As the holiday season kicks off, American Express has teamed up with the travel experts at Lonely Planet, to launch a travel guide to help ensure that travel this holiday season is as hassle-free as possible. The free guide is packed with helpful advice and essential information to help travelers during the holidays. The guide includes useful tips and handy checklists, as well as essential phone numbers and website details to make trips stress-free. The guide also provides advice on how to keep your valuables safe, as well as what to do before you go and while you are away, and what to do if the worst does happen.

“Forty-seven percent of travelers report that they have needed emergency assistance when traveling, including passport or credit card replacement,” said Peter Vaughn, vice president of marketing, American Express Travelers Cheques and Prepaid Services, “The biggest money-related worry is losing a wallet or valuables. Travelers need to plan ahead to minimize risk and maximize fun.”

Travelers can better prepare for some of the common occurrences that can happen when traveling by familiarizing themselves with a few simple tips from American Express.

• Make photocopies of passports, plane tickets and other important documents.

• Know when to go. Check climate information at www.lonelyplanet.com.

• Be aware of political hotspots. Go to www.whitehouse.gov/homeland.

• Know what travel services and protections your credit cards offer.

Never Carry Just One Form of Payment

• Carry a combination of credit cards, the American Express TravelFunds® Card, cash and Travelers Cheques.

• On average, Americans carry about $200 in cash while traveling on vacation. Carrying cash in small amounts for tips and other incidentals is okay, but there are no rewards or protections when using cash and if its lost or stolen it’s gone for good.

• Take along the American Express TravelFunds Card or Travelers Cheques; they are a very safe form of money and are fully refundable if lost or stolen, usually within 24 hours. American Express also offers passport and credit card replacement assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from anywhere in the world.

• Use a charge or credit card because they offer a number of valuable benefits and services. American Express Cards, for example, offer rewards for purchases, car rental insurance, fraud protection and they are easily replaced if lost or stolen.

Expect the Unexpected

• Travel emergencies come in many forms - needing a medical or legal referral, emergency cash, help with a cancelled flight, or even a lost bag.

• Credit and charge cards offer a number of protections and services free of charge. Travelers can tap a number of travel protections 24 hours a day, 7 days a week when using the American Express Card including: Global Assist (which provides medical, legal, passport and other emergency assistance), Travel Accident Insurance and Assured Reservations at no extra cost. Plus, American Express has over 1,700 travel and financial service locations around the globe to assist traveling Cardmembers with everything from booking a local sightseeing tour to emergency cash or charge card replacement.

• Keep your card in view, retrieve your card promptly after using it and keep track of receipts.

• Most charge and credit cards offer fraud protection. American Express Cardmembers are not held responsible for any unauthorized charges on their account. A traveler who suspects fraudulent activity on their charge or credit card should notify their card company as soon as possible.

• Health – vaccinations, prescriptions, health checklists

• Insurance – coverage, exclusions

• Money – budgeting, best payment options

• Things you can do while on vacation

• Staying Healthy – food, drinking water, mosquitoes, sun

• Accidents and Injury – at the beach, driving

• Financial Security – exchanging money, if you lose your money

• Documents and Valuables

• Theft and Scams

Consumers can obtain a free copy of the guide by sending an e-mail to safe.travel.guide@aexp.com.

Travelers can find more travel tips and resources to help them plan a safe vacation at www.americanexpress.com/travel. For more information about American Express Charge and Credit Cards, the benefits and services offered or to apply for a Card, click here.

About Lonely Planet

Lonely Planet is the world’s most successful independent travel media company, with offices in Australia, U.S., U.K. and France. With a reputation for comprehensive, reliable travel information, Lonely Planet is at the forefront of print and electronic publishing, covering every corner of the globe. For information on Lonely Planet, visit their website at www.lonelyplanet.com.

About American Express

American Express Company is a diversified worldwide travel, network, and financial services provider founded in 1850. It is a leader in charge and credit cards, Travelers Cheques, travel, financial planning, investment products, insurance and international banking.

Editors Note: Results from the American Express 2003 Leisure Travel Index. The American Express Leisure Travel Index was conducted by telephone between September 23-29, 2003. It surveyed 1,356 adults aged 18 or older. The American Express Leisure Travel Index looked at leisure travel spending budgets, and where and when people vacation. It has a margin error of +/- 4.0%.