American Express Cardmembers make a difference through Membership Rewards charitable donations

Globally known as the strongest and most recognised card-based loyalty programme, Membership Rewards allows Cardmembers to donate their points to internationally recognised charities including UNICEF, Save the Children, and Red Crescent Society (Bahrain).

This initiative stems from the recent expansion of Membership Rewards in the Middle East. With over 120 local, regional and global partners available for Middle East Cardmembers, Membership Rewards is an industry-leading rewards programme that allows enrolled Cardmembers to earn 1 Membership Rewards point for every $1 they spend using their American Express Card. Membership Rewards points are redeemable in a wide selection of reward categories: charitable contributions, travel, dining and entertainment, shopping, and financial services including payment of annual Card fees.

Premal Patel, Senior Director - Marketing, American Express Middle East and North Africa, said:

"American Express continues to provide exclusive privileges and special offers to our Cardmembers, especially through our Membership Rewards programme. This unique programme gives Cardmembers the choice and flexibility to earn points and redeem rewards to enhance their premium lifestyles as well as support worthy charitable causes. "

"The gift of giving is always a very special one. With the onset of Ramadan and other upcoming festivities, American Express is happy to enable their Cardmembers to support charities by simply donating their Membership Rewards points to AEME charity partners. Their points can change lives."

Hamad Hassani, Membership Rewards Manager, American Express Middle East and North Africa, said: "Membership Rewards programme is designed to offer life-enriching experiences to our Cardmembers. Now, through redeeming points for charity donations, Cardmembers can also enrich the lives of others. As there is no limit to earning points and no expiry of points; Cardmembers can accumulate and redeem adequate points for these charities to make a remarkable difference in the lives of many."

Hassani explained that for every 1,000 Membership Rewards points donation, American Express will pay US$ 5 directly to the Cardmembers charity of choice. For instance, US$ 100 can buy 200 fruit tree seedlings to help a village that has lost its crop. $100 can also buy 50 chickens, which will produce eggs and help fight hunger.

Earlier this year, American Express has strengthened its regional loyalty team. The company has also enhanced its Cardmember communications with significant improvements to the Membership Rewards website, introduced a fully digital rewards catalogue, and enabled smoother processing of point redemption.

Membership Rewards was globally launched in 1991 under the name "Membership Miles". Since then, the programme has expanded with over 15 million enrolled Cardmembers worldwide who enjoy special offers at more than 1,500 merchant partners across 60 countries. Membership Rewards has also won several industry awards, including Best Credit Card Rewards Programme by Business Traveller magazine for 11 consecutive years and a three time winner of the Freddie Awards.