American Express Cardholders Rewarded for Shopping at Small Businesses

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American Express has introduced a new offer to encourage cardholders to shop at small businesses this holiday season.

It’s called “Shop Small for 2X Rewards” and entails double rewards points for purchases made at qualifying small businesses now through Dec. 31.

This offer is part of American Express’ Small Business Saturday campaign.

American Express created Small Business Saturday, a post-Thanksgiving retail holiday of sorts sandwiched between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It falls on this Saturday, Nov. 26.

A company announcement explains:

Seven years ago, American Express started a grassroots initiative to help drive consumers to shop at small businesses in communities across the country. … Over the years, American Express has broadened the campaign to encourage millions of Americans to shop small on Small Business Saturday and throughout the holiday season.

To take advantage of the Shop Small for 2X Rewards offer, cardholders must first enroll an eligible American Express card on the American Express website. More than 50 cards are eligible, including both personal cards and OPEN Small Business cards.

For a list of qualifying small businesses where you can earn double points through Dec. 31, check out American Express’ interactive map.

First note, though, that this isn’t necessarily a good offer for everybody. Perhaps you have another credit card that earns more points, for example.

The new American Express offer comes in the wake of an older — and arguably better — offer the credit card company used to extend to cardholders in connection with Small Business Saturday and holiday shopping. That offer gave cardholders a statement credit of as much as $25 for spending as little as $25 at a small business.

Last year was the first since the start of Small Business Saturday that American Express didn’t award those credits, which the credit card company said were no longer necessary:

In past years, the consumer offer was one of the ways to encourage our customers to make a habit of shopping at small businesses as they begin the holiday season. Six years later, we’re pleased to say they have — last year, thousands of communities and 88 million consumers shopped small on Small Business Saturday.

Before you use any credit card for your holiday shopping, check out “13 Worst Retail Store Credit Cards for Holiday Shopping.”

Do you plan to shop small this holiday season or participate in Small Business Saturday? Let us know below or over on our Facebook page.

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