The company was named the “World's Leading Travel Company” for business and consumer travel for the second consecutive year and was recognized as having the “World's Leading Corporate Travel Booking Website” by the independent World Travel Awards. American Express was also recognized for its innovative and superior travel technology by InfoWorld Magazine, which named the new TravelBahn(SM) Gateway point-of-service and Web-based reservations system tool as one of the premier 100 technology solutions in the country. In addition, earlier this quarter Travel Trade Gazette's Asia-Pacific readers in their 16th Annual Travel Awards named American Express the “Best Corporate Travel Agency.”

“These awards underscore American Express Business Travel's unmatched global reach, deep commitment to innovation and technology leadership, and online travel expertise,” said Charles Petruccelli, President, Global Travel Services, American Express. “We are extremely proud and grateful to receive the industry recognition, which only further energizes our commitment to provide savings, service and control to customers of every size, worldwide.”

The 12th Annual World Travel Awards were held in London on Sunday, November 13, in which over 165,000 travel professionals from 200 countries voted to acknowledge the best in travel and tourism worldwide.

“The world's travel professionals have once again recognized American Express Business Travel as the world's leading travel company, a testament to American Express' peerless global reach and customer service,” said James A. Khan, Global Sales Director, World Travel Awards. “And in the online arena, one of today's most competitive categories, American Express also won the travel industry's accolades, underscoring the company's dedication to delivering industry-leading technology and innovation.”

“It is especially gratifying to win the world's leading corporate travel booking Website award as American Express Business Travel celebrates a decade of providing online business travel,” Petruccelli commented. “As the industry's online pioneer, we are grateful for the opportunity to have served thousands of companies and millions of business travelers over the years. We are looking forward to the chance to serve millions more as we strive to set an even higher standard of ease, effectiveness and functionality in online travel.”

Announced on November 14, the InfoWorld 100 Awards recognizes the top information technology projects that creatively meet business and technical needs across a variety of industries. As a travel agent-facing tool, American Express' Gateway product not only integrates front-end booking tools and systems information -- allowing travel counselors to deliver superior personalized service -- but also provides for increased recognition of savings and corporate travel policy control by combining American Express databases with a powerful Web fare search engine.

“The Gateway system was developed with our clients' needs at the forefront,” said Michael Laughlin, Vice President Global Solutions Development, American Express Business Travel. “It was created to help our clients achieve and maximize control and cost savings over their travel programs through advanced booking and reservation technology. We are honored to have been chosen for this award by InfoWorld from among an extremely competitive field of innovators.”

With more than 7,200 readers in 17 countries in the Asia-Pacific region voting online and through a printed questionnaire, Travel Trade Gazette's 16th Annual Travel Awards recognized American Express as the “Best Corporate Travel Agency” for its unparalleled contributions to the business travel industry within the region. This award follows the American Express China Business Travel Forum, held in April 2005. This was the first-ever event of its kind in China, designed to showcase the business travel industry and further business travel in China, both internally and externally. Earlier in the year American Express also announced the launch of American Express Online in China. This was the first solution designed specifically to address the unique needs of China's market.

“The Asia-Pacific region is the fastest growing area for business travel in the world,” said Petruccelli. “There is an overwhelming need for travel management expertise, and we are gratified that this award acknowledges American Express' long-standing commitment to serving this region and helping facilitate its rapid economic growth. American Express will continue to work relentlessly to provide corporate travel solutions across the Asia-Pacific region.”

About American Express Business Travel
American Express Business Travel, a division of the American Express Company, is dedicated to helping its customers realize the greatest possible value from their investment in travel through increased cost savings, outstanding customer service and greater spend control. For small businesses, medium-sized enterprises and multinational corporations, American Express Business Travel provides a combination of industry-leading booking technology, travel management consulting expertise, strategic sourcing and supplier negotiation support and customer service available around the world, around the clock, online and offline. American Express operates the world's largest travel agency network, recording nearly $20 billion in worldwide travel sales in 2004.

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, business services and international banking.

American Express acts solely as sales agent for travel suppliers and is not liable for the actions or inactions of such suppliers. CST# 1022318-10, TA# 002- Registered Iowa Travel Agency, NV# 2001-0126, ML#1192, Washington UBI# 600-469-694

Contacts:
Gregory Papajohn
212.640.3414
Gregory.N.Papajohn@aexp.com