American Express(R) AIR MILES(R) Cardmembers Strike Gold With A New Earn Rate

TORONTO, March 22 /CNW/ - American Express and AIR MILES Reward Program(R) announced today an enhanced no-fee American Express AIR MILES Credit Card, redesigned to give consumers a faster way to earn AIR MILES reward miles on a no-fee Credit Card.

The new American Express AIR MILES Credit Card earns Cardmembers 1 AIR MILES reward mile for every $15 dollars in purchases charged to the Card at AIR MILES Sponsors. Cardmembers will still earn 1 reward mile for every $20 in purchases charged to the Card everywhere else. Reward miles in the Collector's Account do not expire and can be redeemed for a variety of travel, leisure, entertainment, and merchandise options.

The new earn rate has made the practice referred to by the rewards community as 'double dipping,' even more valuable. By using both their American Express AIR MILES Credit Card and their AIR MILES Collector Card, Cardmembers can "double dip" by shopping at thousands of Sponsor locations across Canada to earn reward miles from both the Sponsor and American Express. Cardmembers can also collect reward miles faster by combining their spending with free Supplementary Cards.

"We're very excited about re-launching the American Express AIR MILES Credit Card with outstanding reward, convenience, and benefits. The new AIR MILES Sponsor earn rate allows Cardmembers to maximize their rewards, while still boasting no annual fee" said Jennifer Hawkins, Vice President of New Product Development for American Express Canada. "With thousands of Sponsor locations across Canada, it is now easier for our Cardmembers to get uniquely rewarded on their everyday purchasing needs. We're looking forward to helping our Cardmembers reach their rewards goals faster."

"We are continuously enhancing the AIR MILES experience through our partnership with American Express" said Todd March, Senior Vice President, AIR MILES Reward Program. "We know our Collectors want the ability to earn even more reward miles on their everyday spending. By offering increased opportunities to collect reward miles at Sponsors locations across Canada through this enhanced Card, we are meeting the needs and exceeding the expectations of our AIR MILES Collectors."

Current American Express AIR MILES Credit Cardmembers have been automatically upgraded to the new American Express AIR MILES Credit Card and will receive the new Gold design upon renewal. The insurance and benefits of the Card include a Fraud Protection Guarantee, Travel Accident Insurance, and Front Of The Line(R) preferred ticket access to concerts, theatre and special events. Regardless of how Cardmembers use the American Express AIR MILES Credit Card, the new Card continues to offer the flexibility to pay balances in full or over time and gives Cardmembers the opportunity to collect reward miles on everyday purchases.

New Cardmembers will receive 150 Bonus reward miles the first time they use the Card. To apply for an American Express AIR MILES Credit Card go to www.americanexpress.ca or call 1-800-268-2639. To see the list of Sponsors visit www.americanexpress.ca/airmilessponsors.

About American Express in Canada

American Express in Canada operates as Amex Bank of Canada and Amex Canada Inc. Both are wholly owned subsidiaries of the New York based American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc., the largest operating unit of the American Express Company. Amex Bank of Canada is the issuer of American Express Cards in Canada. Amex Canada Inc. operates the Corporate Travel, Travel Services Network and Travellers Cheques divisions in Canada. American Express opened its first offices in Toronto and Hamilton in 1853 and now employs 3,700 Canadians coast-to-coast.

About the AIR MILES Reward Program

Founded in 1992, the AIR MILES Reward Program is Canada's premier coalition loyalty program. More than 10 million active Collector accounts, representing approximately two-thirds of all Canadian households, actively participate in the Program. The AIR MILES Reward Program allows Collectors to indulge in leisure, entertainment, merchandise, travel and other lifestyle rewards quickly, simply by doing their everyday shopping for products and services at AIR MILES Sponsors. AIR MILES reward miles can be redeemed for more than 1,200 different rewards, such as movie passes, family attractions, electronic merchandise, sports and recreation, travel and more. More information is available at www.airmiles.ca.

For further information: Jessica Myers, American Express Canada, Tel: [phone], Email: [email protected]; Danna Barak on behalf of American Express Canada, Tel: [phone], Email: [email protected]