Gift Cards Rival Apparel as Gift of Choice This Holiday Season, Says 2006 American Express Gift Card Survey

Business Wire, Nov 9, 2006

One in three consumers (34%) say they plan to do most of their shopping during the month of December. Others (25%) say they are last-minute shoppers, tending to do their shopping a few days before the December holidays, while one in five (21%) say they plan to do most of their shopping the day after Thanksgiving.

Survey Methodology

The American Express Gift Card Survey is based on a nationally representative sample of 1,013 Americans age, 18 , and 655 of them who plan to purchase a gift card/certificate this coming holiday season. The poll has a margin of error of [ or -] 3.1% and [ or -] 3.8%, respectively. The survey was conducted via telephone by International Communications Research from October 11 - October 15, 2006.

The American Express Gift Card can be redeemed at U.S. retailers and restaurants that accept the American Express Card. It lets the recipient choose from millions of things and experiences, making it the ideal solution for the upcoming holiday season -- unlike store gift cards, instead of one place, the American Express Gift Card is good all over the place and gives endless ways to make everyone happy. The Gift Card is available in denominations ranging from $25 to $500 and is replaceable if lost or stolen for a fee. American Express Gift Cards are available online at http://www.americanexpress.com/gift, and nationwide at tens of thousand of locations, including supermarkets, drug stores, shopping centers, banks and American Express Travel Service offices. For a complete list of participating locations visit http://www.americanexpress.com/gift. Terms and conditions apply to gift cards. Not for use at car rental, cruise lines, casinos or ATMs.

About American Express

American Express Company (www.americanexpress.com) is a leading global payments, network and travel company founded in 1850.

American Express is a leader in consumer prepaid products. In addition to the 115-year old American Express Travelers Cheque - the preeminent brand welcomed worldwide - the Company issues other prepaid products including the Travelers Cheque Card, Cheques for Two, Gift Cards, Gift Cheques, and a range of corporate incentive prepaid products through American Express Incentive Services.