A few days ago I had the privilege of being a guest of American Express at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week 2008 in NYC. Aside from agonizing over what to wear (and realizing that of course no one was looking at me), it was a fun experience, and one I'd likely never get to have without this invite. As an AmEx guest, I got to go to a special "Skybox" to view the DKNY Spring 2009 show along with about 20 AmEx Platinum Card members, who were there (at the cool price of $700 each) to enjoy the day's events and luxuriate in special amenities as part of AmEx's "By Invitation Only" program. Also on hand were staffers from various companies associated with AmEx, who made sure the guests were comfortable and enjoying themselves. I chatted with one guest, who took advantage of the complimentary hair and makeup services that morning. She did have excellent hair. The room was too dim for me to see her makeup, but I'm sure it was lovely.

AmEx, a major Fashion Week sponsor for the second consecutive year, has long associated itself with fashion icons. On display in the tent's main lobby, front and center, was an AmEx booth that featured three iconic photos, used as part of AmEx's "I'm a Card Member" ads: Sammy Davis Jr., Diane Von Furstenburg and Venus Williams. Word is the photos changed throughout the show. Other sponsors also had booths in the main lobby, from the usual suspects, such as Judith Ripka and the Italian Trade Commission, to unexpected companies, such as Office Max and M&M's.

Vacation...Time off...Getaway... no matter which term you use personal travel seems to be driven more by individual interests than any other purpose lately. In a recent survey taken by American Express Travel, 87% of respondents indicate taking trips for the pursuit of personal passions will continue or even increase over the next two years despite economic conditions. Whether you have always wanted to learn top culinary skills, play a new instrument, or attend a sporting event of your dreams putting your vacation funds towards individual enrichment seems to be the trend and personally I am all for it! Here are the top interests shared by Americans:

• 42% choose destinations for culinary reasons
• 28% take-off for a sporting event
• 25% traveled for adventure
• 21% skipped town for music-related opportunities
• 15% claimed educational interests for their travel

Most people expressed they are also willing to spend more money and stay longer for vacations that further their personal dreams. If you have time off I think why not grow as a person while enjoying time away from the daily grind.

American Express has launched a new travel series for members. Called the "Best Of," the series of travel packages pulls together the best from select cities around the globe. Each "Best Of" travel package allows Cardmembers to experience some of the world's greatest cities like a VIP. The "Best Of" packages, which can only be purchased using Membership Rewards points.

Their current offer is the "Best of Wynn Las Vegas" package. There are 15 packages available for members. Sponsored by Wynn Las Vegas Resort and Country Club, the package will take place from September 4 – 7. Cardmembers will receive round trip airfare from Delta Airlines, three night accommodations at Wynn Las Vegas' Tower Suites, a "Texas Hold Em" training session with World Series of Poker champion Chris Moneymaker, dinner for two at the restaurant, Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare, inside Wynn Las Vegas with a personal presentation by Chef Paul Bartolotta and tickets to LE REVE, the performance in the aqua theater at the Wynn. The package costs 280,000 Membership Rewards points. The next package will take American Express members to Milan, Italy.

Partners in Preservation is an alliance between American Express and The National Trust for Historic Preservation and is geared towards the preservation of historic sites all across the US. The initiative involves over $5 million in funds and is spread out over a 5 year period, with the first two years' efforts focusing on Chicago and San Francisco and this year New Orleans.

Nine sites in New Orleans have been nominated for the project and include everything from churches and cemeteries to the building known as "The Birthplace of Jazz." Want to learn more and get involved? Click here.



Thanks Chris!

In a world where the economy is an everyday concern, the luxury market is worried. Not overly worried, since as we've seen, the very high-end of the market remains secure but the recession was a factor in every panel held by the Luxury Summit. One of the strongest messages we keep hearing is that today's rich are not yesterday's rich; they are "middle class between the ears (not thinking rich)."

Certainly, we've lost the meaning of luxury but overall luxury is in the eye of the beholder, one man's luxury is another man's necessity. One of the hidden benefits of hard times is that they help to define luxury, for example a $500,000 ski condo is having a hard time selling right now but a $2 million ski condo is an easy sell. What was perhaps most interesting at this conference is watching the juxtaposition between stories of extreme luxury spending, fears of a recession and the theme of the conference: philanthropy. In this second post from the Luxury Summit held by American Express Publishing at the Four Seasons in Westlake Village, CA I will look at some recent statistics regarding the wealthy, see my first real live Russian billionaire and pay homage to the one and only Diane Von Furstenberg.

American Express has created some limited-time luxury travel deals for gifting (or keeping all to yourself) on their My WishList website that will be up and running later this week. The site offers all cardmembers the opportunity to buy some of the season's most wished-for items at discounts of 24 to 80 percent starting on November 27. The packages include:

Virgin Atlantic London Experience (on My WishList: November 28th): The trip includes an Upper Class Suite on Virgin Atlantic to London with limo service, treats from the onboard bar, in-flight spa treatments and three nights at the Metropolitan London. WishList Price: $3,000 (Retail Price: $19,622)

The Great Debaters Premiere & Meet Oprah Winfrey (Available on My WishList: November 29th): This includes a private meet and greet with Oprah Winfrey, seating at the premiere of the film with Denzel Washington and Forest Whitaker and an invitation to the after-party. Roundtrip flight to Los Angeles and hotel stay included. WishList Price: $2,800 (Retail Price: $8,300)

A shopping spree at the New York Saks Fifth Avenue Shoe Floor, the shoe department so big it has its own zip code. WishList Price: $2,300 (Retail Price: $7,800)

The Westin Beijing Heavenly Spa Retreat (Available on My WishList: December 7th): The trip includes four nights at The Westin Beijing and round-trip airfare for two, daily treatments at the new Heavenly Spa by Westin, tours of the "Forbidden City" and dining at one of the Westin Beijing's seven world-class restaurants. WishList Price: $2,000 (Retail Price: $8,000)

There is also an Ultimate Wish Giveaway that lets you try for a chance to win a Volvo C70, a Jet Blue charter flight for 150 gifts and a variety of other prizes.

Wealthy patrons with shopping addictions are a tempting customer base for creditors, and so more and more of them are coming up with ways to make their services attractive to the biggest spenders in the world. The Centurion card from American Express is the leading status symbol to date, with its classy black card made of titanium that comes with exclusive perks like a personal concierge (to help you plan your spending) and special treatment at all the top retailers.

But the Centurion, better known simply as the "Black Card," is getting some competition for the top of the prestigious credit card pyramid. Companies like Bank of America and Citigroup are coming up with their own versions, and it seems the greatest competition so far is from the Visa Stratus Rewards card, aka the "White Card." And in the U.K. there's always the Ozwald Boateng-designed Coutts & Co.'s World card from the same private bank Queen Elizabeth uses.

Previously I brought you news of the American Express Going Once campaign, now they are concentrating on New York City with the My WishList promotion. The NYC-centered trips are available from to choose June 4th-June 14th and include a variety of adventures such as a New York City "Today" Show Vacation and a Sharp AQUOS 65" HD-TV or an on-set "30 Rock" Experience and a Sharp AQUOS 65" HD-TV for $3,000; courtside seats to the U.S. Open; and a Rock 'n Roll Fantasy Camp that includes rock counselors Jane Weidlen of the Go-Go's, Scott Ian of Anthrax, and Jeff "Skunk" Baxter of Steely Dan.

It's time for the American Express Going Once auctions yet again. From April 17-27, U.S. and U.K. American Express card holders have the can bid on travel adventures. There is a set number of packages and the price drops every twenty minutes until 7:00 pm ET or until the package sells out. Buy early and risk not getting the best deal or wait as the price drops and miss out entirely.

First up is a seven-night package to Conouan Island in the Grenadines. The price starts at $7,740. The other excursions include trips to Florence, South Africa, an American tour, Hong Kong, a cruise to Antarctica, a Disney World package, and a trip to the Mayan Riviera. There are also 19 fixed price packages under $3,000 and other travel deals available.

Life just got a little fancier for American Express Platinum and Centurion Card Holders (because you know they're not having enough fun already) with the launch of First Collection, a new posh Membership Rewards program. There are over 50 rewards in four categories: lifestyle, jewelry, watches and travel - from names like Baccarat, Chopard, Davidoff, Eos Airlines, Lamborghini, Mikimoto and Piaget. You've got to have a lot of points to redeem the high priced items starting from around 22,500 points for a Baccarat wine tasting glass set up to a Chopard "Ice Cube Collection" diamond watch for 93,200,000 points. They will also soon launch a fashion category and card members will be able to redeem points for Bergdorf Goodman, Ermenegildo Zegna, Neiman Marcus and Tiffany & Co. gift cards.

American Express has recently introduced Butterfly, for Gold Card holders. The Butterfly card is a foldable credit card that comes in a tiny case. It is completely free and linked back to the main Gold Card account of the Amex holder. The "signature accessory" is intended to give some cache to carrying a Gold Card, but it is also a way to minimize what you carry. American Express points out that it can be used as an accessory or key ring, as a chain or loop can be easily attached to it. It looks much more stylish than just about all other keychain credit cards.

[via Cool Hunting]

American Express has announced Going Once, an online auction of luxury travel packages for cardmembers. Going Once will launch on April 25 with eight travel experiences. A new auction will start each day and bidders will have 24 hours to submit a sealed bid with the package going to the highest bidder. American Express will also throw in a "souvenir" that matches the travel theme. For example, the winner of the South African safari will receive a  2006 Range Rover Land Rover Sport and the winner of the Tuscan wine experience will receive a Sub-zero wine storage unit and case of Coltibuono Chianti. Each day will also feature "Buy Now" packages which are in limited qualities and include a seven-day Mediterranean cruise for two aboard the all-suite Regent Seven Seas Navigator (shown here)  for $6,672 or a four-day Kiawah Island Golf Resort vacation.

The eight bid opportunities are:
--a five-night Pebble Beach Golf experience
--a ten-day African Safari Adventure
--a seven-night private yacht cruise in the Caribbean for up to six people
--a six-day London fashion experience
--a six-day Tuscan Wine Tour
--a seven-night Ultimate spa experience at Miraval Spa
--a seven-night private island escape with chef, butler & masseuse
--a five-night New York City entertainment extravaganza