SOUTHLAKE, Texas & NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Dec. 14, 2004–Travelocity(R) and American Express Company today announced a strategic agreement to use a private-label version of Travelocity’s online booking engine for flights, hotels, car rentals, and last minute travel products for American Express’ U.S. online leisure travel site, www.americanexpress.com/travel. In addition, American Express today will launch the first in a series of enhancements to its leisure travel Web site, including a new design for easier navigation and customized booking tools for cruises and American Express Vacations(R) packages.
“To be the strategic partner for American Express’ online leisure travel business speaks to the momentum Travelocity Partner Network(SM) continues to generate industry-wide,” said Richard Harris, vice president of strategy and business development for Travelocity. “American Express is a highly valued travel provider and our new relationship with them is a great opportunity for us to extend our private labeled products and services to their loyal customer base.”
The agreement will expand American Express’ online leisure travel capabilities by providing a full range of industry-leading travel rates as well as discounts, including special fares, merchant hotel rates, last minute deals and dynamic vacation packages.
“Our aim is to ensure that our customers receive the best line-up of travel products and services available, whether they call in to our toll-free number, walk into one of our offices or click in through our Web site,” said Audrey Hendley, Vice President of Marketing and Strategic Partnerships for the American Express Consumer Travel Network U.S. “Through this agreement with Travelocity, American Express will provide customers with access to even more competitive travel deals, along with the features they expect of us: a high level of service, unique, compelling offers and rewards for their loyalty.”
Along with its established heritage of excellence in travel services, American Express plans to appeal to existing Cardmembers and attract new customers with compelling values such as double Membership Rewards(R) points and exclusive value-added features with the American Express Vacations product line. The site also offers a cruise booking feature provided by OurVacationStore.com, Inc. Cardmembers can use Membership Rewards points to pay for cruises. The site will continue to offer a travel office locator and travel specialist search engine to support customers who would rather work with a travel counselor. Over the course of the next year, American Express will enhance the site with additional features.
The addition of American Express to the Travelocity Partner Network continues the expansion of Travelocity’s distribution reach. Currently, Travelocity Partner Network has agreements in place with several leading online retailers, including: AARP, Southwest Airlines, US Airways, America Online and Yahoo! Additionally, Travelocity continues to leverage sister company Site59’s experience as an ASP for a number of travel-related Web sites, one of which includes American Express.
“This further demonstrates Travelocity’s ability to leverage our industry leading travel products for the good of all consumers and supplier partners,” Harris of Travelocity said. “We have great confidence in the power and flexibility of the Travelocity Partner Network and our team’s ability to work creatively with our partners and their various user bases.”
About Travelocity
Travelocity’s industry-leading technology and straight-talking, honest information help travelers take more rewarding and affordable trips. With millions of registered users and booking nearly $4 billion of travel in 2003, Travelocity negotiates thousands of low-priced deals with the world’s most reputable travel providers — top airlines, hotels, car rental companies, cruise lines, and other destination attractions and services. Additionally, Travelocity offers deeply-discounted rates for weekend getaways and dynamic packages through its Last Minute Deals and TotalTrip(SM) shopping engines, and provides customer service support over the phone 24 hours a day. Based in Southlake, Texas, Travelocity also operates Travelocity Business(SM) for corporate customers, powers international travel Web sites in eight languages, and has been recognized for its consumer advocacy and global leadership in online travel. More information about Travelocity is available at www.travelocity.com. Travelocity is owned by Sabre Holdings Corporation (NYSE:TSG), a world leader in travel commerce. More information about Sabre Holdings is available at www.sabre-holdings.com.
About American Express
American Express entered the travel agency business in 1915 and today is one of the largest global travel agency networks, with more than $16 billion in global travel sales in 2003. The company has more than 1,700 Travel Services(a) locations worldwide in more than 130 countries. American Express began selling travel over the Internet in 1995, and in 1996 launched http://www.americanexpress.com/travel. It is a leader in supporting the travel industry through its active sponsorship of several industry associations, including the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA), Travel Industry Association of American (TIA) and the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), among others. In 1987, American Express established the Academies of Travel & Tourism in the United States, and since 1995 has contributed $10 million to the World Monuments Watch, an ambitious program the company launched with the non-profit World Monuments Fund to identify and save the world’s most endangered monuments.
American Express Company 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, financial planning, business services, insurance and international banking. For more information on American Express, visit our Web site at www.americanexpress.com
(a) Not all services available at all locations
CONTACT: Vollmer Public Relations for Travelocity
Judy Haveson, 212-554-7425
judy@vollmerpr.com
or
Sie Soheili, 972-488-4790
sie@vollmerpr.com
or
American Express
Melissa Abernathy, 212-640-5060
melissa.abernathy@aexp.com
SOURCE: Travelocity
