American Express Expands Travel Service Network

American Express Expands Travel Service Network With Holiday Shoppe Agreement

80 locations nationwide now carry the American Express brand

Auckland, April 9, 2002 ? American Express is expanding its retail travel presence in New Zealand, and Holiday Shoppe is expanding the services it offers its customers, under a partnership deal that comes into force this month.

Holiday Shoppe's 80 branded locations have a new look that includes the American Express Travel Services brand and staff have been trained on American Express card systems and benefits.

"The agreement significantly raises our travel profile in New Zealand," said Trish Shepherd, American Express Franchise Network Director for Australia/New Zealand. "These 80 locations give us the brand presence we want ? and exposure to the growing customer base of a well established travel chain."

American Express Director, Marketing, Chris Yorke said the agreement brings special travel deals and services to American Express Cardmembers who can also earn valuable Membership Rewards points for payments made on their Cards. The points can be redeemed for a range of lifestyle 'Rapid Rewards' products or transferred to a choice of airline points programmes, realising even more travel benefits.

As part of the agreement, customers of Holiday Shoppe will have the security of knowing that they will be welcome at any of American Express Travel Service offices around the world. American Express has over 1,700* Travel and Foreign Exchange Services locations in more than 130 countries"

Holiday Shoppe's General Manager, Digby Lawley is enthusiastic about the new relationship. "We considered all available card company options and came up with American Express as the outstanding choice. They are a stable, credible and internationally recognised brand that is actively growing in New Zealand. Its Cardmembers benefit from a reward points system that is the best in the industry and that drives business that we welcome with open arms," he said.

"The fact that we can now send our customers away with the added security of the world-wide American Express Customer Care program on top of travel insurance cover is a huge benefit in this current environment," Mr Lawley said.

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