With Thanksgiving just around the corner, it’s time to remind you that this coming Saturday is none other than Small Business Saturday.
This is a promotion started back in 2010 by American Express to encourage people to shop at small businesses, and to reward small businesses for accepting American Express credit cards.
As in years past, American Express is offering a $25 statement credit in return for: (1) registering your card for the promotion, and (2) making a purchase of at least $25 from a qualifying small business.
Note that, based on the wording of the offer as well as past experience, you can get one credit per card, so if you and your spouse have a joint account you should be good to go for $50 in free stuff. And so on.
To get started, go here to enroll your card(s). And don’t delay, as they’re claiming that enrollment is limited.
Next, check the map to find qualifying businesses — or just roll the dice and trust that they’ll honor this for whatever non-franchise small business you happen to go to (this has worked for me in the past).
Finally, head out on Saturday and use your card to spend $25 (or more) in a single transaction at a qualifying merchant.
Note that they promise the credit “within eight weeks” but that I’ve always gotten mine within a few days.
I registered both my card and my husband’s card easily online, shopped at one merchant and split a $60 transaction into two and paid with each card. We both received the emails from American Express confirming that we had participated. Piece of cake!!! Looking forward to it next year!