The Event Ticket Protection Plan is the latest addition - and a perfect complement - to the variety of entertainment programs that American Express already offers to Card members, including Gold Card Events, the By Invitation Only program and special advance ticket sale promotions.

“We know that entertainment is a key interest for our Card members, so we are always looking for new and innovative ways to expand the entertainment benefits we offer,” said Peggy Maher, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer Charge Card, American Express. “Now, with the addition of Event Ticket Protection, if Card members find themselves in unexpected situations and they can't use their tickets, we are able to help.”

How it Works
The Event Ticket Protection Plan reimburses ticketholders (the Card member or a person who has received a ticket from the Card member) for the expense of unused tickets charged to the Card member's account(2) for two covered incidents during a 12-month period beginning when the eligible tickets have been charged to the Card member's account.

Covered incidents(1) include:

• Medical emergency
• Cancellation of the event by the producer or venue without providing full reimbursement of the ticket cost, an equal value ticket or a rain check
• Transportation accident in which the Card member/ticketholder is involved
• Jury duty, subpoena, death or call to active military duty

If ticket reimbursement is provided to the Card member by a producer, venue or other insurance, the coverage provided by the Event Ticket Protection Plan becomes secondary and will pay only that portion of the ticket expense not reimbursed by the producer, venue or other insurance.

The Event Ticket Protection Plan is provided to Gold, Platinum and Centurion Card members at no extra cost and no enrollment is required. Coverage is available for eligible events(3) taking place in the U.S. only, which require an admission fee in exchange for a ticket and is reimbursed to the same account it was originally charged on. For more information about the Event Ticket Protection Plan, Card members can visit www.americanexpress.com/ticketprotect.

American Express offers Card members a one stop shop, the American Express Entertainment Access website, where they can find a comprehensive listing of all the entertainment opportunities available to them. Whether it's theater, movies, music, sports, Gold Card Events or the chance to enjoy unique experiences, like an exclusive dinner with one of Food & Wines' Best New Chefs, Card members can find it all on the Entertainment Access website, www.americanexpress.com/entertainment. Plus, Card members enrolled in the Membership Rewards program can redeem points for a wide variety of entertainment opportunities, including ticket purchases made through Ticketmaster and Telecharge.com, movie passes, dining certificates or for special, limited-time entertainment offers available through Membership Rewards Exclusives.

American Express Company (www.americanexpress.com) is a leading global payments, network and travel company founded in 1850.

(1) Terms and Conditions apply. Visit www.americanexpress.com or call the number on the back of your qualified American Express Card for complete details.

(2) Gold, OPEN Gold and Executive Business Card members are covered up to the maximum limit of $1,000 per eligible occurrence. Platinum and OPEN Platinum Card members are covered up to the maximum limit of $2,000 per eligible occurrence. Centurion and OPEN Centurion Card members are covered up to the maximum limit of $5,000 per eligible occurrence.

(3) An eligible event is a public gathering for an audience that will include the Card member or ticketholder, which is legal, takes place within the 50 United States or the District of Columbia, and which requires an admission fee in exchange for a ticket.

Editor's Note (June 2008): The Event Ticket Protection benefit is not available for Card members who are residents of New York State and any additional Card members on their accounts.