The Membership Rewards program already provides extremely rich travel rewards with access to 23 airline partners, 15 of which offer Cardmembers the ability to point transfer directly into their airline frequent flier program, access to more than 250 hotel partners, and almost 40 luxury cruise liners. Now Cardmembers using www.americanexpress.com/travel can use Membership Rewards points to cover all or part of the costs of any airline ticket, hotel room and cruise -- greatly expanding the travel choices available in the program(1). The Membership Rewards program gives Cardmembers the most flexibility of any rewards program to redeem points in the way they want for travel.

American Express has designed this new functionality as a one-step, easy-to-use part of the online travel experience. After logging-in to the travel booking site and selecting their preferred airline ticket, accommodations or cruise, Cardmembers are given the option to redeem Membership Rewards points to cover all or part of their trip. Cardmembers will be alerted to their point balance and can use an online tool to determine the amount of points needed to redeem for the travel selected.

“Through the Membership Rewards program, we strive to provide our customers with flexible, attainable travel reward choices that fit their needs while providing a great customer experience,” said Ralph Andretta, senior vice president and general manager, Membership Rewards, American Express. “Offering customers the ability to use Membership Rewards points instantly without restrictions for their travel –including for any of the multitude of airlines available on the American Express travel website – strengthens our redemption offerings and gives our customers' even greater choice.”

“We are delighted to enhance the travel website with this new Membership Rewards Program functionality,” said Lynne Biggar, senior vice president, Consumer Travel Network, American Express. “Our goal is to give our Cardmembers the most comprehensive, flexible and hassle-free experience when booking their trips. At americanexpress.com, we've given consumers the best combination of ease of use, competitive rates, travel choices and booking options and addressed the concerns many travelers have about booking travel online, giving them peace-of-mind before they travel.”

About American Express Website Benefits
The American Express consumer travel site offers a full range of competitive travel rates and discounts on airfares, hotels, last minute deals, as well as cruises and full vacation packages, with optional transfers, sight-seeing tours and insurance. In addition to the flexibility of booking travel anytime, to anywhere, on virtually any airline, Cardmembers visiting www.americanexpress.com/travel will find competitive rates – including Lowest Rate Guaranteed hotel options – eliminating the need to surf multiple sites for low prices on travel. Customers who prefer booking through a travel counselor can find the right person for their needs using the American Express Travel Office locator and Travel Specialist finder tools (2).

The site recently underwent a comprehensive redesign, featuring easier navigation and a private label version of the easy-to-use booking interface developed by Travelocity, along with its low fares and rates. It also offers customized booking tools for cruises and American Express Vacations packages, last minute bargains and special promotional offers.

Plus, any customer using the site can rely on the security of American Express' 24-hour service, which is available before, during and after a trip. When not using Membership Rewards points, Cardmembers booking travel on the site can earn double Membership Rewards points for their travel and can take advantage of special value promotions offered throughout the year.

About Membership Rewards Benefits
The Membership Rewards program from American Express is the largest card-based rewards program in the world, with more than 140 redemption partners. The program allows Cardmembers to earn one point for virtually every dollar charged on eligible, enrolled American Express® Cards(3). Many Cards, including the Preferred Rewards Green, Preferred Rewards Gold, Platinum Card® or Centurion® Card, offer the ability to earn double bonus points for purchases in Everyday Spend categories that include supermarkets, gas stations, drugstores, U.S. Postal Service and wireless phone bill payments4. Membership Rewards points are redeemable in a wide selection of reward categories, including travel, retail merchandise, entertainment, shopping and recreation gift certificates, experiences, financial services and charity rewards. Enrollees may also customize their own redemption experiences through the program's Your Reward® option and use points for just about anything they can imagine. Points have no expiration date, and there is no limit on the number of points you can earn.

For more information about the Membership Rewards program, or to apply for an American Express Card, consumers can call 1-800-TheCard or visit 800thecard.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.

(1) To qualify, the American Express Card account you designate for this transaction must be enrolled in the Membership Rewards program and all of your Card accounts with us must be in good standing. You may not designate a Corporate Card account for this transaction. The Card account you designate will be charged for your air, Lowest Rates Guaranteed hotel, or cruise purchase. American Express will debit Membership Rewards points from your program account and will issue a credit for the corresponding dollar amount to the Card account you designate. Once the Membership Rewards points have been redeemed, the points can not be converted back into your account. The credit to your Card account may not appear during the same billing period as the charge for your air, Lowest Rates Guaranteed hotel or cruise purchase. If the points redeemed do not cover the entire amount of the charge for your air, Lowest Rates Guaranteed hotel or cruise purchase, the balance of the purchase price will remain charged to the Card account you designate.

(2) CST#1022318-10; ML#1192; Washington UBI#600-469-694; TA-002 Registered Iowa Travel Agency; NV# 2001-0126

(3) Some Cards require enrollment and the payment of an annual program fee. Terms and Conditions apply.

(4) Double points for purchases made with the Card at qualifying stand-alone supermarkets, drugstores, gas stations, the U.S. Postal Service, and for payments for wireless phone bills (excluding bulk purchases of wireless time) will be credited to your Membership Rewards [Options] account 12-14 weeks after charges appear on your monthly billing statement. Not valid in the departments of superstores and warehouse clubs. Terms and Conditions of the Membership Rewards [Options] program apply.

Contacts:
Desiree Fish
212.640.4761
Desiree.C.Fish@aexp.com

Rosa Alfonso
212.640.1712
Rosa.M.Alfonso@aexp.com