Press Release: American Express
August 1, 2001
NEW YORK, NY -- Airport delays often rise during the summer peak travel season, when a surge in traffic clashes
with seasonally stormy summer weather. In order to smooth out the air travel experience for consumer and small
business Cardmembers year round, American Express has begun offering Travel Delay Protection, a new service that
will pay up to $200 a night for hotel accommodations in the event of a disruption in schedule.
Travel Delay Protection coverage pays for lodging expenses of up to $200 a night for up to two nights in the event
of a missed connection, delayed flight departure, flight cancellation or denied boarding for $9.95 a ticket.* Once
enrolled in Travel Delay Protection, the Cardmember is billed automatically for each scheduled airline flight purchased
on their American Express Card.
Airlines typically will not pay for lodging expenses for flight disruptions outside of their control, like inclement
weather or air traffic delays. When they do, they typically will provide accommodations only at hotels they have
contracted for this purpose. Travel Delay Protection provides the Cardmember, their employees and families the
comfort of knowing they will not incur any additional costs in the event of a disruption, and that they will be
able to stay at the hotel of their choice.
Travel Delay Protection has no enrollment fees. Cardmembers are billed only when they charge a scheduled airline
flight to their American Express consumer or small business card. Cardmembers can file a claim for reimbursement
any time within six months of the disruption. To file a claim, Cardmembers need to provide hotel receipts, an original
ticket stub, the new ticket stub and a copy of their American Express Card statement reflecting the ticket charge.
American Express 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. For more information about the company, visit http://www.americanexpress.com.
Missed connections, delayed flight departures, flight cancellations and denied boarding when there is no onward
transportation made available by 11 p.m. the same day.
SOURCE: American Express