American Express is offering a service called “My Credit Score & Report” that gives customers a free Experian credit report and score when they enroll. You’ll have 30 days to access your report and score, at which time your membership will automatically lapse without having to cancel.
This offer is available online at americanexpress.com/creditreport (Via FW)
American Express consumer charge cards can now earn double Membership Rewards points on gas and groceries (up to $1,000 each month) until March 15th, 2010. Cardmembers can either register online at www.americanexpress.com/counttwice or by calling 1-800-794-1308 and entering promo code 139150001. You must have enrolled in this promo prior to making purchases in order to earn the bonus.
Via FT:
For stays through April 25, 2009, eligible American Express Platinum and Centurion cardholders can receive up to two free nights at either the Encore or Wynn Resort in Las Vegas. There is no minimum stay requirement. All FHR amenities, such as room upgrades, food vouchers, etc. do apply, but tax and fees are not included. There are a number of blackout dates, but weekends are available.
To book this offer, call Platinum Travel Services at 1-800-443-7672 and tell them you heard about this promo.
So this is what we have come to. Facing increasing delinquencies and decreasing customer spending, American Express is now offering a $300 incentive to a “relatively small” number of its credit card holders to close their accounts.
The “Simplify Your Finances” program offers a $300 American Express gift card to solicited customers who close their account and pay off their entire balance by April 30. Enrolling in the deal automatically cancels the customer’s account, regardless of whether the borrower successfully pays off the balance.
Only customers who receive a mailing with a registration code are eligible for this offer, which must be accepted by the end of this week.
Hilton and American Express are set to introduce a new flavor of HHonors credit card to be added to the existing lineup. The new offer, dubbed the Hilton HHonors Surpass Card from American Express, is set to launch in mid-February. The main difference between the Surpass Card and the original Hilton Amex is that, in exchange for an annual fee of $75/year, the Surpass Card offers complimentary Gold VIP status for the first year, 9 HHonors points per dollar spent at Hilton hotels and HHonors Diamond VIP status once spending reaches $40,000 per year.
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In what could be a portent of things to come, American Express has sent notice to all of its OPEN small business credit card holders that it will no longer process balance transfers or convenience checks. In card holders’ November statements is the notice:
Effective immediately, Balance Transfers and Convenience Checks against OPEN Credit Card accounts will no longer be accepted or available. This includes requests made by phone, online or through the use of Balance Transfer, Convenience Checks and Cash checks.
I called Amex and they confirmed that all small business credit cards are affected, including new accounts.
This is clearly bad news for small business owners. In the current economic climate, businesses can no longer rely on their open lines of credit to be there when needed. Businesses would be well advised to hold adequate cash reserves, have lines of credit from multiple creditors and if necessary, to draw on these lines in advance of when they are required.
Just in time for the holiday shopping season, Amex has teamed with Walmart to offer a very generous deal:
Simply spend $40 or more 2 times from November 18 through December 18, 2008 at a Walmart store or at Walmart.com using your American Express card and you’ll receive a $20 statement credit. Valid purchases must not include gift cards, gift certificates or prior purchases. In order to receive the bonus, you must first enroll at this link. (Via FW)
For those with an American Express Costco credit card, you can earn a $10 Costco Cash Card when you enroll in this promo and automatically pay your wireless phone bill using your card.
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The Hilton HHonors American Express Platinum Card is now offering an all-time best of up to 62,500 HHonors bonus points with an approved application, up from the already excellent 50,000 HHonors points previously being offered.
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With much fanfare, Starwood Hotel and Resorts recently announced the expansion of its Starwood Preferred Guest program with the introduction of SPG Flights, a new option that allows members to exchange their Starpoints directly for plane tickets. Since the Starwood American Express is one of the top reward card choices precisely because of its loyalty program, a closer examination of these changes is in order.
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