• The New York Times, Thursday, June 23, 2011 11:28 AM

On the heels of a similar deal with AOL's Patch, American Express has partnered with Foursquare to offer discounts to cardholders when they "check-in" to certain shops and restaurants. The New York Times is calling the deal Foursquare's "largest partnership to date," and further proof that the location-based social network is holding its own against LBS interlopers like Facebook, Google, and Patch.

"Thus far, it seems, Foursquare is holding its ground," writes NYT. Indeed, earlier this week it, announced registering over 10 million users, though, as the newspaper noted: "It would not say how many of those are active." Per the AmEx deal, "Foursquare users are accustomed to receiving awards in the form of coupons and digital merit badges.

"But more substantial deals like those being offered to American Express cardholders may bring Foursquare and other location-based services further into the mainstream." Initial business partners include Sports Authority and H&M, along with a few restaurants in New York, including Union Square Cafe and Blue Smoke.

Read the whole story at The New York Times »