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Mercedes-Benz credit cards only for few, some can't use it

Mercedes-Benz and American Express start offering new credit cards capitalizing on their brand names and offering them only to Mercedes drivers and enthusiasts, but how does one qualify as an enthusiast?

The key benefit of having a Mercedes-Benz credit card is having an exclusive annual benefits from the luxury carmaker. American express provides the Membership Rewards program.

The deal between the top carmaker and credit card services provider has resulted in two types of cards: Mercedes-Benz credit card from American Express and Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Mercedes-Benz.. Both have annual fees, come with reward programs and Mercedes related reward certificate.

Mercedes-Benz Credit Card from American Express comes with 5,000 Membership Rewards® bonus points after the first purchase. However, when the user buys or leases a new Mercedes-Benz, the card will give $500 reward certificate for this purchase or lease, and if if the car is leased at the lease-end up to 1,000 excess miles are waived.

The holder of the card will also get 50 dollars annually toward Mercedes-Benz accessories. It earns 5x points on eligible Mercedes purchases, 3x points on gas and 2x points on restaurants. This credit card has a 95 dollar annual fee.

Platinum Card from American Express, exclusively for Mercedes-Benz, has some similarities, but also some difference compared to the Mercedes' card. The annual fee is much higher. It's 475 dollars. It comes with 50,000 Membership Rewards bonus points after $1,000 spend in the first three months. It has Airport Club Access to lounges including Delta Sky Club® and US Airways® Club. The card has $1,000 reward certificate good toward the future purchase or lease of a new Mercedes-Benz, but he annual reward certificate, good toward Genuine Mercedes-Benz Accessories is 100 dollars. Points are rewarded in the following way. The card gives 5x points on eligible Mercedes-Benz purchases and 1x points on everything else.

The luxury auto maker cleverly found a very unique way to stress its luxury exclusiveness. Even its credit cards are only for select, once again point to the notion that driving a Mercedes-Benz is a lifestyle and not merely a driving experience.

Automotive News
Mercedes

Comments

William West Hopper (not verified)    August 27, 2011 - 6:13PM

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The best way to become an enthuisat of the brand is to join the Mercedes-Benz Club of America. An independant organization of over 40K members in the USA and Canada who are enthusiasts of the brand. Mercedes-Benz ownership is not required to be a member, and members get plenty of benefits of membership, (pardon the AMEX pun) with MBCA, whether or not they have AMEX cards. A bi-monthly magazine, the STAR, local newsletters, discounts on parts and services from automotive suppliers including Mercedes-Benz dealers, but not limited to them. Hotel and car rental discounts, as well as other benefits from other merchants.

MBCA members gather regularly in over 85 sections accross the USA, as well as regionally and nationally to share in their enthusiasm of the marque. For more information see www.mbca.org.