It is another almost imperceptible change. Many businesses, upon receiving a payment, have stopped putting a different terminal in front of their clients when they warned that the plastic they took from their purse or portfolio was American Express. It is one of the advantages of OptBlue, which has allowed to reach new establishments through its alliances with banks and that seeks to facilitate the life of small and medium -sized businesses. By having a single terminal, regardless of who the issuer is, allows consolidating everything in a single statement.
Garcia does not put figures to the improvement in the income of the businesses that begin to accept the card, but puts the focus on the profile of American Express clients, which usually have a greater level of expenditure, which increases the average ticket. “It varies by industry, but, in general, we bring much more value when the American Express cards are accepted, by the type of expenditure generated by our cardholders,” says the manager.
A survey of the financial company held between December 2021 and January 2022 indicates that users of their card reported that, on average, they spent 50% more than non -cardholders during the previous six months, and 30% more in small businesses, that is, small stores or restaurants, independent or local. The survey also emphasizes that 77% of those who have an American American are more likely to make multiple purchases in businesses that accept plastic.
To this also contributes Shop Small, the global program for which the company gives visibility and tools to grow to these small businesses, in addition to rewards and Cashback to those who consume in them and pay with their plastics.
More SMEs
Attracting more SMEs to its portfolio has become one of the axes of the company’s strategy. After all, we must not forget that small and mediums account for more than 99% of the country’s companies. And perhaps the same image that the company had, aimed at a certain segment, made them not contemplate the possibility of becoming cardholders.
Also with that they want to end Mendoza and his team. The manager points out that it is the segment of its portfolio of value proposals that has grown the most in the last three years, doubling its size since then.
Last year, the company launched a new product, the Business Platinum Card, focused on SMEs and that, among other benefits, offers interest without interest for up to 50 days. “It is aimed at small and medium entrepreneurs to cover their spending and financing needs,” says Mendoza.
SMEs also can benefit from services such as your payment, an evolution of deferred payment plans, which allows personal and business cards to defer their payments in six, nine or 12 months, with a structured scheme of fixed payments.
