American Express Christmas Wonderland 2021
For American Express Platinum Charge Card and Centurion Card holders, a whole host of activities and promotions are up for grabs.
For those looking for a good deal for Christmas Feasts Takeaways – check out my other post on the promotions on Xmas Takeaways available with the American Express Platinum Reserve or Platinum Charge Card.
In addition to the above Christmas Feast promotions, from 19 November 2021 to 25 December 2021 (11am to 10pm daily), qualifying card holders can check out the American Express Christmas Wonderland, at Raffles City Shopping Centre #02-29.
The American Express Christmas Wonderland 2021 booth:Raffles City Shopping Centre at #02-29.
From complimentary gift wrapping, claw machine prizes, and shopping vouchers to snag, here’s some of the main highlights of the American Express Christmas Wonderland 2021.
Complimentary Gift Wrapping
Enter the Amex premises, and the gift wrapping booths are right at the back – however, visitors will have to first register at the front desk.
Gift wrapping counter in the back
How to claim gift wrapping services
- To enjoy the service, do book at least two days in advance via the Amex Experience App
- The gifts you send for wrapping does NOT have to be items bought from Raffles City shopping mall – they can be from anywhere. However gifts MUST have been paid for with an American Express Platinum Charge card or Centurion Card. Bring the receipts to verify.
- You can leave the gifts there for many days, and pick them up later.
- Centurion Members: Can request to wrap Unlimited gifts per day from Monday to Thursday and 30 gifts per day from Friday to Sunday.
- Platinum Members: Can request to wrap 50 gifts per day from Monday to Thursday and 20 gifts per day from Friday to Sunday.
My personal experience:
Technically, to secure complimentary gift-wrapping services, card holders SHOULD schedule their visit at least two days prior, via the Amex Experience App (this is a different app from the one that you see the spending and bills – it’s another app that lists out perks and promotions you can get with American Express).
However, I have succesfully requested for gift-wrapping services at walk-in (weekday late morning in November). Now, walk-ins are never gauranteed and will be subjected to avability. The staff are generally friendly and will do all they can to accomodate, but they did explain that it CAN get busy on weekends and closer to Christmas, so they do recommend booking via the Amex Experience App.
Christmas Spend and Redeem
If you’re planning on getting any big-ticket items at Raffles City, Listen up.
Card holders can receive a S$50 eCapitaVoucher when they spend a minimum of S$500 in a single receipt at Raffles City Shopping Centre. The bill must be paid with the Centurion or Platinum card.
Festive Wall Decoration
Things to note:
- The redemption must be done on the day of spending itself. Do present the same-day receipt along with aphyiscal Centurion or Platinum card at the American Express Christmas Wonderland for the redemption.
- Limited to one (1) redemption per Member per day, for the first 1,000 redemptions from 19 November – 25 December 2021.
Inspired by this post and want to apply for an American Express credit card? Apply through one of my referral links and receive either bonus Membership Rewards points or statement credit:
- The Platinum Charge Card: Use this referral link and receive up to S$900 statement credits and Samsonite Choca Spinner 68/25 (worth S$700) when you apply and minimum spend criteria is met.
- The American Express Platinum Card: Use this referral link and receive up to S$350 statement credits when you apply and minimum spend criteria is met.
- American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card: Use this referral link and receive up to 38, 000 Krisflyer miles and S$50 statement credits when you apply and minimum spend criteria is met.
Disclaimer: the views and opinions expressed on this page are that of Happy High Life and may not necessarily reflect the position of American Express. Happy High Life is not responsible for any decisions made by readers. The terms and conditions for each credit card's application and usage may be subject to change by American Express. Therefore, readers are recommended to check any matters with American Express or its partners; the list of all benefits of the Platinum Charge Card can be found here.
Christmas Claw Machine
From 3 – 25 December 2021, Platinum and Centurion members can experience the joy (and frustration) of attempting the Amex Christmas Claw Machine.
American Express Christmas Wonderland 2021 Claw Machine
The machine seriously resembles those old arcade games that you try and catch soft toys.
To qualify to play the claw machine
- Spend S$80 for x2 tokens
- Card holders can get up to x4 tokens a day (i.e. by spending S$160).
- Note that the maximum of x4 tokens is a DAILY quota. You can come back each day, everyday that it’s available, spend a S$80 for x2 more tokens or S$160 for x4 tokens
- Dining in at the adjoining hotels (e.g. Prego at Fairmont) also counts towards qualifying spend.
- a token simply gives you at attempt at the claw machine – there is no gaurantee that one can win anything
Inside each black ball is a slip of paper that reveals what the prize is. Currently, as far as I know, example prizes include:
- Bonus Membership Rewards (MR) points: 1,000, 3,000, 5,000, or 10,000 – though other amounts are possible
- Grab credits: S$10, S$20, S$50 – though other amounts are possible
- Alcohol: wine or champagne
- eCapitaland vouchers: S$10, S$20, S$50
- Cake by Cheryl Koh
- Random but potentially fabulous items: leather wallet holder, Jenga game set, Mont Blanc pen, Google home mini
- And many others!
My personal Claw Machine experience:
The claw machine is VERY VERY difficult! I’m not sure if it’s because I’m short and can’t see from a bird’s eye view, or because I’m generally NOT agile, but I had a lot of misses.
Out of 4 tokens, I missed the first 3.
But on the 4th one, managed to draw a black ball! And the staff happily opened it up to reveal…
Surprise!
OMG. I nearly couldn’t believe that it was real. Literally stood there stunned while the staff went to the backroom and promptly returned with a huge “Congratulations” and handed over a bottle of Ruinart Rose champagne.
Ruinart Rose Champagne
It’s wrapped in a fancy recyclable paper seal.
I just learned something new
Looks like it’s going to be extra fancy this year!
Literally unwrapping a gift. Resealable paper case.
We were so happy to get this – honestly, folks, it is a pure stroke of luck. I wasn’t expecting anything big, so when a lucky claw machine throws out something like this, it makes the surprise all the more special.
However, for those who prefer a more gauranteed kind of gift, read on about the Christmas Floral Redemptions…
Christmas Floral Redemptions
Earlier, it was mentioned that spending S$80 gets x2 tokens and S$160 gets x4 tokens for the claw machine.
It turns out, there is an alternative to claw machine attempts.
Christmas Floral Redemption booth
Instead of x2 or x4 tokens, qualifying spends can be exchanged for x2 or x4 Christmas Floral pieces.
Decorated with pine cones, cinnamon sticks, cotton flowers, and the like.
Given that my first day’s attempt of x4 tokens yielded x3 failed attempts and x1 success, I felt that the odds were reasonably stacked against me.
So on another day of shopping, instead of taking the x2 tokens, I decided to get these table pieces instead. At least it’s a gauranteed item, haha!
My chosen plants
Small but insanely cute, my dining table is gonna feel a little more festive and celebratory.
Other tips to consider to maximize the whole experience
- If you just want tokens for the claw machine. Look for a place to spend – there’s a supermarket in the basement. Get diapers, groceries, essentials, whatever you need. It easily racks up a bill.
- Pace the spending. Remember it’s up to x4 tokens a day (S$160 spend). However, the claw machine is there EVERDAY from 3 – 25 Dec. If there’s quite a bit of shopping to do (and if you have the time and energy for it), do consider spreading the shopping out.
- Dining counts towards the spending amount. If you’re eating out anyway, try and do it within Raffles City, Fairmont Singapore, or Swissotel the Stamford.
- Benefits can be stacked with Love dining perks at Fairmont or Swissotel.
Overall, it’s a lovely set up at the American Express Christmas Wonderland 2021. I highly recommend dropping by if you can – it really makes one feel valued and honoured as an American Express Plainum or Centurion card member.
On the side, do also remember to check out a list of available American Express Christmas Feast takeaway promotions at this other blog post right here.
Here’s wishing all readers a Merry Christmass, Happy Holidays, and an amazing new year to look forward to in 2022.
American Express Platinum Charge Card. Image source: American Express Singapore
Inspired by this post and want to apply for an American Express credit card? Apply through one of my referral links and receive either bonus Membership Rewards points or statement credit:
- The Platinum Charge Card: Use this referral link and receive up to S$900 statement credits and Samsonite Choca Spinner 68/25 (worth S$700) when you apply and minimum spend criteria is met.
- The American Express Platinum Card: Use this referral link and receive up to S$350 statement credits when you apply and minimum spend criteria is met.
- American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card: Use this referral link and receive up to 38, 000 Krisflyer miles and S$50 statement credits when you apply and minimum spend criteria is met.
Disclaimer: the views and opinions expressed on this page are that of Happy High Life and may not necessarily reflect the position of American Express. Happy High Life is not responsible for any decisions made by readers. The terms and conditions for each credit card's application and usage may be subject to change by American Express. Therefore, readers are recommended to check any matters with American Express or its partners; the list of all benefits of the Platinum Charge Card can be found here.
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