FAQs for $30 Statement Credit with Small Business Saturday

As I wrote about a few days ago, American Express is offering up to a $30 statement credit on Small Business Saturday (November 29, 2014) – you’ll get a $10 statement credit with every $10+ purchase at a participating Small Business Saturday merchant.  And each card is eligible for up to three statement credits, thus giving you $30!!! This has been a huge hit amongst many readers, so I put together my own FAQ list:

• Q: Where do I register my American Express card to participate in this promotion?
  • A: Register your American Express card at this website. You will need to enter your name, American Express number, and email. Or, if your American Express credit card is already synced to Twitter, you can tweet #AmexShopSmall.
• Q: When can I use my registered American Express card to get the $10 statement credit?
  • A: On Saturday, November 29, 2014 is the only day where if you spend $10, you will receive a $10 statement credit – up to three times per card.
• Q: Which merchants are participating in this promotion?
  • A: You can search for participating merchants at the Small Business Saturday website. You must enter your location/zip code, but it will only list the closest 100 merchants. To find additional merchants, enter the town/zip code next door.
• Q: Can I purchase a gift card and get the statement credit?
  • A: Yes! As long as the gift card is run through as a store purchase it will work. If you go through a corporate website to purchase the gift card or a third-party system, it will not work. To purchase a gift card I recommend going into the store and buying it there directly. This will run as if it was a normal purchase.
• Q: Can I make a $30 purchase and get a $30 statement credit?
  • A: No. A $30 transaction will only get you a $10 statement credit. You must split up the $30 purchase among three different transactions so each $10 transaction will get the $10 statement credit.
• Q: Can you visit merchants that are not on the list and still get the $10 statement credit?
  • A: Over the past few years it has worked for some merchants that accept American Express credit cards, but didn’t register their business. However, the terms clearly state that the merchant must be listed, so I wouldn’t risk it.
• Q: Which credit cards can I register?
  • A: You can register all your American Express cards, even those that are Citi American Express cards.
  • A: For example: American Express Premier Rewards Gold, American Express Green Card, American Express Platinum, American Express Gold, American Express Blue, Gold Delta SkyMiles, Platinum Delta SkyMiles, Delta Reserve, JetBlue Card from American Express, Blue Sky from American Express, Blue Sky Preferred by American Express, Hilton HHonors Card from American Express, Hilton HHonors Surpass from American Express, Starwood Preferred Guest from American Express, Blue Cash Everyday from American Express, Blue Cash Preferred from American Express, Clear from American Express, TrueEarnings Card from Costco and American Express. The business versions of all of these cards qualify as well.
• Q: Am I able to register/use my Bloomingdales and Macy’s American Express card?
  • A: Yes! That works the same as any other American Express card.
• Q: Am I able to register a Citi American Express card?
  • A: Yes you are, however, keep in mind that if the statement credit doesn’t go through manually Citi won’t credit you the $10 since it is Amex’s promotion, and American Express won’t help since it is a Citi card – in that case, you’ll be out of luck.
• Q: Can I register additional authorized user cards?
  • A: Yes. As long as the actual credit card number is different, you will be fine. Keep in mind though that additional card holders for Citi cards will not work.
• Q: Am I able to register prepaid cards?
  • A: No, prepaid cards and corporate cards are excluded from this promotion. Corporate cards are NOT the same as business cards, they are the ones large corporations typically give to employees and are greenish color.
• Q: Am I able to register Bluebird, Serve, or RedCard?
  • A: Bluebird and Serve are eligible cards, but Target’s RedCard will not work.
• Q: When does registration last till?
  • A: There are a limited number of spots, so once they run out registration is over. I suggest just registering now.
• Q: Can I make a purchase online or over the phone?
  • A: Technically this is for in-store purchases only, but you might have luck with online purchases. Keep in mind though, some online purchases will not register until the next day or two meaning that the purchase will not appear on November 29 and have another date tied to it instead. In that case, you’ll be out of luck. If ordering a gift card, for example, ask the merchant to process the purchase that day.
  • A: There are probably merchants out there that will work with you to take phone orders and process it as if it is an in-store purchase for that day. This is a win-win situation.
• Q: Am I allowed to use multiple credit cards at the same store and still get the $10 statement credit three times for each purchase?
  • Yes, you can use as many registered Amex credit cards you have at the same merchant.

If you have any other questions, feel free to post them and we’ll include them in the Q&A section.

I personally registered six Amex cards for myself (Starwood Amex, Platinum Amex, Hilton Amex, Delta Amex, Bloomingdales Amex, and Macy’s Amex) and six for Mr. Deals (Amex Business Rewards Gold Card, Starwood Amex, Hilton Amex, Amex EveryDay, Delta Amex, and Bluebird by American Express). I am in the works of getting some authorized users added onto my cards, but do not want to do too many to risk a financial review from American Express. Without the authorized users this is equal to $360 in statement credits!

Enjoy your free money!