Membership Rewards Program from American Express Launches Exclusives Event - Two Weeks of Special Travel Adventures and Luxury Items Available for 1,000, 2,500 and 5,000 Points

Business Wire, Oct 10, 2005

NEW YORK -- Cardmembers Will Have Unprecedented Limited Opportunity to Redeem Just 5,000 Points for a Mercedes-Benz Roadster or Hawaiian Vacation

American Express announced today a two-week special event for Cardmembers enrolled in the Membership Rewards program(1): The Membership Rewards Exclusives Event. This 14-day promotion will offer a limited number of extraordinary travel and merchandise rewards redeemable for as low as 1,000 Membership Rewards points, only on the new Membership Rewards Exclusives website (www.membershiprewards.com/exclusives).

The event marks the official unveiling of Membership Rewards Exclusives, a program offering a robust selection of travel, entertainment and merchandise reward opportunities year-round. New offers will be added to the site every few weeks, providing Cardmembers with an opportunity to redeem Membership Rewards points for an exciting range of items.

During the Exclusives Event, American Express will offer limited quantities of luxury items for 1,000, 2,500 and 5,000 Membership Rewards points. A Mercedes-Benz Roadster valued at $52,000 or a Virgin Atlantic Airways African safari package for two worth $29,000 will be attainable for a mere 5,000 points. A Cardmember with 2,500 Membership Rewards points can redeem for a Samsung 63-inch plasma television and someone with 1,000 points can redeem for a Nikon 5.1 megapixel digital camera. These rewards are just a few of the items eligible Cardmembers will have access to during the Membership Rewards Exclusives Event.

The Exclusives Event will start Oct. 17 and run through Oct. 30 on the Membership Rewards site (www.membershiprewards.com/exclusives), with new merchandise available daily on the site. Consumers can preview the items available for the Exclusives Event starting Oct. 15.

Other extraordinary Exclusives Event deals for electronics, fine jewelry, watches, sporting goods and home appliances include:

5,000 Point Rewards

--Six Sony(R) Complete Home Theater Systems, which include a BAVIA 32" LCD Panel TV and DVD Recorder

--Three Hawaiian Airlines(R) Dream Vacations for Two

--Two Trek Travel Tour de France Cycling Experience Packages

--Four 2006 Polaris(R) Snowmobiles

2,500 Points Rewards

--Three Baume & Mercier Gents Hamilton Spirit Watches

--Six Complete Weber(R) Stainless Steel Grill Packages

--Ten Panasonic 44" LCD HDTVs

--Six Trek Fuel EX 8(TM) Full Suspension Bikes

1,000 Points Rewards

--Ten Pentax(R) Optio S5z 5.0 Megapixel Cameras

--Ten The North Face(R) Outdoor Equipment Packages

--Ten Cuisinart(R) Kitchen Packages

--Six TaylorMade R7 Quad HT Titanium Drivers

"Our Exclusives Event is a chance for Cardmembers to reward themselves with exceptional items for extremely low point levels and see what other great redemption offers are available everyday through the Exclusives program," said Ralph Andretta, senior vice president and general manager, Membership Rewards, American Express. "We believe that this will encourage more Cardmembers to enroll in our Membership Rewards program to experience the special retail, travel, entertainment and merchandise rewards available year-round, as well as the choice and flexibility that distinguish our program in the marketplace."

How The Exclusives Event Works

Starting Oct. 15, Cardmembers can visit www.membershiprewards.com/exclusives to preview the merchandise that will be presented. Then, each day from Oct. 17 through Oct. 30, items will be offered at each redemption level: 1,000, 2,500 and 5,000 points. The items available each day will be announced on the website that day, and then will become available at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. EST. Cardmembers simply log on, and when the rewards become accessible they click the "Redeem Now" button to have the opportunity to secure one of the limited rewards. Taxes applicable to the rewards will be reimbursed by American Express.

The Exclusive Event highlights the exceptional value of Membership Rewards Exclusives, a unique program open to all continental U.S.-based American Express Cardmembers who are enrolled in the Membership Rewards program. Every few weeks, enrollees will find a new selection of entertainment, travel and merchandise offers at great point values. Many items are limited editions or one-time events and supplies are limited, so Cardmembers are encouraged to check back often to take advantage of these exclusive rewards.

About The Membership Rewards Program

The Membership Rewards program from American Express is the largest card-based rewards program in the world, with more than 140 redemption partners. The program allows Cardmembers to earn one point for virtually every dollar charged on eligible, enrolled American Express(R) Cards. Many Cards, including the Preferred Rewards Green, Preferred Rewards Gold, Platinum Card(R) and Centurion(R) Card, offer the ability to earn double bonus points for purchases in Everyday Spend categories that include supermarkets, gas stations, drugstores, U.S. Postal Service and wireless phone bill payments.(2)