up to $15,000 in purchases per Boxed account when they use their American Express Card at Boxed.* The Boxed Cash Rewards will appear as a credit in the Card Member's Boxed account to use towards future purchases at Boxed. This offering is now available to Card Members through August 10, 2017. Terms apply. See below for details.

Earlier this year, American Express also launched Amex Express Checkout on Boxed.com, giving Card Members the ability to pay for purchases at Boxed by signing in with their existing American Express login.

"We're making sure our Card Members have great options for shopping in bulk with their American Express Cards," said Christopher Cracchiolo, vice president, Membership Rewards and loyalty benefits, American Express. "With Boxed, our Card Members can shop from anywhere, have the items shipped to their door for free, and get Boxed Cash Rewards to use towards future orders, with a mobile-first bulk grocery retailer without an annual membership fee."

In addition, a limited-time Amex Offer launched on July 11, 2016 giving eligible American Express Card Members a one-time $20 statement credit when they spend $50 or more at Boxed when they sync and load the Amex Offer to their card by October 15, 2016.** This Amex Offer can be loaded in the My Offers section in the Card Member's online American Express account or in the Amex Mobile app.

"Boxed is transforming the warehouse shopping experience, making it relevant and accessible for new audiences, from young Millennial families to small businesses," said David Taft, vice president, communications at Boxed. "We're offering American Express Card Members a seamless, valuable and convenient time-saving experience, helping to keep their pantries stocked while freeing up time to enjoy more of what they love."

Key links to products, services and corporate responsibility information: charge and credit cards, business credit cards, Plenti rewards program, travel services, gift cards, prepaid cards, merchant services, corporate card, business travel and corporate responsibility.

About Boxed
Founded in 2013, Boxed has taken the best elements of the wholesale shopping experience and folded it into one innovative, cutting edge mobile app that allows consumers direct-to-their-door access to all of their favorite warehouse club products, without membership fees. Boxed brings convenience and savings to on-the-go consumers who don't have the time, means or patience to shop at a brick and mortar big box club. The brand's innovative discovery-based design recreates the fun of the treasure hunt experience with a curated selection of everyday essentials that consumers love including household staples, health and beauty supplies, office pantry items, groceries and a wide variety of organic and green products.

Terms & Conditions

*Starting 8/10/16, after you create a new Boxed account or sign into your existing Boxed account and upon making a purchase with an American Express Card at Boxed.com or in the Boxed apps ("Boxed") with that Boxed account, that Boxed account will receive access to Boxed Bold through 8/10/17. The Boxed Bold program provides (i) free ground shipping on eligible orders at Boxed and (ii) 3% back in the form of Boxed Cash Rewards on purchases at Boxed (up to $450 Boxed Cash Rewards, and 1% thereafter). Express orders are not eligible for free shipping and certain products may from time to time be designated as not eligible for free shipping. An order minimum must be met to checkout at Boxed. Boxed Cash Rewards will appear as a credit in your Boxed account to use towards future purchases, as long as you have $2.00 in Boxed Cash Rewards in your Boxed account, at Boxed. Boxed Cash Rewards cannot be redeemed for cash and are not transferable. Taxes and fees do not earn Boxed Cash Rewards.

Offer is subject to the Boxed Terms and Conditions at https://www.boxed.com/terms-conditions/, including, without limitation, those Boxed Terms and Conditions specific to the Boxed Bold program. Fulfillment of the Offer is the sole responsibility of Giddy Inc. d/b/a Boxed Wholesale. Offer is not redeemable for cash and is not valid on previous purchases. Offer cannot be combined with any other promotions/offers/savings. American Express reserves the right to modify or revoke the Offer at any time.

**Offer valid on Boxed.com or on the Boxed mobile app. See merchant website for shipping policy. Some merchants may not ship to all areas. Must add offer to Card and use same Card to redeem. Limit 1 statement credit(s) per American Express® Card across all American Express offer channels. Statement credit will appear on your billing statement within 90 days after 10/15/2016, provided that American Express receives information from the merchant about your qualifying purchase. Note that American Express may not receive information about your qualifying purchase from merchant until all items from your qualifying purchase have been provided/shipped by merchant. Statement credit may be reversed if qualifying purchase is returned/cancelled. If American Express does not receive information that identifies your transaction as qualifying for the offer, you will not receive the statement credit. For example, your transaction will not qualify if it is not made directly with the merchant. In addition, in most cases, you will not receive the statement credit if your transaction is made with an electronic wallet or through a third party or if the merchant uses a mobile or wireless card reader to process it. By adding an offer to a Card, you agree that American Express may send you communications about the offer. POID: CBKY:0001