The comprehensive study, titled "Global Travel Management Study, Is There a Difference Between Travel Management Companies?" was a sub analysis conducted to examine the activities of 89 travel managers from around the world in order to identify and understand self-reported behaviors that lead to high-performance travel management and savings.

When comparing travel management services worldwide in different travel categories, including airfare, hotel and car rental spend, Accenture found that American Express customers achieve:

• 19 percent greater savings on air travel globally
• 13 percent greater savings on hotel spend globally
• 15 percent greater savings on car rental spend globally

In addition to analyzing airfare, hotel and car rental spend, Accenture also studied clients' behaviors with regard to their TMCs' product and service offerings as well as how they leverage these services to optimize spend and strategically manage their travel program.

Some of the highlights of these findings were:

• Travel Policy Compliance: American Express clients reported 15 percent greater compliance to their air policies.
• Online Booking Tool: Online travel booking usage was 44 percent greater than others studied.
• Negotiated Air Discounts: Air discounts were 43 percent higher for American Express clients than others studied.
• Consulting Services: American Express clients reported 17 percent greater usage of advisory services to help optimize their travel program.
• American Express Corporate Card: American Express clients reported 17 percent greater usage of the Corporate Card for travel payments.

"Our research shows a marked difference in savings between companies that leverage the full range of American Express Business Travel services versus other travel management companies," said Tim Gilchrist, Travel Services Partner at Accenture. "What we find is that by using a holistic approach they have more control over all aspects of their travel activities and realize significant cost savings as a result. American Express is a clear leader in its field for companies looking to manage their travel spend in an integrated and effective way."

Methodology

The Accenture Global Travel Management Study polled 110 companies, and gathered insights on respondents' self-reported T&E management practices. The participants were travel managers from around the world, represented diverse geographic regions: the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan, Asia Pacific, and Australia; and a range of industries from consumer goods and services to industrial companies.

All respondents have a managed travel program and American Express Business Travel Clients are defined as companies that use American Express as their primary travel services provider.

About American Express Corporate Services

American Express Travel Related Services, Inc. operates one of the world's largest travel agency networks, recording $16 billion in worldwide travel sales in 2003. Through its Corporate Services group, the company counts nearly 70 percent of the Fortune 500, along with tens of thousands of mid-sized companies, as customers of its Business Travel, Corporate Card, and Corporate Purchasing Solutions services. More information on expense management tools from Corporate Services can be found at http://www.americanexpress.com/corporateservices.

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

About Accenture

Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company. Committed to delivering innovation, Accenture collaborates with its Clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. With deep industry and business process expertise, broad global resources and a proven track record, Accenture can mobilize the right people, skills and technologies to help Clients improve their performance. With approximately 95,000 people in 48 countries, the company generated net revenues of US $11.8 billion for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2003. Its home page is www.accenture.com.