American Express: Press Center

New Travel Benefits for American Express Platinum Card Members and Business Platinum Card® Members

Wed, 05 Oct 2016 00:00:00 -0400

Today American Express is announcing an expansion of the travel benefits that have helped make the Platinum Card the category leader for more than 30 years. Beginning October 6, consumers with a Platinum Card from American Express will receive 5X Membership Rewards points on airfare booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel.

“Travel is an important part of our Card Members’ lives and it’s becoming even more so for a new generation who are global and drawn to the access, experiences and service that come with American Express® Membership,” said Denise Pickett, president, U.S. consumer services for American Express. “Our new travel benefits come just before the busiest travel season and offer valuable rewards to Card Members. You’ll see further enhancements for Platinum and Business Platinum Card Members and new programs that leverage the expanded network of small business merchants who now welcome American Express. We also plan to continue building on the success we’ve had throughout the year in acquiring new customers across all our Card products.”

Business Platinum Card Members can now earn 50% points back when using Membership Rewards® Pay with Points through American Express Travel to book a flight with their selected airline. They will also receive this benefit when booking a first or business class ticket with any airline. In addition, Business Platinum Card Members can earn 1.5X Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on any purchase of $5,000 or more.

Platinum Card Members and Business Platinum Card Members also have access to American Express’ Global Lounge Collection, which offers entry into the most airport lounges across the globe. With more than 1,000 lounges, in 500 plus cities, across 120 countries and counting, the Global Lounge Collection includes American Express’ award winning Centurion® lounge network, International American Express lounges, Delta Sky Clubs®, Priority Pass™ Select, and Airspace Lounges.

These rewarding experiences are part of a growing roster of travel benefits that Platinum Card Members and Business Platinum Card Members can take advantage of including: a $200 Airline Fee Credit for incidental benefits like baggage, with their selected airline, upgrades to Starwood Preferred Guest® Gold Status and Hilton HHonors™ Gold Status, complimentary benefits when booking with the FINE HOTELS & RESORTS, access to the Delta Private Jet program, complimentary access to Wi-Fi hotspots provided by Boingo Wireless and a Fee Credit for Global Entry or the TSA Pre✓® program application.

Terms and Limitations apply. More information about these new benefits can be found starting October 6 at americanexpress.com.

About American Express
American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, foursquare.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/companies/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.

Key links to products, services and corporate responsibility information: charge and credit cards, business credit cards, Plenti rewards program, travel services, gift cards, prepaid cards, merchant services, corporate card, business travel and corporate responsibility.

American Express® and Delta Private Jets Announce New Partnership

Tue, 30 Aug 2016 00:00:00 -0400

With a shared focus on exceptional service and innovative solutions for the business and leisure traveler, American Express and Delta Private Jets have joined forces to offer a new suite of travel benefits opening a new gateway of custom travel opportunities for select Card Members.

The new Premium Private Jet Program offers a reduced fee for Platinum Card Members who purchase the Delta Private Jets Card Membership, as well as a wide range of other benefits offering control, convenience and style in the air.

“Our Card Members love to travel, and they depend on us to not only make their journey more comfortable, but also make travel more seamless,” said Janey Whiteside, SVP Charge and Benefits for American Express. “Partnering with Delta Private Jets opens up one of the most premium travel experiences for our most jet-setting Card Members, giving them access to a custom, private travel experience at a value and with benefits available only with their Platinum or higher level Card.”

David Sneed, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Delta Private Jets, noted, “At Delta Private Jets, we are focused on exceeding the expectations of every traveler, before, during and after their flight. We welcome this opportunity to deliver an outstanding benefit and experience for American Express Card Members with the new Premium Private Jet Program.”

The new agreement further expands American Express’ existing relationship with Delta Air Lines. American Express currently offers multiple cobranded credit cards with Delta that help Card Members get more miles and earn status faster, and Card Members can also transfer Membership Rewards points into their Delta SkyMiles® account via the points transfer program.

For access to the Premium Private Jet Program, Card Members can call Platinum Travel Service at 800-525-3355 or visit deltaprivateeverywhere.com/amex to learn more.

About American Express
American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, foursquare.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/company/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.

About Delta Private Jets
Delta Private Jets, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE: DAL), provides aircraft charter services, aircraft management and its distinctive Delta Private Jets Card. The company also operates an FBO (Fixed Base Operation), the Delta Jet Center, at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), as well as the Tech Service Center, a comprehensive Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facility (MRO). Delta Private Jets combines more than 30 years of experience serving the needs of luxury travelers for business and pleasure with the resources of one of the world's largest airlines to provide a truly innovative travel solution. With more than 70 aircraft in the fleet across four size categories, Delta Private Jets consistently receives awards for outstanding customer service and has continuously held the coveted ARGUS Platinum safety rating longer than any other operator in the world. Flights are operated by Delta Private Jets, Inc. , an FAA-certificated Part 135 air carrier, or by another FAA-certificated Part 135 or Part 121 air carrier. Additional information is available at deltaprivatejets.com.

Cracking the Millennial Travel Mindset: Surprising Insights on Attitudes and Behaviors

Thu, 04 Aug 2016 00:00:00 -0400

As the largest demographic since the boomers, Millennials are influencing the travel industry. According to new data released from The American Express Future of Travel and the American Express Spending & Saving Tracker, Millennials are more optimistic and plan to travel more frequently (52.8% Millennials vs. 32.1% Boomers) in the next five years and spend more on travel than boomers (58% Millennials vs. 41.3% Boomers) in the same timeframe. There are similarities too. The survey data shows both Millennials and more mature demographics share an appreciation of high-touch, human interactions, with 89% of Millennials reporting that the value of personal service cannot be replaced.

“One thing is clear, people, regardless of their age and the cost of travel, place a high value on personalized service in their travel experience," said Claire Bennett, Executive Vice President, American Express Travel, while speaking July 26 at #NoFilter: Millennial Perception vs. Reality, the first American Express Travel Salon, a series of conversations the company plans to host relevant to the travel industry.

The Salon, which featured a panel moderated by Bennett, was designed to discuss and debunk the myths surrounding Millennials and travel.

Here are four travel topics and corresponding data presented at the Salon that appear to discredit accepted millennial myths:

Opting Out of Traditional Travel Help
The most notorious myth: Millennials won’t use a travel agent. Yet, Millennials give travel agents an “A,” with 92.4% of those who have used a travel agent in the past five years reporting it enhanced their travel experience. Additionally, nearly 60% of Millennials agree they would pay more for an agent’s expertise. “Led by Millennials, travelers are beginning to articulate a vision of high-touch and high-tech service and the industry is watching,” Bennett said.

The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far from the Tree
There’s an assumption that Millennials have different travel needs than their parents, but in many cases, the data suggests that they may be more similar than they like to admit. In fact, according to American Express Travel, 76.3% of Millennials say they prefer to stay in a traditional hotel, nearly equal to boomers, and both agree (46% equally) that enhanced in-room technology is the most appealing hotel trend.

Customization and Cost
There’s a dichotomy when it comes to Millennials’ travel planning habits. On one hand, the data shows that customization is king, with nearly 70% of Millennials saying they would put in the effort to plan a personalized travel experience vs. purchasing a pre-packaged trip, yet 58.7% of Millennials report that they would choose a package if it were less expensive. Price was not the only consideration when it came to customization. By more than 25 percentage points when compared to Boomers, Millennials surveyed shared they would be willing to let brands use data from their past travel purchases to deliver a more personalized experience.

If They Don’t Document, Did it Happen?
While three-quarters of Millennials claim to prefer to live in the moment while traveling and not view experiences through the lens of their phone, the fact is the pressure to post on social media for this group is real. More than half (54.9%) feel that it is their responsibility to post reviews for the benefit of other travelers and more than a quarter (25.8%) feel they spend too much time on social media while traveling. “Previous generations simply did not face this situation,” Bennett said. “It is a constant push-pull between connection and taking the time to be present.”

About The American Express Future of Travel Study
The American Express Future of Travel study was completed online by 1,007 U.S. consumers who have traveled for leisure at least twice in the past 5 years. The study was conducted by The Futures Company between May 26 and June 3, 2015 and the results reported in this release have an overall margin of error of +/- 3.1 at the 95 percent level of confidence.

About the American Express Spending & Saving Tracker
The American Express Spending & Saving Tracker research was completed online among a random sample of 2,000 adults, including the general U.S. population, as well as an affluent demographic defined by a minimum annual household income of $100,000. Interviewing was conducted by Ebiquity between April 28 and May 4, 2016. The overall margin of error is +/- 2.5 percentage points at the 95 percent level of confidence; the results have a margin of error of +/- 2.4 among summer travelers and +/- 3.3 for millennials.

About American Express
American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, foursquare.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/company/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.

American Express Travel Names 2015 Representative Excellence Award Winners

Mon, 28 Mar 2016 00:00:00 -0400

American Express Travel announced today the recipients of the Representative Excellence Award for 2015, honoring the top 25 performing agency members of its U.S. Representative Travel Network with the prestigious distinction. The Representative Excellence Award honors the achievements of the American Express Travel Representative Network member agencies based on their superior results, leadership and strong dedication to customer service. They have exceeded key goals, including customer satisfaction throughout the year, and are strong champions of American Express Travel products, programs and benefits.

“The 2015 Representative Excellence Award winners not only represent the best-of-the-best in travel agencies, they’re also setting the bar for customer service, leadership and driving business results,” said Yana Gutierrez, vice president of American Express Travel. “We are thrilled to shine a spotlight on these very deserving winners.”

The 2015 Representative Excellence Award winners are:

Altour – New York City, NY

AMT – West Covina, CA

Avenue Travel Group – West Orange, NJ

Avoya Travel – Fort Lauderdale, FL

Blue Ribbon Travel – Whitestone, NY

Boca Express Travel – Boca Raton, FL

Bursch Travel – Alexandria, MN

Carrousel Travel – Minneapolis, MN

CI Travel / Azumano – Norfolk, VA

Cruise Planners – Coral Springs, FL

Interline Vacations – Austin, TX

International Cruise and Excursions – Scottsdale, AZ

JetSet Travel – Dover, DE

Journey House Travel – Oklahoma City, OK

Landfall Travel – Rocky River, OH

Milne Travel – Barre, VT

National Travel Inc. – Charleston, WV

National Travel Systems – Lubbock, TX

Pennsylvania Travel – Paoli, PA

Prestige Travel & Cruises – Las Vegas, NV

Prestige Travel – Hazlet, NJ

The Travel Team – Buffalo, NY

Travel Central – Metairie, LA

Travel Services Inc. – Litchfield, IL

Travelink – Nashville, TN

Award recipients have the opportunity to attend the Representative Excellence event in May in New Zealand, hosted by Swain Destinations.

About American Express Travel
American Express Travel is a global full-service travel and related lifestyle services provider. For nearly 100 years, American Express has helped those who love to travel customize and elevate their trip experience through world-class service, exclusive programs and premium benefits. Customers have many options for accessing these services and can travel with confidence by having support from American Express whether booking online at www.amextravel.com or speaking with travel and lifestyle experts on the phone or in retail locations.

About American Express
American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, foursquare.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/company/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.

From Top Destinations to Go-To Tech, Travel Bloggers Predict 2016 Tourism Trends

Fri, 30 Oct 2015 00:00:00 -0400

In a time when the value of experiences rivals that of material possessions, travel has become a constant aspiration, and no one knows this more than the travel blogging community—many of whom have turned it into a living.

This community of writers, photographers and documentarians travel an average of 88 days of the year, spending an average of $2,415 per trip, according to the TBEX Travel Professionals Survey commissioned by the Starwood Preferred Guest® (SPG^®) Credit Card from American Express. In fact, 17% travel more than six months of the year.

"Having witnessed the prominence of the travel blogging community throughout the last few years, we were curious to measure the community's impact and capture the wisdom of the crowd," said Lisa Kalhans, Vice President of Co-Brand, American Express.

Types of Trips & Dream Destinations
From luxury destinations to eco-travel, the breadth and depth of travel experiences sought after by this community is vast. However, travel bloggers name their most sought-after trip as adventure experiences (69%), followed by food & wine tastings (65%) and off-the-beaten path trips (64%).

On these trips, travel bloggers look for authenticity and immersive activities, with most popular experiences being local food and fine dining (83%) and local cultural events (75%). Experiencing nature (67%) rounds out the top three sought-after activities. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the National Parks emerged as the fourth most popular domestic destination for bloggers to visit in 2016, with 21% reporting they are excited to take in these natural sites.

Travel bloggers rank the U.S. cities as follows:

New Orleans, LA (22%)
New York, NY (21%)
Portland, OR (12%)
Austin, TX (10%)

Top international destinations include:

Iceland (13%)
China (11%)
Japan (10%)
New Zealand (10%)
With restored relations with the U.S. earlier this year, Cuba (9%) rounds out the top five international destinations to visit.

Tricks of the Trade
When asked for their top tips for consumers, respondents report thorough research, such as reading reviews or blogs (18%), as their number one piece of advice. However, they also cite the importance of spontaneity on a trip as the second most important tip (16%). Additionally, travel bloggers recommend a few other pieces of key advice to help the novice traveler, including asking questions or talking to locals (12%) and packing light (12%).

When asked the amount they spend on a trip, travel bloggers report spending an average of $2,415. To help offset these costs, a whopping 79% use rewards or program points on hotels or flights.

Always on the Go: Tech Trends & Amenities You Need to Know
Whether sharing photos or writing about their adventures on websites, travel bloggers understand the perks of technology. According to this social media-savvy community, the top two trends shaping the travel industry in 2016 are more sharing on social media (11%) and more use of mobile travel-related apps (10%).

Although apps are great when on the go, so is Wi-Fi: 64% of travel bloggers say it's extremely important when deciding which destination/attraction/hotel to visit. In fact, it ranks as one of the top three factors influencing hotel choice. Ranked ahead of Wi-Fi are proximity to city center or attraction of interest and price.

About TBEX Travel Professionals Survey
Results are based on 205 travel professionals who participated in a web survey administered by Amplitude Research between October 2 and October 15, 2015. Participants were from a list provided by TBEX, the world's largest gathering of travel bloggers, writers, new media content creators, and social media savvy travel industry professionals.

About American Express
American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, foursquare.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/company/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.

Key links to products and services: charge and credit cards, business credit cards, Plenti rewards program, travel services, gift cards, prepaid cards, merchant services, corporate card and business travel.

About Starwood Preferred Guest
Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG®) is an innovative, award-winning frequent traveler program that unites each of Starwood's 9 distinctive hotel brands and includes more luxury hotels in more destinations around the world. SPG reinvented the hospitality loyalty landscape when it launched in 1999 with its breakthrough policy of no blackout dates, and over the years has continued its tradition of innovation with enhancements such as Cash + Points, SPG Moments^SM, and most recently Your24™ and SPG Lifetime™. In addition to Free Night Awards at more than 1,200 hotels and resorts and Award Flights on over 350 major airlines without blackout dates, the Starpoints® that members earn through SPG can be redeemed for access like no other to experiences in music, sports and the arts through SPG Moments. SPG offers the opportunity for meeting and travel professionals to earn rich rewards including Starpoints and elite status through SPG Pro. SPG also has an ongoing commitment to digital innovation to meet the needs of today's connected global traveler – from the SPG app for iPhone that utilizes state-aware technology to create a more personalized hotel stay to Starwood's Best Rate Guarantee on SPG.com, to SPG's integration within various social media platforms. Offerings such as these have helped SPG build a passionate member base among the world's most frequent travelers. Learn more at spg.com, spg.com/pro and spg.com/moments and connect with us on facebook.com/spg, twitter.com/spg, foursquare.com/spg, pinterest.com/spglife, and youtube.com/spg.

About TBEX (Travel Blog Exchange) Events
The TBEX conference has grown into the most popular annual gathering of bloggers, writers and new media content creators in the travel and lifestyle sphere today. TBEX also attracts some of the world's best-known brands, as well as various tourism bureaus as sponsors who are eager to connect with bloggers and web writers. Airbnb, American Express, GoGo LLC, Expedia, Lonely Planet, Starwood, Vail Resorts, Viator, and support the conferences alongside tourism offices such as those of Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau, Australia, Baton Rouge, British Columbia, Canadian Tourism Commission, Cancun, Denver, Greek National Tourism Organization, Jordan Tourism Board, Macau Government Tourism Board, Reno/Tahoe USA, Toronto, Travel Alberta, and worldwide resorts and hospitality companies.

TBEX's goal is to mobilize and assist bloggers with promoting, monetizing, improving their work and influence, as well as helping PR and industry professionals to connect with the right content creators to benefit their brands and destinations.

TBEX is owned by NMX Events, which also produces New Media Expo, the world's largest social media exhibition and conference.

American Express to Introduce Houston Travelers to THE CENTURION® Lounge at George Bush Intercontinental Airport

Tue, 21 Jul 2015 00:00:00 -0400

American Express is expanding The Centurion Lounge network in major domestic airports, announcing today that it will open its seventh location at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), terminal D. The 8,500 square foot Lounge is currently slated to open in the first half of 2016.

"We set out to create a network of lounges for our Card Members that give them an amazing experience that is head and shoulders above what you typically find in a domestic lounge," said Lisa Durocher, Senior Vice President of Charge Cards and Benefits, American Express. "Houston is another major market for our Card Members and another important step towards expanding our network of lounges from coast to coast."

The Lounge will feature:

Noise-buffering workspaces, private showers, private phone areas, family room, comfortable seating, a computer bar, tranquility areas and access to high-speed Wi-Fi.
A complimentary full bar and food buffet will be available to Card Members in the Lounge. More details on the culinary team and specific menu offerings will be available closer to the opening.

"With Houston's growing reputation as a global destination for business and leisure travel, and with international passenger numbers at George Bush Intercontinental Airport increasing at record levels, these types of amenities serve to enhance the experience of the discerning travelers embodied by American Express® Card Members. The Centurion Lounge will align perfectly with our efforts to create a memorable travel experience for passengers at IAH, as they access the almost 200 destinations available via nonstop air service from Houston."

The Centurion Lounge is a network of uniquely designed airport lounges aimed to enhance the travel journey for American Express Card Members. Current locations include Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS), Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Miami International Airport (MIA) and The Centurion Studio in Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).

About American Express
American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, foursquare.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/company/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.

A Haven on the Go: American Express Opens THE CENTURION® Studio in Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

Tue, 30 Jun 2015 00:00:00 -0400

Today, American Express (NYSE:AXP) announced the opening of The Centurion Studio in Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), an extension of The Centurion Lounge network in a smaller setting, and its first location in the Pacific-Northwest region. Located in Concourse B opposite from Gate B3, The Centurion Studio in SEA provides an oasis for Platinum Card and Centurion Members to relax and recharge.

Access to The Centurion Studio is the latest feature in a suite of travel benefits for Platinum Card Members. The Centurion Studio brings all the comfort, design, quality and convenience of The Centurion Lounge to a smaller, more intimate space, featuring the most essential amenities Card Members want while traveling. These include comfortable seating, charging stations, and free high-speed Wi-Fi. Card Members can also enjoy Seattle-inspired light bites, wine, beer and artisanal beverages*.

“Many of our Platinum Card Members travel and enjoy the Lounges so often that we wanted to bring this unique Lounge experience to more places, including airports with smaller available spaces,” said Lisa Durocher, Senior Vice President of Charge Cards and Benefits, American Express. “Just like The Centurion Lounge, The Centurion Studio offers great food and beverages in a comfortable setting to relax and recharge.”

The Centurion Studio features a curated collection of locally-inspired light bites and beverages from premium Seattle-based brands locals know and love:

Build a breakfast parfait with Anna’s honey, Ellenos Yogurt and Marge Granola.
Snack on Macrina Bakery artisan baked breads, Theo artisanal chocolate and Tim’s Cascade Chips, as well as seasonal fresh fruit and crisp crudités with hummus.
Enjoy handcrafted Jones Soda, savor an aromatic IPA from Georgetown Brewing Company or sip on award-winning wines from the Columbia Valley. Of course, The Centurion Studio in SEA would not be complete without fresh-roasted coffee, so locally-brewed Caffe Vita is served.

The Centurion Studio is open daily from 5a.m. – 10p.m. Due to the smaller setting of The Centurion Studio, access** is complimentary and limited to Platinum Card and Centurion Members, and their immediate family (spouse or domestic partner and children under 18 years of age) or one travel companion. The Centurion Studio does not sell one-day passes. One-day passes purchased at The Centurion Lounge locations are not valid at The Centurion Studio.

The Centurion Studio in SEA is an extension of The Centurion network, uniquely designed airport lounges aimed to enhance the travel journey for American Express Card Members. The Centurion Lounge locations include Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS), Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA), San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Miami International Airport (MIA).

About American Express
American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, foursquare.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/company/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.

* Must be 21 years of age or older to consume alcohol. Please drink responsibly.
**Subject to availability/capacity.

American Express and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Enhance Cobrand Credit Card Benefits

Wed, 03 Jun 2015 00:00:00 -0400

The Starwood Preferred Guest^® (SPG^®) Credit Card from American Express, which earns you extra rewards on purchases, is now packed with even greater value. Today, American Express (NYSE: AXP) and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) announced new benefits to the SPG Credit Card that will deliver more ease and convenience to Card Members.

"The SPG Credit Card by American Express connects our members to a world of rich rewards, allowing Card Members to accelerate their earnings and achieve elite privileges faster," said Mark Vondrasek, Senior Vice President, Distribution, Loyalty and Partnership Marketing for Starwood Hotels & Resorts. "We always want to give our members more for their loyalty, and with these new benefits, we're making it even easier for our most valued guests to enjoy their travels in style."

In addition to the robust suite of existing benefits and a polished new card design, effective August 11, 2015, SPG Card Members will enjoy the following:

No Foreign Transaction Fees
SPG Credit Card Members can now enjoy international travel without foreign transaction fees from American Express when using their Card on purchases abroad. ⁽¹⁾
Complimentary, Unlimited Boingo Wi-Fi
SPG Credit Card Members will enjoy complimentary, unlimited Wi-Fi access when they enroll in the Boingo American Express Preferred Plan. Receive Wi-Fi access on up to four devices to more than 1,000,000 hotspots worldwide and pay no Wi-Fi roaming fees. ⁽²⁾
Complimentary Premium In-Room Internet Access
SPG Credit Card Members won't miss a beat while away from family, friends, or the office with complimentary premium in-room internet access at SPG^® Participating Hotels. ⁽³⁾
Access to Sheraton Club Lounges for SPG American Express OPEN Card Members
Card Members with a SPG Business Credit Card feel like VIPs with access to Sheraton Club Lounges, which includes a complimentary daily breakfast, evening selection of premium beverages and hors d'oeuvres, and space for hosting a friend or colleague. ⁽⁴⁾

"The SPG Credit Card from American Express has always been a favorite among travel insiders, and the new benefits will deliver even greater value to the 'always on' traveler," said Eva Reda, SVP, Co-brand Partnerships. "We understand what our Card Members want most, and we know the enhanced card will offer the convenience and value they seek."

American Express and Starwood Hotels & Resorts created the SPG Credit Card to enhance the domestic and international luxury travel experience, for business and pleasure. Existing card benefits include:

Earn up to 5 Starpoints for each dollar of eligible purchases at SPG^® Participating Hotels ⁽⁵⁾ – that's 2 Starpoints for which Card Members may be eligible in addition to the 2 or 3 Starpoints for which they may be eligible as an SPG member. ⁽⁶⁾ Earn 1 Starpoint for all other purchases. ⁽⁷⁾
Receive credit for 5 nights and 2 stays toward SPG elite status each year. ⁽⁸⁾
Upgrade to SPG Gold status after spending $30,000 in eligible purchases on the Card in a calendar year. ⁽⁹⁾

With the enhanced product benefits, the new annual fee will increase from $65 to $95 effective August 11, 2015. The first year of Card Membership is free and $95 annually thereafter.

For more information on the Starwood Preferred Guest^® (SPG^®) Credit Card from American Express, please visit americanexpress.com/newSPGCardbenefits.

About American Express
American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, foursquare.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/company/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.

About Starwood Preferred Guest
Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG^®) is an innovative, award-winning frequent traveler program that unites each of Starwood's 9 distinctive hotel brands and includes more luxury hotels in more destinations around the world. SPG reinvented the hospitality loyalty landscape when it launched in 1999 with its breakthrough policy of no blackout dates, and over the years has continued its tradition of innovation with enhancements such as Cash + Points, SPG Moments^SM, and most recently Your24^TM and SPG Lifetime^TM. In addition to Free Night Awards at more than 1,200 hotels and resorts and Award Flights on over 350 major airlines without blackout dates, the Starpoints^® that members earn through SPG can be redeemed for access like no other to experiences in music, sports and the arts through SPG Moments. SPG offers the opportunity for meeting and travel professionals to earn rich rewards including Starpoints and elite status through SPG Pro. SPG also has an ongoing commitment to digital innovation to meet the needs of today's connected global traveler – from the SPG app for iPhone that utilizes state-aware technology to create a more personalized hotel stay to Starwood's Best Rate Guarantee on SPG.com, to SPG's integration within various social media platforms. Offerings such as these have helped SPG build a passionate member base among the world's most frequent travelers. Learn more at spg.com, spg.com/pro and spg.com/moments and connect with us on facebook.com/spg, twitter.com/spg, foursquare.com/spg, pinterest.com/spglife, and youtube.com/spg.

Terms and Conditions

Foreign Transaction Fee:

(1) American Express will not charge any foreign transaction fee on the purchases you make outside of the United States with your Card. However, there may be circumstances where ATMs or merchants charge a fee on foreign transactions.

Boingo:

(2) Complimentary access to Boingo Wi-Fi is being provided as a benefit to Card Members with eligible Cards. In order to access the benefit, Card Members with eligible Cards must first be authenticated and create a Boingo American Express Preferred Plan (or, the "AXP Plan") account. Internet access may be required in order to be authenticated and create an account. For questions on eligibility, call the number on the back of your Card. If you submit your American Express Card number to Boingo to verify that your Card is eligible for this benefit, Boingo will send your Card number to American Express. Upon receipt of your Card number from Boingo, American Express will provide confirmation of your Card's eligibility for the American Express Preferred Plan to Boingo. Boingo will not store or use your Card number for any other purpose. Boingo's use of this information is subject to its privacy policy.If you have an existing paid Boingo subscription plan, your existing plan will not be automatically cancelled when you enroll in the AXP Plan. If you would like to cancel any existing paid subscription plan, call Boingo's dedicated AXP Plan line. The AXP Plan only provides access to land-based Wi-Fi services and does not include in-flight Wi-Fi. Available hotspots in Boingo's network, including those managed and operated by Boingo and its partners ("Boingo's Network") are subject to change at any time. Visit http://Wi-Fi.boingo.com to locate hotspots. Your use of Boingo's Wi-Fi services is subject to Boingo's End User License Agreement and Customer Agreement and other applicable terms and conditions, including Boingo's privacy and security policies, available at www.boingo.com. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in Boingo's terms and conditions, American Express Card Members with eligible Cards (i) will not be charged for enrollment in the AXP Plan, and (ii) will be permitted to connect no more than four devices to Boingo's Network per month. Simultaneous use of devices with a single account is limited to a hotspot. By subscribing for this benefit, you acknowledge that American Express is not responsible for and does not guarantee the quality, security, coverage or availability of Boingo's Network or the free Wi-Fi hotspots accessed through the Wi-Finder App. You agree that use of Wi-Fi accessed through Boingo is at your own risk. Use of the AXP Plan is limited to authorized Card Members only. This benefit is non-transferable, it is your responsibility to ensure that no one else has access to your account details. Your account may be terminated for breach of any terms or conditions or for abuse of your AXP Plan account. From time to time, Boingo may request that you re-authenticate your Boingo American Express Preferred Plan account in order to confirm that you are still a Card Member with an eligible Card. You can receive alerts and connect seamlessly to Boingo by downloading the Wi-Finder App to your laptop, tablet and mobile devices. This benefit is subject to change or cancellation without notice.

Free wifi:

(3) For Basic Card Members only on Starpoint Eligible Rate reservations at SPG Participating Hotels. Exclusions of Starpoint Eligible Rate reservations might include rooms booked through a group rate as part of an event and the SPG Member does not directly pay the SPG Participating Hotel for such room; through a tour operator; or through an online travel channel or third party channel (such as expedia.com, hotwire.com, priceline.com, orbitz.com, booking.com, Travelocity.com, ctrip.com, or elong.com.) A full description of Starpoint Eligible Rates and SPG Participating Hotels can be found at www.spg.com/terms. The SPG Member account number must be provided at the time of reservation and/or check-in. Premium Internet access is limited to one room per eligible Card Member per Stay regardless of how many rooms have been reserved. No incremental benefit will be provided at SPG® Participating Hotels that offer complimentary in-room Internet access to all guests. SPG Participating Hotels that have mandatory resort charges that include Internet access will provide a replacement benefit, to be determined at each SPG Participating Hotel's discretion.

Sheraton Lounge:

(4) Available at select Sheraton Hotels® & Resorts for the duration of a Card Member's stay. Visit www.sheratonclubroom.com/find for a full listing of Sheraton® Club properties. This benefit is for Basic Card Members only on Starpoint Eligible Rate reservations. Exclusions of Starpoint Eligible Rate reservations might include rooms booked through a group rate as part of an event and the SPG Member does not directly pay the SPG Participating Hotel for such room; tour operator; or online travel channel or third party channel, such as expedia.com, hotwire.com, priceline.com, orbitz.com, booking.com, Travelocity.com, ctrip.com, or elong.com. A full description of Starpoint Eligible Rates can be found at www.spg.com/terms. Sheraton Club lounge access is limited to the eligible Card Member and a guest staying in the same room for the duration of the stay, regardless of how many rooms have been reserved.

Earn up to 5X Terms:

(5) Starpoints are awarded by American Express as part of the Card's reward program and by Starwood through the Starwood Preferred Guest Program. Because the program terms differ, there may be instances where you receive Starpoints under one program but not the other.

(6) Starpoints awarded by American Express. You will receive two Starpoints® from American Express for each US dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express when charged directly with participating Starwood properties, standalone Starwood retail establishments, and Starwood online stores that, in each case, are wholly owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc, and its affiliates.

Starpoints awarded by Starwood. You will receive two Starpoints (or three Starpoints if you have Starwood Preferred Guest® elite status) from Starwood for each US dollar of eligible charges under the Starwood Preferred Guest Program. Starwood associates do not receive any additional Starpoints as a Starwood Preferred Guest member for hotel stays and purchases. For information about earning Starpoints through the Starwood Preferred Guest Program, please see the SPG Terms and Conditions at spg.com/terms.

(7) Eligible Purchases means purchases for goods and services minus returns and other credits. Eligible purchases do NOT include fees or interest charges, balance transfers, cash advances, purchases of travelers checks, purchases or reloading of prepaid cards, or purchases of other cash equivalents. Additional terms and restrictions apply. Starpoints received from your Card will be posted to your SPG account up to 12 weeks after the end of each month. To be eligible to receive Starpoints, Card Member's account must not be cancelled or in default at the time of bonus fulfillment.

Merchants are assigned codes based on what they primarily sell. A purchase will not earn additional points if the merchant's code is not eligible. Purchases made through a third-party payment account or on an online marketplace (with multiple retailers) will not earn additional points. A purchase may not earn additional points if the merchant submits the purchase using a mobile or wireless card reader or if you use a mobile or digital wallet.

5 Night/2 Stay Credit Terms:

(8) Upon opening your Card Account and, by February 15th of each subsequent calendar year it is open, you will receive from Starwood credit for 2 stays and 5 nights towards your Starwood Preferred Guest elite status. This benefit is limited to one annual credit per Starwood Preferred Guest account. To receive this benefit, your Card account must be linked to a SPG Member account in your name. You will not receive additional 2 stay or 5 night Elite status credits if you have multiple personal Card Accounts or supplemental Cards. Credits and status are subject to the Terms and Conditions of the SPG program.

30K Gold Status Terms:

(9) If during any calendar year, Eligible Purchases on your Card account are $30,000 or more, you (the Basic Card Member) will be enrolled for at least twelve months in the Gold Preferred level of the Starwood Preferred Guest® loyalty program (unless you are already enrolled in an equivalent or higher level). Starwood associates excluded. Please allow 12-16 weeks after your Eligible Purchases equal or exceed such amount for the applicable year for enrollment to become effective.

Eligible Purchases means purchases for goods and services minus returns and other credits. Eligible purchases do NOT include fees or interest charges, balance transfers, cash advances, purchases of travelers checks, purchases or reloading of prepaid cards, or purchases of other cash equivalents. Additional terms and restrictions apply.

Convenience Trumps Cost for Business Travelers, Says Inaugural GBTA Business Traveler Sentiment Index™, in Partnership with American Express

Mon, 11 May 2015 00:00:00 -0400

Business travelers value convenience over cost savings, according to new research from the GBTA Foundation, the education and research arm of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), in partnership with American Express. According to the first in a series of GBTA Business Traveler Sentiment Index™ reports, U.S. business travelers put a high premium on convenience, particularly when it comes to their flight schedule choices. When booking flights domestically or internationally, more business travelers say their top consideration is convenient flight schedules (36%), compared with ticket price (24%) and ability to earn miles (20%).

The GBTA Business Traveler Sentiment Index™ in partnership with American Express is a proprietary, data-centered barometer based on business travelers' attitudes toward five key components of business-related travel:

Overall Trip Experience and Travel Friction - Business travelers' attitudes toward air travel, hotel stays and ground transportation
Travel Management Policy Friction - Attitudes toward company travel policy management, flexibility and comprehension
Expense Tracking and Management - Satisfaction with business travel expense management and tracking, and using credit or charge cards for business travel
Business Travel Safety - Satisfaction with employers' efforts to keep travelers safe while they're on the road
Social Media Experience - Attitudes toward using social media while traveling for work, including finding or posting reviews of travel suppliers

Because this is the first period analyzed for the GBTA Business Traveler Sentiment Index™, initial results will serve as a benchmark against which future research will be measured. Currently index values are set at 100.

Travelers Generally Satisfied With Trip Experience, but Airports and Flights Frustrate
For the most part, business travelers are "satisfied" or "very satisfied" with their time on the road. However, in general only slightly more than half are "satisfied" or "very satisfied" with airline travel (57%) and getting through airport security (55%). In fact, survey respondents cite airline delays (45%), airport security (33%) and airline fees (29%) as the main reasons why travel is more difficult today than it was three years ago.

"Time is money for business travelers, so it comes as no surprise that U.S. travelers place such a high premium on convenience," said Joseph Bates, Vice President, GBTA Foundation. "While a more convenient flight or a hotel closer to the meeting may cost slightly more, it is worth it to business travelers and their companies if it allows them to be more productive and maximize their time."

Additional GBTA Business Traveler Sentiment Index™ findings include:

Millennials lead the way in using newer travel services and social media. Thirty-seven percent of travelers ages 18 to 34 say they will "definitely" or "probably" use a mobile, cashless wallet in the next 12 months, compared with 20% of all business travelers. These younger travelers are more interested than travelers of other ages in rideshare services (46%) and room-finding services (35%). They are also the most enthusiastic users of social media for business travel, with approximately half of those ages 18 to 34 saying they use it to review travel suppliers and meet up with colleagues and friends (about 50% each), compared with roughly 40% or less of business travelers in other age groups.
Employees are generally satisfied with hotel stays and booking travel. Three- quarters or more of survey respondents are "satisfied" or "very satisfied" with hotel stays for work (78%) and making their own arrangements (75%).
Connectivity is critical for traveler productivity on the road. Nearly nine-in-ten travelers (86%) say access to Wi-Fi is "vital to work productivity while traveling," and free access to Wi-Fi is one of the top items travelers believe all airlines should offer (26%), surpassed only by free checked bags (37%).
Frequent business travelers find tracking and managing expenses challenging. On average, employees who travel a dozen or more times a year for work are generally less satisfied with their ability to track receipts than those who travel for work less often (on a seven-point scale, 5.6 vs. 5.8 of those who travel four to 11 times a year). Nearly two-thirds of all travelers are highly satisfied with processes they use to track expense receipts (65%) and complete expense reports (63%). Overall, three-quarters of business travelers (75%) are highly satisfied using a corporate credit card to pay for trip-related expenses, and just about two-thirds (66%) are highly satisfied using their personal card to pay for expenses.
Most are comfortable with their companies' travel policies. Sixty-two percent of business travelers surveyed are generally satisfied with their company's travel policies. If employees have concerns, it's about changing itineraries; 59% said they are "satisfied" or "very satisfied" with for the ease of changing an itinerary, while 35% are neutral, and 6% are "dissatisfied" or "very dissatisfied."
Majority are generally satisfied with their companies' safety efforts, but there's room for improvement. Seventy-one percent of travelers "agree" or "strongly agree" that their employers care about their well-being and safety when they travel for work. Slightly more than half (56%) agreed that they "always feel safe" while traveling, and 55% said their desire to feel safe affects their travel choices.

"The Index identifies the greatest pain points for business travelers, indicating to organizations which areas to target for improvement," said Susan Chapman-Hughes, senior vice president at American Express Global Corporate Payments. "In the area of expense management, for example, companies would be wise to invest resources into mobile apps and expense management solutions to help business travelers save time and be more productive."

For the GBTA Business Traveler Sentiment Index™ – At a Glance executive summary, please click here.

To purchase the full GBTA Business Traveler Sentiment Index™, please click here.

Survey Methodology
The GBTA Business Traveler Sentiment Index™, in partnership with American Express, was fielded December 4-19, 2014 to business travelers within the U.S. through an online research panel. Overall, 826 respondents qualified for the study (their primary residence is located in the United States, they are employed part- or full-time, and they have taken four or more business trips in the prior 12 months). The margin of error is +/- 3.4% at the 95% level of confidence.

About the GBTA Foundation
The GBTA Foundation is the education and research foundation of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the world's premier business travel and meetings trade organization headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area with operations on six continents. Collectively, GBTA's 7,000-plus members manage more than $345 billion of global business travel and meetings expenditures annually. GBTA provides its growing network of more than 28,000 travel professionals and 125,000 active contacts with world-class education, events, research, advocacy and media. The Foundation was established in 1997 to support GBTA's members and the industry as a whole. As the leading education and research foundation in the business travel industry, the GBTA Foundation seeks to fund initiatives to advance the business travel profession. The GBTA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For more information, see gbta.org and gbta.org/foundation.

About American Express Global Corporate Payments
Through its Global Corporate Payments division, American Express offers a suite of B2B and T&E payment solutions that can help organizations streamline processes and identify opportunities to help drive savings and efficiency. American Express can help your organization improve working capital flexibility and your relationships with suppliers. For more information, visit https://business.americanexpress.com/us/

About American Express
American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, foursquare.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/company/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.

American Express to Debut New Card Member Retreat in Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

Mon, 17 Nov 2014 00:00:00 -0500

American Express is expanding its presence in major domestic airports, announcing today it will open The Centurion Studio at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in 2015.

Like The Centurion Lounges, The Centurion Studio will be a retreat for Card Members but in a smaller space, featuring some of the amenities Card Members say are most essential: comfortable seating, charging stations, fast and free WiFi, and complimentary healthy snacks and beverages. Access to The Centurion Studio is the latest feature in a suite of travel benefits for Platinum Card Members; entry to the space will be complimentary for Platinum Card and Centurion^® Members, and their immediate family or one travel companion.

"American Express is dedicated to creating a more seamless travel journey for our Platinum Card Members, and our goal is to have a presence in airports they frequent the most," said Lisa Durocher, Senior Vice President of Charge Cards and Benefits, American Express. "While The Centurion Lounges have been tremendously popular with our Card Members, space on that scale is not always available. Providing important amenities to our Card Members, even with a smaller footprint, can help them relax and stay connected while they're on the road."

The Centurion Studio is an extension to The Centurion Lounge network, uniquely designed airport lounges aimed to enhance the travel journey for Card Members. The Centurion Lounge locations include Las Vegas McCarran International Airport, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, New York's LaGuardia Airport and San Francisco International Airport. A Lounge will open in 2015 at Miami International Airport.

Visit americanexpress.com/platinum for more information about the Platinum Card.

About American Express
American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, foursquare.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/company/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.

Key links to products and services: charge and credit cards, business credit cards, travel services, gift cards, prepaid cards, merchant services, business travel, and corporate card.

About Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Operated by the Port of Seattle, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA, KSEA) is ranked as the 15th busiest U.S. airport, serving more than 34.8 million passengers and more than 292,000 metric tons of air cargo in 2013. With a regional economic impact of more than $16.3 billion in business revenue, Sea-Tac generates 171,796 jobs (109,924 direct jobs) representing over $2.8 billion in direct earnings and more than $565 million in state and local taxes. Twenty-six airlines serve 77 non-stop domestic and 19 international destinations.

The CenturionSM Lounge from American Express Opens in San Francisco International Airport

Thu, 06 Nov 2014 00:00:00 -0500

American Express® Card Members traveling in the Bay Area have a new reason to get to the airport early, as American Express announced today the opening of The Centurion Lounge in San Francisco International Airport (SFO). The new Lounge is the first on the West Coast and the fourth location to open in a network that's expanding in major airports across the United States.

Unlimited, complimentary access to The Centurion Lounge is among a suite of curb-to-curb benefits designed to create a more seamless travel experience for Platinum Card Members. The 8,200 square foot Lounge, located in Terminal 3, features world-class amenities that allow Card Members to:

Wine & Dine: Featuring Napa Valley inspired, seasonal cuisine curated by Christopher Kostow, chef at The Restaurant at Meadowood, as well as signature cocktails by renowned mixologist Jim Meehan. A unique wine tasting area powered by Wine Emotion allows guests to sample different pours from Napa Valley, chosen by wine director Anthony Giglio.*
Work & Play: Connected work spaces include high speed Wi-Fi and outlets near every seat, and a sound-proof family room allows a safe and fun place for kids to play.
Relax & Recharge: Thoughtfully appointed relaxation areas and luxurious shower suites provide an optimal place to refresh, and Member Services Professionals on-staff can help assist with Card inquiries and travel services.

"With The Centurion Lounge in San Francisco and our recent opening at LaGuardia Airport, American Express is building a bicoastal network of lounges," said Lisa Durocher, Senior Vice President, Consumer Charge Cards & Benefits at American Express. "San Francisco is a gateway to the Pacific and one of the busiest airports in the country. We're proud to enhance the airport experience for our Card Members who travel through every year."

Expanding Lounge Network
The Centurion Lounge has locations currently open in Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS), Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA). American Express will unveil a new Centurion Lounge location next year at Miami International Airport (MIA).

Entry to The Centurion Lounges is complimentary for consumer, Business and Corporate Platinum Card and Centurion® Members, and their immediate family or up to two travel companions. Other American Express Credit and Charge Card Members may purchase a one-day pass at The Centurion Lounge for $50**.

American Express and Uber Team Up to Offer Complimentary Rides to the Airport
To celebrate the opening of The Centurion Lounge at SFO, American Express is working with Uber to give Card Members a complimentary Black Car ride to the airport.

On November 6, 2014, Card Members who have an eligible American Express® Card as their selected method of payment can enter the promo code CENTURIONSFO in the Uber app to receive a complimentary Black Car ride from San Francisco to SFO.***

*Must be 21 years of age or older to consume alcohol. Please drink responsibly.
**Subject to availability/capacity
***Terms apply, Visit http://t.uber.com/amexsfo for more information.

About American Express
American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, foursquare.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/company/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.

Key links to products and services: charge and credit cards, business credit cards, travel services, gift cards, prepaid cards, merchant services, corporate card, and business travel.

About San Francisco International Airport
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) offers non-stop flights to more than 36 international cities on 30 international carriers. The Bay Area's largest airport connects non-stop with 79 cities in the U.S. on 15 domestic airlines. SFO is proud to offer upgraded free Wi-Fi with no advertising. For up-to-the-minute departure and arrival information, airport maps and details on shopping, dining, cultural exhibitions, ground transportation and more, visit www.flysfo.com. Follow us on www.twitter.com/flysfo and www.facebook.com/flysfo.

American Express Global Business Travel Joint Venture Deal Closed

Tue, 01 Jul 2014 00:00:00 -0400

The following announcement was distributed yesterday to all American Express and American Express Global Business Travel employees.

From:	Stephen Squeri, Group President, Global Corporate Services
To:	American Express Employees; All American Express Global Business Travel Employees
Date:	June 30, 2013
Subject:	GLOBAL BUSINESS TRAVEL JV DEAL CLOSED

Today marks the start of an exciting future for American Express Global Business Travel (GBT). I am pleased to announce that we have officially closed the deal on one of the largest transactions in the history of business travel. As of today, GBT begins its next chapter as a stand-alone company.

The new joint venture, a 50-50 partnership between American Express and an investor group led by Certares, will create an even more focused and nimble competitor. GBT will benefit greatly from the substantial investment being put into the joint venture, funds that will be used to develop cutting-edge products, create state-of-the art capabilities, and attract new customers.

American Express will also see benefits from the deal. As previously reported to the financial community, the company plans to use a significant portion of the expected gain from the deal, minus transaction costs, to build our business for the future, including supporting several of our newer growth initiatives, such as Amex Everyday and Serve, among others.

GBT will keep its close ties with American Express. The American Express brand is front and center in the new company’s name. Beyond branding, GBT will continue to work closely with AmEx business units, including, of course, our corporate payments business, as we seek to bring more benefits to our mutual customers.

American Express has been in business travel for nearly a century, and we remain committed to helping GBT succeed going forward. Underscoring this commitment, in addition to the financial stake we hold, several American Express senior executives will serve as members of the GBT Board of Directors to help ensure continuity and guide the new company forward. We’ve built a business that has led the industry for many decades, and we are excited to remain a part of what we believe will be its next great period of innovation.

Getting to this point took countless hours of work by hundreds of employees across the company who provided invaluable support. Preparing GBT to operate as an independent entity was an extremely complex task, and teams from Corporate Development, General Counsel’s Office, Finance, Controllership, Global Business Services, Technologies, Human Resources and Corporate Affairs did a tremendous job. I am extremely grateful for the dedication, perseverance and outstanding results delivered by all involved.

Finally, I want to thank all the people of GBT. They represent the very best of the business travel industry. Great things are ahead for them, and I know all of us at American Express wish them all the very best.

American Express Completes Establishment of Joint Venture for Global Business Travel

Mon, 30 Jun 2014 00:00:00 -0400

American Express Company (NYSE: AXP) today announced that it has completed its previously announced plans to establish a joint venture for its business travel operations. The joint venture will operate under the American Express Global Business Travel brand. American Express and an investor group led by Certares each have a 50 percent ownership stake in the joint venture.

As previously reported, the complexity of the closing process for this transaction will affect the timing of American Express Company’s second quarter earnings announcement. The Company's financial results are now scheduled to be announced shortly after the market closes on Tuesday, July 29, 2014. American Express plans to host a live audio webcast of its investor conference call at 5:00 p.m. (ET) that day to discuss second quarter 2014 financial results.

The live audio webcast will be accessible to the general public through the American Express Investor Relations website at http://ir.americanexpress.com. Earnings presentation materials will be posted on the website prior to the conference call and an audio replay will be available on the website following the call.

About American Express
American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, foursquare.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/company/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.

Key links to products and services: charge and credit cards, business credit cards, travel services, gift cards, prepaid cards, merchant services, business travel, and corporate card.

Bon Appétit: American Express Partners with Culinary Tastemakers for New Centurion Lounge℠ Locations

Thu, 12 Jun 2014 00:00:00 -0400

American Express is bringing more premium dining experiences to the airport, adding new executive chefs to The Centurion Lounge culinary team. Chef Christopher Kostow and Chef Cedric Vongerichten will lend their signature styles and culinary inspiration to the menus at the Centurion Lounges in San Francisco Airport (SFO) and New York LaGuardia International Airport (LGA), respectively, both of which are slated to open later this year.

"Chef Kostow and Chef Vongerichten are culinary tastemakers, and we're thrilled to have them curate the food experience at The Centurion Lounge," said Lisa Durocher, Senior Vice President, Consumer Charge Cards & Benefits at American Express. "The Centurion Lounge is a haven at the airport for our Card Members, and we're excited to bring this experience to travelers moving through New York and San Francisco."

Currently open in McCarran International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), The Centurion Lounge destinations within airports help American Express Card Members relax, recharge and reboot. The Centurion Lounge is also expected to open in Miami International Airport (MIA).

Entry to The Centurion Lounge is complimentary for Platinum Card^® and Centurion^® Card Members. Other American Express Credit and Charge Card Members may purchase a One-Day Pass at The Lounge for $50.

LGA and SFO Lounges to Feature Locally Inspired, Seasonal Menus
The Chef at Michelin Three Starred The Restaurant at Meadowood, Kostow will lend his signature style to The Centurion Lounge at SFO. Named by the James Beard Foundation as Best Chef: West, Kostow will be featuring the great producers and purveyors of the Napa Valley and surrounding region to incorporate a thoughtful, dynamic approach to a series of seasonal menus.

Vongerichten, Executive Chef at Perry St in New York City, was named by Zagat as one of the top 30 up and coming chefs under 30 in 2011. Son of world-renowned chef Jean Georges Vongerichten, he is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and worked through the ranks at several Jean Georges Restaurants.

Current culinary partners for the Centurion Lounges in Las Vegas and Dallas are Scott Conant, Executive Chef in LAS; Dean Fearing, Executive Chef in DFW; Jim Meehan, national mixologist; and Anthony Giglio, national wine director.

Unlimited, complimentary access to The Centurion Lounge is among a suite of benefits designed to create a more seamless travel experience for Platinum Card® Members from American Express. A full list of benefits can be found at http://exploreplatinum.americanexpress.com/.

About American Express
American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, foursquare.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/company/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.

Key links to products and services: charge and credit cards, business credit cards, travel services, gift cards, prepaid cards, merchant services, business travel, and corporate card.

American Express Enters into Agreement to Create Joint Venture for Business Travel

Mon, 17 Mar 2014 00:00:00 -0400

American Express Company (NYSE: AXP) today announced that it has signed an agreement to create a joint venture for its Global Business Travel division ("GBT"). Under the agreement, American Express will share ownership of the joint venture with an investor group led by Certares. In the proposed transaction, American Express will separate its GBT operations into a dedicated holding structure, which will include certain assets and liabilities that currently comprise GBT, and will have a 50% ownership stake in the joint venture following the closing. In exchange for an investment of $900 million in the joint venture, the investor group will hold the remaining 50%. American Express initially announced its intention to pursue this joint venture transaction in September 2013.

The Certares-formed group includes Qatar Investment Authority through its wholly-owned subsidiary Qatar Holding LLC, funds managed by BlackRock, Certares itself and Macquarie Capital. The business will continue to operate under the "American Express Global Business Travel" brand following the closing. American Express expects to execute comprehensive commercial agreements with the joint venture to provide uninterrupted service and close coordination for the benefit of mutual customers of GBT and American Express' other business units, such as Global Corporate Payments, which issues the American Express Corporate Card and provides business-to-business payment solutions.

Bill Glenn, formerly President of Global Commercial Services at American Express, will be President and Chief Executive Officer of the joint venture. Certares founder Greg O'Hara will serve as Chairman of the joint venture.

"The joint venture reflects our continued commitment to the travel business through a new structure with an outstanding group of investors and the resources to grow the business and provide additional value to our corporate customers," said Kenneth I. Chenault, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of American Express. "Bill Glenn is an accomplished leader with experience running major business units during his distinguished career at American Express. He has built strong customer relationships throughout the corporate sector and his experience makes him a terrific choice to lead the transformation of a business that will be focused on capitalizing on new growth opportunities."

H.E. Ahmad Al-Sayed, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Investment Authority, said: "We are pleased to have agreed terms and established this joint venture with Mr. Chenault and his management team, whom we regard as one of the most reputable and capable in any industry. American Express Global Business Travel is a truly global operation with clear benefits for our investment portfolio, across multiple regions and sectors. We welcome our new partners and look forward to a long and successful relationship."

The joint venture will build upon GBT's technology innovations to support digital and premium servicing capabilities, mobile applications, improved reporting tools and itinerary management solutions, as well as the customer service expertise for which American Express is renowned. In addition to travel services, GBT provides meetings & events management and consulting services to some of the world's most recognized companies.

Mr. Glenn added: "To our knowledge, this would be the largest single investment made in a travel management company. We believe it will accelerate our growth by funding meaningful advances in technology, analytics and service excellence that will benefit suppliers, partners and our global customer base. We account for more corporate travel sales than any other TMC, and these initiatives will put us in a better position to help travel buyers manage travel spend and support their travelers."

The closing of the joint venture transaction is subject to the receipt of requisite regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. Assuming these conditions are met, American Express would plan to close the transaction in the second quarter of 2014. American Express would expect to use a substantial portion of any gain recognized upon a closing of the transaction to invest in growth initiatives.

GBT has over 14,000 employees and operations and network partners in 139 countries worldwide. It offers a comprehensive network, service dependability, and deep insight to customers representing more than $19 billion in corporate travel spend.

American Express' consumer travel business, which provides Card Members and other consumers with travel benefits and services, is not part of the transaction.

UBS Investment Bank and Lazard are financial advisors and Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP is legal advisor to American Express on this transaction.

Credit Suisse is financial advisor and Dechert LLP is legal advisor to the Certares investor group on this transaction. Legal advisors on this transaction are Linklaters LLP to Qatar Holding LLC, Ropes & Gray to BlackRock (on behalf of managed funds) and Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP to Macquarie Capital.

About American Express
American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, foursquare.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/company/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.

Key links to products and services: charge and credit cards, business credit cards, travel services, gift cards, prepaid cards, merchant services, business travel, and corporate card.

About American Express Global Business Travel
Positioned at the intersection of commerce and travel, American Express Global Business Travel offers its customers a comprehensive network, service dependability, and deep insight to help move people and businesses forward. American Express Global Business Travel provides leading travel solutions, integrated consulting services, proprietary research, and end-to-end meetings and events capabilities. These innovative offerings enable customers to optimize the return on their travel and meetings investments. Learn more at www.americanexpress.com/businesstravel.

American Express Global Business Travel is part of one of the world's largest travel agency networks with locations in 139 countries worldwide.

Information Related To Forward-Looking Statements
This release includes forward-looking statements that reflect management's expectations about future events and the Company's operating plans and performance. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "will," "may," "should," "could," "would," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. American Express undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following: events impacting the likelihood and timing of the creation of the joint venture and completion of the transaction, such as regulatory and other approvals, consultation requirements and the execution of ancillary agreements; the ability of the investors to fund their investment in the joint venture; uncertainty relating to the timing and magnitude of the recognition of a gain by American Express as a result of the transaction, such as when assets are transferred to the joint venture and costs related to the transaction; the actual amount of any potential gain arising from the transaction American Express decides to invest in growth initiatives, which will be based in part on management's assessment of competitive opportunities; the potential loss of key customers, vendors and other business partners; the underlying assumptions related to the transaction proving to be inaccurate or unrealized, such as the ability of the joint venture to build upon GBT's innovations and capabilities, the ability of the joint venture to accelerate the growth of the GBT business and provide additional value to corporate customers and the ability of the joint venture and American Express to coordinate following the transaction; and the joint venture's ability to successfully create additional investment capacity for products, technology and servicing capabilities following consummation of the transaction. A further description of such factors can be found in American Express' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 and the Company's other reports filed with the SEC.