Get a free 1-year membership to ShopRunner

(Credit: ShopRunner)

Talk about good timing!

From now through Dec. 31, you can get a free 1-year membership to ShopRunner -- the service that affords, among other things, free 2-day shipping from dozens of big-name stores. (Use offer code runner when filling out the registration form.) That may come in awfully handy for you last-minute gift shoppers.

Before I go any further, and to help prevent another SiriusXM Internet Radio-style debacle, I must point out that this offer is ostensibly for American Express Platinum Card members only. Consequently, it could disappear at any time, and it's even possible that ShopRunner will revoke the freebie for anyone who turns out not to have an Amex.

That said, I signed up without any problem, and it appears my membership is valid -- at least for the time being. Again, this offer is technically not for you, but for the moment it's definitely available to you (if you're a new ShopRunner member, that is). If something changes, well, please think twice before you blame me, American Express, or ShopRunner. (But especially me.)

For those unfamiliar with it, ShopRunner upgrades you to free 2-day shipping at stores ranging from American Eagle to MacMall to Newegg to Toys... [Read more]