Business Services Industry

American Express Named ''World's Leading Travel Company''

Business Wire, Dec 14, 2004

NEW YORK -- American Express has been named the "World's Leading Travel Company" for business and consumer travel by the independent World Travel Awards. With over 165,000 travel professionals' casting votes from 200 countries, the prestigious awards recognize the best in travel and tourism worldwide.

The award of World's Leading Travel Company was presented to American Express at the 11th Annual World Travel Awards, held in Barbados on Saturday, December 11.

"American Express is by definition a holistic travel supplier, with a world class global network and online solution, which is why it is truly recognized by the travel industry as the World's Leading Travel Company," said James Kahn, Global Sales Director, World Travel Awards.

"American Express is dedicated to providing superior customer service, value and savings to our customers. We endeavor to deliver to individual customers seamless travel experiences and to companies and corporate customers a travel management program based on global solutions online, offline, and anywhere in the world," said Charles Petruccelli, President, Global Travel Services. "To be recognized by so many travel industry professionals is a true honor."

About American Express Corporate Services

American Express Travel Related Services, Inc. operates one of the world's largest travel agency networks, recording $16 billion in worldwide travel sales in 2003. Through its Corporate Services group, the company counts nearly 70 percent of the Fortune 500, along with tens of thousands of mid-sized companies, as customers of its Business Travel, Corporate Card, and Corporate Purchasing Solutions services. More information on expense management tools from Corporate Services can be found at http://www.americanexpress.com/corporateservices.> The American Express Company is a diversified worldwide travel, financial and network services company founded in 1850. It is a leader in charge and credit cards, Travelers Cheques, travel, financial planning, investment products, insurance and international banking.

About World Travel Awards

The World Travel Awards was conceived in 1993 to acknowledge and celebrate excellence in the world's travel and tourism industry. Now in its eleventh year, travel professionals and discerning travelers have come to regard the World Travel Awards as the very best endorsement that a travel product could hope to receive.

American Express acts solely as sales agent for travel suppliers and is not liable for the actions or inactions of such suppliers. CST# 1022318-10, TA# 002- Registered Iowa Travel Agency, TA# 149- Registered Ohio Travel Agency, NV# 2001-0126, ML#1192, Washington UBI# 600-469-694