Chase Freedom Card Boosts Cash-Back Rate to 5%

Top credit card issuer Chase has boosted the cash-back rate of its popular Chase Freedom card to 5 percent, expanding its purchase categories and making it simpler for customers to keep track of changes in its rewards program. Starting on March 15, Chase Freedom customers can enroll in second-quarter promotions for 5 percent cash back at home improvement stores, lawn and garden outlets, home furnishing retailers and drugstores.

American Express: Consumers Seek to Save $14K This Year

Nine in ten Americans have set a financial goal for the year, with 83 percent hoping to save – on average – $14,000, according to the most recent survey of consumer spending and saving habits from American Express. AmEx characterized the savings goal as ambitious because the amount accounts for about 22 percent of average household income.

American Express Offers Customer Loyalty Expertise

American Express knows a thing or two about getting and rewarding customer loyalty, and wants to provide guidance to business partners and merchants on ways to attract and retain clientele. In 2009, American Express was ranked highest in customer satisfaction among credit card companies by J.D. Power and Associates for the third consecutive year. AmEx now wants to offer its expertise derived from rewards program successes and effective co-branding projects.

American Express, Lowe’s Partner Up for Rewards Card

American Express and the world’s second-largest home improvement retailer Lowe’s have launched a new credit card for business owners that offers points on much more than just hand tools and ladders. The new card has a tiered structure for earning rewards points, such as one point for every eligible dollar spent; double points on eligible dollars spent at Lowe’s; and triple points on eligible restaurant purchases, office supplies and wireless bills.

Paying Taxes? American Express Gives Points for That Too

Calling it a first in the industry, American Express will provide its card members with the option to use Membership Rewards points toward federal, state and local income tax payments, the card issuer said today.
Card members can use points toward the tax payments when filing through pay1040.com and officialpayments.com, starting at 200 points, AmEx said.

Discover Card Debuts Daily Cash, $1 Million Prize

Discover is giving away cash and gift cards every day this year, leading up to a $1 million grand prize as part of ts new sweepstakes program to encourage card usage. With every purchase using a Discover card, a card member will be automatically entered into the program with a chance to win $500, $100 or a gift card valued between $25 and $500. On Jan. 10, 2011, one winner will be chosen for the $1 million prize.

American Express Adds British Airways as ‘Points Partner’

For the first time, U.S. American Express card members can transfer their membership rewards points into British Airways’ frequent flyer program for travel on BA and Oneworld partner airlines, AmEx has announced. “With this added choice and flexibility, it is even easier for card members to redeem points for travel to the 150 destinations around the world serviced by British Airways – one of the leading global airlines,” American Express said in a statement.

Plastic Mickey: Chase, Disney Launch Rewards Card

Chase, the top credit card issuer, and Disney have teamed up to offer discounts through a new rewards Visa debit card, Chase announced today. The two household names will offer cardmembers discounts on Disney store purchases and some perks at Disney theme parks.

AmEx Aims to ‘Zync’ with Socially Hip 20s Crowd

American Express is inviting holders of its new Zync card, a mostly targeted demographic of smart shoppers in their 20s, to a “community of curious, active, and informed people.” It is doing so on its “Zync Tank” website, where it beckons cardholders to “serve as ‘consultants’ by sharing their perspectives and opinions in order to shape the future of Zync Card from American Express.”

AmEx, Ritz-Carlton Forge ‘Folio’ Partnership

American Express has added The Ritz-Carlton to its “Hotel Folio” partnerships, where cardmembers get analytical reports on lodging expenditures – a perk that is in demand by budget-tightening businesses. American Express collects folio data from nearly 15,000 hotel properties with seven major hotel chains across North America and around the world.

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