Credit Cards: More Ways to Save with American Express Business Cards

American Express

The great thing about the OPEN Savings® rewards program from American Express® is that it's automatic: no coupon-clipping, no program enrollment -- the way it should be! No one likes to be forced to work for a discount; no one I know anyway.

The OPEN Savings rewards program is available to any American Express business card holder: both American Express charge cards and credit cards are included in the OPEN Savings network. And the savings can be significant.

The OPEN Savings program has allowed American Express business card holders to enjoy $100 million in savings since 2004. Not bad, eh?

Yup, the folks at American Express get it.

OK, so here's today's news (great news if you are a frequent flier): both JetBlue Airways and Delta Air Lines are now partners in the OPEN Savings program. More details below in the clip from a recent press release:

"OPEN from American Express^SM today announced a significant expansion of its OPEN Savings® program with the launch of airline partners Delta Air Lines and JetBlue Airways. OPEN Savings gives small business owners automatic savings virtually every time they use an American Express® Business Card to make purchases at any OPEN Savings partner.

Small business owners using any American Express Business Card can now reduce their travel expenses with an automatic 3% discount on the total cost of Delta and JetBlue flights. In addition, Cardmembers who purchase Delta flights with the Delta SkyMiles® Business Card or SkyPoints Delta Business Card, or who purchase JetBlue flights with the JetBlue Business Card, will receive an additional 2% discount, for a total savings of 5% off the total cost of Delta or JetBlue flights. Available to new and existing Business Cardmembers, these discounts are Card benefits -- not limited-time offers -- and apply to all flights booked directly from Delta or directly through any JetBlue channel.

OPEN Savings has delivered more than $100 million in savings to American Express Business Cardmembers since 2004. OPEN Savings eliminates the need for offer codes, coupons or program enrollment and provides automatic savings from well-known brands. Savings can also be combined with other marketplace offers or volume discount pricing that businesses may
already be receiving from program partners.

'Delta is pleased to expand our relationship with American Express and offer our customers an opportunity to save money for their small business while earning miles at the same time,' said Jeff Robertson, managing director of the SkyMiles Program. 'Our partnership with American Express continues to add to the multiple benefits offered to our SkyMiles members worldwide.'

'By the end of 2006, JetBlue will have introduced new service to 14 new destinations that our customers who travel for business tell us are important,' said Andrea Spiegel, JetBlue's vice president of Sales and Marketing. 'We are pleased to now offer our customers an easy way to save even more money when they fly JetBlue for business, through our exclusive partnership with American Express.'

'With the addition of these new partners, small businesses can effortlessly reduce their airline expenses just by using their American Express Business Card,' said Raymond Joabar, senior vice president and general manager, OPEN from American Express. 'Time-pressed small business travelers who are weary of coupons or special offer codes now have a better and simpler way to save, with OPEN Savings' automatic and combinable discounts. These two new OPEN Savings airline partners can help substantially increase the millions of dollars in savings that we're already delivering to our small business Cardmembers.'

OPEN Savings is a benefit embedded within all American Express Business Cards. American Express Business Cardmembers simply need to use their credit or charge card for purchases with any OPEN Savings partner to take advantage of discounts. The savings will automatically appear on the Cardmember's monthly statement and can be tracked at http://www.opensavings.com. OPEN Savings discounts are calculated on the full transaction amount, including any taxes and surcharges. Terms and conditions apply.

Partners and discounts include:

New Airline Partners

Delta Air Lines: 3% off flights (plus 2% extra with co-branded Business Cards)

JetBlue Airways: 3% off flights (plus 2% extra with co-branded Business Cards)

Travel and Dining

Hyatt Hotels & Resorts: 3% off hotel charges

Hertz: 5% off car rentals

Courtyard by Marriott: 5% off hotel charges

Fairfield Inn by Marriott: 5% off hotel charges

SpringHill Suites by Marriott: 5% off hotel charges

Wingate Inn: 5% off hotel charges

Ruby Tuesday: 5% off dining

eSkyGuide: 20% off eSkyGuide software

Supplies and Services

FedEx: 5% off Express and Ground shipping

FedEx Kinko's: 5% off business services

AT&T: 5% off local & long distance services

1-800-FLOWERS(R): 5% off floral and gift purchases

American Express: 3% off American Express Gift Cards

Business Building Tools

BizFilings: 20% off incorporation and registered agent services

Ceridian: 20% off payroll preparation

Constant Contact: 15% off e-mail marketing

ExpensAble: 25% off expense reporting software

LogoWorks: 15% off logo and graphic design

Terms and conditions apply."