AMERICAN EXPRESS CELEBRATES A NEAR DECADE OF ONLINE BUSINESS TRAVEL
Records Nearly 5 Mln online transactions in the U.S. for the annual period ended July 31; 9 out of 10 online reservations completed in the first pass; without counselor intervention; More than one-third of the company’s U.S. business travel reservations now made online
SAN DIEGO, CA, August 15, 2005 -- American Express Business Travel, the world's largest travel management company, today celebrated nearly 10 years of providing online business travel service for its customers. For the annual period ended July 31, 2005, the company recorded nearly 5 million online business travel transactions in the United States, with 9 out of 10 of these reservations completed in the traveler's first pass without counselor intervention. Furthermore, for the period ended July 31, 2005, more than one-third (35.1 percent) of the company's total business travel reservations (online and offline) are now made online.
“As we head into our 10th year of service as the industry's leading online travel agency, American Express Online is more robust than ever. In the U.S., we book more transactions online for business travelers than the average travel management company's annual bookings of online and offline transactions combined,” said Andy McGraw, senior vice president and general manager, American Express Business Travel. “Today, online reservations account for more than one-third of the company's U.S. annual business travel transactions booked.”
Through its user-friendly environment, American Express Online enables a business traveler to easily establish a travel profile, make bookings, manage itineraries and even print invoices. Travelers also realize immediate savings due to consistently low rates, can access management information and insights, and receive urgent travel news, safety tips and alerts.
“American Express Online is, as billed, a one-stop-shop for managing designated business travel of companies large and small. The portal initially defined and today sets the standard for online business travel reservation systems,” added McGraw.
Most recently, American Express Business Travel enhanced and added booking functions to its portals in Argentina, Canada, France, Germany, México, United Kingdom and Sweden.
“We now have more online portal ‘locations in force' for our clients worldwide and global client adoption continues to rise,” noted McGraw. “Importantly, in the U.S., American Express Business Travel clients report first past yield rates that are next to none. Nine (9) out of Ten (10) times our customers complete their booking, with no intervention necessary.”
Visit the new and existing websites to learn more:
- Argentina: http://www.americanexpress.com.ar/businesstravel
- Australia: http://corp.americanexpress.com/gcs/intl/australia/businesstravel
- Canada: http://corp.americanexpress.com/gcs/intl/canadaen/businesstravel
- France: http://www.americanexpress.fr/voyagesdaffaires
- Germany: http://www.americanexpress.de/businesstravel
- India: http://corp.americanexpress.com/gcs/intl/india/businesstravel/
- México: http://www.americanexpress.com.mx/businesstravel
- Norway: http://www.americanexpress.no/businesstravel
- United Kingdom: http://www.americanexpress.co.uk/businesstravel
- United States: http://www.americanexpress.com/businesstravel
- Singapore: http://corp.americanexpress.com/gcs/intl/singapore/businesstravel/
- Sweden: http://www.americanexpress.se/businesstravel
Additionally, in April, 2005, American Express Business Travel and TravelSky Technology Limited, a leading provider of information technology solutions for China's air travel and tourism industries, announced a strategic partnership to create China's first online business travel booking tool.
American Express Business Travel 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 an unparalleled combination of strategic sourcing and supplier negotiation support, travel management consulting expertise, industry-leading technology and customer service available around the world, around the clock, to meet each client's unique needs.
About American Express
American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. operates one of the world's largest travel agency networks, recording $19.9 billion in worldwide travel sales in 2004.
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.
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
