American Express harnessed blockchain to create Amex Passport
Physical passport stamps are becoming less common, but an American Express survey found that 73% of adults want more ways to digitally commemorate their trips abroad. A manager at American Express had an idea: turning card transactions into virtual collectible stamps, accessible through the Amex mobile app. Teams spanning American Express’s Digital Labs, tech, travel, and other departments…
Recent surveys reveal that a majority of adults desire innovative methods to digitally record their international travels. In response, American Express took a novel approach by transforming card transactions into virtual collectible stamps, which can be accessed through the Amex mobile application. This endeavor, known as Amex Passport, was developed by a collaborative team from American Express’s Digital Labs, technology, and travel departments, employing blockchain technology to create and monitor these stamps.
These stamps have become one of the largest non-fungible token (NFT) collections on the Base blockchain platform. To address customer demands, American Express has extended the program, allowing cardholders to generate stamps for trips dating back to 2019. The Amex Passport application provides an interactive environment where users can explore new features, and the program is part of the company's ongoing efforts to experiment with various cutting-edge technologies.
Behind the scenes, American Express is also testing and deploying numerous artificial intelligence applications, with over 110 ideas presented in the 2025 Innovation Challenge. Following a rigorous internal development process, the most promising concepts are integrated into the Amex Passport system. Luke Gebb, the executive vice president and head of global innovation at American Express, emphasizes the importance of turning ideas into tangible products for customer feedback, stating that there is no room for theoretical speculation.
Other recent innovations at American Express include the centralized data platform called Lumi, which aids in fraud detection, enhances customer support, and facilitates further AI experimentation. The company also supports its innovative culture through internal awards, a global hackathon with over 400 teams, and a training platform named Amex U, which launched in March 2026.
In the fiercely competitive credit card market, American Express continues to push boundaries and stay at the forefront of technological advancements.
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