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American Express have for a long time had an excellent reputation for offering high value rewards florida keys rentals vacation programs with their credit and charge cards. We took the opportunity to speak with Donna Cooper the Vice President of Consumer Products at American Express , to ask a few questions about American Express and their plans for 2011 and beyond.
Q1: American Express has traditionally been known to provide some of the best rewards programs in the credit card market. Many Australian florida keys rentals vacation banks have shifted their focus to improving their credit card rewards florida keys rentals vacation programs. How has American Express responded, and what can consumers expect from American Express rewards programs in 2011?
Donna: The American Express Membership Rewards program has continued to evolve to recognise our members loyalty in new and more rewarding ways.  We have focused on building partnerships with leading global and local brands to give members more choice florida keys rentals vacation in how they use their points.  For instance Membership Rewards now has eight airline partners and last year we formed a partnership with Webjet allowing members to use their points for any travel available on the site.  This year we will continue to expand our rewards offering in areas that have the greatest appeal to our members.
This year we ll focus on growing our Bonus Partners program which allows members to accrue florida keys rentals vacation Membership Rewards points florida keys rentals vacation faster at selected retailers.  It s our way of rewarding members for shopping with their American Express Card.
Finally, as customer service is at the heart of the American Express business, we continue to invest in our Membership Rewards Customer Service Team which is dedicated solely to customers using our loyalty program ensuring that the service members receive is second to none.
Donna: The American Express florida keys rentals vacation Realise the Potential Brand campaign encourages people to explore the potential in their everyday lives, as well as emphasising that with American Express you get more than just a Card.  Personalised service is a key focus of the campaign as we showcase how we are there for our Cardmembers around the clock no matter what they need.
Donna: The American Express Platinum florida keys rentals vacation Edge Card has been created for people who love to travel and access the most out of life.  With a fee of $149 p.a. it s a great entry level product designed to complement florida keys rentals vacation our Platinum range of Cards.
The Card rewards members for their everyday spending, helping them to boost the amount of points florida keys rentals vacation they earn to be used towards their next holiday.  Cardmembers earn three points per dollar spent at supermarkets, two points per dollar spent at petrol stations and one point per dollar on all other purchases.
The Card also comes with complimentary domestic and international travel insurance when travel florida keys rentals vacation is paid for on the Card. The Platinum Edge Card launched in October last year and is already proving extremely popular for people who love to travel.
Donna: florida keys rentals vacation  Yes, using your American Express Card for everyday purchases like petrol, groceries or even your weekly bus ticket is a clever way to earn American Express Membership Rewards florida keys rentals vacation points as long as you sensibly manage florida keys rentals vacation your repayments each month.  Many of our members use their Cards for everyday purchases throughout the year and by the end of the year have accumulated enough points go on that well earned holiday florida keys rentals vacation or do some serious shopping.
Q6. American Express recently released the American Express Global Travel Card. Do you have any tips for consumers travelling overseas as to whether or not they should choose an American Express credit card or the American Express Global Travel Card for their travel money and purchases overseas?
Donna: We d always encourage travellers to take a mixed wallet florida keys rentals vacation when travelling overseas, comprised of a combination of travel money.  Cash in the local currency is wise for when travellers arrive at their destination to pay for the cab ride or food at the airport. florida keys rentals vacation Credit cards are good for larger, unexpected purchases.  Where prepaid travel cards such as the American Express Global Travel Card come into the fore is for everyday holiday purchases.
The American Express Global florida keys rentals vacation Travel Card allows an attractive exchange rate to be locked and loaded so travellers don t need to worry about exchange rate volatility.  Unlike other pre-paid currency cards, it has no inactivity fees or expiry period, meaning florida keys rentals vacation funds (in US Dollars, Pounds Sterling or Euros) can be left on the card indefinitely and the funds will still be there in full the next time the card holder wants to use them.
The American Express Global Travel Card is also a great budgeting tool, allowing customers to set the amount they desire, monitor their limit and top up as required via Bpay.  It can be used at millions of merchants around the world that accept American Express or to withdraw cash at ATMs.
Where American florida keys rentals vacation Express Membership Rewards stands out from the competition is in the choice of rewards it offers members, its flexibility florida keys rentals vacation and ease.  Membership Rewards now has more than 1,500 merchandise reward options to choose from, but as points can be put towards paying down a person s credit card balance, really the options are endless.   It s flexible as members can pay for a reward entirely with points or with a combination of points and cash and redeeming rewards can be either done online or over the phone, whatever the customer s preference.
Donna: There are many ways people can earn rewards points faster, but the best tip is for people to check the details of their credit rewards program to ensure that it offers a good points earn rate for everyday purchases or that it offers simple ways to accelerate points earning.  It s about shopping around and looking for cards that are built with rewards in mind.  It s also important that when it comes time to redeeming points, your program offers the range of rewards that appeal to you.
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