News Releases

American Express Business Travel Will Help Members Make Travel Management
    Decisions through a Network of Industry Professionals and Shared
    Resources

    Global Travel Services President Charles Petruccelli to Host Live Chat
    November 20MARKHAM, ON, Nov. 3 /CNW/ - American Express Business Travel launched its
online community for the corporate travel industry on October 31, 2008.
Designed as a dynamic network to harness the collective intelligence of the
business travel industry, BusinessTravelConneXion.com (BTX) is the destination
for travel professionals to become more informed and better equipped to
optimize their travel and entertainment programs.
    BTX will enable its community members including travel buyers, suppliers,
technology providers, industry experts and influencers, to offer a wide
variety of perspectives, share best practices, build relationships and stay up
to date on current research and industry news. Membership to the site is free;
to-date, over 950 industry members have pre-registered to the community. The
vision for BusinessTravelConneXion was announced this time last year by
Charles Petruccelli, president, Global Travel Services for American Express.
    "Now more than ever, we are seeing companies of all sizes look for ways
to streamline business travel costs and identify proof of
return-on-investment," said Mr. Petruccelli. "Through
BusinessTravelConneXion.com, American Express Business Travel is providing the
industry with an innovative tool that brings members together during a crucial
time to expand their knowledge base and offer solutions and best practices
that may not be available internally. This will ensure not only that business
travel spending is being maximized, but that business travel programs are
efficient and effectively keeping travellers on the road."
    Mr. Petruccelli will host a special, Live Chat Event with community
members on November 20th through BusinessTravelConneXion.com. The chat will
take place from 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM EDT from the PhoCusWright Conference in Los
Angeles. Participants will have the opportunity to submit questions which will
be addressed in real-time in a text-chat format. More details and registration
information will be available on BusinessTravelConneXion.com in early
November.
    In addition, American Express Business Travel clients will be invited to
participate in the community's "Product Lab" where they can offer feedback on
new and existing products. At launch, our product managers will be seeking
feedback related to the design of the latest release of its AXIS @ Work
management information solution.Other community features include:
    -   Real-time dialogue and polling through discussion forums, live chats,
        blogs, community benchmarking and weekly polls.
    -   Editorial content from a range of industry experts in Feature of
        the Week.
    -   Product Lab, a feedback mechanism for existing and future products
        (For American Express clients only).
    -   Community user groups, a way for American Express and its clients,
        preferred suppliers and content partners to interact with each other
        in a private environment.
    -   Industry Spotlight, a dedicated feature for preferred suppliers,
        content partners and technology providers, to announce new offerings,
        service changes and accolades.
    -   Resource Library, a home for downloadable white papers, case studies,
        surveys, and research contributed by content providers such as the
        National Business Travel Association, PhoCusWright, Rearden Commerce
        and others, as well as any member of the community."Through Web 2.0 technology such as live chats, blogs and forums, members
have access to relevant information and solutions in real-time. In addition,
members are offered a platform to network and build relationships. Communities
like BTX represent the future of B2B," said Mr. Petruccelli.
    Content providers to BusinessTravelConneXion include the National
Business Travel Association (NBTA), Executive Travel, PhoCusWright, Rearden
Commerce, and freelance industry writers.
    The community will be launched as a beta version and was initially
piloted with a select number of test clients, suppliers and partners on
October 27, which provided an opportunity for clients to explore the
capabilities and offer their own "user generated content".

    About American Express Business Travel

    American Express Business Travel
(www.americanexpress.com/businesstravel), a division of the American Express
Company, is dedicated to helping its clients 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 a combination of industry-leading booking technology,
travel management consulting expertise, strategic sourcing and supplier
negotiation support, and customer service available online and offline, around
the world.
    American Express operates one of the world's largest travel agency
networks with $26.4 billion in global travel sales in 2007.

    American Express Company (www.americanexpress.com) is a diversified
worldwide travel, financial and network services company founded in 1850. It
is a world leader in charge and credit cards, Travelers Cheques, travel, and
business services.