The company is rolling out a new special with foursquare called “Spend $10, Get $10.” Cardmembers can sync their American Express card with their foursquare profile, check-in and spend $10 at participating small businesses across the United States and receive a one-time $10 statement credit.

“American Express is building on the momentum of the successful Small Business Saturday campaign, in which cardmembers across the nation received a $25 statement credit by shopping small and checking-in at their favorite local stores,” said Brad Minor, vice president of social media communications at American Express, New York. 

“This latest offer is designed to continue to encourage cardmembers to shop small at the more than 300,000 participating small businesses,” he said. “Partnerships and offers such as ‘Spend $10, Get $10’ are part of American Express’ broader digital innovation strategy aimed at bringing value to cardmembers and merchants where they’re already engaged and focused. 

“These exclusive specials are specifically and uniquely designed to provide a completely seamless redemption experience to both cardmembers and merchants without the need for coupons, special codes, or showing their mobile devices to cashiers, nationwide.”

Continued partnership
Earlier this year American Express and foursquare teamed up to offer cardmembers exclusive mobile offers from H&M, Sports Authority and Union Square Hospitality Group.

The partnership enables American Express cardmembers to link their foursquare accounts to their cards to load and redeem merchant specials.

According to Mr. Minor, the “Spend $10, Get $10” initiative is one of many ways American Express is helping drive consumers to small businesses, while leveraging functionality and technology to let cardmembers nationwide take advantage of merchant Specials offered through foursquare.

“Information about this offer will be shared via both foursquare’s and  American Express’ social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and foursquare presences,” Mr. Minor said.

“And what is great and truly organic about it is that Amex cardmembers will also automatically see available specials within the foursquare mobile app when they use the explore feature and browse for specials,” he said.

“It’s the way consumers are already looking for deals – and is simple and intuitive.” 

Mobile deal
The new incentive is a good way to get consumers engaged and encourage holiday shopping.

Consumers are always on the lookout for deals and continuously checking into locations via their mobile device.

Marrying the two together helps bring it all together.

“American Express is going where their cardmembers are, and that is increasingly online and on their mobile devices, to deliver the unique customer service experience that the brand is known for. American Express is uniquely positioned in the digital space, given its differentiated position in the financial services industry,” Mr. Minor said.

“As an issuer, acquirer, and network, Amex has end-to-end transaction information that no other competitor has –  it’s referred to as the closed loop,” he said.

“It’s the closed loop that allows Amex to deliver exclusive, truly integrated experiences within third party apps that benefit both cardmembers and merchants.”

Final Take
Rimma Kats is staff reporter on Mobile Commerce Daily, New York