NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

American Express (NYSE:AXP) 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:

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.

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 www.amex.co/shopsmalloffer.

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, 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.

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