The gimmick is a way for AmEx users to commemorate their travels
American Express is introducing a new way for cardholders to commemorate their travels by rolling out blockchain-based passport stamps. The initiative, called Amex Passport, offers digital collectibles that act as keepsakes for trips and will be issued as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on Base, an Ethereum layer-2 network.
According to the company, each stamp functions as a personalized memento of a traveler’s journey. Cardholders will be able to highlight favorite experiences, whether it’s a memorable meal, a landmark visit, or a standout hotel stay. Unlike physical passport stamps, which are becoming less common as more countries adopt digital entry systems, these NFTs are designed to preserve travel memories in a modern and secure format.
Only US-based American Express consumer cardholders with an online account can participate. The NFTs are non-transferable and will display limited information, including the country or region visited, a description of the experience, and the date the stamp was earned. Personal details and travel itineraries will not be recorded on the blockchain, addressing potential privacy concerns.
Luke Gebb, EVP of Amex Digital Labs, said the project is meant to capture the nostalgic aspect of travel in a new format. He noted that while the ritual of collecting physical passport stamps is fading, digital stamps provide cardholders with a way to celebrate their trips and share those memories online.
Travelers who have booked trips through Amex in the past two years will see those journeys automatically added to their Amex Passport collection. Users can also share their stamps on social media or save them to their devices.
This move aligns with a broader trend of blockchain integration in travel. A recent Amex survey found that 73% of respondents were interested in new ways to digitally preserve their travel experiences, while more than half said they missed the tradition of passport stamping. With the Amex Passport program, the payments giant is merging nostalgia with digital innovation, further signaling crypto’s growing footprint in tourism and hospitality.
