AMERICAN EXPRESS AND AMERICAN AIRLINES EXPAND BENEFITS OF CO-BRANDED CORPORATE CARD FOR MID-SIZED COMPANIES
American Express® / Business ExtrAA® Corporate Card Lets Mid-Sized Companies Earn Discounts on All Published AA fares and Reward Points for All Types of Charges
NEW YORK, September 28, 2005 -- American Express announced today that its co-branded Corporate Card with American Airlines, the American Express® / Business ExtrAA® Corporate Card program, has been significantly enhanced. Mid-sized firms, which typically have not had the purchasing clout to negotiate corporate airfare discounts, will now have a new, more potent tool to improve their travel bottom line – and earn more reward points for company use with the airline's Business ExtrAA® corporate loyalty reward program.
The new Card program will offer companies a rebate of four percent on all published American Airlines fares, with the rebate paid quarterly. Participating companies will enjoy additional savings as they can directly accrue Business ExtrAA rewards points on all of their Card charges and apply these points to redeeming additional tickets on American Airlines, as well as other benefits.
With the enhanced American Express® / Business ExtrAA® Corporate Card, a mid-sized company that spends $500,000 annually on travel, office supplies and other expenses can expect to save about $6,500.
"The Business ExtrAA Corporate Card program provides a way for mid-sized companies to achieve significant savings," said Anré Williams, Executive Vice President, American Express Global Corporate Services. "What's more, these savings are automatic – earned simply by using the Corporate Card to pay for everyday business expenses and American Airlines business travel."
Expanded Opportunity to Earn Rebates
With the enhanced American Express® / Business ExtrAA® Corporate Card, clients now will receive a four percent cash rebate on any(1) published American Airlines fare charged by Cardmembers. Previously, the rebate was 10% on a limited selection of American Airlines' business-type fares. Rebates will be paid quarterly for up to $1 million in American Airlines airfares charged annually. Firms with negotiated American Airlines discounts can earn a one-percent rebate.
"The American Express Business ExtrAA Corporate Card will provide tremendous value to mid-tier companies that can earn Business ExtrAA Points toward award travel on American and along with the program rebates, get more for their travel dollar," said David Cush, Vice President and General Manager Sales for American. "You don't have to be a Fortune 500 company to earn rewards like one".
Award Points for All Types of Spending
Signing up for this Corporate Card includes automatic enrollment in American Airlines' Business ExtrAA corporate loyalty program, in which companies earn points toward round-trip flight certificates, one-way upgrades on domestic or international travel, Admirals Club memberships and many more rewards. Member companies choose when to redeem their points and how to distribute rewards.
In another expansion of benefits, American Express Business ExtrAA Corporate Card clients can now earn points in the airline's corporate loyalty program for all their employees' spending on the Card - including air, hotel, restaurants, computers, shipping, and any other business expense. Previously, reward points were accrued only for American Airlines-related charges. The expense management features of the American Express Business ExtrAA Corporate Card include flexible billing and payment options, robust reporting, and controls for monitoring employee spending. Clients can also access savings with a host of T&E vendors participating in American Express' Savings at Worksm program, launched in 2003.
About American Express Global Corporate Services
Through its Global Corporate Services group, American Express provides expense management services to more than 100,000 firms worldwide through its Corporate Card program, Corporate Purchasing Solutions and Business Travel Services. It is both the leading issuer of commercial cards and the largest corporate travel management company in the U.S., serving nearly two-thirds of the Fortune 500, along with tens of thousands of mid-sized companies. More information on expense management tools from Corporate Services can be found here.
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 and international banking.
About American Airlines
American Airlines is the world's largest airline. American, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection® regional airlines serve more than 240 cities in over 40 countries with more than 3,800 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 1,000 aircraft. American's award-winning Web site, AA.com, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members serve more than 600 destinations in over 135 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation
(NYSE: AMR).
(1) Vacation fares sold by wholesalers and consolidators are not eligible.
