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American Express Global Business Travel Cultivates Connections and Communication with New Tools and Services for Corporate Travelers and Travel Managers
[July 28, 2014]

American Express Global Business Travel Cultivates Connections and Communication with New Tools and Services for Corporate Travelers and Travel Managers


LOS ANGELES --(Business Wire)--

American Express (News - Alert) Global Business Travel ("GBT") today announced new servicing and technology tools and platforms that foster stronger connections and enable smarter communications with travelers and travel managers. Central to these solutions is GBT's focus on interacting with business travelers when and how they want to be reached, and ensuring a seamless experience from trip planning and booking to traveler care in the case of a disruption. The solutions announced today include the launch of First from American Express Global Business Travel and major enhancements to GBT's existing AX CONNECT product and TripCase integration.

"There is no question that global commerce is at an important nexus, with strong groundswells of consumerization and globalization shaping the demands of our customers and changing the way all businesses do business," said Bill Glenn, President and CEO of American Express Global Business Travel. "Technology and innovation that address these trends are at the heart of our strategies for growth as we continue our transformation at GBT."

Mr. Glenn added, "We understand that ease and efficiency are as paramount to business travelers as are consistency, control, and transparency to the companies that send their employees out on the road. The solutions we've announced today demonstrate our commitment to investing in technology that meets both of these needs. Moreover, they enable communications that are succinct, highly relevant, proactive and immediately accessible - crucial aspects of on-the-go interaction with today's connected business traveler."

New Premium Service Platform

First from American Express Global Business Travel is a new solution for road warriors and executive travelers that provides them the end-to-end experience they deserve - from personalized business trip planning, to continuous monitoring and anticipation of traveler needs, to proactive care while on the road. The bedrock of First is the elite team of expert travel counselors and the next-generation technology behind them. These travel experts go above and beyond simply selecting the right airline seat or meal preference. They are virtually alongside the traveler, 24/7. First travel counselors are empowered to advocate and immediately resolve issues on the traveler's behalf, utilizing strong supplier relationships and the latest travel disruption notification technology to help ensure a comfortable, productive, and safe trip. They are committed to finding solutions that remove travel obstacles and ensure a traveler can maximize productivity while on the road.

Through First, travelers get to experience:

  • A thorough welcome interview during which the First team gains a deep understanding of the traveler's habits, priorities and preferences.
  • Access to a single, dedicated team of deeply experienced travel specialists who are available any day, any time, no matter where the traveler s located, and who can take all those unique traveler preferences into account without ever having to ask the same question twice.
  • Advanced technology that immediately identifies a caller by any of his or her phone numbers and ensures the travel expert has all relevant information and preferences necessary to anticipate and address the traveler's needs.
  • Proactive disruption management through AX CONNECT, GBT's traveler care solution, enabling First travel experts to proactively alert travelers to potential problems and secure alternative travel arrangements via SMS, email or by using a dedicated mobile app.



In addition to providing peace of mind to the traveler, the level of support provided by First eases a company travel manager's already considerable workload, especially in times of significant travel disruption. First from American Express Global Business Travel is available to GBT customers in the U.S., U.K., and Australia.

New "Card Swipe" Functionality for AX CONNECT


In a crisis, incomplete itinerary information and spotty cellular and data connections can thwart travel managers' attempts to locate and provide care to their employees. Through its unique relationship and continued close ties to the American Express Company, GBT has developed new "card swipe" functionality for its AX CONNECT product. This functionality allows travel managers or company security teams to view an integrated representation of a traveler's itinerary information and recent American Express® Corporate Card transactions to help pinpoint their location during an emergency situation. Knowing where and when employees have used their corporate card empowers businesses to locate and assist their travelers in times of need with greater accuracy and speed.

Once they have located their travelers, AX CONNECT's intuitive user interface enables travel managers to push crucial information to them via SMS, email, or a mobile app, and prioritize aid to those travelers with the greatest need.

Personalized Travel Benefits Delivered through TripCase

Furthering its aims to proactively provide travelers with relevant information that improves their travel experience when they most want it, GBT has extended its integration with TripCase, Sabre's (News - Alert) leading itinerary management app, to display trip-relevant supplier benefits such as free in-room Wi-Fi and complimentary breakfast options. This information is customized to the individual traveler and his or her itinerary and is displayed through the TripCase application on the traveler's mobile device.

This enhancement builds upon the existing capability for American Express® Corporate Card Members to link their Cards to the TripCase application for easy access and reminders about their travel-related Card benefits.

GBT invites attendees of the GBTA Convention 2014 to visit Booth #2039 and to download the company's event app here to enhance your experience with us in Los Angeles. In addition to providing more information about our new and enhanced solutions, the social app features game-like points and badges, a leader board, and opportunities to connect with GBT staff and other GBTA attendees.

In addition, Alicia Tillman, Vice President, Deal Consulting and Business Services, American Express Global Business Travel, will moderate a panel entitled "Value of GLP to your Travel Program and Your Career" on Monday, July 28 at 10:30 am on the Concourse level in room 410. Please attend this informative session to learn how pursuing your Global Leadership Professional® (GLP) Designation from the Wharton School of Business can elevate your career and directly impact your company's performance.

Milton Rivera, Vice President, Global Business Development, American Express Meetings & Events, will be leading an education session entitled "Great Expectations: The Evolving Landscape of Social Media and Virtual Technology in Meetings" on Wednesday, July 30 at 7:30 am in GBTA Academy Hall. In this session, you can discover powerful findings from brand new proprietary research of meeting planners/owners versus meeting attendees on expectations for virtual and social media in meetings.

About American Express Global Business Travel

Positioned at the intersection of commerce and travel, American Express Global Business Travel offers its customers a comprehensive network, service dependability, and deep insight to help move people and businesses forward. American Express Global Business Travel provides leading travel solutions, integrated consulting services, proprietary research, and end-to-end meetings and events capabilities. These innovative offerings enable clients to optimize the return on their travel and meetings investments. Learn more at www.amexglobalbusinesstravel.com.

American Express Global Business Travel is part of one of the world's largest travel agency networks with locations in nearly 140 countries worldwide.

American Express Global Business Travel ("GBT") is a joint venture that is not wholly-owned by American Express Company or any of its subsidiaries ("American Express"). "American Express Global Business Travel", "American Express" and the American Express logo are trademarks of American Express, and are used under limited license.


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