AMERICAN EXPRESS TO CLOSE OUT SUMMER IN NYC WITH COLOSSAL FIVE-WEEK "MEMBERSHIP" CELEBRATION

Host of complimentary activities rolled out for Cardmembers, including Kanye West Concert, US Open Session, Theater Night, Film Week and Dining Experience; More than 50,000 Tickets Available

NEW YORK, August 22, 2006 -- New York City becomes a Cardmember's playground in late August when American Express kicks off a five-week “Membership Changes Everything(SM)” series of free activities, exclusively for Cardmembers who carry American Express issued Cards. The activities are designed to celebrate and illustrate the benefits and services that accompany Membership. American Express will invite its Cardmembers to take advantage of free, special access to some of the best music, sports, theater, film and dining that New York has to offer, with more than 50,000 tickets available.

“New York City has so much to offer – it's like one large stage where the shows are constantly changing,” said Jud Linville, President, Consumer Card Services Group, American Express. “And for American Express, the City represents a chance to demonstrate how Membership changes our Cardmembers' lives – in both big and small ways. Over the next month, New Yorkers and its visiting fans will see how special it is to be a Member, whether it's a private concert with Kanye West, a night on Broadway, courtside seats at the US Open, or the everyday exceptional service we deliver, Membership does change everything."

GRAMMY® Award-winning artist Kanye West will kick off the free Cardmember program on August 29 when he takes the stage at the Nokia Theatre for a blowout private American Express concert for more than 1,600 people. Over the following five weeks, American Express will give away 1,000 tickets for the 2006 US Open Tennis Championships, 6,000 tickets across 16 hit Broadway shows, and 50,000 tickets for any feature film at select movie theaters. The final week, American Express will pick up the check for more than 1,400 diners at some of New York's hottest restaurants(i).

American Express Cardmembers can log onto americanexpress.com to find out more about registering online for the chance to take advantage of any of these exceptional complimentary opportunities.

Membership Changes Everything: Cardmember Activities Courtesy of American Express

Activity Date americanexpress.com On-line Registration Period
MUSIC: Two complimentary tickets to private Kanye West concert Tuesday, August 29
Nokia Theatre
Times Square, NY
Begins Wednesday, August 23 @ 12pm
SPORTS: Two complimentary US Open tickets Monday, September 4, Evening Session
USTA National Tennis Center
Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, NY
Begins Monday, August 28 @ 12pm
THEATER: Two complimentary Broadway theater tickets Friday, September 15, Evening Performance Begins Tuesday, September 5 @ 12pm
 
FILM: Four complimentary movie tickets One movie session from Monday, September 18 through Sunday, September 24
Theaters in the New York Metro area
Begins Tuesday, September 12 @ 12pm
DINING: Complimentary dinner for up to six people Tuesday, September 26
New York's Bar Americain, Craftsteak, Fiamma and Tabla and Bread Bar at Tabla
Begins Monday, September 18 @ 12pm

About American Express
American Express Company is a leading global payments, network and travel company founded in 1850.


(i) To receive your complimentary tickets, visit www.americanexpress.com between 8/23/06 and 8/27/06 (Kanye West), between 8/28/06 and 9/3/06 (US Open), between 9/4/06 and 9/10/06 (Broadway show), between 9/12/06 and 9/17/06 (movie), between 9/18/06 and 9/22/06 (dinner in NYC), complete and submit the online enrollment form. You will receive e-mail confirmation of your enrollment including event details and ticket availability. If tickets remain available, you will receive in that e-mail information on accessing your tickets. If you have any issues with accessing the tickets, please call American Express Customer Service at the toll-free phone number printed on the back of your card. Maximum value of each ticket: $69 for Kanye West, $39 for US Open (evening session, promenade section), $89 for Broadway, $12.50 for movie, and $75 for dinner (including tax and tip at one of five sponsor-designated restaurants). While supplies last. Approximately 1,600 Kanye West, 1,000 US Open, 6,000 Broadway, 50,000 movie, and 1,400 individual dinner (450 reservations) tickets are available.

Offer open to all American Express Cardmembers who have a Charge/Credit Card issued by American Express. Not open to individuals who have an American Express Card issued by a third party bank issuer. To check the list of eligible cards, visit www.americanexpress.com.

Void where prohibited. Expenses not specified herein are not included. Offer limited to legal U.S. residents age 18 or older. May not be combined with other offers. No facsimiles or other mechanical reproductions will be accepted. Offer subject to Sponsor's verification, in its sole discretion, that you and the information you provided comply with the terms of this offer. Limit 2 Kanye West tickets, 2 US Open tickets, 2 Broadway tickets, 4 movie tickets, and/or 1 dinner reservation (for up to 6 people) per person, per card, per event. If these terms and conditions are not met, offer enrollment may be considered invalid.

Offer non-transferable, non-negotiable and not redeemable for cash. No substitutions, except at Sponsor's sole discretion.

Sponsor: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc., World Financial Center, New York, NY 10285.

©2006 American Express Company



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

Joanna Lambert
212.640.9668
Joanna.G.Lambert@aexp.com