Introducing the Ability to Pay Federal, State and Local Income Taxes with Points
NEW YORK, January 11, 2010 --
American Express kicks off 2010 with a line up of new partners and features in the Membership Rewards® program, which provides Cardmembers with more choice, flexibility and attainable rewards across popular categories, including financial services, travel, shopping, and dining and entertainment. The program also now offers reward redemptions for as low as 200 points, and has added over 2,000 retail and dining locations, 23 new hotel properties, and much more.
"We know that Cardmembers want a rewards program that offers everything from practical and everyday rewards to the extraordinary," said Lynne Biggar, senior vice president, Membership Rewards Marketing and Partnerships. "In 2010, we will continue to provide the reward options that our Cardmembers want and are focusing on making them more relevant and attainable. For example, just in time for tax season, we have added the ability to use points toward tax payments."
Financial Services
A first in the industry, American Express will now provide Cardmembers with the option to use Membership Rewards points toward federal, state and local income tax payments. Cardmembers can use points toward the actual tax payment when filing through Pay1040 (pay1040.com) and Official Payments Corp. (www.officialpayments.com), starting at 200 points. Cardmembers will be able to continue using Membership Rewards points toward applicable convenience and payment fees incurred when filing taxes online.
Cardmembers can also continue to use a recently-launched feature that allows them to use points toward "everyday" charges on their online statement such as gas, groceries, phone, wireless and cable bills, office supplies and more, starting at 1,000 points.
Travel
Due to increased popularity and demand for travel reward options in Las Vegas, American Express has added several marquee Las Vegas hotel properties to the Membership Rewards program, including Bellagio, Encore at Wynn Las Vegas, Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, The Mirage, and The Signature at MGM Grand. The addition of these properties greatly expands the choice and variety of Las Vegas hotels available and provides a broader range of accommodations, with hotel reward stays starting at 18,000 points.
The program has expanded hotel options outside of Las Vegas with the addition of Morgans Hotel Group, a collection of luxury boutique hotels across the country, which include Mondrian in Los Angeles, Hudson in New York, and Delano, Shore Club and Mondrian in South Beach. Also in Florida, The Breakers Palm Beach joins the program, while in the Bahamas, Cardmembers can now use points for stays at Atlantis Paradise Island, The Cove Atlantis and The Reef Atlantis.
British Airways was recently added as a partner in the U.S. Membership Rewards program, which means Cardmembers can now transfer Membership Rewards points into BA Miles, the rewards currency collected by British Airways’ Executive Club members. BA Miles can be redeemed for travel on British Airways and Oneworld partner airlines to 150 destinations around the world.
In addition, National Car Rental joins the program with redemptions for reward certificates starting at 5,000 points toward eligible car rentals.
Shopping
New shopping partners include Costco and Zappos.com, as well as popular brands that span a variety of categories, including fashion and apparel with Lacoste and Toy Watch; electronics with Vizio and Acer; and home and garden with Craftsman, Viking, and Maytag.
Dining and Entertainment
Cardmembers can now use points for gift cards with several new Membership Rewards dining partners such as Bonefish Grill®, Chili’s Grill and Bar®, Maggiano’s Little Italy®. B.R. Guest Restaurants, which includes Atlantic Grill, Dos Caminos, Wildwood BBQ, Blue Water Grill as well as China Grill Management, which includes China Grill, Asia de Cuba, Blue Door at Delano and Red Square. In addition, Cardmembers can now redeem points for movie tickets at National Amusements Theatres.
A full list of new program partners is available upon request. For the complete list of Membership Rewards program partners and offerings, please visit membershiprewards.com.
About The Membership Rewards Program
The Membership Rewards program from American Express offers more than a million rewards from over 500 brands. The program allows Cardmembers to earn one point for virtually every dollar charged on eligible, enrolled American Express Cards, with many opportunities to earn points faster. Membership Rewards points are redeemable in a wide selection of reward categories. Points have no expiration date, and there is no limit on the number of points a Cardmember can earn. For more information about the Membership Rewards program, Cardmembers can visit: www.membershiprewards.com or call 1-800-AXP-EARN (297-3276).
About American Express
American Express Company (www.americanexpress.com) is a leading global payments, network and travel company founded in 1850.
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