Englishmum

Just a 'heads up' for American Express credit card holders (except for corporate cards):

Amex is repeating the "Small Business Saturday" promotion this year. It's taking place the day after 'Black Friday' on Saturday 26th November.

If you are a customer of a small independent business on that day and spend at least $25, Amex will credit your account by $25. It includes local (not chain) restaurants and all kinds of retailers - even tyre shops and small businesses, even if they're located in a hick country town or in NYC.

I got the $25 credit last year when I purchased Christmas gifts in a local gift shop. It's a win-win as it helps the small independent retailers (I spent more on the gifts) and the customer benefits by getting a 'free' $25 credit from Amex

You have to register your Amex card beforehand though:

http://travel.usatoday.com/alliance/...-Card/560317/1

Register your Amex card here:

https://sync.americanexpress.com/sbs2011

penguinbar

The restaurant I work for is participating in it. I'm signed up for it as well. I'ts a great deal.

Englishmum

Oooh - please send me a PM with the restaurant info!

I'm going to be in Manhatten on that day (hopefully staying in an hotel on the Friday and Sat night 25th/26th if my spouse gets his act together) and plan to use the Amex card in NYC with their promotion.

I'm going to see Hugh Jackman on Broadway with some Aussie friends on the evening of the 26th... Is your restaurant anywhere near the theatre district btw?

scrubbedexpat099

As far as I know all the retailer has to do is put up the sign.

tonrob

You can register as many AMEX cards as you like, including additional cardholders and also AMEX cards not issued by AMEX.

Last year we got a free meal for a group by asking the server to put $25 each on a number of seperate cards. This year we have a potential haul of at least $200!

avanutria

I don't think any of the local businesses that I go to will take AmEx anymore...the seller fees are too high. A furniture maker told me a couple of years ago that AmEx charges him about 6 or 7%, compared with 1 or 2% for visa/MC. (I ended up paying for the large order by cash for a discount and we both walked away happy!)

penguinbar

I sent you a PM.

Englishmum

I thought I'd 'bump' this up as the Amex promotion is for this Saturday :sunglasses:

tonrob

What's everyone buying? Mrs tonrob and I will probably use most of ours to restock the booze cupboard in time for Christmas!

penguinbar

I'll probably get a mani/pedi. Hope to maybe see you Saturday Englishmum!

Noorah101

Is there a list of the small business by zip code or something? I'd like to participate but I have no idea where to go locally.

Rene

penguinbar

http://www.facebook.com/SmallBusinessSaturday

tonrob

The Facebook list is good as far as it goes, but my experience is that there are many, many more small businesses that take AMEX than are listed there, so treat it as a starting point.

I find that at least 50%+ round here take the card, so I'll simply call ahead to a couple of promising restaurants to ask, and scout out a couple of offies to see off the rest!

tonrob

Small Business Saturday registration opened up again today ready for the big day next Saturday!

https://www.americanexpress.com/us/s...id=15440867574

This time I managed to register 22 AMEX cards, so we're in for a bumper $550 haul this year. That's a big chunk of our Christmas Shopping taken care of!

We'll be shopping in Boston this year, using up two free nights we have at the Intercontinental courtesy of the Chase Priority Club cards.

Englishmum

Why on Earth have you got 22 Amex cards? Are you paying annual membership fees for each card?