American Express has launched a luxury rewards programme for its cardholders. It claims that virtually every £1 spent on the American Express Card earns the card member one reward point which can be put towards meals in restaurants, flights and weekend breaks in Ashford and Dromoland Castles.

American Express Cards head of marketing, Ms Helen Cassidy, said points could be accumulated when purchases were made in the Republic or abroad. One cardholder in the US recently earned enough points to entitle him to 33 five-star weekend breaks away by using his card to buy an Irish pub in Texas.