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Earning and Redeeming Your Rewards Points

Rewards programs seem to add new bells and whistles constantly – not only a greater variety of both travel and retail choices but also innovative ways to “pay” with the points you earn.

Select the Right Program

If you are still trying to decide on the reward program that’s right for you, this might be a good time to review some attractive features before signing up. In selecting a rewards program, look for flexibility in the places where you can earn reward points with your charge or credit card, as well as variety in reward redemption choices. Here is a checklist of things to look for:

• Points that have no expiration date, so you can continue to accumulate points toward rewards. No limit to the number of points that can be earned. This way you can use your card all the time for all of your purchases, and earn points.

• Earning more points by linking other cards to your rewards account (e.g., Personal Card, Small Business Card and Corporate Card).

• A range of reward redemption levels. With rewards that can be attained both at higher and lower redemption levels, you will be able to reward yourself more quickly.

• Opportunities throughout the year to earn bonuses and double reward points.

The American Express Membership Rewards Program has all of these features, in particular a maximum flexibility in redemption options.

Turn Points Into Rewards

With so many choices available, redeeming points for rewards is easy – 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For example, in the program’s new Dining & Entertainment category, cardmembers can select from a number of experience-based reward options. Points can be redeemed for concert tickets, Broadway plays, sporting events and movies – theater showings or movie rentals for home viewing. Or points can be redeemed toward restaurant gift certificates from a variety of restaurants nationwide, or toward the Be My Guest Dining Card, which can be used at any U.S. restaurant that accepts the American Express Card.

So Many Stores, Just One Shopping Cart

Another great option for cardmembers enrolled in the Membership Rewards Program is shopping from the comfort of their home at American Express’ online shopping site: ShopAmex. ShopAmex allows cardmembers to easily search for items at their favorite stores, compare prices and use their points or their cards to pay for purchases. At ShopAmex, cardmembers can select their shopping preferences, view specially featured items and even search for products by category. For more information about ShopAmex, click here.

September 19, 2002

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