OPEN: THE SMALL BUSINESS NETWORK(SM) FROM AMERICAN EXPRESS ADDS VALUABLE, NEW TRAVEL BENEFITS TO THE EXECUTIVE BUSINESS CARD
Executive Business Cardmembers Can Now Receive Complimentary Companion Tickets for Airline Travel and Collect Exclusive Benefits in the Starwood Preferred Business(SM) Program
NEW YORK, September 09, 2004 -- OPEN from American Express today announced that it is upgrading Cardmember benefits on the Executive Business Card, which is designed for business owners who are frequent travelers.
A charge card with no pre-set pending limit(1), the Executive Business Card is a powerful cash flow management tool that provides Cardmembers with robust spending power, and offers the following new benefits:
Complimentary Companion Ticket – Once each year, Executive Business Cardmembers can receive a certificate redeemable for a complimentary companion ticket on major U.S. airline carriers when using their Card to purchase a domestic coach class ticket for themselves.(2)
Exclusive Benefits in the Starwood Preferred Business Program – Executive Business Cardmembers are eligible to enroll their companies in this hotel rewards program for businesses without having to meet minimum stay requirements.(3) Once enrolled, Cardmembers can receive upgrades to a Preferred Room at check-in; earn two confirmable upgrades per year; enjoy 4 p.m. late checkout; receive two awards for 50% room rates per year; and continue to earn Starpoints® for their company accounts.
Free Roadside Assistance – Executive Business Cardmembers who experience problems with their vehicle can call American Express to receive a tow truck or other roadside assistance.(4) American Express can also alert family, friends or business colleagues to the situation.
“Our semi-annual survey of business owners found that travel is their top reported purchase on charge and credit cards,” said Susan Sobbott, president, OPEN from American Express. “With so many business owners using plastic to make travel-related purchases, we wanted to create a product with excellent travel benefits. We believe that the Executive Business Card will appeal to business owners who travel frequently and seek value and convenience with their Card.”
In addition to the new Executive Business Card features, Cardmembers can take advantage of the following American Express® Business Card benefits:
OPEN Savings(SM), which provides automatic savings when using an American Express Business Card for purchases with program partners that include AT&T, FedEx, Hertz and Staples.(5) Savings are combinable with other marketplace offers or with volume discount purchases.
Access to convenient online account management tools – including the Small Business Dashboard and Expense Management Reports, which provide detailed and customizable information about charges incurred by Cardmembers or their employees.
Fee-free linkage to the Membership Rewards® program for all additional Cards on the account so that enrolled Cardmembers can maximize their rewards-earning potential when using their Card for purchases.(6)
Access to Executive Business Travel counselors who can book air, car rental and hotel reservations.
Complimentary membership in the Executive Car Club, which provides reserved membership in Hertz #1 Club Gold and Emerald Club from National Car Rental without minimum purchase requirements.(7)
To learn more about or to apply for the Executive Business Card, business owners can visit open.americanexpress.com.
About OPEN: The Small Business Network from American Express
OPEN: The Small Business Network is a division of American Express that offers small business owners a wide range of tools, services and savings designed to meet their evolving needs, including charge and credit cards, convenient access to working capital and credit information, enhanced online account management capabilities and enhanced savings on everyday business expenses from industry-leading partners. To obtain more information about the OPEN Network, visit OPEN.americanexpress.com or call 1-800-NOW-OPEN to apply for a Card or loan.
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.
About Starwood
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 750 properties in more than 80 countries and 110,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. With internationally renowned brands, Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts including: St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Sheraton, Westin, Four Points by Sheraton, W brands, as well as Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwood.com.
(1) Purchases are approved based on a variety of factors, including account history, credit records and personal resources.
(2) To be eligible for this travel award one of the travelers must be 21 years of age or older. Both travelers must have either a valid Drivers License or a government issued picture identification to be presented at check-in. Reservations require a minimum fourteen (14) day advance purchase and a Saturday night stay at your destination. API will determine the routing from the airport closest to your gateway city. API cannot honor requests for specific routings. API will use scheduled jet and commuter service. Maximum stay is thirty (30) days. Open tickets, open returns, open jaws and circle trips are not permitted. Stopovers are not allowed. Reservations generally accepted within six (6) months of travel. The person whose name appears on both the Registration Form and the Activation Certificate must be one of the travelers. Both tickets must reflect identical itineraries. Complimentary fares apply to the base fare only: All taxes for airline tickets are the sole responsibility of the passengers. Terms and conditions apply. For more information, please visit open.americanexpress.com.
(3) Company enrollment in the Starwood Preferred Business program and Cardmember enrollment in the Starwood Preferred Guest® program is required. Room upgrades are subject to availability at check-in. Each confirmable upgrade is valid for up to three nights to the next room category and must be confirmed within five days of arrival. 4 PM late checkout is not available at some resorts. Each 50% off award is valid for one room, for up to five consecutive nights on RACK rates only. Invitation code PBEX must be entered during company enrollment for card holder to receive exclusive program benefits. 50% awards and confirmable upgrades may take 4-6 weeks to post to account. Benefits are subject to change. Program amenities may not be combined with the Fine Hotels & Resorts program. Terms and conditions of the Starwood Preferred Business and Starwood Preferred Guest program apply. Program enrollment is valid as long as you are a Business Platinum Card member in good standing.
(4) American Express Roadside Assistance Services are provided as an emergency service and not a general maintenance type service. Only one disablement for the same cause during any consecutive seven-day period will be allowed. Coverage provided for self-propelled, four wheel vehicles designed, licensed and used for private on-road transportation, and trucks with a carrying capacity of up to 2 tons. Maximum towing distance is 10 miles. Terms and conditions apply. For more information, please visit open.americanexpress.com.
(5) Payment must be made with an American Express Business Card. Participation and offers are subject to change without notice. Terms and conditions apply. For more information please visit open.americanexpress.com/savings.
(6) Basic and additional Cardmembers holding a Business Card from OPEN: The Small Business Network who have one of the following Cards may also enroll in the Membership Rewards Program: Business Gold Card, Business Platinum Card,® Business Centurion® Card, Executive Business Card, Business Purchase Account, Business Costco Card, Business Membership Rewards Card. Terms and Conditions of the Membership Rewards program apply.
(7) Hertz #1 Club Gold® is a registered trademark of Hertz System, Inc. The minimum rental age for Hertz #1 Club Gold membership is 25 years (exceptions apply). For Hertz #1 Club Gold, upgrades are subject to fleet availability at time of rental. Standard car rental terms and conditions apply. National's Emerald Club and its services require a signed Master Rental Agreement on file. Emerald Aisle® and Emerald Reserve ServiceSM are available at select locations only.
Contacts:
Channing Barringer
212.640.0512
Channing.K.Barringer@aexp.com