Mercury Welcomes American Express For Bill Payment

Mercury Energy Welcomes American Express For Bill Payments

Auckland, 31 October 2003 – From tomorrow (1 November 2003) Mercury Energy, one of New Zealand’s leading energy retailers, will welcome American Express Cards for the payment of electricity and gas bills.

To celebrate the new facility, Mercury Energy is offering American Express Cardmembers the chance to become a ‘points millionaire’. Those who, before 30 January 2004, establish a recurring payment facility to pay their Mercury bill will go into a draw to win one million Membership Rewards points.

Membership Rewards is one of the longest running card reward programmes, offering the country’s best redemption rates on premium rewards ranging from quality household items, to health and beauty services, accommodation, as well as the ability to transfer the points to partner airline points programmes for air travel.

Mercury Energy Sales and Marketing Manager Ian Moody says offering American Express is another way Mercury can add greater value to customers.

“Particularly for small to medium enterprises, the option of being able to accrue points from a reward programme with a broad range of partners for simply paying for your core monthly expenses is a very attractive option.”

American Express Director of Merchant Services, Stephen Powell, says he is excited about the partnership with Mercury Energy, which has over 280,000 customers.

“American Express is increasingly working with utilities such as Mercury to provide the sort of services and support our Cardmembers seek.

“This partnership will satisfy many of our Cardmembers who increasingly use their cards for everyday spend. At the same time it provides a payment option that can improve the timeliness of payment receipts for Mercury.”

For maximum convenience, Mercury customers who are American Express Cardmembers can set up a direct debit from their account. That way bills are paid in full on the due date without cheques having to be written, or time consuming trips made to banks or the Post Office.

Mercury Energy is the first customer to use American Express’s new Express Billing platform. Express Billing ensures efficient and secure payments, as well as regularly updating payment details of customers.

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American Express is a diversified worldwide travel, financial and network services company. Founded in 1850, it is a leader in charge and credit cards, travellers cheques, travel, financial planning, investment products, insurance and international banking.

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