News Releases

    --No Fee Rewards Card Lets Cardmembers Use Points for Any Travel--

    MARKHAM, ON, April 7 /CNW/ - Amex Bank of Canada introduces the no-fee
American Express Blue Sky Credit Card, a new style of travel rewards Card that
gives consumers the freedom to redeem points towards any travel purchase
charged to the Card, including any airline, hotel, cruise or car rental
company. Cardmembers can redeem with no blackouts or restrictions. Even
discount travel offers are eligible.
    Cardmembers can earn points everyday by charging their regular purchases
to their Card at any American Express merchant. Points can then be used as a
credit towards travel related purchases charged to the Card. There is no need
to be enrolled in a frequent flyer program.
    "Blue Sky introduces a brand new rewards concept with tremendous choice
and flexibility", says Rob McClean, Vice President of New Product Development
for American Express. "Consumers can collect points and use them whenever they
want towards their travel spending. It means more people will be able to
benefit from travel rewards and enjoy the benefits in a fast, easy and
convenient way"
    Blue Sky Cardmembers will earn points at a very attractive rate of 1.25
points for every $1 in purchases. Which means, for every $8,000 in purchases,
Cardmembers earn 10,000 Blue Sky Points, equal to a $100 travel credit.
    Points can add up quickly and can be used anytime towards any type of
travel purchase charged to the Blue Sky Credit Card. Customers are free to
book with any airline, or through any travel agent or online service. They can
use their points towards the absolute best travel deals available anywhere,
including seat sales and vacation packages.
    This means unlimited travel choices, zero travel restrictions, and a fast
way to earn free travel.
    The launch of the Blue Sky Credit Card is part of an aggressive push by
American Express to accelerate the growth of its business in the competitive
travel rewards sector of the market. American Express is already the only Card
issuer that offers a suite of co-brand rewards Cards with two of Canada's
leading loyalty programs, as well as its own proprietary program called
Membership Rewards.

    More About Blue Sky
    -------------------
    With Blue Sky, there are no restrictions on the number of points earned
and points never expire. As well:-   Travel rewards can be redeemed with as little as 10,000 points.
    -   After the initial 10,000 points, Blue Sky points can be redeemed in
        increments of 5,000 points or $50 travel credits.
    -   Blue Sky has no annual fee, gives the flexibility to carry a balance,
        and offers a 12,000 points bonus for new Cardmembers who spend $3000
        in purchases in the first 6 months of Cardmembership.Other standard American Express benefits include Front Of The Line access
to entertainment events and Travel Accident Insurance.

    About American Express in Canada
    --------------------------------
    American Express in Canada operates as Amex Bank of Canada and Amex
Canada Inc. Both are wholly owned subsidiaries of the New York based American
Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc., the largest operating unit of
the American Express Company. Amex Bank of Canada is the issuer of American
Express Cards in Canada. Amex Canada Inc. operates the Corporate Travel,
Travel Services Network and Travellers Cheques divisions in Canada. American
Express opened its first offices in Toronto and Hamilton in 1853 and now
employs 3,700 Canadians coast-to-coast.