American Express: new services save money and time

Latin Trade, Oct, 2004

Because saving time and money is crucial to the success of any enterprise, American Express offers several new programs to help businesses of all sizes achieve both goals.

The American Express Corporate Card now provides cardmembers with a Monthly No Interest program that allows the financing of purchases up to 13 months without interest costs or pre-set spending limits.

"We are pleased to be able to offer this program currently in Mexico and plan soon to expand it to the rest of Latin America and the Caribbean," says Ramon Martin, American Express Senior Vice President of Global Corporate Services, Latin America and Caribbean Division. "Now companies can make purchases at any one of our participating merchants and enjoy the comforts of 'buying now and paying later'."

American Express recently launched the "InfoExpress" service in Latin America and the Caribbean to assist clients in their efforts to simplify company expenses on the Corporate Card, the Corporate Purchasing Card and in cash expenditures.

The system notifies companies via email of expenses that need to be paid and allows the investigation of each expense, plus the benefit of electronic bill pay. This creates better control of documentation and generates claims automatically.

"We have also launched Remote Account Management (RAM) to better support our mid-sized companies," Martin says. "It is a more personalized system that offers an American Express account manager to help company representatives understand the company's business costs. Our managers can also assist in assessing the best expense management solution for your company."

The American Express RAM service focuses on travel and entertainment policy, expense processes, payment methods and supplier management.

"With RAM, we help our cardmembers maximize savings at no extra cost and ensure that our products and services meet each of their individual needs," Martin adds. "We also deliver updates on new and enhanced products delivered to cardmembers at a time relevant for their business."

The American Express Corporate Gold Card services will soon be available in Argentina, according to Martin. Currently, American Express Gold Card cardmembers in Mexico, Brazil and other countries throughout Latin America are benefiting from the advantages of the Corporate Gold Card:

* Global Assistance--Offers a home base in over 130 countries, with travel service locations worldwide to assist with travel arrangements, 24 hour emergency Card replacement, Travelers Checks, and more.

* Travel Accident Insurance--American Express cardmembers enrolled in this plan are automatically covered every time they charge a scheduled airline ticket to an enrolled Card.

* Buyers Assurance--A purchase protection plan with online fraud protection, lowest price available benefits, Gift Checks[R] and more.

* Lost & Delay Baggage Protection Insurance--This covers any trip paid with the Corporate Card and provides coverage for lost, stolen, or damaged baggage and coverage for replacement items if bags are delayed just three hours.

* Collision Damage Waiver--Coverage for theft of or dam age to most rental vehicles.

* Centurion Airport Club--In select airports, American Express provides cardmembers waiting for flights and other transportation with refreshments, fax services, telephones, Internet connection and more.

* Concierge Services--American Express Travel counselors are always just a phone call away to assist with all travel needs.

* Travel Services--These include currency exchange locations, tours, reservations, packages, express cash and more.

"At American Express we will continue to find solutions to meet specific client needs," says Martin. "Our diverse and first quality product portfolio assures that there are optimum programs for virtually every type of business."