American Express has announced that as part of their Small Business Saturday grass-roots movement to boost the economy, they are now offering their card members an added incentive to shop small and local. Card members can register their cards using a simple online form that takes about a minute and then, when they spend a minimum of $25 on Saturday, November 27th, using their card at a participating locally owned small business (one who accepts American Express) the card member will receive a $25 credit on their statement.
So, small businesses, here’s an idea for piggybacking onto American Express’s promotion… offer your customers a $5 gift certificate or coupon for a future visit if they come in and shop with you on November 27th and spend at least $25. And for an added bonus, if they use their American Express card for the spend, it equates to a $30 bonus for them! Kind of a sweet deal! If you do this, promote it through your email and social marketing outlets like Facebook, Twitter, etc.
Note, the American Express promotional offer is only good for on-site purchases, not online.
Addendum: American Express has extended their $25 statement credit offer through December 31, 2010.