MSE News: Free £5 for Amex holders when they spend a fiver

Former_MSE_Helen

"American Express cardholders with a smartphone can get discounts at local small businesses via the Foursquare app..."

Read the full story:

Free £5 for Amex holders when they spend a fiver

Roger1

There's another thread with 35 posts and almost 2,000 views to date, started on 31 October 2012. Some info there.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/57082537#Comment_57082537

mileslondoner

Thank you for sharing it Helen but I think a few words of warning are needed.

1) Not all of retailers on Amex website actually accept Amex. Worth checking before you order a large meal in a restaurant.

2) Some retailers would only allow you to use Amex if you reach a certain level on your bill. 10 pounds minimum is not unusual.

3) Some retailers might ask you to pay an extra 1 pound or more for paying with Amex. So even though you get your 5 pound free item - it costs you in fact 1 pound to be allowed to have it.

Very few retailers are actually aware they are taking part in this promotion as it is Amex and not them crediting 5 pounds.

bylromarha

And when you do take part, Amex don't always pay up.

Still waiting on a June payment for £5 for spending over £10 in John Lewis. Foursquare and Amex don't really seem to care and I would never have spent the £10 in John Lewis without the offer.

So buyer beware is my tip...

stevesmiff

Reading the Amex Network website (as opposed to the normal Amex website), it seems the Foursquare app is optional. Seems you can just sign up to sync your Amex card and thats it. If this is the case then save times whipping out your phone to check in. Can anyone confirm this?

sfax

stevesmiff wrote: »

Reading the Amex Network website (as opposed to the normal Amex website), it seems the Foursquare app is optional. Seems you can just sign up to sync your Amex card and thats it. If this is the case then save times whipping out your phone to check in. Can anyone confirm this?

You defintely don't need an app, just register your card. The other thread referenced above has more info

torbrex

I have just looked at the available outlets and there seems to be nothing north of Bradford

Tiddlywinks

mileslondoner wrote: »

Thank you for sharing it Helen but I think a few words of warning are needed.

1) Not all of retailers on Amex website actually accept Amex. Worth checking before you order a large meal in a restaurant.

2) Some retailers would only allow you to use Amex if you reach a certain level on your bill. 10 pounds minimum is not unusual.

3) Some retailers might ask you to pay an extra 1 pound or more for paying with Amex. So even though you get your 5 pound free item - it costs you in fact 1 pound to be allowed to have it.

Very few retailers are actually aware they are taking part in this promotion as it is Amex and not them crediting 5 pounds.

I don't know where you have been 'shopping' but I have been an Amex customer for nearly 20 years and have experienced very few difficulties.

Where there are problem retailers, customers are encouraged to report them to Amex and they do investigate.

matty_art

I registered but can't see any merchants in the South Wales area. Bit of a waste of time.

sfax

matty_art wrote: »

I registered but can't see any merchants in the South Wales area. Bit of a waste of time.

It's England only

bigadaj

torbrex wrote: »

I have just looked at the available outlets and there seems to be nothing north of Bradford

There are credit cards north of Bradford!