AMEX Small Business Saturday (Limited Enrollment)

I know this has been blogged about to death. I told myself that I was not going to write about it. However, after the nth time talking to family and friends about Small Business Saturday and hearing the small question, "What is Small Business Saturday?" I decided it was time for a quick post.

A little back story:

In 2010, AMEX decided to it was time to support the Small Business that make up the fiber of the American economy. The idea was that typically the Friday after Thanksgiving, known as Black Friday, is the start of the high shopping season and increased revenue for the big stores. AMEX declared that the Saturday after Thanksgiving, to be further known as Small Business Saturday. 2010 was the depth of our economic recession and small business's were failing at a rapid rate. AMEX decided to give a $25 statement credit for AMEX members who make a purchase on Small Business Saturday at a participating small business. The program was a HUGE success and gave a ton of great publicity to AMEX (Many small businesses dislike AMEX because of their high surcharges, so it was also a great way of getting some goodwill from small business owners).

Ok, back to the promotion.

If you have an AMEX credit card, not a prepaid card or corporate card, you can are eligible to participate.

Here are the simple steps to participate:

1)  Go to this website to register. You will have to enter your credit card number. Some people have 
      reported registering multiple cards. The program has a limit, but as of Thanksgiving evening at 9pm,
      my friend was able to register. You have to register by 11:59PM MST on November 24, 2012.

2)  After registering, you will receive an email confirming you are registered. If you don't get this email, go
     back to the website and retry to enter the card. If you are registered, the website will let you know that
     you are registered.

3)  Pick a small business to shop at. You can see a list here via zip-code.

4)  Shop! (My favorite part!!!) Use the enrolled AMEX card to spend $25 or more in a single, in store
      transaction at a small business on November 24th. You have to spend $25 or more to get the $25
      statement credit.

5)  Smile. When you get the email that says you have qualified for the $25 credit. I usually get the email
     within an hour of making a purchase.

This Saturday I will be out shopping at small businesses in Arlington. I will make one $25 purchase with my AMEX card and then I will make the rest of my purchases with VISA/Mastercard branded cards, the fees are cheaper on small business!!!