Free $25 from American Express: Small Business Saturday (Updated 2011)
(Update 2: 2011 Registration is now live, no Facebook account required. Limited quantities, so don’t dawdle. Limit one statement credit per registered card. If you do have a Facebook account, check out the “Link, Like, Love” feature on their Facebook page, which currently offers various discounts to retailers like $2 off $10 at Burger King, $5 off $20 at Whole Foods, and $10 off $100 at Best Buy.)
If you already own an American Express credit card and are looking for a couple of other cards that can pack a solid bonus punch, consider the Citi ThankYou Premier Card and the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. Each offers a $500 bonus for signing up in addition to excellent rewards and great perks.
American Express is promoting Small Business Saturday again this year. Register your American Express when it opens November 1st, and then use your registered card to shop at a participating small business on Saturday, November 26th. You’ll receive a $25 statement credit when you spend $25 or more at participating small businesses. From this press release:
For the second year in a row, American Express will help drive traffic through the doors of small businesses with a special incentive: a $25 statement credit offer for Cardmembers when they register their Card and spend $25 or more on Small Business Saturday at any qualifying small business that accepts the American Express Card. Cardmembers will be able to register their cards in early November.
I think this is a very creative way for American Express to promote acceptance of their cards at small businesses, which has always been their relative weak spot due to their slightly higher fees for the merchant. Last year, over 20,000 people were able to get $25 from their American Express cards. Here is the fine print for 2011:
Eligible small business merchants are independently owned small businesses located in the United States that accept the American Express Card. Purchases made at large or national chain stores, at franchised business locations and at government agencies are not eligible. Prepaid, Corporate Cards and ExpressPay transactions are not eligible. [...] Statement credits are generally issued within 5 business days after your qualifying purchase, but may take up to 2 billing cycles to post to your account.
A small business owner yourself? You can promote your small biz with their free “small business toolkit” including $100 in Facebook ads.
Find more in Credit Cards, Deals & Offers | 10/24/11, 12:40am | Trackback
November 8th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
I signed up but how to find a small business in my neighborhood that accepts AE?
November 8th, 2010 at 2:32 pm
“Eligible merchants include any independently owned small businesses that accept the American Express Card.” Until Nov 27th, just shop as usual and ask if the local businesses you visit take AmEx. Then think of this offer as a $25 off $25 coupon for lunch, dinner, clothes, dry cleaning, flowers, etc.
November 8th, 2010 at 4:26 pm
Anyone have any other ideas for finding a small business that accepts AE? I don’t want to go around knocking on the doors of 20 small businesses…
November 8th, 2010 at 5:32 pm
Hmm, do you think if a place has two locations, would that be considered a “franchised business location”? My favorite resturaunt has two locations. Sadly, most of my favorite small businesses do not accept amex (stares sadly at chinatown, because $25 at the mom/pop grocery stores would go a long way!)…
November 8th, 2010 at 6:45 pm
I’m not able to speak for AmEx, but I don’t think two locations meets the definition of a franchise. You could ask them if they are both owned by the same folks.
AmEx tends to be accepted more at small biz’s that sell “premium” products. A store that sell fancy dog toys comes to mind. (Opportunity for cheap/free holiday gift?)
If you don’t have something in mind, I would say food would be the easiest thing. My feeling is that if the place is expensive enough that dinner for 2 costs $25, the odds that it takes AmEx are pretty high.
November 8th, 2010 at 7:01 pm
How are you sure that this is a true AMEX website and not a phishing expedition? I definitely trust you Jonathan but can you say anything to assuage my fears?
November 8th, 2010 at 7:56 pm
@John B – Just google “small business saturday” and you’ll see several press releases and news articles on the subject.
Here’s one official-ly link at nyc.gov
November 8th, 2010 at 10:21 pm
Thanks Jonathan. Just triple-checking to make sure everything is legit and that there is no chance of fraud with this. My girlfriend and I plan on using this at a local wine bar (assuming that it accepts AMEX cards).
November 8th, 2010 at 11:10 pm
Wow thanks for the heads up Jon. Was able to register successfully using my business credit card.
I wish Amex provided some kind of locator for small businesses on their site. I’m sure they have the information and it would save us time from searching blindly.
November 8th, 2010 at 11:34 pm
find Amex merchants here: http://amexmerchants.us.disk11...../Search.do
November 9th, 2010 at 7:35 pm
on that locater site Ted added, there’s no restaurants within 25 miles of my zip code, weird. I live in a really populated area too.
November 9th, 2010 at 7:51 pm
@ Ted
Thanks for the link! Useful starting point.
@ pogo
I got the same results, or lack thereof. I live in an urban area and supposedly there are no small businesses registered with Amex under the Food/Beverages category. I see mostly electronics and auto related businesses……hmmm.
November 9th, 2010 at 7:54 pm
like Jonathan said, businesses who sell premium products are a safe bet. I’m choosing sushi places. mmm, sushi for thanksgiving.
November 9th, 2010 at 8:23 pm
Well I love sushi and was thinking about that too. I have a ton of those places around here so that’s why I was surprised not to see any listed in the locator. I guess I can always call.
November 9th, 2010 at 10:40 pm
@Ted – Thanks for the link. However, it is a B2B directory – business to business, so the listings are limited to those that would sell things to other business. So restaurants are (at least mostly?) out.
Really, it shouldn’t be that hard to find a restaurant that takes AmEx. Retail sit-down food is a high-margin business. Just use Yelp, find a few independent places that you like, and call them up. I can’t imagine it taking more than 2-3 calls and thus about 2-3 minutes.
Nov 27th is the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Take a friend/date/loved one out to lunch. You don’t even have to use a *gasp* coupon. I’ll be actively avoiding any shopping.
November 10th, 2010 at 2:27 pm
@Jon
Yeah thanks for the clear up. I thought that was kinda strange….and you’re right, I just called a local sushi place and they said they take Amex. Woot woot… I guess I have a sushi date now
November 18th, 2010 at 11:11 am
I have two Amex cards – you think I can sign up both and get $25 credit on each? I don’t see anywhere that says I can’t.
As always, thanks for posting this – this site has saved/made me a lot of money.
November 18th, 2010 at 10:02 pm
In regards to the “eligible merchants” question, then why does the first paragraph of the terms state “you must spend $25 or more at _participating_ small business merchants”.
“Participating” makes it sound like it’s only small businesses that sign up for the promotion. Yet I agree that the 2nd paragraph of the terms implies it’s any “small” business.
Also interesting that there are over 300k friends on FB, but I was able to still register my card today. So less than 100k of the 300k have registered? Won’t be surprised if this is as big a mess as the free KFC promo, except it will just be a ton of people bitching about the $25 shafted them on.
November 19th, 2010 at 11:07 am
I got a response from AMEX. “The participating small businesses would be any locally owned independent small businesses that accept American Express.”
They were not able to confirm my registration as one of the first 100k, but I did receive an email confirming my registration late yesterday. I guess that will be proof enough if the $25 just doesn’t get credited on it’s own.
November 23rd, 2010 at 7:35 am
Maybe I’m reading to much into this but if I use my AMEX at more than one small business will I receive a $25 statement credit for each SB I use my card at? Or is this a one time $25 credit??
November 23rd, 2010 at 2:08 pm
I think it is 1 offer per card.
Jeff – are your sure that the offer applies to any small business that accepts AE? That ‘participating’ statement is misleading.
November 23rd, 2010 at 3:43 pm
DJ – am I 100% certain, no. The quote I posted is the response I got via email from AMEX in regards to my question as to what “participating” meant. I agree that the language they used in the terms is confusing at best.
Ann – “Limit one statement credit per Cardmember.” From the promotional email I received today from AMEX.
December 11th, 2010 at 12:08 pm
My wife and I both registered our AMEX cards and then spent $25 at an independent, non-chain restaurant on Saturday, 11/27. Neither of us have received our $25 statement credits that are supposed to be posted within 5 business days.
Has anyone else gotten theirs? I can’t find anyone to contact about this either.
December 11th, 2010 at 12:24 pm
Troy: I did this on two different amex cards and received a $25 credit on both of them within 5 days. It’s possible they didn’t consider the place you made your purchase a small business. I’d call the number on the back of your card. They extended the offer until 12/31 – so you have time: http://www.mymoneyblog.com/ame.....-1231.html
December 11th, 2010 at 1:02 pm
Had the most delicious steak on the 27th. $25 statement credit was posted the 29th.
Who to contact? Call AMEX or login and send them a secure message; after all, they are the ones running this promotion.
December 11th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
Thanks for the responses. The place I went to is independently owned, not a chain and very small so if they don’t consider it qualifying then that’s an error on their end.
My card is actually a Citi AMEX. I called them and they know nothing about the promotion since it’s being run by American Express. I call American Express and they can’t do anything because my card is with Citi.
Maybe they wanna screw me because they know I have no recourse. I’ve actually made other charges at small businesses since then but I keep referring to the one I made on 11/27 since that’s what the original policy called for.
If Cit AMEX cards were not supposed to be eligible, then they should have never sent me the email confirming that my card had been successfully registered.
December 16th, 2010 at 10:23 pm
We know someone who used a Macy’s and they got it.
But, I used a Citi and did not get it.
When we contacted Macy’s, they did not know about this promotion, nor does Citi!
Therefore, we do not know whom to contact!
December 29th, 2010 at 11:18 pm
I think this thing is a big scam. I registered my card, spent $33 on Nov. 27th at a locally owned and operated small business and have still not gotten the $25 credit. I have emailed Amex, called them and get the response that, “Don’t worry, you will get the credit” B.S. I think this is a scheme to get you to make a charge believing it will be credited back “normally” within 5 business days, but it takes two or more complete billing cycles for them to process. They hope that you won’t pay it and incur interest. I have 6 friends who did the same promotion and none of them have gotten a credit yet. STAY AWAY from this one!
December 30th, 2010 at 7:48 am
I received my credit within a week…checked via the web and on my most recent statement the $25 credit was still there.
December 30th, 2010 at 8:07 pm
I still haven’t gotten my credit and it’s now been one month. Seems to be very hit or miss so I’d suggest only doing this if it’s money you’d be spending at that small business anyway.
October 24th, 2011 at 6:23 am
I’d avoid doing this promotion unless you are spending $25 on your AMEX anyway. I did it last year (registered, received the confirmation email, spent $25 at a small merchant) but never got my statement credit. The big problem is that there is no one to contact to follow up. I searched high and low for an email address, mailing address, phone #, anything but couldn’t find anything. I called AMEX numerous times, explained my situation but the people I spoke with were not able to do anything nor did they know how to reach anyone who was involved with the Small Business Saturday promotion. I also sent in letters to their general mailing address but never heard back at all. Very very frustrating.
October 24th, 2011 at 6:58 am
I did it three times. Once for me, and 2x for my parents. We all got our statement credits within a week after our small business purchase. Hope we’ll have the same luck this year!
October 24th, 2011 at 11:15 am
Do you have to spend the $25 on a particular Saturday in November or just within the given promotional period?
October 26th, 2011 at 10:20 am
Hi Debbie,
Are you stating your last year’s story or do you mean you already got the $25X3 = $75 bonus for three persons this year of 2011?
Thanks,
Andy
October 29th, 2011 at 8:47 am
last year! Sorry for the confusion
October 31st, 2011 at 3:27 pm
People, read the terms and conditions carefully. Not all American Express cards are alike and nowadays WHO issues your American Express card is important.
Within my family, we used Amex issued and bank issues (FIA and Macy’s/Department Stores National Bank) cards last year and they worked. If you worry, about getting your money’s worth, buy a gift card/certificate at the local merchant for the $25.
Corporate cards will NOT work. Also do NOT use the ExpressPay function, as these transmit different card numbers than what is printed on the card.
November 14th, 2011 at 11:54 am
Hi Jonathan,
I have multiple AmEx cards and I have registered all of them with email confirmation responses. Besides, I did not find any restriction such as limit one $25 bonus per person.
Do you know whether one with multiple AmEx cards can earn multiple bonus?
Thanks,
Andy
November 14th, 2011 at 12:06 pm
Hi askmrlee,
Would like to make sure that I understand what you said.
1. …”If you worry, about getting your money’s worth, buy a gift card/certificate at the local merchant for the $25. “…
Did you mean we can register our AmEx gift card to get the $25 bonus? Or, you meant that, if we are not sure what to buy, simply buy a $25 gift card at a local small business store?
2. … “Corporate cards will NOT work.”…
By Corporate cards, do you mean that AmEx business cards are not eligible for the $25 bonus?
I registered my Amex business card and got the email confirmation. Would like to make sure whether AmEx business card is eligible for the bonus or not.
3. You mentioned FIA and Macy’s card. Did you own multiple Amex cards and get multiple bonuses last year using two or more of the cards? My point is, I have multiple AmEx cards and have registered all of them. Am I eligible for multiple bonuses?
Thanks in advance.
Andy
November 23rd, 2011 at 9:34 pm
Is it a total of $25 or more (i.e. $10 spent at one merchant and $20 spent at another merchant will quality) or does it have to be $25 spent at a single merchant?
November 25th, 2011 at 6:06 pm
There is a good reason why many small businesses do not accept AMEX. They charge small businesses up the rear just to accept their card, plus percentage fees for each transaction. Do the small stores a HUGE favor and use cash. That’s how you can really help out the mom and pop shops.
November 25th, 2011 at 9:20 pm
When I successfully registered my card, a Macy’s Am Ex, the fine print stated that it could take up to 2 billing cycles to see the $25 credit. Made my purchase at a company that advertised they were in this promotion, so we’ll see. The company also gave me an additional 15% discount & free shipping as well, so I was happy with that. The $25 credit will be a nice bonus (if I get it!).
November 26th, 2011 at 9:38 am
I couldn’t sign up. Apparently they limited the number of cardholders that can sign up. R I P O F F for me and the small businesses.
November 26th, 2011 at 10:26 am
Follow this link for the list of participating merchants.
https://www.facebook.com/SmallBusinessSaturday?sk=app_183558821725512
November 26th, 2011 at 1:03 pm
@Sra Egan – Just wanted to clarify that your link is to a list of merchants who have registered with AmEx to announce that they are actively promotion Small Business Saturday, but there are many more small businesses out there that will work for the promotion.
November 28th, 2011 at 7:09 pm
@SA Wallick. Sorry you feel this is/was a scam. It’s not. The registration was limited to 200,000 and started on November 1, 2011. At the small business where I spent my $25 credits the owner reported that they were able to register on Thanksgiving day the 24th but their son could not do so on the 25th Black Friday because the offer limit was reached. From your post date it seems you tried on the 26th. All I can say is try again next year.
I got confirmations upon registration and a few minutes after I made the qualifying purchases.
@andy. 1) I meant but a $25 gift card or certificate from the merchant if possible. That’s what I did with the $5 credit for $20 spend Whole Foods offer. I wasn’t ready to buy $20 of items and it was the last day of the offer.
2) Business cards like Open are NOT Corporate cards. If you got a confirmation upon registering then you are OK.
3) I was able to register my card and my wife’s cards which are on the same account but have different numbers plus we have our own separate accounts too. We received confirmation emails upon registration and after making the purchases on all cards and accounts.
I do not believe Citi was a qualifying issuer for this promo. Again read the terms carefully. BofA (FIA) and Macy’s/DSNB qualified.
November 28th, 2011 at 8:45 pm
Amex gift cards or any prepaid value product do not qualify.