American Express is the ideal payment card for travel and entertainment. The concierge service extended to Platinum card members gives them access to unbeatable deals and lifetime memories. “As American Express card members spend four times more than holders of other payment cards, merchant establishments all over the world treats them as valued customers”, said Priyan L. Attygalle, chief executive officer of Amex (Saudi Arabia) Ltd.
“Amex Saudi Arabia continues to make sure that their valued card members are provided with the level of service American Express has built a reputation on over the last 150 years,” said Attygalle, while counting the advantages for tourists and travelers, who use American Express cards.
In this context, the Amex CEO pointed out that Amex Saudi Arabia has also signed up with SADAD to enable customers to make payments from their own bank in the Kingdom.
Some banks have extended this service on their website enabling their customers to settle their American Express bills from anywhere in the world through the bank Internet system. This will be of great value to most card members this travel season. American Express, through its local presence, Amex (Saudi Arabia), has also offered corporate cards to Saudi businesses, which have become immensely popular.
Referring to the American Express, which has become a world leader in providing corporate cards to ease the whole process of organizing and managing business expenses, Sami El-Natour, American Express head of marketing and PR and Fahad Al-Ghuthami, chief operating officer, emphasized that “currently, 70 percent of the Fortune 500 companies use American Express corporate cards.” They said that Amex is offering two secure cards with added features and functions.
The first — American Express Corporate Card — is “a flexible tool providing an end-to-end expense management solution that also simplifies travel and entertainment expense management”.
Sami said that the corporate card was equipped with innovative features such as “spending controls, managed cash access and automated expense reporting,” besides contributing to a significant reduction in costs.
While Fahad explained that another American Express card that’s seen as suited to company executives is the “American Express Business Card.” It, too, is packed with features that can help businessmen lighten their workload, smooth out cash flow, balance books and keep costs down or use while traveling as tourists. “It works hard for you when you’re at your home base and it works harder still when you’re traveling,” Fahad said.
American Express’ ongoing initiatives and Amex policies also ensure protection against fraud, safeguard against charge-backs and effectively manage merchant and customer inquiries. The coveted rewards program is growing as well. “We’re delighted to introduce a range of new partners to the Membership Rewards Program,” said the Amex officials. Details can be seen on www.americanexpress.com.sa.
American Express has expanded services offered to its card holders and businesses accepting it by establishing a fully autonomous service center in Riyadh. A large number of organizations including hospitals, supermarkets, retail outlets, hotels and service establishments accept American Express cards electronically. “We strive to ensure that the businesses used by our members welcome American Express cards,” said Sami.
Amex card holders are known to spend significantly more using Amex cards than using other cards. Therefore, merchants welcoming American Express cards have a significant advantage. “The system of payment also facilitates issuance of easy-to-read receipts for American Express card members, while merchants receive direct settlement into their bank accounts,” explained Fahad. Amex (Saudi Arabia) is investing significantly on technology over the next few years to continuously improve member experience with Amex.
Not only this, taking its exclusive offerings to new heights, American Express has launched an innovative national campaign for its card members, that entitles two grand prize winners a trip to outer space with thrill and enjoyment. This is the first promotion of its kind ever held in Saudi Arabia, where Amex has enrolled a large number of card holders and expanded its existing merchant network substantially.
The executives said, “The winners will enjoy a breathtaking experience by flying to the edge of stratosphere at a height of 55,000 feet provided by Thunder City of South Africa.” They said that the campaign will run from May 22 to Oct. 31 this year, initially providing all existing American Express card members in Saudi Arabia with an automatic entry into the monthly draw when they make a purchase.”
At the end of five-month promotion, a grand draw will be conducted, where two winners will be offered the space trip. “Three more winners will be picked and they will be awarded a fully-paid one-week trip to South Africa, where they will enjoy lifetime adventure,” explained the Amex officials, adding that Amex offers a wider range of personal and corporate playment solutions including charge cards, credit cards and corporate cards.
The most recent addition to its product portfolio is the Blue Card, a chip-based transparent card with in-built ID keeper technology for secure payments. The American Express card holders can derive a lot of benefits from the their cards.
Established in 1999 as a joint-venture company equally owned by Amex (Middle East) and the Saudi Investment Bank (SAIB) with its head office in Riyadh, Amex (Saudi Arabia) seeks to strategically position American Express and provide products and services that meet the needs of card members and merchants in the Kingdom.
