Got an American Express Credit Card? Decide How to Spend $5 Million!
By Curtis Arnold, Founder of CardRatings.com
American Express has recently launched The Members Project, where it will contribute $1 for every AMEX cardholder who registers for the project by August 5, 2007 – up to a total of $5 million. Registration is free, and as best as I can tell, there are no costs for participants.
If you’re wondering what American Express plans to do with that $5 million, it’s too soon to tell, except that the goal is to let cardholders choose how to spend it on “something good for our world.” Of course, the free publicity American Express is getting for The Members Project is “priceless,” as MasterCard would say, but anything that will get more money out there to help people in need is a real plus in my book. So if you’ve already got an AMEX card or are thinking of getting one, won’t it be fun to put all thoughts of credit card issuers fees and unconscionable profits out of your mind for a bit and help spend this $5 million?!
Right now, folks who have signed up for The Members Project are coming up with ideas on how the money should be used, rating each other’s suggestions, and participating in online discussions. Projects being discussed so far fall into categories like arts and entertainment, community development, the environment and wildlife, education, health and fitness, etc. Members are encouraged to submit up to five proposed projects until the June 17, 2007 deadline.
After that, AMEX’s advisory committee will choose the top 50 projects, based on “innovation, achievability, and the ability to make a broad, positive impact.” Then, starting on July 3, 2007, members get to vote via elimination rounds on which project will get the money. First, it’ll go from the top 50 to the top 25 … then to the top 5 … and then to the one grand prize winner, which will be announced on August 7, 2007. Members can vote once in each round. (It’s hard not to wonder if we’d be better off holding our Presidential elections this way!)
Click here for the fine print, which basically says that you have to be a legal US resident, at least 18, and “the holder in good standing of an American Express Card.” Got one? Join The Members Project today, and let us and others know about any great ideas you see there that will make the world a better place.
This article was originally published on CreditBloggers.com by Curtis Arnold, a nationally recognized consumer educator and advocate. Curtis has been educating consumers about credit cards since 1998. He is regularly interviewed and quoted by respected members of the national press regarding consumer credit issues. Curtis is currently working on publishing a book about credit card usage with Pearson/Prentice Hall- more details forthcoming!
CardRatings.com is the most comprehensive source for comparing credit card offers. CardRatings.com is pleased to offer consumers free credit card ratings.
Please Note! You are welcome to republish this article as long as you state that CardRatings.com is the source for the article. You must also include a link to our website if you republish the article online. Click here for more details about using our articles and thanks for your interest!
American Express has recently launched The Members Project, where it will contribute $1 for every AMEX cardholder who registers for the project by August 5, 2007 – up to a total of $5 million. Registration is free, and as best as I can tell, there are no costs for participants.
If you’re wondering what American Express plans to do with that $5 million, it’s too soon to tell, except that the goal is to let cardholders choose how to spend it on “something good for our world.” Of course, the free publicity American Express is getting for The Members Project is “priceless,” as MasterCard would say, but anything that will get more money out there to help people in need is a real plus in my book. So if you’ve already got an AMEX card or are thinking of getting one, won’t it be fun to put all thoughts of credit card issuers fees and unconscionable profits out of your mind for a bit and help spend this $5 million?!
Right now, folks who have signed up for The Members Project are coming up with ideas on how the money should be used, rating each other’s suggestions, and participating in online discussions. Projects being discussed so far fall into categories like arts and entertainment, community development, the environment and wildlife, education, health and fitness, etc. Members are encouraged to submit up to five proposed projects until the June 17, 2007 deadline.
After that, AMEX’s advisory committee will choose the top 50 projects, based on “innovation, achievability, and the ability to make a broad, positive impact.” Then, starting on July 3, 2007, members get to vote via elimination rounds on which project will get the money. First, it’ll go from the top 50 to the top 25 … then to the top 5 … and then to the one grand prize winner, which will be announced on August 7, 2007. Members can vote once in each round. (It’s hard not to wonder if we’d be better off holding our Presidential elections this way!)
Click here for the fine print, which basically says that you have to be a legal US resident, at least 18, and “the holder in good standing of an American Express Card.” Got one? Join The Members Project today, and let us and others know about any great ideas you see there that will make the world a better place.
This article was originally published on CreditBloggers.com by Curtis Arnold, a nationally recognized consumer educator and advocate. Curtis has been educating consumers about credit cards since 1998. He is regularly interviewed and quoted by respected members of the national press regarding consumer credit issues. Curtis is currently working on publishing a book about credit card usage with Pearson/Prentice Hall- more details forthcoming!CardRatings.com is the most comprehensive source for comparing credit card offers. CardRatings.com is pleased to offer consumers free credit card ratings.
Please Note! You are welcome to republish this article as long as you state that CardRatings.com is the source for the article. You must also include a link to our website if you republish the article online. Click here for more details about using our articles and thanks for your interest!
Labels: American Express, credit card benefits, credit card rewards
posted by CardRatings.com at 6:00 PM
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