In a market first, the American Express Qantas Corporate Card will offer cash rebates on Qantas air travel charged to the card and an exclusive Qantas Club Business membership rate.

Qantas Executive General Manager Sales and Marketing John Borghetti said the card offered companies savings of up to five percent on qualifying Qantas domestic airfares, provided that more than AUD20,000 is spent annually on Qantas flights charged to the American Express Qantas Corporate Card.

As part of American Express' Business Savings Plus program, Qantas has also introduced a new Qantas Club Business membership rate, specifically tailored for mid-size companies. When four or more employees become members, they will receive substantial discounts on the joining and annual fees when charged to the American Express Qantas Corporate Card.

As an exclusive offer to Cardmembers, companies that take advantage of the Qantas Club Business membership rate for four or more employees will have the joining fees waived until 31 December 2003.

American Express Senior Vice President Corporate Services Pierric Beckert said that no other corporate card program in Australia offered an air spend rebate combined with the convenience of streamlining the way companies manage their business expenses.

“The card not only provides robust financial and expense management tools to help small and mid-sized companies save time and money, it also offers them travel related benefits that traditionally are only available to much larger companies,” he said.

The American Express Qantas Corporate Card carries the core features that distinguish it from other payment options, including robust financials and GST reporting, online program management, controls for monitoring employee spending, access to the Membership Rewards program, and pre-negotiated supplier discounts on everyday travel and business spending, such as hotels, car rental, telecommunications, courier and freight services through the Business Savings Plus program.

The card will be available from 18 August.

About Qantas
Qantas is widely regarded as one of the world's leading long distance airlines and one of the strongest brands in Australia. The airline operates a fleet of 187 aircraft across a network spanning 142 destinations in 32 countries. Subsidiary businesses include other airlines, and businesses in specialized markets such as Qantas Holidays and Qantas Flight Catering.

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