AMERICAN EXPRESS ADDS LUXURY FASHION BRANDS GUCCI AND SALVATORE FERRAGAMO TO ITS FIRST COLLECTION(SM) REWARD PARTNERS NEW YORK, September 06, 2007 -- American Express has added luxury fashion brands Gucci and Salvatore Ferragamo to First Collection, a private portfolio of premium partners and rewards available exclusively to Platinum Card® and Centurion® Card members enrolled in the Membership Rewards First program. Membership Rewards First is the company's recently introduced program level exclusively available for Platinum Card and Centurion Card members. Card members earn one point for virtually every dollar they spend on the Card, which they may redeem for hundreds of rewards across popular categories including retail, travel, dining and entertainment, experiences, and charitable donations. First Collection features 24 partners that offer an exclusive and rich array of more than 120 different luxury rewards in the categories of lifestyle, jewelry and watches, travel, fashion and the recently launched, premium wines. Through the First Collection portfolio, Gucci will offer gift cards and Salvatore Ferragamo will provide gift certificates at varying levels. Gucci and Salvatore Ferragamo rewards can be redeemed for 10,000 points, 25,000 points, and 50,000 points for gift cards and certificates valued at $100, $250 and $500, respectively. "The addition of these two iconic fashion brands to the First Collection program is indicative of how American Express continues to enhance its premium offerings in the luxury and rewards space with unique access to features, services and benefits suited to the distinctive lifestyle pursuits of our affluent Cardmembers," said Ralph Andretta, executive vice president and general manager, Cardmember Services, American Express. In addition to Gucci and Salvatore Ferragamo, other First Collection partners include Baccarat, Bergdorf Goodman, Chopard, Davidoff Cigars and Accessories, Eos Airlines, Ermenegildo Zegna, Premier Cru Bordeaux Wines, IWC, Lamborghini, Mikimoto, Monarch Billiards, Montegrappa writing instruments, Neiman Marcus, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, Pebble Beach Resorts, Piaget, Raffles Hotels & Resorts, Relais & Chateaux's Relais Gourmands Restaurants, The Ritz-Carlton, Steinway & Sons, and Tiffany & Co. First Collection rewards range in value from as low as 10,000 points for gift cards from a variety of fashion retailers to as high as 93.2 million points for an 18K Chopard "Ice Cube Collection" diamond watch. Platinum Card and Centurion Card members enrolled in the Membership Rewards First program can browse and redeem First Collection rewards through an exclusive First Collection sitelet on the Membership Rewards website. Card members can also redeem First Collection rewards by calling 1-800-AXP-EARN (1-800-297-3276). ______________________________ (i) Some Cards require enrollment and the payment of an annual program fee. Terms and conditions apply. Contacts: Rosa Alfonso 212.640.1712 Rosa.M.Alfonso@aexp.com |