News Releases

    MARKHAM, ON, July 9 /CNW/ - Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) and American
Express Global Commercial Card have signed a multi-year, preferred supplier
agreement, the two companies announced jointly today. CWT will promote and
distribute three American Express payment solutions - Business Travel Account,
Corporate Card and Corporate Meeting Card - to its clients and prospects in
21 countries.(1)
    CWT selected American Express Global Commercial Card for its global
footprint, high-quality products, extensive data, and flexibility. CWT clients
will also enjoy the following benefits:-   Companies can consolidate their card program across countries and
        regions to facilitate expense management.
    -   Lodge, individual, and meetings and events cards are supported,
        offering greater visibility and control over travel-related
        expenditures.
    -   The solutions are flexible and can be adapted to clients of all sizes
        in all market segments. Furthermore, customized options for billing,
        consolidation of charges and payment are available.
    -   The cards are accepted by airlines, hotels and ground transportation
        suppliers around the world.
    -   Companies can offer rewards and incentives to individual cardholders
        for greater employee satisfaction.In addition, CWT and American Express Global Commercial Card will be able
to provide greater value to mutual clients by delivering enhanced data and
reporting consolidated on a local, regional and/or global basis. Clients who
implement CWT Agency+Card Reporting will gain even better insight into their
travel and expense data by being able to compare and match actual credit card
expenditures with CWT transactions. This will enable clients of both companies
to optimize the management of their corporate card and travel programs.
    Mike Koetting, CWT executive vice president, Global Supplier Management,
said, "American Express offers best-in-class payment solutions around the
world. Many of our clients are already using their cards and are looking
forward to the enhanced data which, when coupled with CWT Agency+Card
Reporting, can provide increased visibility and understanding into
travel-related expenditures. Thanks to this broader view, companies can
increase compliance and more effectively leverage negotiations with suppliers
for greater savings. We are eager to offer similar opportunities to an even
greater number of our clients and are confident that with the help of American
Express, the transition will be seamless."
    Brendan Walsh, senior vice president, American Express Global Commercial
Card, Europe, added, "We're very pleased to have signed this agreement with
Carlson Wagonlit Travel. As their preferred payment provider, we will be able
to enhance our service to mutual clients, as well as expand our relationship
with new clients in many markets around the world. It reinforces our global
strength in offering corporate payment solutions to the travel industry,
supporting our goal to offer clients best-in-class service, savings and
control. This new agreement is a win-win situation for our clients as well as
each of our companies."

    About Carlson Wagonlit Travel

    Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) is a global leader specializing in business
travel management. Present in more than 150 countries, CWT serves companies of
all sizes, as well as government institutions and non-governmental
organizations. By leveraging both the expertise of its people and leading-edge
technology, CWT helps clients derive the greatest value from their travel
program in terms of savings, service and security, and provides best-in-class
service and assistance to travelers. CWT services and solutions comprise four
lines of business: Traveler & Transaction Services, Program Optimization,
Safety & Security, and Meetings & Events. CWT has 22,000 employees worldwide.
In 2007, sales volume for wholly owned operations and joint ventures totaled
US$25.5 billion. For more information, please visit www.carlsonwagonlit.com.

    About American Express Global Commercial Card

    Through its Global Commercial Card group, American Express provides the
Corporate Card, Corporate Purchasing Solutions, and other expense management
services to mid-sized companies and large corporations worldwide. In the U.S.,
it is the leading issuer of commercial cards, serving more than 60% of the
Fortune 500, as well as tens of thousands of mid-sized companies. American
Express issues local-currency commercial cards in 40 countries, and
International Dollar Corporate Cards in an additional 100 countries. For more
information, visit www.americanexpress.com/corporate.
    American Express Company (www.americanexpress.com) is a leading global
payments, network and travel company founded in 1850.

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    (1) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Canada, Czech Republic, France,
    Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, New
    Zealand, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, the United Kingdom
    and the United States