Fanatics connects Amex card rewards with FanCash
Fanatics has unveiled a co-branded American Express credit card that earns FanCash, extending its loyalty currency into everyday consumer spending. The November 9 announcement opened a U.S. waitlist, with invitations to apply scheduled for later this year. Eligible American Express customers can also now transfer Membership Rewards points into FanCash without holding the new card.
First Electronic Bank will issue the Fanatics American Express Card, with transactions running on the American Express network and Imprint providing the payments platform. Applicants must have a Fanatics ONE account, and approval remains subject to credit requirements. The product carries no annual fee, although other account terms and charges apply.
For Fanatics’ gambling business, the connection lies in how customers can use earned rewards. FanCash can be redeemed for sportsbook benefits, including Bonus Bets and Profit Boosts, subject to account eligibility and local availability. Fanatics’ terms require sportsbook participants to be at least 21, hold an active account in good standing, and remain outside applicable exclusion programs.
The partnership also gives American Express access to Fanatics’ customer base across merchandise, collectibles and other sports services. “We’re going to bring many new customers into the American Express brand,” Will Stredwick, American Express’ executive vice president of Global Network Services for North America, told The Wall Street Journal.
Card spending and sportsbook rewards have separate rules
Published rewards terms provide 5% FanCash on eligible purchases through participating Fanatics merchants and 5% at select entertainment and ticketing merchants, subject to a $5,000 annual spending limit for that latter category. Other eligible purchases earn 2%. Additional Fanatics App benefits can increase the rewards available on qualifying purchases through the app.
Betting transactions are excluded from eligible card purchases for earning rewards. The exclusions also cover cash advances, lottery tickets, gaming chips, cryptocurrency, and several other transaction types. Separately, Fanatics’ sportsbook terms distinguish promotional rewards from cash: Bonus Bet stakes cannot be withdrawn, and a winning Bonus Bet returns the winnings rather than the promotional stake.
The Membership Rewards integration provides another route into the loyalty program. Eligible U.S. customers with American Express-issued cards can transfer 1,000 Membership Rewards points for $10 in FanCash. Fanatics describes the arrangement as American Express’ first sports transfer partnership. Redemption remains governed by the terms of the Fanatics business where the rewards are used.
The card’s design and benefits also target collectors. Customers will be able to choose from more than 500 athlete designs inspired by Topps trading cards, covering the NBA, NFL, UFC and WWE. Announced benefits include early access to selected Topps releases and the Fanatics Fest show floor. Karl-Anthony Towns is participating in the launch campaign.
A further promotion, the Championship Challenge, is listed as coming in 2027. It would give cardholders who correctly select the champions of the NBA, NFL, NHL, and MLB an opportunity to receive up to $100,000 in annual card spending back. Eligibility conditions apply, and the product website says full participation details will be announced before entry opens.
