Author Archives: ccwatcher

Buying a Condo? Put it on your AMEX

American Express

Saw this one while browsing FT. Apparently American Express is rolling out a pilot program that will allow select customers to charge their condo down payments, earning rewards without adding a surcharge.

American Express Co. will begin allowing select customers to use its credit cards to charge their condominium down payments. Currently, the service will be limited to buyers of luxury condos in Manhattan, as American Express rolls out the program with New York real-estate firm Moinian Group for one its projects under construction.

Both companies say they plan to expand the service. The change will allow the customers a chance to earn reward points and frequent-flyer miles, getting one point for every dollar charged.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Moinian will pay a fee to American Express for every transaction. Condo buyers will not be charged any additional fees.

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New Benefits Added for Starwood Amex

American Express, Travel Cards

A really great credit card got just a bit better. As reported by FT, American Express is expanding the benefits of the SPG Amex. Effective October 1, 2006:

– You will receive one additional Starpoint for each US dollar of Eligible Spending charged on your Card Account at Starwood branded hotels and resorts then participating in the Starwood Preferred Guest loyalty program, and at standalone retail establishments and online stores that, in each case, are wholly-owned by Starwood.

– If during eny calendar year Eligible Spending on your Card Account is $30,000 or more, you will be enrolled for at least 12 months in the Gold Preferred Guest level of the SPG loyalty program. Please allow 12 to 16 weeks [for this benefit to take effect]. . .

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Win $50,000 in MasterCard’s Business Card Sweepstakes

MasterCard, Sweepstakes

In September and October, Mastercard is holding a monthly sweepstakes where each winner will receive $50,000. You’re automatically entered to win each time you use your MasterCard BusinessCard® card or your Debit MasterCard BusinessCard® card. You’ll receive two entries every time you make a purchase at Staples or make a PayPass purchase.

For more details, see this link. Credit goes to CardTrak.

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DiscoverCard “Get More” Program: October-December 2006

Cash Back Cards, Discover

When you enroll in Discover’s “Get More” program, you’re eligible for 5% cash back on up to $1,000 in purchases per quarter in specific categories, which rotate throughout the year. The categories for the next quarter (October 1, 2006 to December 31, 2006) have been released and this time they have an entertainment theme:

Restaurants—From fast food to fine dining

Movies—From movie tickets to movie rentals

Books, Music and Everything Else

In-store or online from these specific retailers:

  • AMAZON.COM
  • Barnes & Noble
  • Borders®
  • Circuit City
  • Crutchfield®
  • Napster®
  • Waldenbooks®

If you have an eligible Discover card, you can sign up by either logging in to the Account Center or calling 1-800-DISCOVER(1-800-347-2683).

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Blue Cash Unlimited Rewards Caveat

American Express, Cash Back Cards

The other day I wrote about how Amex has lifted spending caps on its Blue Cash card, making it more attractive for big spenders. Well, before you run out and get one, there is an important caveat to note. In the latest Blue Cash statement is the following verbiage (bolded for emphasis):

Using the Card Effective with billing periods beginning on or after September 1, 2006, the following sentences are added to the end of the second paragraph of the Using the Card section of your Agreement: “A maximum of 3 Additional Cards are permitted on your Account. You agree to use the Account only for legitimate purchases of goods and services for personal, family or household purposes.“

Since I suspect that a lot of the big spenders would be putting business spending on the card, this is an important restriction. How Amex would actually police this is another matter.

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Amex Blue Cash Now Offering Unlimited Rewards

American Express, Cash Back Cards

This thread at FW tipped off the news that Blue Cash no longer caps your rewards after $50,000 in spending. It’s now reflected on Amex’s website as well. The new redemption table looks like this:

Total Annual Purchases Gas stations, supermarkets, drugstores All other puchases
$0-$6,500 1% 0.5%
$6,500.01 or more 5% 1.5%

This is great news for big spenders. With the impending doom of the Citi Dividend card, this card is a very viable alternative. You are sacrificing some return on the first $6,500 versus a flat 1.5% card like the Fidelity Investments Rewards card, but afterwards, you’re getting top dollar. If you’re a big spender looking for the simplicity of carrying a single card and charging everything on it, then these changes make Blue Cash very attractive.

Details on the Blue Cash rebate can be found here.

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Double Delta Miles During September For Select SkyMiles Cardmembers

American Express, Travel Cards

This offer is targetted to solicited Delta SkyMiles card holders:

Give your miles a boost in September and get to your next Delta reward flight even faster. Use your Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express from September 1 to September 30, 2006 to pay for all your purchases and earn double miles.

Enroll by September 30, 2006 either online or by calling 1-800-227-7081. To enroll online or to see more information, visit http://www.americanexpress.com/deltadouble.

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AMEX Sweepstakes: Win Unique NYC Experiences

American Express, Sweepstakes

Per FW, AMEX is hosting a sweepstakes centered around NYC experiences. What can you win? According to the FAQ:

Two complimentary tickets to an exclusive Cardmember-only concert performed by Kanye West on August 29, 2006, at the Nokia Theatre in Manhattan. Tickets are general admission.

Two Promenade seats to the evening session of the 2006 US Open on September 4, 2006, at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing, Queens.

Two tickets to select seats at one of sixteen available Broadway shows. Tickets are available for performances on September 15, 2006. The participating shows are 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Avenue Q, Chicago, The Drowsy Chaperone, Hairspray, Heartbreak House The History Boys, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me, Mamma Mia!, The Phantom of the Opera, The Producers, RENT, Monty Python’s Spamalot, Wicked, and The Wedding Singer.

Up to four complimentary passes good for one movie at Fandango-participating New York Metro-area theaters for use between 9/18/06 and 9/24/06.

A table for two, four or six and a complimentary meal from the chef’s menu at one of the following New York restaurants on 9/26/06. The participating restaurants are Bar Americain, craftsteak, Fiamma and Tabla (either Main Dining Room or The Bread Bar).

Entering the sweepstakes is free but limited to eligible Amex cardholders. The Kanye West concert that was available today is already sold out, but you still
can enter for the other events. For more details, see http://www.membershipchangeseverything.com/.

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