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Christie’s and American Express: Unparalleled Service

Posted by J.S.

September 10, 2008

World’s Leading Art Business Welcomes High-Spending American Express Card Clients with Convenience and Rewards

NEW YORK, September 10, 2008 — Today two experts in the field of luxury and customer service joined forces to simplify the way that customers pay for art, sculpture, furniture and collectibles. American Express® Cards are now accepted for auction purchases at Christie’s in the United States. Clients of Christie’s will be able to enjoy the speed and convenience of payment with the American Express Card and will have the opportunity to earn a variety of types of valuable rewards with each purchase.

“We are pleased to provide this additional service to our U.S. clients,” said Fern Thomas, senior vice president and finance director, Christie’s Americas. “In addition to simplifying their transactions, it will allow them to leave the saleroom with the items they have just purchased at auction, thus making credit card acceptance highly desirable.”

“The acceptance of the American Express Card at Christie’s aligns two great brands and means convenience for our many mutual customers, who now have yet another way to potentially earn valuable rewards with every type of purchase,” said Tom Pojero, senior vice president and general manager, merchant acquisition, American Express Merchant Services. “Christie’s and American Express both have long-standing commitments to exceeding our customer’s expectations, and we believe that acceptance of the American Express Card at Christie’s will be welcome news to our Cardmembers.”

The first Christie’s auction in the U.S. to accept the Card for art purchases was the Christie’s Interiors Sale from September 3-5, 2008. Upcoming opportunities for Cardmembers to experience this new convenient service include Contemporary Design, Impressionist art, rare wines and Asian art. In 2007, Christie’s Hong Kong began accepting American Express for auction payments.

About Christie’s
Christie’s is the world’s leading art business with global art sales in 2007 that totaled £3.1 billion/$6.3 billion. This marks the highest total in company and in art auction history. For the first half of 2008, art sales totaled £1.8 million / $3.5 million. Christie’s is a name and place that speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service and expertise, as well as international glamour. Founded in 1766 by James Christie, Christie’s conducted the greatest auctions of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, and today remains a popular showcase for the unique and the beautiful. Christie’s offers over 600 sales annually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewellery, photographs, collectibles, wine, and more. Prices range from $200 to over $80 million. Christie’s has 85 offices in 43 countries and 14 salerooms around the world including in London, New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Tel Aviv, Dubai, Hong Kong and Zurich. Most recently, Christie’s has led the market with expanded initiatives in emerging and new markets such as Russia, China, India and the United Arab Emirates, with successful sales and exhibitions in Beijing, Mumbai
and Dubai.

About American Express
American Express Company is a leading global payments, network and travel company founded in 1850. Merchant Services is the merchant network of American Express, which acquires and maintains relationships with millions of merchants around the globe, which welcome American Express-branded Cards.