American Express announced a partnership with the home rental service Airbnb on Tuesday, Nov. 3, that will let users to pay for room rentals and earn reward points when using their Amex card.
Helping Airbnb become more then just a site used by millennials and those with constant wanderlust, the Amex integration allows card members to quickly sign up on the site by creating an account with their pre-existing American Express user ID and password. Card members can also use their Membership Reward points to fully or partially pay for their rental by adding the dollar amount in points they wish to apply at checkout.
"Our Card Members love one-of-a-kind and memorable travel experiences, and with this partnership, we're creating a frictionless and valuable way for them to take advantage of everything Airbnb has to offer," Leslie Berland, executive VP of global advertising, marketing and digital partnerships at American Express, said in a press release. "Through our technology, we're bringing to life our unique assets on Airbnb, delivering the world-class service, experience and benefits Card Members expect from their Amex Membership."
The partnership allows for a seamless booking experience in over 190 countries by allowing customers to select the Amex Express Checkout option, which then asks you to confirm your information and the reservation is placed. American Express card holders who set up their account using their Amex login will be provided with a certified badge on their Airbnb profile, which will add a sense of verification between guests and hosts.
From now until Dec. 31, eligible card members in the U.S. will get $50 back when they spend $100 or more on Airbnb.
While this is the first partnership for Airbnb with a major credit card company, it's not the first time American Express has entered the tech scene. The company previously partnered with Uber to allow users to pay for their rides using AmEx points.
Source: American Express
