Print Preview : Travelocity partner network to power American Express consumer travel network`s online leisure travel site

Travelocity partner network to power American Express consumer travel network`s online leisure travel site
Travelocity and American Express Company 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. In addition, American Express 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 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. Rania Deimezi - Wednesday, December 15, 2004