CEM REPORT, FINANCE | Access Bank has become the first Nigeria bank to offer it’s customers the American Express Cards with the launch of the Access Bank American Express® Gold Card and the metal Platinum® Card.
The launch comes after a deal signed in 2019 with American Express to start acquiring merchants, enabling businesses across the country to accept payments from international American Express Cards.
The American Express Cards which bears feature such as dual-currency functionality, international acceptance, and additional perks, Access Bank says will provide valuable card benefits, strong loyalty rewards, and a real reason to use electronic payments instead of cash.
Roosevelt Ogbonna, Managing Director and CEO of Access Bank speaking at the launch said;
“The launch of American Express Cards in Nigeria is another milestone in the continued development of a vibrant and fast-growing payments industry. Customers want more than transactions – they want real value. With American Express, we can provide valuable card benefits, strong loyalty rewards, and a real reason to use electronic payments instead of cash. By diversifying our services to facilitate payments, we can connect more consumers to the SMEs and retail businesses across the country who we know are the engine of economic growth.”
The American Express Cards provide airport lounge access, car rental benefits, Membership Rewards®, loyalty points, as well as insurance and protections, in addition to dual currency capabilities (NGN/USD) and global acceptance. Additional perks for using airport lounges, including free admission to more than 1,400 lounges through the American Express Global Lounge Collection®, are included with the Platinum® Card in addition to these other features.
Through The Hotel Collection and Fine Hotels + Resorts, hotel incentives and upgrades are available.
Special access to the Radisson Rewards, Marriott BonvoyTM, and Hilton Honours reward programs.
access to hotel loyalty programs is free with a Tablet Plus subscription and Mr. & Mrs. Smith Gold level.
24/7 concierge services for travel and lifestyle.
American Express has been selling products in Africa for 60 years, and the company’s influence there is only growing. Through its joint venture American Express Middle East (AEME), its licensees (such as local banks), and the direct issuing of Global Dollar Cards, American Express issues consumer cards and corporate cards/solutions in more than 40 countries around the area. American Express is dedicated to increasing the locations where local Cardmembers, foreign tourists, and local and international enterprises may use their American Express Cards for daily purchases, business transactions, or tourism in the area. This is done through its licensees and AEME.
