American Express has been at work during the pandemic, working to ensure that their cardmember base stays engaged with the brand as well as continues to generate spend on their card accounts. Some of the initiatives that stood out were the Everyday Spend offer which allowed for Platinum and Centurion Cardmembers to get up to INR 18,000/INR 35,000 back when they spent on their Amex at certain brands. They were also offered double Membership Rewards and double value for Membership Rewards redemption as a Statement credit. Most recently, American Express launched the Reward Multiplier to enhance the number of points you can earn at various merchants and also launched the Shop Small offer in India.

American Express brings Shop Small to India

American Express started the Shop Small programme in the United States to encourage Cardmembers to use their American Express cards at Small Merchants and has over the years expanded it into other markets as well. In a bid to encourage customers to spend at their favourite Small Merchants in India, American Express launched the Shop Small initiative in India in September of 2020, where for every INR 1,500 spend at a small merchant, you earned an INR 300 cashback, up to 5 times.

Shop Small American Express India extended in December 2020

As part of the new Shop Small Offer, Select cardmembers will get INR 500 cashback on spending INR 1,000 or more in one transaction in-person only, up to 3 times during the campaign period across participating stores between December 1 and December 31, 2020.

The promotion is available to select personal accounts in good standing with American Express. However, you need to activate the promotion by heading into your American Express account and saving the offer on your card under Amex Offers. Here are some of the cards which are included in the American Express Shop Small offer:

• American Express Centurion Card
• American Express Platinum Card
• American Express Platinum Reserve Card
• American Express Platinum Travel Card (Free)
• American Express Membership Rewards Card (Free)
• American Express Gold Card
• Jet Airways American Express Platinum Card
• American Express SmartEarn Credit Card

If you don’t have a card, perhaps a good idea to apply for one using these links above.

The Shop Small initiative is also available for the ICICI Bank and IndusInd Bank-issued American Express network cards. However, you need to apply for registration here, first.

Finding local small businesses which accept American Express cards

American Express has created a ready reckoner of Small Businesses, and you can use a drop-down or PIN Codes to locate the small business. The definition of small businesses is pretty broad, and it could include your favourite restaurant, the nearest Chemist or Hospital, your Garage and many other stores.

For instance, one of my favourite restaurants in Mumbai, Americano is listed as a Small Merchant.

Terms of the promotion

American Express says that only the listed locations are valid for the offer. Here are the salient terms:

• Any unlisted locations of participating Shop Small businesses are not valid for the offer.
• ₹500 cashback will be applied up to 3 times, and the offer is limited to a maximum of ₹1,500 cashback applied to your card during the offer period.
• Offer valid on transactions made on the saved card directly in-person at participating Shop Small businesses. Valid at India locations only. Not valid for online transactions.
• Not valid for payments made via a third party establishment or payment processor (including, but not limited to, digital wallets).
• Cashback is not redeemable for cash or another payment form.
• Cashback should appear on your billing statement within five business days from qualifying spend but may take up to 90 days from the offer end date 31/12/2020.
• Cashback may be reversed if your qualifying purchase is refunded or cancelled.

Bottomline

American Express Shop Small Offer is a great initiative. It encourages you to head to your local small merchant and spend money at their outlet, where American Express will return INR 500 to your account against a spend of at least INR 1,000 on your account. Don’t forget your mask and social distancing protocols while you do that.

What do you think of the new Shop Small American Express India offer? Did you receive it?

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