American Express urges shoppers to give themselves a rewarding Christmas
21 November 2006
With the sound of sleigh bells getting louder, stockings waiting to be filled and shoppers gearing up for their big Christmas spend, American Express is urging credit card users with “passive plastic” to turn to cards that will reward them and others for each gift they buy this year.
Recent American Express research shows that nearly half of all credit card users (43 per cent) are using a card that they say doesn’t reward them in any way. From loyalty points, to cashback or by contributing directly to fighting AIDS in Africa, these spenders could get more for their money each time they use their Credit Card.
And with shoppers spending on average £460 each at Christmas time, according to new American Express research, getting rewards for spending makes sense. The research found that festive shoppers expect to spend more than £130 on food and drink and will buy at least eight Christmas presents at a total cost of more than £260.
American Express offers a selection of rewarding Credit Cards, so shoppers can choose one that best suits their lifestyle and the way that they shop.
The American Express Christmas Cards List
1. Loyalty Points that Jingle all the Way to the Shops
The Nectar Credit Card is ideal for families who use their Credit Card for everyday shopping. Nectar collectors can benefit from ‘double dipping’, earning up to 4 points for every £1 spent at participating Nectar partner stores by presenting both the Nectar Credit Card and the Nectar Loyalty Card at the till or online. The Credit Card continues to reward shoppers outside Nectar partner stores, with 1 point earned for almost every £1 spent anywhere else. For families stocking up for Christmas at Sainsbury’s, booking a break away on ebookers.com or piling up the presents at Debenhams, the Nectar Credit Card will help to boost points earnings and give families something back for their festive spend.
2. Merry MoneyBack to All
Christmas shoppers can also get cash rewards for the money they are spending on others by taking out a Platinum Credit Card. The Card currently offers a market-leading 3 per cent cashback for new members for the first three months of usage, and Cardmembers will keep on earning cashback into the New Year:
0.5 per cent for aggregate amounts up to £3,500
1 per cent for aggregate amounts from £3,501 to £10,000
1.5 per cent for aggregate amounts in excess of £10,001.
3. SHOP TILL IT STOPS
Shoppers have been painting their high streets (RED) TM this year as they flock to buy (PRODUCT) RED branded clothing, mobile phones, ipods and trainers to help fight AIDS in Africa. As a founding partner of (PRODUCT) RED, American Express RED is the Credit Card of choice for conscience consumers with at least 1 per cent of spend going to the Global Fund, to support women and children affected by HIV and AIDS. This figure increases to 1.25 per cent if the Cardmember spends more than £5,000 in a year. American Express also gives £5 to the Global Fund if the Card is used within the first month of opening. Cardmembers can also benefit from unique REDdeals and have the opportunity to win a REDpass to extraordinary experiences.
Kate Harris, Vice President of UK Partnerships from American Express said: “Our research shows that although a quarter of all credit card holders now say they earn loyalty points on their card and one in five get cashback, there are still many more who have “passive plastic” in their wallets.
“For shoppers planning to put their Christmas spending on plastic this year, it makes sense for them to get the most from their credit cards. This includes everything from donations to help fight AIDS in Africa to MoneyBack and loyalty points on their Christmas card spend.”
