American Express Announces Thank You Gift Card and Increases Web Purchasing Power for Corporate Giving

Elegantly Packaged American Express Especially for(SM) Thank You Gift Cards Can Be Used For Employee Rewards, Sales Incentives and Consumer Promotions

NEW YORK.- American Express recognizes the value and importance of companies saying “thanks,” “well done,” or simply showing appreciation to employees and customers throughout the year. To that end, American Express today announced the American Express® Especially for Thank You Gift Card, the latest addition to their growing line of themed Gift Cards.

According to a 2007 Incentives Magazine survey, 82 percent of businesses give gift cards and gift certificates. Of those, 74 percent gave gift cards and certificates for employee recognition, 46 percent for sales incentives, and 17 percent for consumer promotions. The survey also revealed that 83 percent of businesses find that giving gift cards and certificates is equally effective or more effective than giving cash, up from 69 percent in 2006.

As a premium gifting product, the new Thank You Gift Card has an elegant gold design and provides recipients the freedom to create their own memorable experiences. It is available in various denominations from $25 to $100, and comes with special offers from participating retailers and merchants nationwide.

“Gift Cards have become a preferred incentive and holiday gift option among corporate buyers due to their ease of purchase, use and universality,” said Stefan Happ, vice president and general manager, American Express Gift Cards. “This growing demand has led American Express to help simplify companies’ gifting processes by offering bulk purchasing of American Express Gift Cards and adding relevant business-themed products like the Dining and Thank You Gift Card to our portfolio. These service and product enhancements will enable companies to give their employees and customers a premium gift for any occasion throughout the entire year.”

American Express enhanced its corporate Gift Card services in 2006 to help corporations and small businesses increase the effectiveness of their gifting programs. The improvements simplified bulk orders and increased the number of American Express Gift Cards that can be purchased by one company through the American Express Web site.

Companies interested in buying American Express Gift Cards in bulk for reward, incentive and promotional programs can visit the American Express “Gift Cards for Business” Web site, http://www.americanexpress.com/corpalliances, which gives companies a convenient way to buy a large number of American Express Gift Cards – increased this year to as much as $35,000 or 1400 cards, up from $15,000 or 600 cards last year. Companies interested in purchasing American Express Gift Cards in excess of these thresholds can do so by calling American Express at 877-297-8242. American Express offers the American Express Gift Card, Gift Card Especially for Dining, and Thank You Gift Card to its corporate clients.

In addition to the American Express Gift Card, American Express offers themed Gift Cards for consumers, including Gift Cards Especially for Kids, Teens, Birthdays, Dining, Movie Lovers, the Bride and Groom and Thank You.

The American Express Gift Card lets the recipient choose from millions of things and experiences, making it a popular gift choice -- unlike store gift cards which can be redeemed at one retailer’s locations, the American Express Gift Card can be used at millions of places in the us that accept American Express. The Gift Card is available in denominations ranging from $25 to $500 and can be refunded if lost or stolen.*

American Express Gift Cards come with special offers at best-of-brand retailers, restaurants and merchants. For more information on American Express Gift Cards, visit http://www.americanexpress.com/gift.